JUMPSTARTING THE DREAMER WITHIN YOU

IT’S 2022 GUYS. 2022.

It’s a whole new year and we already know what that means: folks are gearing up to make 2022 the best year they can make it. Whether that’s with new resolutions or maintaining progress from last year, everyone is in the mindset to make changes and grow.

I think that’s part of the charm of a new year. It’s like when the clock strikes midnight and the date on our phones quickly shifts, like the blink of an eye, to January 1, something within us just knows it’s a fresh start. I think it’s beautiful, but can I be honest?

This new year has started and I’m quite unmotivated. My dream post for this year was crazy hard to write. I’m realizing more and more how much all the feels are connected to the thoughts I’m entertaining. Whether dejected from watching dreams and goals fall flat last year or terrified of the daunting task that is planning, there are thousands of ways to feel unmotivated or uninterested.

That’s why I am here! Even though I’ve been feeling a little “lost in the sauce”, there are some things that I do to combat that. You see, it’s a new year which means it’s a new year for the dreamer within me to be inspired, pursued, and uncovered. It’s a new year for a whole new set of dreams and inspiration for old ones.

So how do I go about?

FIRST I REVISIT OLD DREAM LISTS.

This is something I do from time to time. I have two big dream lists stashed away on my computer. Both have over 100 dreams ranging from baking cakes to living in another country. Every time I revisit those lists, I’m encouraged and reminded that where I currently am in life is not the final say. What’s even better is how sometimes in revisiting these lists, I can see what dreams have happened! That’s the first thing I’d do. Whatever dream list you created last year, 3 years ago, or 10 years ago, go and revisit it. Have a laugh or a cry or be challenged by how you used to dream. In revisiting what’s old, you are invited into a moment where you get to celebrate what has happened, acknowledge, and feel what hasn’t and be inspired to dream anew.

SECOND I MAKE A NEW DREAM LIST.

After revisiting the old lists, sit down and make a new one! Ask yourself questions. What’s one thing you’ve always wanted to see? What’s one thing you’ve always wanted to try? What are some cities/countries you’ve always wanted to visit? How do you want to make 2022 great? Have fun. Don’t box yourself. For me, one dream I have for this year is to read at least one new book a month. If I can read more that would be awesome, but I’m starting there. Your list doesn’t have to be long; it just must be you.

MOST IMPORTANTLY, I CHANGED MY MIND ABOUT DREAMS.

This point is a lifestyle change because it starts with your thinking. I believe the older we get the more we dismiss dreams and dreaming. We’ve gotten comfortable. Life has a familiar rhythm and we’ve made our peace with it. The thought of dreaming seems ethereal and maybe even flippant. Please know, it is not. No matter your age, until you die, you can dream and there are dreams within you waiting to be pursued.

So, DREAM BIG. I know we hear that, and it feels overwhelming, and it can honestly cause you to dismiss it. We hear dream big, and the question stands, what does that even mean? When we hear that phrase that is so common it’s honestly become trite, we feel whatever we are wanting to do has to be extravagant and massive. In my opinion, the heart behind “dream big” isn’t that the dream itself must be grandiose but that you choose to not limit yourself to what only you can do and see. With that said, if you’ve never allowed yourself to dream or it’s been a while, start with changing your mind about dreams and dreaming. Every day, look in the mirror and tell yourself “I am a dreamer. I have dreams within me to pursue.”

It's a new year. A clean slate. A fresh start. This is the year for you to start dreaming anew. Whether you've always been one to dream and pursue them or it's been a while, let today be the day that you start fresh. Let today be the day that you change your mind about dreams and go after them!

What's one way that you get yourself motivated to dream? What's been challenging about pursuing dreams?