Reimagining the Canvas: Embracing Pivots, Creativity, and Calling

Life rarely unfolds in a straight, predictable line. Much like a long-distance race, our paths often involve unexpected turns, adjustments in pace, and moments where we must reevaluate where we are heading. Looking back at my time at Converse College, one of the most defining moments of my journey wasn't on the cross-country trail—it was inside the classroom when I decided to completely change my direction.

The Pivot: Trading Biology for the Canvas

For the first two years of my undergraduate studies, I was fully on track to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Biology. I was fascinated by the intricate mechanics of life, science, and the human body. But by my junior year, something shifted internally. I realized that while science gave me an understanding of how we function, I felt a deep, stirring pull toward how we heal, process, and grow emotionally and spiritually.

Making the decision to switch my major to a Bachelor of Arts in Art Therapy as a junior was terrifying. It meant stepping away from what was familiar and predictable to embrace a path that required vulnerability, creative risk, and trust.

When I embraced Art Therapy, a whole new world unlocked. I began leaning heavily into different creative mediums—painting, sewing, and hands-on crafting. Art was no longer just a hobby or an aesthetic pursuit; it became a bridge to the soul. Through the rhythm of needle and thread and the fluid expression of paint on canvas, I experienced firsthand how creative expression can unlock emotions that words often fail to reach.

A profound desire took root within me: I wanted to help others navigate their mental growth, self-discovery, and healing through the power of creative expression.

Expanding the Toolbox: From Creative Arts to Clinical Foundations

Graduating with my degree in Art Therapy was a pivotal milestone, but as I stepped toward my calling, I felt compelled to go deeper. I wanted to build a robust, comprehensive framework that combined creative healing with grounded clinical knowledge.

That desire led me to pursue my Master’s degree in Human Services Counseling.

Entering the clinical field was both challenging and deeply rewarding. Studying human services counseling allowed me to gain crucial clinical insights, understand human behavior, and learn how to support individuals through life’s most complex emotional and psychological trials. It equipped me with practical skills to meet people right where they are in their pain and guide them toward restoration and resilience.

Every step in the clinical field reinforced what I had learned back on the trails and in the art studio: true healing is a holistic journey—one that involves the mind, the heart, and the spirit.

The Ongoing Journey: Walking in Faith toward a Doctorate

Growth is not a static destination; it is a continuous process of learning, refining, and stepping out in faith. Today, that same passion to serve and support others has guided me to the next chapter of my educational path: pursuing a Doctorate in Pastoral Counseling.

This current chapter allows me to integrate every single piece of my journey—the analytical mindset from my early biology days, the creative and expressive power of art therapy, the practical framework of clinical human services, and the deep, unwavering foundation of faith.

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

— Jeremiah 29:11

Looking back, none of the steps were wasted. The initial pivot in my junior year wasn't a setback; it was a divine realignment.

Encouragement for Your Own Pivots

If you find yourself in a season where you feel called to change direction—whether in your career, your studies, or your personal life—remember these truths:

• Pivoting Takes Courage: Stepping off a familiar path is not a sign of failure; it is a mark of resilience and self-awareness.

• Nothing Is Wasted: Every skill, medium, and season prepares you for what lies ahead. The things you learn in one chapter will uniquely enrich the next.

• Trust the Process: Purpose is revealed step by step. You don't need to see the entire staircase to take the next step in faith.

No matter where you are on your journey, don't be afraid to pick up a new paintbrush, adjust your course, and trust the grand design for your life.