Disregarding your Dream is Detrimental
We live in a society which repeatedly discourages people from dreaming big and tries to squash those who have high aspirations. We are told by parents, teachers, even friends that some jobs are unrealistic or useless because they won’t provide stability. They try to convince us to pick something more attainable. In a world obsessed with efficiency and hustle culture where it’s almost impossible to survive without a stable income, it’s no wonder so many people feel forced to abandon their dreams and settle for a life that is safe but underwhelming, unexciting and uninspiring. We’re made to feel ridiculous for even thinking that we could do something extraordinary.
Eleanor Roosevelt said that “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams”, but too many people allow themselves to be influenced by those who seem to think that dreams are dispensable. Dreaming is part of what makes us human. Our hope and our imaginations are what make life bearable, and without the ability to dream, there is less joy and less wonder. As Albert Camus said, “The literal meaning of life is whatever you’re doing that prevents you from killing yourself”. Disregarding your dreams means living your life for others and not for yourself. The British Psychological Society Research Digest blog conducted a survey where 72% of people said they regretted not becoming their ‘ideal’ self – that is, not being the person they dreamed or aspired to be - more than they regretted not achieving their ‘ought’ self – not living up to the expectations of others. When you reach the end of your life, it won’t matter how many people were impressed by you if you still feel unfulfilled.
Many people end up settling for a career they don’t feel passionate about because they are made to believe that following their dream is fruitless. In 2023, Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace report revealed that 90% of UK workers were unhappy at work. We spend a lot of time in our jobs, and spending hours and years of your life in an environment you don’t feel comfortable in, dedicating your time and effort to something you don’t really care about, takes its toll on your mental and physical health. A study by Ohio State University found that those who had low job satisfaction in their twenties and thirties were more likely to develop mental health issues down the line, including higher levels of depression, sleep problems, and excessive worry. Is a stable income really worth living your life in a state of misery?
For some people, sacrificing their dreams is unavoidable. People have families to provide for. Some are not in a position where they are able to take such a risk and lose that stability. Others are just afraid of the uncertainty, worried they don’t have sufficient skill or ability, afraid to take the risk in case it goes horribly wrong, and that’s ok too. Despite this, it doesn’t mean we have to abandon the entire idea that our dreams could one day come true, and we shouldn’t. If anything, it gives you a kernel of hope to hold onto. Your dream will wait for you, and in the meantime, let it be a comforting reminder that when the time is right, you can take that leap of faith.
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