So should I chase or become my dreams, maybe do both?

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If you’re like me, you’ve probably heard someone say, “Stop chasing your dreams, become them,” and you went like, Wait, what?

There’s also “Never stop chasing your dreams” and now the big one, “Stop being scared of chasing your dreams.”

Honestly, social media is full of dream-related pep talks, and they are getting really confusing.

Because, let’s be for real, if I stop chasing my dream, how do I get them? Do they just magically show up like a food delivery that wasn’t yours? And if I’m chasing them, does that mean they’re running away from me? Or are they just really, really far away?

So today, I thought we could figure this out together. Let’s just try to make sense of these big phrases people keep throwing around…

“Stop chasing your dreams, become them.”

This one is poetic, feels like it belongs in a bookshop on the cover of a cute journal. At first, it sounds pretty but also vague. What it means is, don’t treat your dreams like they’re this separate, shiny thing you’re trying to grab from a distance. Instead, live in a way that matches them right now.

Let’s say your dream is to be a painter, don’t wait until your art is in a fancy gallery to call yourself one. Paint now and act like the artist you want to be, even if your only audience is your cat and your cousin who only compliments you with “Nice.”

You can also think of it like planting seeds instead of running after flowers. You’re not sprinting toward a goal away, you’re making your own little garden right here with how you make decisions, with your attitude and mindset.

“Never stop chasing your dreams.”

This is the classic hype version. It’s the one that makes you want to get up, run a marathon and maybe open a business all in the same afternoon.

What it basically says is, Keep going no matter how slow or awkward it feels. You rest sure, but you don’t quit!

The good thing about this? It keeps you moving forward.
The not-so-good thing is, sometimes you can get so focused on running that you don’t realize the dream you’re chasing isn’t even yours anymore. Maybe other people’s opinions influenced you along the way, or even other people’s lifestyle reels on social media.

“Stop being scared of chasing your dreams.”

This one’s for the hesitant dreamers. The ones who’ve got the vision board but keep waiting for “the perfect time” to start. Hear me out, there’s no perfect time.

It’s like when you’re standing at the edge of a pool and you keep telling yourself, I’ll jump in when it’s warmer. But it’s not a heated pool babe, it’s not gonna get warmer. You just have to get in and scream for the first two minutes until your body adjusts.

Sometimes, the only thing between you and your dream is the first scary step. After that, it’s just a matter of not backing out when it feels weird or new.
 

So, which one’s right?

I can’t decide for you whether you should be “becoming” your dream, “chasing” it, or “gathering the courage to start.” That’s your call.

Honestly, all three can be right and all three can be wrong. It really depends on you, your situation, and the season of life you’re in.

I’ve started to realize that what works for me, at least, isn’t picking one motivational slogan and living by it forever. It’s figuring out the kind of life I want and then working toward that, piece by piece.

Not just about the dreams and careers, but the actual lifestyle I want to have.

• What do I want my mornings to feel like?
• Do I want my workdays to be peaceful or packed with action?
• How much free time matters to me?
• What kind of people do I want to be surrounded by?
• What kind of work makes me feel fulfilled rather than drained?

Because here’s what I’ve learned, once you know the life you want, your dreams stop feeling so far away. They become something you’re building into your everyday choices, the small things, the habits, the way you treat yourself. You actually start enjoying it.

 
Oh my goodness, let’s talk about how sometimes it’s so, so easy to get caught chasing someone else’s dream.

It could be the career path your parents think is best, the lifestyle you see on Instagram, or even something the past you wanted but doesn’t fit the present you anymore. And do you know what the scary part is? You might not realize it until you’ve been chasing it for years.
That’s why discernment matters. Knowing what’s truly yours to chase and what’s better left for someone else saves you a lot of time and energy.

Please don’t chase someone else’s dream. Don’t wear yourself out running toward a life that doesn’t even make you happy.

If you’re going to “become” your dream, let it be in a way that feels like you, not a performance for other people. If you’re going to chase it, make sure you’re running toward something worth the energy. And if you’re scared, that’s fine. Just take the smallest first step you can today.

At the end of the day, dreams are personal, and they change. And that’s okay.
Me? I’m still figuring mine out. Some days I’m chasing, some days I’m becoming, and some days, I’m just enjoying a cup of forest fruit tea (my favorite) and reminding myself that life isn’t a race.

And maybe that’s the real dream after all.

Do you feel like you’re currently chasing your dreams, becoming them, or still figuring out what they even are?

I’d love to hear from you.

Thanks a bunch for sticking around.

See you next time, bye!🤎

If you enjoy what I share, wander over to my Ko-fi shop you might find something that feels just right for you.