I recently said no to a lifelong dream.

A little while ago, I was thrown into a spin.

I was presented with an opportunity to work in a job that ticked off so many of my bucket list items. The job was too good to be true and I was excited about the possibilities.

However, after some consideration, I realised that the work did not, in essence, align with the lifestyle I am creating for myself now. And more importantly, my greater purpose.

It ticked off a bunch of goals – bucket list items that I have had in my life – including some that are current items I would still like to fulfil today.

Yet there was misalignment.

I went through the usual process of debating with myself. . .

“I can just do it for a little while and see?”

“Surely I can sacrifice some things for a little while…it will be all right”

Then it became clear… “That’s a No from me!”

That slight misalignment made me realise how much I love what I am doing and the lifestyle I have created. And how the work on offer would take me away from my mission and purpose.

Was this an easy decision to make? No, not at all!

While it was a great opportunity, so much in my life has changed. I had to check in on my values, my purpose, my motivations, my life goals and ask myself:

“Are the dreams I have had still relevant and something I want to create today?”

Releasing Dreams That No Longer Fit

Sometimes we can get trapped in dreams we set for ourselves years past or dreams others have imposed upon us. We can also get stuck in what society believes to be true for our lives.

We then live our lives forgetting to check in and reassess what is important to us now.

What about you?

Have you ever felt pulled in different directions, or chosen to sacrifice or give up something to chase something that may not have been alignment to what you really wanted in your life?

What drove your decision?

  • Money?
  • Prestige?
  • Lifestyle?
  • Circumstance?
  • Outdated life goals?

Are you living in alignment with your true self?

When was the last time you checked in on those dreams you have for your life, and whether they are still current and relevant today?

An Invitation

I invite you to explore those goals, dreams, lifestyle choices that you have or have had in the past and consider what you could let go of as it no longer serves who you are becoming today.

And, if you are looking to find more connection to your purpose and alignment to your true calling, then visit my post The 4 Stages of Self Discovery.