Are You Afraid of Where Your Heart Might Lead You?

At times, I definitely say yes.

Photo by Felix Mittermeier on Unsplash

Imagine this: you have a great education, your degree in your hand, and you are ready to launch your career. You have wild dreams, you strive for the utmost. Because you have always been told that there are no limits, only in your head.

You’re prepared to go for it and start writing articles like I have been doing for almost 1 year. Only to find out that you don’t go as far as you thought. It’s taking a lot of time. Others seem to do a better job than you.

Doubts.

You start doubting about your skills and if your dreams didn’t fool you. This happens to me from time to time.

It feels like something or someone is stopping you. You look at what is blocking you. You think of your family who doesn’t support you. Some things that go wrong, are pointing to them. You look to a cause outside of you.

Or something might be holding you back: you don’t have enough time, you need to take care of your kids, your busy career, because Medium doesn’t pay the monthly bills, or you don’t want to disappoint your friends. You don’t actually have time to write. Other things are more important at this moment.

Neutralizing obstacles.

Watch now: these are all obstacles that you placed yourself. You can’t control these obstacles because they’re outside of you.

Someone might try to hold you down, or you may not have much time to spend on your writing. But you must realize that these obstacles are in your mind and you’re using them like you can’t go around them.

Maybe deep down, you won’t trust yourself and your skills to go for what you wanted the most: being a recognized author. You might want it, but unconsciously think that you’re not the right person for that. That you’re not good enough.

We are afraid of failure, of ridicule, of being rejected. We are afraid we’re not good enough. — Rhonda Britten

The first thing you should do is take some time for yourself. Listen to yourself. Look for reasons why you wouldn’t be enough, why you shouldn’t go for your dream.

Then every time it pops in your head that someone or something is blocking you from starting to write that article or book, think that you are in charge. And you don’t look for any more excuses.

Never, ever, let anyone tell you what you can and can’t do. Prove the cynics wrong. Pity them for they have no imagination. The sky’s the limit. Your sky. Your limit. — Tom Hiddleston

After some time, you’ll realize that when things didn’t go your way, you automatically tried to get rid of the responsibility. Now you take back the power you spent outside of yourself and use it within.

And once you’re on the roller coaster of what your heart really wants, no one can stop you. Not even yourself.

Be clear.

Now that you’ve got those handles back, let’s look at what you’re dreaming about. Let’s add some honesty to it. Dreams are great, but maybe also overrated. That’s why we call them dreams I guess.

Your child’s dreams may not be what you want today. You might not want to be a famous footballer or scientist anymore. You change, and so will your dreams. Being honest with yourself helps to find your real spark. Look for clarity, what shines in the dark, what really gets you going, your energy spark.

This takes a lot of work.

And to be completely honest, I confess it won’t be easy. Don’t compare yourself with someone who reached his creative top. He didn’t get there by himself. He worked for it. He made sacrifices, priorities, and maybe many sleepless nights. Maybe he feared being on the wrong path, but he continued, following his spark.

You can do the same. Start today. Look for clarity. What is your way to go? Do it with intention, with caution, as you walk in the dark not knowing which obstacles you might bump into. Avoid obvious obstacles and be ready to take the damage when it hurts anyway. Life doesn’t go straightforward but with many unforeseen bends.

I’d be more than happy to spend some of that road with you.

Marieke is a mom of two and a traveler. With a background in communications, management, and non-profit organizations, she combines her life’s journeys with knowledge.

She shares personal insights gained through self-education, extensive reading, various courses, and travel. These insights want to expand your worldview and make your life more meaningful.