What Happens When You Chase Your Dreams?

If you have ever had the good fortune of quitting a job; especially one which you really enjoyed for the longest while- you know how it feels, to be jobless. You are well versed with, the sudden feeling of euphoria and all that extra time to sleep and chill with your friends, kill hours on the PS3 and more.


Of course, you are also well acquainted with the unprecedented existential crisis that follows. You soon realize your friends don’t have time to chill because they still have their jobs! Also, even though you have a clear idea about the dream you just HAD TO chase after, let's face it; you don’t know-how.

You have no step by step plan on how to get to your dream destination. It could be the dream of becoming a wildlife photographer, a race car driver, a deep-sea diver; essentially any career (If you like that word!) that seems glamorous & creatively stimulating. For me it was and still is writing; so while I should be working on a screenplay I’m supposed to submit in a few days; I’m here, writing this. Hoping that I’ll be able to give someone out there the heads up, I didn't quite get. Now without further ado, let me jump right into it and list out, what happens when you... (Read the title, I'm doing this for you!).

1. You will feel like an absolute fool!

More often than not you’ll be curled up on your bed staring into the darkness of the night thinking to yourself: “What on earth am I doing with my life?” and “Why can’t I just do a regular job that pays bills on time and buy a small hatchback and rent an apartment of my own!”

The answer:  Remember telling yourself you’re creative? Yeah, that godforsaken moment! Well, let’s face it you are creative, you could do a regular job but that’s eventually going to seem like it’s beneath you. You really have only one option- Succeed and for that, you must keep working.

2. You will always be broke!

When I say this, I don’t mean “I can’t afford the new i-phone 5S” broke, I mean you literally will reach a point when you don’t know how you’re going to pay rent or even order from Faasos the following month. If you have the luxury, you’ll probably borrow money from your parents but, it will feel embarrassing like never before!

The answer: Money will come, it always does. Paraphrasing Neil Gaiman; you have the ability to make art and that means there is always work for you out there. You just have to go out and find it.

3. Nobody will understand you!

Not your friends, not your family, not your girlfriend, not your wife- no one. No one will ever truly understand you or what you want. Why? Because you have no clue either! It will be a pain in the ass most of the time. You will hear some of your friends talk and dole out advice to you or others and simply roll your eyes. Nothing you hear will seem new; have you really heard it all? Well yes and no.

The answer: We've all heard it all (Okay not All! I mean if you’re reading this you know you’re special!). Jest aside, it isn't easy to understand you, so cut those around you some slack. These people who seem to have the IQ of Neanderthals are your support system and on that day or night when you need a shoulder to lean on or just a tight warm hug- they’ll come in handy. Also, it’ll be unfair to let these adorable souls go out there and face the big bad world without your guidance.

Of course, it isn't all bad you know! Good things will happen too!

4. It’ll seem like everything is falling into place!

You’ll have multiple eureka moments, where your mind will amaze even you (Yup! You’re that gifted!). It will seem like the universe is conspiring to make things happen for you. Sometimes it will feel so good that you’ll feel bad.

Yes. That’s another issue with our lot, we feel guilty! You will feel like it’s too easy and that you haven’t toiled enough and that you had imagined it would be harder! That big guy from your area of expertise, who had ‘absolutely loved’ your work will pay you shit loads of money! You’ll get hired for a job that you have no experience doing, simply because someone believes in you- yes, that much pressure!

The answer:  Don’t fret. Enjoy it while it lasts. Remember that you deserve every bit of that god damned success and respect- you've earned it. Even though, it might not feel that way at times. Have faith.

5. You’ll learn... a lot!

This has to be the cherry, on the icing, on the cake! I mean what could be better than improving at something you’re already spectacularly breathtaking at, right? This may initially come to you differently though. It may come as fear and lack of confidence. To realize that you are not at the pinnacle of your craft and that your finesse isn't finessed at all, can be depressing.

You will come across others who seem to be better, at what you do. Some of these folks won’t be humble either- they will be all up in your face with their awesomeness: Now who does that remind you of? Oh wait you’re humble is it? Shut up. You’re not fooling anyone! You think you're fabulous!

The answer: Be humble, be modest, be nice to others because the people you’ll meet along the way, are trying to do the same thing as you. Cherish what you've learnt from your errors. Wear your mistakes like battle scars. And always, always, always, ask questions.

Okay, so this is the point where my word count prompts me to wrap it up. I know there is so much more that needs to be said and there are issues that I haven’t even touched upon. But it’s 2014 and many won’t even start reading an article that’s more than a thousand words. Hence this! Comment below if you have something to add to this list or if you'd like to spark a discussion. Share it, because I'm lazy and will probably never share it after today!

Liked this post? Also Read: You Can't Have Everything!

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Comments

  1. AroonMarch 22, 2014 at 7:32 AM

    I think everyone has their own path of chasing dreams. Some people's dreams change, some people's paths change. But I guess what is important is to keep walking, to keep believing in yourself and never stop learning.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AroonMarch 22, 2014 at 10:51 AM

    oh also - relevant: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-jwWYX7Jlo

    ReplyDelete
  3. Rishabh P NairMarch 22, 2014 at 1:16 PM

    Thanks Aroon and yes have seen the video :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Antarik AnwesanMarch 23, 2014 at 6:01 AM

    Yes, this happens. And there is a lack of answer to so many questions, which we want somehow to be explained immediately to us. We look up to a few close peeople, but know it deep down that nothing they say is going to make us feel better.

    I think it was a really apt time right now for me that I stumbled upon the link to your post.
    Feels good to see the situation this way. Knowing that we are not the only ones being faced with such things, that there are so many like us but unlike us who face similar situations...
    Thanks for the post Rishabh :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Rishabh P NairMarch 23, 2014 at 6:19 AM

    Thank you for taking the time our for reading and commenting on it Antarik :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Rishabh P NairNovember 2, 2014 at 9:16 PM

    out*

    ReplyDelete

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