As a college student, I spend a lot of time thinking about the future. All the somedays and the maybes. I've said it before and I'll say it again: I am a dreamer. I probably daydreamed more than the average kid. When I would walk to the bus I would write stories in my head. I would spend hours and hours at home behind the computer writing stories--remember back when Word had that little paperclip dude? We were best buds.
I was certain that I could write a book by the time I was 18. In 7th grade when we read The Outsiders, my English teacher told us that the author was only 17 when she wrote it. If she could dream up Ponyboy and the Greasers at 17, I could write a book by 18, right? A few months shy of my 18th birthday I realized that this ambition had come and gone. And sometimes I wonder if all of these dreams I have will turn out the same way.
People throw around phrases like "there's no time like the present" and "carpe diem" without having any real meaning behind them. I want to change that. When I am looking back at my life, I want stories to tell about the times that I actually listened to that advice, and the times that I truly believed in myself and made my dreams reality.
Today I realized maybe I spend too much time dreaming and not enough time doing. Maybe it's too late to be the girl that published a book by 18. But I refuse to give up on the rest.
When is the last time you did something remarkable? When is the last time that you had a day you will never forget?
So often we talk about the somedays and maybes. We make "bucket lists" and speak in ambiguous terms about things that may or may not happen in our future. But what about today? If you treat every day like it's just another day, then someday you will wake up and realize that you had a lot of unremarkable days.
THE TIME IS NOW.
What are you putting off? Is there something you have really always wanted to try but haven't for some reason yet? Ask yourself why you want to do it. Whether you want to learn calligraphy or go on a wild road trip, you should know what you want to get out of it.
Related: Always Move On To The Next Thing
What is holding you back? Your answer might be life, which is valid--up to a point. Life happens. Jobs get in the way. Money becomes a factor. And sometimes our goals and expectations seem too big or unrealistic. But sometimes you have to think about what you would do if there were no limitations? Put reality aside, and think about what would make you happiest.
What steps are getting you towards making it happen? Let's say you want to go camping. Everyone knows that you can't just roll up your sleeping bag and go wandering off into the woods with your bag and a granola bar. That would be foolish. So find out what your equivalent of packing for a camping trip is and start preparing.
Related: How to Actively Pursue Your Passions
Why NOT?! Remember when I said to get rid of all of the limitations and think about what you really want. When I was in high school, my creative writing teacher went around the circle and had us share what we want to do after high school. I shared my ideas about what I thought I would actually do, and then I said but if I could really do anything, I would work in film. And she asked me if that was what I really wanted to do, then why wouldn't I try to go after that? So, I told her what I really truly believed, which was that I didn't think it was possible. And she countered me with "Why not?" It was the first time anyone had really done that. Now, I don't know if anyone has ever done that for you, but I am asking you now. It doesn't have to be as big as what you want to do with the rest of your life. Maybe you want to go skydiving or try unicycling. The time is now.
I believe in you. The real question now, is do you believe in yourself?
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