After 15 years of being at home with my children, I have officially started back to school! 

As the day approached I prepared by buying paper, pens, folders, books, highlighters and other very important school supplies.  I have always loved school supplies.  I really wanted the vintage Wonder Woman lunchbox, too, but since my classes are virtual, I decided it wasn't necessary. 

I joined the group website for my class and entered my information.  I also read the profiles of my fellow classmates.  My feelings of inadequacy began to rear their ugly head. My classmates are psychologists, attorneys, holisitc healers, professors and writers.  Can you feel my anxiety level rising?  How am I, a stay at home mom for 15 years, going to relate to these very educated people?

I took a deep breath and remembered why I was doing this. I want to be a life coach.  I want to help people reach their goals, help them with transitions in life and their self-esteem issues.  Really?  I need a life coach!

Monday arrived and I was up at 5am.  Did I mention that my family of 5 was driving to a ski race for my daughter, Sydney?  My class was scheduled from 10-11am and her race was at 11.  After all these years, there I was, in a parking lot at a ski area beginning my classes.  I can't think of a more fitting place.

I called into my class 4 minutes early.  I wanted to be punctual, but not too eager.  I succeeded, only one other person was on the call.  "Testing, Testing, can you hear me?"  Okay, got that out of the way and I didn't have to embarrass myself in front of the entire class.

So, my first class was pretty basic.  The instructors introduced themselves and there was an overview of the next 8 months.  Then our instructor asked us to introduce ourselves one at a time.  Deep breath, this is where we get to lay it all on the table.  This is the part where I get to hear about how educated and successful my classmates are and not just read about it!   This is the part where my classmates realize they won't want to be my partner because I am just a stay at home mom...

I was wrong!  They are just people.  Educated, interesting people.  I was exhilirated.  I don't know how they feel about me or my education, but it doesn't matter anymore.  I already took the most challenging step; the first step.