At 44, I find myself on an unexpected but deeply rewarding path—learning entirely new skills outside of the disciplines I’ve spent decades mastering. With a background in the social and health sciences, I’ve always been comfortable navigating human behavior, systems, and care. But building a website? Learning AI? That’s new terrain altogether.
Right now, I’m in the thick of it—constructing this webpage bit by bit. It’s both exciting and uncomfortable. I’m constantly toggling between moments of curiosity and frustration as I figure out what I want this space to be and how I want it to reflect who I am. Is it a résumé? A blog? A living portfolio? Maybe it’s all of those things. Or maybe it’s something entirely different that I haven’t quite discovered yet.
What I do know is this: learning doesn’t stop at any age. While it may come with more resistance—or self-doubt—later in life, it also comes with more intention. I’m not learning because I have to. I’m learning because I want to.
In addition to web development, I’m also beginning to explore the world of artificial intelligence. AI is evolving rapidly and will undoubtedly become an essential part of everyday life. I don’t want to be left behind. More importantly, I want to be part of shaping how it integrates into the fields I care deeply about—healthcare, education, and human connection.
This season of growth is messy, but it’s real. It’s humbling. And it’s teaching me that being a beginner doesn’t mean being behind. It means being brave enough to step forward.
If you’re also navigating new skills—at any age—you’re not alone. Keep going. It’s worth it.
Growth in Bloom 
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