Monday, February 12, 2024
This year marked the first time in several years that I welcomed the idea of a new year and a clean slate with genuine enthusiasm. I entered 2024 armed with a clear plan, a vision, and defined goals. All of which I had typically neglected to consider in the past. However, amidst my eagerness to start the new year on a strong note, I overlooked the importance of taking time to reflect on the experiences I had in 2023.
Last year was a cornerstone of my life, simultaneously being the most challenging and rewarding. At the onset of 2023, I found myself at an all-time low—unhappy, unhealthy, lacking motivation, and completely directionless. Yet, as the year drew to a close, I had reached an unprecedented high. I was extremely happy, in great health, fueled by motivation, and guided by a clear sense of direction and purpose. By year’s end, I had truly found myself.
In 2023, I made several life-altering decisions that I had contemplated for years. I left my corporate job, a move I had longed to make. I moved to Amsterdam, fulfilling my dream of living in Europe. This meant parting ways with my loved ones and forced me out of my comfort zone to form new relationships. I devoted myself entirely to the business I had slowly been building for the past few years. Through these significant changes, I gained clarity on my identity, my purpose, what genuinely brings me joy, and the unique value I can offer to others through my work.
Ever since I studied abroad in 2016, I harbored dreams of living in Europe. Initially, it seemed like nothing more than a distant dream. A few years after graduating, the possibility began to feel more tangible. However, the onset of Covid abruptly halted my plans, pushing the dream out of reach for nearly two more years. During this time, I rarely even considered the move. Yet despite this, my desire only grew stronger. Once the opportunity resurfaced, I dedicated myself to turning my dream into my reality. The journey wasn’t easy—it demanded extensive time, meticulous planning, financial investment, plenty of tears, and many sad farewells. But in the end, it proved to be profoundly worthwhile.
Similarly, ever since I started my corporate job in 2018, I wanted to quit. But not for the typical reason of simply ‘not wanting to work’. I wanted to work, just in a role where I felt I was making a difference. The job I had didn’t fulfill me, and I couldn’t envision a future there. I spent years in that role, all the while searching for an exit. Finally, last year I made the bold decision to just quit, without having an entirely clear plan for my income. It was a risk, but I felt compelled to take it, to challenge myself to discover new paths. And since then, not a single day has passed where I’ve regretted my decision.
For a long time, hearing others express complete satisfaction with their lives made me feel guilty. Despite having everything they described, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I wasn’t entirely content. I was happy, yet there was a persistent sense within me craving more from life, a voice suggesting I wasn’t meant to follow the conventional path. The idea of being tethered to a corporate job for the security of a regular paycheck, the societal expectations of marriage and starting a family soon, or the prospect of staying in one place for the entirety of my life just didn’t feel right to me.
I hesitated to share these feelings initially, fearing I might offend or disappoint others. However, once I finally opened up about my desires, I felt a huge sense of relief. Everyone I confided in responded with understanding and support for my choices. Taking the leap to quit my job, move to Europe, and forge my own path has led me to a profound sense of self-discovery. The life I’m living and the choices I’m making feel right to me.
It is so important to relentlessly pursue our dreams, regardless of how unattainable they might seem. I love the saying, ‘You want it so badly because you already have it in the future.’ This gives reason to our dreams. They’re our destiny. There’s a profound reason we are drawn to certain aspirations—they are a part of who we are meant to become. We owe it to ourselves to fulfill our potential, to claim everything we are destined to have, and to become everything we are meant to be.
However, it’s crucial to find a balance between our aspirations and reflecting on our past. We often tend to overly focused on the future—on what we lack, our forthcoming plans, and our ambitions for growth, improvement, and progression. While it’s beneficial to aspire towards these goals, this forward-looking mindset can sometimes cause us to overlook our past achievements. We’ve already experienced significant growth and overcome numerous challenges throughout our lives. We can’t forget to recognize, appreciate and be proud of who we are and where we are at this moment.
Consider the goals and dreams you once held that have since become your reality. While these may not be the goals you set or dreams you envisioned just one or two years ago, think about the aspirations you had ten or twenty years ago. Give yourself credit for how far you’ve come and all the work it took to get here. Remember, you are currently living the life you once dreamed of and the memories you will one day look back on.
xo, mikaela
