Achieving a Dream
Venturing into a second act or a new career isn’t easy. But follow a few of Debbie Travis’s motivating tips, and you might just take the first step
Use Debbie Travis’s tips to realize your dreams
D/DEBBIE TRAVIS is no stranger to telling people what to do – with regards to home design and decor, that is. The self-made lifestyle expert and television personality – you’ll recall Debbie Travis’ Painted House and Debbie Travis’ Facelift – has also written eight books on decorating, all while maintaining her small business entrepreneurship.
Now, Travis has decided it’s time to tell us “how to realize your dreams and reinvent your life,” with her latest book, Design Your Next Chapter. And it has nothing to do with decor. Realizing that it’s not all tossing a throw pillow here and a splash of paint there, the mother of two pushed herself to make a change a few years ago that would allow her to spend more time with friends and family; the things that make her happiest.
To achieve that goal, Travis bought and transformed a 13th-century farmhouse in Tuscany in Italy into Villa Reniella, a hotel and retreat for women – her “Girls’ Getaway” – that also offers Mind and Body weeks and gourmet weeks for both men and women. Speaking of gourmet, the 100-acre farm surrounding the property also allows her to produce extra virgin olive oil and lavender.
With Design Your Next Chapter, Travis has devised a road map to taking the next step into the new based on her own experiences. From navigating U-turns to coming up with seven ways to find your passion (wake your inner child, find your inspiration and how to say yes count among them) to, yes, really designing that next life chapter – plot, plan, practise, research and don’t be afraid to demolish, clear out or salvage what needs be.
Need more inspiration? Travis’s 10 commandments strike a chord, in which she argues to dump the excuses, embrace mistakes and stay enthusiastic, among the list. But perhaps the most difficult thing for us is simply taking the first step. On the following pages, Travis shares her No. 1 commandment – and she happily gave us her favourite things to do and see in Tuscany, too.