How to follow your dreams

I believe we are all dreamers but only the brave, the curious, the risk takers, have opened themselves up to their dreams – everyone else is scared. Scared of what other people might think, scared of what it might change within them, scared that they won’t be happy when they acknowledge their dream and compare it to the life they have built, scared of trying, of failing, of letting themselves down. We have to stop allowing fear to control our lives. Fear doesn’t do anything except take away happiness, love and fulfilment.

There is a fire that is yet to be lit in people who feel like they don’t have dreams. I’m not saying that they are inferior to those who are dreamers; most people have goals, but goals aren’t necessarily linked to dreams. You can have a goal without knowing what your dreams are. You can have a goal because it’s the ‘in thing’. Having a dream makes you vulnerable. In my opinion, goals are often ‘realistic’. The goal itself might seem difficult, or even impossible, to the person setting it but goals are created by the mind, dreams are created by the heart. It is really easy to dismiss a goal because your heart isn’t set on it – it’s not so easy to forget about your dreams. Goals are the steps you take to fulfil your dream.

There is a certain power that comes with finding your dreams. It gives you purpose and having a purpose is a basic human need. It doesn’t have to be a life-changing purpose, it doesn’t have to serve anyone other than yourself so it has to be your dream. Your dreams are not set in stone. They can change, in fact, they will grow with you.

Finding (and following) your dreams requires a willingness to seem ‘stupid’. You must forget the naysayers and the doubters. You must ignore the negativity and find the confidence in yourself to pursue your dreams when everyone is telling you it’s not possible. You must be disciplined enough to work even when it seems too hard. You will have to make sacrifices. You might have to say no to other opportunities. These are non-negotiables. How badly do you want it? If it’s your dream, the answer will be ‘more than I’ve ever wanted anything in my life’ because that is the only thing that's going to make you keep pushing forward when all you want to do is give up. A dream does not have to control your entire life, although for some it does. Each dream is so unique and so special – it is entirely yours and you get to make it what you want.

You are not silly, naïve, selfish, immature, stupid or unrealistic.

So I ask you to consider the possibility of having dreams, allow yourself to open up to the idea that you have a purpose, that you have dreams. Two years ago I was a young girl who, on the outside was a people pleaser just trying to fit in, but on the inside I was continuously putting out a fire that I was too scared to let burn. That fire was my dream of inspiring people with the words I write. I allowed myself to feel ‘silly’ while I started sharing my dream, and it transpired. That dream led to many other dreams, and while other dreams have come and gone, that fire it is constantly burning.

There is a joy that is waiting to be felt, an accomplishment waiting to be celebrated, a dream waiting to be shared. Go out and find it.