When I was younger, I always dreamed of owning my own cafe or a chip shop. The idea of creating a cozy space filled with delicious aromas and happy customers was incredibly appealing. My love for chips, which has only grown over the years, played a significant role in this aspiration.
But my mother said to me: "Lily, you have to do something practical with all that energy. You're a people person, go work with people." So that's what I did.
Finding My Path
Following my mother's advice, I explored various opportunities that allowed me to engage with people. I was about 16/17, so trying to gain work experience at this age is super hard.
When I trained at university back in 2011, it was free. I say "free," but the course was free only in name; it obviously came with mountains of debt.
There were so many times during my 1st year of uni that I just wanted to drop out. It was so tough, I was so young and really had not understood exactly what was involved in becoming a Midwife.
Years 2 and 3 became easier, my confidence grew, I finally figured out how to actually pass an assignment and I was scoring high in all of my placements. I am not very academic in the sense of essay writing, I find it boring, pointless and nothing to do with what makes a good Midwife (but you've got to do what you've got to do to do and somehow I actually managed to get a 1st class honours degree, I know, I am just as shocked as you!)
Delivering my first baby (still even to this day I have my Mentor's voice in my head when I say "delivering" because used to say to me "Lily, Pizza's get delivered, not babies"). But you get my point... anyway, my hands were shaking, I felt like I was actually going to pass out and after it all when I felt like I probably added absolutely zero to the persons birthing experience she asked me if I have any kids myself. I was blown away that a, she even cared about me or my life and b, that she didn't think I was an actual child. That just shows its not about what someone looks like, or who they are, it's about how they make you feel!
It takes a lot to work with people, they're unpredictable, unique and challenging at times. But wow it is so fulfilling. 18 year old me would never of known just how beautiful the world of Midwifery is and I am so lucky I got the chance to train as a Midwife. It has shaped my journey through life in ways I could never have imagined.
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