7 Years Gone: Living For Others' Dreams - A Wake-Up Call
We all have dreams, right? But what happens when we're living for someone else's? It's a trap, man, a slow burn that can leave you feeling empty and lost. I'm talking about the kind of "support system" that's really a pressure cooker. Seven years of my life went by in a blur, all focused on making someone else happy. It was a classic case of "I'm doing this for them, so it must be good for me, right?"
Wrong.
The Pressure Cooker: Building Someone Else's Dream
Let's be real, we've all been there. The "good kid" who puts their own dreams on hold to please Mom and Dad, the "supportive friend" who's always there for their bestie, even when it's at their own expense. I was that friend, that supportive partner, that "yes man" who always put others first.
It felt good at first, you know? The validation, the feeling of being needed. But after a while, it was like I was living in a constant state of "I'm not enough." I was always trying to prove myself, to earn the approval of people who didn't even realize the toll it was taking on me.
The Wake-Up Call: A Moment of Clarity
It wasn't a dramatic break-up or a life-altering event, it was a slow, painful realization. I looked in the mirror one day, and saw a ghost of my former self. The spark was gone, my passions were buried, and I felt like a shell of a person. The harsh truth hit me: I was living for someone else's dreams, not my own.
That's when it clicked.
It wasn't about blame, it was about ownership. I realized I had the power to change my life. It was time to get real, to stop living for others and start living for myself.
The Journey Back: Reclaiming My Dreams
The journey back was tough, guys. It took time, self-reflection, and a whole lot of courage. I had to learn to say "no" more often, to prioritize my needs, and to stop seeking validation from others.
It was scary at first, but it was liberating.
The moment I started to pursue my own goals, a sense of purpose and fulfillment flooded back into my life. It wasn't about abandoning my loved ones, it was about learning to love myself, to embrace my own dreams and aspirations.
The Bottom Line: Don't Lose Yourself
If you find yourself feeling lost, like you've lost yourself in the process of supporting others, take a moment to reflect. Are you living your own dream, or someone else's? It's okay to say "no" sometimes, to set boundaries, and to prioritize your own happiness.
Remember, the only person responsible for your happiness is you.
So, go out there, find your passion, and chase your own dreams. You deserve it.