We’ve all been there: You inherited the smithy when you were 11 years old after your parents died in the annual wolf attack. You built a good life for yourself. But then you hit the big 1-5 and suddenly you panic: Is this really what you want to do for the rest of your life? You probably feel stuck and think, “My hands and face are too gnarled and calloused from the white hot flames of the furnace – isn’t it too late to change the course of my life?” Don’t give up just yet! Let’s look at some of those nagging doubts that make you doubt your ability to pull off a mid-life career change when you’re the village’s only blacksmith left:
What jobs are there even for someone my age?
Actually, there has never been a more exciting time for women of 15, 16 or even 17 (!) years to hit the job market! There really is no limit to the imagination when it comes to careers. You could be a spinster! Maybe turn on the old charm machine and apply to be a noble man’s mistress – you’d be surprised, these days, mistresses can be way older than 12! There’s also the tried and true careers of bog witch, horse friend, minstrel, or fish wife. You could even think about becoming a multi-hyphenate, like an actress-prostitute!
But who will make short swords for the local noble men? Who will create arrow tips? Who’ll shoe the horses?
It’s admirable to think about the village community’s needs, but at your age you’re allowed to be a little selfish. Remember 22-year-old Tabitha who used to be a homemaker and mother of 11? Did she care what anyone thought when she drank that strange traveler’s health elixir then became a sentient, cursed tree? It’s never too late to follow your dreams. Plus, at least one of Tabitha’s kids can probably figure out how to be a blacksmith – they certainly need the income!
How shall I pay my debt to the baron?
At the risk of sounding like Mad Maisie the fortune teller: The universe will provide! Dive head first into your chosen career and watch the gold, silver, or salted fish come rolling in! Plus, you could die from, like, a bad cold any day, so why not just do your damn thing.
With those most common doubts out of the way, you can feel totally free to explore your true potential. Remember: Now is the time to get back on the career horse, which is a literal horse!
