We rented one of those vans you can rent by the hour. I’ve seen them around and they’ve always looked fine to me. But for some reason we got the one that wasn’t.

Judging by the dents, the van had been in at least two accidents previously. That or else been driven by people who thought the van was much smaller than it really is. The side was dented to the degree that the sliding door at times spontaneously slid open while we were driving. We learned that if that happens, you just have to brake suddenly and it will slide right back shut again. The windshield had a huge crack – not the hairline kind but one that looked like someone had used a huge rock or boulder to try to break into the van. Numerous handles, dials and other important parts were missing and the oil light on the dashboard blinked on and off as we drove. The motor light was illuminated the whole time.

This was the vehicle we used to move all the furniture to The Art Place. We laughed all the way, my husband and I – sometimes heartily, sometimes slightly hysterically and sometimes nervously – because that is the only way to handle an adventure like that.

For months, I’ve been collecting furniture, supplies and other knickknacks that I need for The Art Place. I don’t want to have to invest too much to set it up, and I think an eclectic mix of interesting furniture, old and new, is exactly the right look for an art atelier. But you can imagine, our garage and my home studio have been quite crowded. For the first time in months I can actually walk into the garage without having to slide past or climb over something. It’s a relief to say the least.

But the big thing is of course The Art Place. I’ve been dreaming and planning this for a couple of years at least, and now it is finally happening. Clichéd as it may sound, it really is a dream come true. And the place is perfect, everything I wanted and hoped for.

A lot of people have told me how brave I am. I don’t feel brave, it’s just that I really, really want to do this. I have a vision and I believe in my idea. I would regret it if I didn’t at least try. But it doesn’t mean that I don’t have my doubts. I’m really stretching my comfort zone, and once again find myself doing so many things for the first time and having to learn as I go, which has been a constant, by the way, ever since I originally opted out ten years ago.

In fact, when people tell me I’m brave, I start wondering maybe I’m just crazy. What on Earth am I thinking?!

It’s then that I have to silence my doubts and just keep going, keep going, keep going. That’s what you have to do in order to give things a chance. To give change a chance. Otherwise you let your doubts win and you never do anything new and exciting.

It’s exhausting though. It’s been a week since our van adventure, and I’m still physically, mentally, and emotionally quite tired. But also happy. In addition to being a bit scared and slightly doubtful.

But that is part of change. In my heart of hearts, I know this is the right thing for me right now. I believe in my idea and most of all I’m happy and excited. And when doubt creeps up on me (which it interestingly mostly does at night), I make sure to tell myself loud and clear, “keep going, keep going, keep going.”

I haven’t set my website up yet, but you can follow my progress with The Art Place on my Facebook page: The Art Place Finland.