I used to want to write a book. A great teenage fiction novel. I used to want to write (and play my own songs). I used to want to be famous – not Lady Gaga style famous, but a name known in households nonetheless.
I don’t want any of those things anymore. I have no interest in reading books about being in high school, and subsequently, no interest in writing for the genre. I love karaoke and SingStar, but have a decidedly mediocre voice and terrible stage fright; short of donning a Slipknot-style mask, performing would be the death of me. I suppose I wouldn’t object to being a “name”, but seeing my byline on published pieces is enough of a thrill.
I don’t feel like I’m giving up on these dreams; they just don’t compel me anymore. I don’t have an interest in pursuing my hobbies to a high level – it may sound like I’m downgrading my ambitions, and I guess in a way, the things I want are much more simple now. I want to live comfortably, financially speaking. I want to enjoy my work, to throw dinner parties, have board game nights, the occasional night on the town. To play entire songs again on guitar. To travel and see things I’ve only heard or read about. To feel the sun on my back on the beach, and the crisp, chilly air and crunching leaves underfoot. To eat cheese, prosciutto, and other amazing foods without worrying about the price tag. To live in a house with my name on the title and eventually, a couple of little people running around in it.
Do you dream big? Or are your aspirations more geared towards the simple pleasures?
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My dreams are to be happy and healthy throughout my life. I don’t have high aspirations to be rich and famous, just successful in my own right and to live a life I can be proud of. Simple enough, right?
Yes but being happy has prerequisites like being healthy in first place, having good social environment, stable source of income. People are happy when they gain something, when they learn new skills or acquire some other type of value.
I can’t even tell you how much my dreams have changed! I think I’ve realized that I’m setting myself up for a life that’s not going to be easy & money-friendly…even though that’s what I wanted when I grew up. (Growing up in a poor family will do that to you.) But my dreams have changed a lot since I was younger. I still want to be an author, but I know my chances of earning a significant living off of it is pretty dismal.
The older I get, the simpler my dreams get. But that means they are essentially attainable. If you had asked me when I was 22 what I wanted, I would have spun tales of a PhD and ivory towers, and being a professor and having some intellectual love affair.
Now? I just want a slightly more satisfying job that’s in a city and pays the bills. That would make me happy. In some ways it seems like settling, but it doesn’t feel like it.
@Rachel Exactly – I don’t feel like I’m settling either.
I think you realise that you don’t need to be famous to be happy. Isn’t that what we’re after in the end. Being happy?
Mine is small house big yard orchard and chickens deal.
I dream big! It’s not about money or fame. I’m simply trying to achieve something big in my life. Doesn’t matter if it’s successful or not – at least I’m trying. I only live once so I don’t want to be just average or ordinary 🙂
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