Why I Started Over — And Why It Took Twenty Years

Twenty years of one career, a decade of painting, and the decision to build something new.

If you know me, you know I am always looking for something.

I have been working in technology as an integration developer for almost two decades. Alongside that, for a whole decade, I was also a practising fine artist. I genuinely love painting and creating. And then, slowly, I lost my spark for it. I know it will come back — but painting never truly became my profession, and I am not sure why. Something about turning it into work, putting that kind of pressure on it, never felt right.

When I wrapped up my art practice, I turned my attention to the house. And I realised there was a lot of clutter — as you can imagine, an artist's home accumulates. I decided to have a proper clear out. The moment I did, I felt refreshed. The space started to breathe.

I would not say it was a messy house. It was a beautiful mess. But now it was time for something different.

I did not immediately decide to become an interior designer — that felt like a big, scary leap at this point in my life. But trying interior design, or fashion design, had always been somewhere at the back of my mind. I remember saying I wanted to be a fashion designer when I was at school.

Where I come from and the society I belong to, dreaming of going into those kinds of industries is not really encouraged. I kept looking at interior design courses for years. But the idea was always gently discouraged, and honestly, I understand why. Interior design can seem like it belongs to a certain kind of life. The same is true of most creative fields.

Those thoughts kept me stuck for a long time. And then I took a leap and enrolled in a professional diploma. I am studying interior design while still working full time.

I wanted to start sharing this journey here and see where it goes.

I am honestly terrified to put this out there. What if I cannot do it? What if I fail? What if I never get a client? What if AI replaces designers by the time I am ready? All of those thoughts are still very real to me.

But then I think: what if I do not try? What if I just keep letting life carry me along? Will I regret it? I absolutely would — and that is far more terrifying than any of the fears above.

Why interior design? Because I genuinely believe that spaces can be beautiful and functional at the same time. I watch a lot of home shows, and what moves me most is seeing how a space makes people feel. The way our surroundings affect our lives and our mental health is so clear when you pay attention to it. I want to feel that in our own home — and eventually, I want to help others feel it in theirs.

That is what this is about.

Urvashi