If not now, then when?

 

this morning i read this post that Jeremy wrote and i haven't been able to stop thinking about the topic. it's a post about his perspective as an independent musician working at his dream full time, watching friends give up and move on and the constant inner battle that people like us inevitably face.

 

how do i measure success? at what point will i feel satisfied in what i've achieved? what if i realize that i'm never going to have enough money to live other dreams (like having a family or expanding into new opportunities)... what then?

these questions can feel heavy year after year. working independently (or at any "dream job") requires unanticipated sacrifice and years of hard work for a goal that, for some people, never happens. if this post is a huge bummer to read, imagine living with these realities in the back of your mind at all times. everyone in my position has these thoughts. it's normal and healthy... it's as simple as being in touch with reality. it's easy to imagine that we're all ridiculously happy creating art day and night. that part of the "dream job" is the sweetest part and the reason why i'm willing to sacrifice literally everything to keep going. it's also important to know that behind every success story is a person who has very likely been completely broke for long periods of time and lived with haunting doubts and fears of failure. it's pressing through these obstacles and living a risky dream that separates talented people from talented people whose dreams come to life! 

i've been incredibly lucky and a lot of my hard work and risk taking has paid off up to this point. i guess that i wanted to write this post to encourage someone out there who is in the middle of sacrificing comfort for the chance at a dream. whoever you are, just know that you aren't alone. in fact, most of the people you admire have walked in your shoes. hard times are a part of a the bigger story of success. 

xo, elsie 

Comments

[Maddie Lance]

Oh, Elsie. You are amazing.

[Michelle]

Thank you so much elsie! This post was so needed today! I've got a while left at school and the thought has been hitting me that maybe it's not the best think to continue because it means I'm not with my fiance all the time. I need to find a way to work it all out and not take the easy road.
<3

[kira]

I needed this today.

I'm at that broke, breaking point right now in going for my dreams. I have so much I want to accomplish, to get through, to do, but that fear you talk about is very real and loud right now.

So thank you for writing this, especially today. It gives me hope that this all will pay off one day (hopefully soon!).

[Lu]

Very encouraging, thanks for sharing your thoughts! :)

[Amanda]

This is perfect, and you are so right darling.

[tiffany.]

perfect!

xo.
http://dropsofjupiterBLOG.com

[amy]

Elsie,
This rings so true for me. A few minutes before you posted this, I thought to myself,

"I'm just going to keep writing my heart out, no matter what happens or how many people read it."

Thanks for the kindred spirit inspiration.

Amy Kolz

[heather leigh]

thank you... my boyfriend and i are both dreamers living with that reality right now and the last year has been incredibly difficult... thanks for always being an inspiration to keep going.

[MayDae]

Thanks for this - I needed to hear it. It also brought to mind my husband who is an extremely talented musician, with a wife (me!) and 3 young kiddos. We were married so young, and I know that it can seem like his dream of playing music full-time is a long way off when there are bills to pay, lunches to be made, and potty training to do. I am so blessed that we are both able to work from our home and be together so much, but I hope and pray that his dreams are being realized a little more each day, and that they never feel "done".

Thanks Elsie! I love reading your thoughts:)

[Kristy]

Elise you are speaking to ME! I just took that big scary step of going on my crafty dream full time (this is week 2) after struggling with what was basically 2 full time jobs for a year. Its scary but exhilarating at the same time. Family, before we told them, couldn't understand why I seemed so happy day to day. I love when you do posts like this as it is so encouraging to hear from someone like you who is living their dream as I am trying to live mine! THANK YOU!

[Edna Loureiro]

Thanks so much. I'm in Portugal and I read your blog about two years now. And you are such an inspiration and this post really help me, because I'm an art student and I think here we don't have the value that we deserve, so thank you so much again 'cause you are a trully amazing person (and I can see it through your writing.

Edna

[Erin]

Holy cow. Perfect timing for me to read this. A lot of doors are opening for me lately and I'm not sure which one to take to get me to where I want to be. Thank you for the inspiring blog post.

[Cassandra]

Thank you.<3

[Elise]

Thank you for this!!

[Meghan]

Thank you so much for this. You are such an inspiration!

[Hannah B.]

Thank you! You always know just what to say :)

[Candice Reszko]

totally speachless and deeply touched...

thank you for a dose of healthy thinking

[Cheryl McAdam]

Your an inspiration Elsie! It's so hard to try to "make it" doing what we love when everyone around us is telling us to wise up, and get a "real" job. It is so painful to think about not following your dream anymore to just make others happy. I really needed this post today!

[Allison Kaye]

You are such an amazing person. I hope that I can keep a hold of my dream to never stop being creative
-Allison Kaye
www.craftedlove.com

[grace]

encouraging words for sure! Thank you so much Elsie.

I've been thinking a lot lately about the things that will make me feel successful in life; my own business and a family. I KNOW that those things are attainable, but I also am well aware that they will come with sacrifice. Thanks for acknowledging that those sacrifices are often worth it!