Last month I submitted an application to participate in the Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition that occurs in Nathan Phillips Square from July 8-10 this summer. Admittedly it was a looooooooong shot to get in as I haven’t exhibited anywhere before. But why not shoot for the moon, right? Yesterday afternoon I received a lovely rejectionContinue reading “Rejection Stings”
Category Archives: Career Change
On Hobbies, Jobs, Careers, and Vocations
I sent this newsletter out late in January that referenced a blog post from Elizabeth Gilbert. That post continues to sit with me and makes me want to delve further into how I occupy my time. There’s a certain element of fear that comes with exploring this topic: do I appear ungrateful for the work IContinue reading “On Hobbies, Jobs, Careers, and Vocations”
8 Women Who Inspire Me
I celebrate International Women’s Day by acknowledging and thanking those who have blazed trails ahead of me. (Also proud to say I’ve worked for Pledge for Parity sponsor Ernst & Young in my former life.)
Contribution
I have spent much of my free time over the last week deliberating on the word contribution – what it means to me, how it plays a role in the life I lead and the work I do, who I impact. It’s a concept, if not the word itself, I’ve thought of often over theContinue reading “Contribution”
3 Challenges I Didn’t Appreciate When I Changed Careers
Do what you love! Love what you do! Follow your bliss! There are articles upon articles and books upon books available about pursuing your dreams and finding work that makes you happy. And I believe them because I’m not averse to putting in the work necessary to make them true. However I do wish I’dContinue reading “3 Challenges I Didn’t Appreciate When I Changed Careers”
Are You Ready For Change?
I hear it a lot: “I wish I could do what you did” or “That was very brave of you.” The thing is when I left a six-figure Finance job to go back to school for an outdoor adventure diploma (“summer camp for adults” as one acquaintance put it) I felt like I was givingContinue reading “Are You Ready For Change?”
The Origins of My Outdoor Life
“Doesn’t your husband go winter camping with you?” asked a kindly stranger in Algonquin Park. “Oh no,” I replied. “That’s not really his thing. He’s home with the dog.” Truth is, I could insert almost any family member and outdoor activity into that first question and it would be the same conversation I’ve had withContinue reading “The Origins of My Outdoor Life”
Welcome to KMS Outdoors
This is it! We are finally here. Three years after making the decision to leave the world of finance and accounting and a year after finishing the Outdoor Adventure Naturalist program at Algonquin College, I am pleased to introduce you to KMS Outdoors.
Shoes and Bags
This afternoon I attended the funeral for a woman who lived a good, long 96 years on this earth. I listened to her granddaughter, a dear friend of mine, fondly remember how her grandmother was to blame for her love of shoes and bags. I mentioned this to my husband hours later over pints ofContinue reading “Shoes and Bags”
Fall Camp
Contrary to popular belief, summer does not end with the Labo(u)r Day weekend. I re-discovered this the hard way, sweating buckets overnight in my brand new MEC TGV 2 tent and slapping at imaginary insects crawling up my arms. Welcome to your new program, career change, and new life! Air conditioning? Long gone. Showers? ForgetContinue reading “Fall Camp”
Kate Monahan Outdoors 