My husband drove me to school and I looked at him with eyes saying’ take me back home’. I gathered myself and hid my inner turmoil behind a diluted smile and the young 40+ student walked into the class room, looking smart and a bag slung over my shoulder. As i walked in I caught my reflection in the glass door and on cue pushed back my shoulders and widened my smile. A cursory glance at my class mates and there were people of all age groups. To my relief I shook hands with working people, students and even a few retired people from Delhi, Noida and Gurgaon. Was I worried whether they would accept me? They were all in the same storm and on meeting everyone there was relief written all over my face. Now I was eager to learn more about one of the fastest growing professions in the world!

Soon there were introductions, laughter, tiffin’s shared and chats over tea during the tea breaks. I felt like a teenager back to college. For those few hours there was no worry of what to cook or the family needs or attend to labour problems at my design workshop. This was ‘My’ time and ‘My’ stimulus for my own internal and external growth! I felt alive and kicking. Why didn’t I do this earlier??

I was eager to know more and the first myth which was shattered was that Image Management is not identical to Personality Development. In fact, personality development was a part of Image Management. It was followed by a Blue print of what all we would be learning and if we imbibed it well we could come out as an Image Consultant, A Soft Skill & Corporate Trainer, A Stylist, A Personal Shopper , an Etiquette Coach or all of them. This excited me as I saw opportunities to connect my existing business to the new.

I felt my adrenaline pumping at the thought of standing and addressing people with knowledge and the power to transfer that knowledge. It all seemed a dream but one that I was determined to achieve.

One word, ‘ Assignment’ brought me back to hard ground from my castle in the air. Seriously, now at this age I would have to do ‘ Homework’!! I had just got over the stage of slogging over the endless homework of my kids and now my own. Well, it was my decision to go back to school at 40+ and why was I expecting any concessions.

Went home with tales of my first day in class room at the Image Consulting Business Institute, after what seemed like millions of years. I had so much to share about my class mates, what they wore, my learnings and the family could feel my excitement.

In a very soft voice, I told the family that I had assignments to do. The expression on my kids’ faces showed their delight and I could hear them say, ” Mom, it’s your turn now” and even saw my husband supressing a laugh. The next day I diligently sat down to do my assignment but I needed to use the computer at which I was a complete zero. Literally dragged my children to guide me. At 40+ getting the electronic nuances was no joke. It was a complete shift of roles with my kids complaining that I had to be told the same thing millions of times. This 40+ student was having a tough time. Suddenly the family decided to step out asking me to sit and complete my assignment. What had I let myself into? I kept complaining about how I helped the kids with all their work and now that I needed help, they all decide to step out. I think I was throwing such a tantrum that they decided to get out of my way. When they got back, it was the kids asking me, ” have you finished your assignment”? Really, this is what it was going to come down to!!

I took a deep breath and told myself that these minor hassles were not going to deter me. I am a lifelong learner and will master this subject to become one of the top Image Consultants in India and why not the world! From the first day in class it has been 7+ years and as I look back, I have not regretted a day I took the plunge to go back to class for myself. Every moment I work happily to make my dream to shine in this field. Today I stand tall, confident and proud in a room full of strangers, sharing my knowledge and helping them on their journey. Age is just a number. I have deposited financial stability, confidence, respect, networking, empathy, learning, fun, laughter and camaraderie in my life at 40+. If I can do it, so can you. Take that step for yourself, what are you waiting for…. life is waiting to happen at 40+.