I am 34 years old, and just like the young people living on the same planet, we all share the same concerns uncertainties about the future, dreams and plans, and the typical day-to-day problems. In many ways, life is about unlocking the youthful potential of your dreams, even as we navigate the twists and turns of adulthood.
So, if you are like me who feels a little lost, I hope that what I have for you in this post resonates with you once you’re done reading. I may not have the answers to the questions that you seek, but perhaps the following anecdotes will give you comfort and some peace of mind.
Table of Contents
Some Dreams Stay in the Past
When we were little, I know many of us dreamed to be princesses or even as simple as a butterfly. These dreams may look childish now, but before it used to fill our heads, day in and day out. And then one day, I remember my mother bring some a lot of colors with matching coloring books of flowers and landscapes, and from that, I was convinced that I would become a painter when I grew up.
At 14, I got into really enjoy Physics, Chemistry, and Trigonometry and thought that “Hey, I want to be an engineer or an architect,” but even that was far from the truth when I started attending university. Even while taking a Communications program, I felt stagnant and discontented about the track that I thought I should take. It was only after internship that I figured out that I want to dabble into Public Relations.
This taught me that we might think one path is for us, until we explore our environment further. Life taught me that dreams just don’t mix with reality and there are just those dreams that can only stay in childhood.
As We Grow, It’s Not Always About Dreams
After my internship, and at 34 years of age, it became increasingly hard to land a career in a field that I feel I am most passionate about. Thinking about how tough the world we live in now, specifically in terms of finances, it became a huge pressure. I am already old enough, and if I can’t land a job at this age, what will happen to me. This has been a consistent thought.
I felt that the more I tried to push myself to be successful, the lonelier I actually get. And once I get into the habit and motivation to really do something, I felt like I am beginning to lose my passion in the things that I love.
As I stayed up at night, contemplating, I found myself thinking of my childhood dreams. Surprisingly, I thought becoming an engineer or architect was lost, but it has actually just buried deep down. I’ve realized that this could be a different path, probably unorthodox from my passion, but it could actually solve real-life problems, making that balance between passion and practicality.
Give Ourselves More Experiences in Life
Once I decided that I could probably restart my career plans and pursue another field, I started researching a lot to improve my knowledge on that new path. At first, it became so hard to jumpstart another career, especially one that is different from my passion, but I’ve learned that in life experiences can give you more than you think you need.
Eventually, people started speaking up their opinions and questioning my choices for this change. But you know sometimes for you to feel that sense of personal fulfillment, you have to ignore other people’s opinions and focus on you. Because in the end, all you have is yourself and this is your life.
In time, I realized that what I have been building up actually helps me in so many ways got better in some of my work skills, not just the job-related ones. I learned more about how I can multitask better, how to organize and plan better, and how to manage my time effectively things that I already know of but grateful for the chance to improve on them. Now, I treat every waking opportunity as something that I can do more about, becoming steppingstones for my life in general.
Balance Dreams with Reality.
Despite already saying this earlier in the post, the hardest part of moving forward is balance dreams with reality. While we want to be the best in whatever we want, there are just things that we need to consider, like our finances or our family. Before I didn’t get it why others put aside their dreams for practical reasons, but now I do. As we mature further into adulthood, dreams and reality should be kept in check.
Time is one thing we can never get back. Don’t let regrets about what you didn’t do linger. If there’s a dream inside you, don’t wait. Chase it now. Whether or not you succeed, the experiences you gain will be worth it. I promise you, there’s more to life than fear, and more to gain than you’ll ever lose.
Struggling to align your dreams with reality? Don’t miss our guide on 7 Tips in Creating Your Short- and Long-Term Plans, which offers practical strategies for mapping out your goals.
Closing Thoughts: A Journey Worth Embracing
Life has a way of reshaping our dreams and steering us toward paths we never imagined for ourselves. And that’s okay. Whether you’re holding onto childhood aspirations, pivoting toward new opportunities, or balancing passion with practicality, remember that every step you take is a vital part of your journey.
At 34, I’ve come to realize that feeling lost is not a failure—it’s a sign that we’re still searching, still growing, and still open to life’s endless possibilities. So, to you who might feel the same, take heart. Dreams don’t expire, they evolve.
No matter where you are right now, keep moving forward. Trust the process, embrace the lessons, and let your experiences shape not just who you are, but who you’re meant to become. After all, the journey is just as beautiful as the destination.
Keep dreaming, keep striving, and keep believing in the life you can create!
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