Don’t Wait to Chase Your Dreams
Life Not Fully Lived
For the first two decades of my adult life, I was all-in on helping others make their dreams come true. From the outside, it might have looked like I was living my own dream—I had a meaningful career and was surrounded by people chasing bold visions. I poured my time, energy, and heart into their pursuits, but quietly, I was neglecting my own.
For years, I told myself it was noble to focus on others, that my role was to support, facilitate, and cheer from the sidelines. But beneath that narrative was a deeper truth I wasn’t ready to confront: I didn’t believe I was worthy of my own dreams. I didn’t trust I was capable of making them a reality.
The Turning Point
Everything began to shift when I started doing healing work. It wasn’t easy—it required sitting with my insecurities and unpacking years of self-doubt. But somewhere along the way, I began to believe I was worth it. I gave myself permission to dream for myself, not just for others.
For me, that meant redefining what success looked like. It wasn’t just about career milestones anymore; it was about creating a life that aligned with my deepest values. I embraced single motherhood by choice, becoming a mom to my incredible son, Ben. I reimagined my career, pivoting from roles that felt safe into coaching and consulting work where I could pour my creativity and vision into helping others while staying connected to my own dreams.
When I finally prioritized my dreams, something beautiful happened. My life expanded in ways I couldn’t have imagined. I became a better human—more grounded, more joyful, and more present. I became a better leader, able to inspire others not just with my words but with the authenticity of my story. And I became a better mother, modeling for my son what it looks like to believe in yourself and live a life that honors your passions.
The Cost of Waiting
My story isn’t unique. Research shows that many of us regret not acting on our dreams. A study by Cornell University found that 76% of people’s biggest regrets are not about mistakes they made, but about opportunities they didn’t take. Whether it’s a career path left unexplored, a business never started, or a passion left untapped, the most painful regrets often stem from inaction.
Another survey revealed that 41% of people regret not pursuing their dream career, while 36% of adults wish they had started their own business. And fear of failure is a common obstacle—49% of Americans admit they’ve avoided chasing their dreams because they were afraid of falling short.
But here’s the thing: Regret is a heavy burden to carry, and the longer we wait, the harder it becomes to shake. Yet it’s never too late to take a step toward the life you’ve imagined.
Don’t Let Regret Win
Looking back, my biggest regret isn’t that I spent so much of my life focused on others—it’s that I waited so long to believe in myself. I wonder what might have been possible if I’d started sooner, if I’d silenced the inner critic telling me I wasn’t enough and dared to take my dreams seriously.
If you’re reading this and you feel like you’ve been putting off your dreams, I want to encourage you: It’s not too late. You are worthy of your dreams, and you are capable of making them a reality. Start small if you need to, but start. Take the first step, then another.
You’ll find that as you lean into your own dreams, you’ll also have more to give. When we live fully, we inspire others to do the same. It’s not selfish—it’s the gift we owe ourselves and the people who look up to us.
Because the truth is, chasing your dreams doesn’t just change your life; it changes the lives of everyone around you. And that’s a dream worth pursuing.
