Dreams are only Dreams if you can enjoy them once you reach them

Alexa - play Dreams by the Cranberries*

Okay, now we can start… As I’ve been creating this website, a thought kept coming to me: "Dreams are only dreams if you can enjoy them once you reach them." Maybe I’ve heard it somewhere before, or perhaps it’s something I’ve come up with myself. Either way, I believe in it deeply.

In both professional and personal interactions, I’ve often been asked, “What’s your five-year plan?” or “Where do you see yourself in five years?” I’ve come to realize that, in professional settings, these questions aren’t always about your future—they’re often about how you might fit into someone else’s vision. And if we’re being honest, nobody truly knows the answer to that question.

Sure, you might have a dream job or a version of yourself that you hope to become if you stick to the ‘plan.’ But when we’re asked these questions, do we feel free to be fully honest? Absolutely not. We’re not going to tell our managers or colleagues our deepest, most personal dreams. So, why ask? From my experience, these questions often reflect the asker's desire for validation or insight into your doubts, rather than a genuine interest in your dreams. That being said, sometimes the question comes from a place of care and can help highlight areas where small pivots might lead you back to your true path.

Whenever I was asked this—and believe me, I’ve been asked a lot—my answer was never about a specific job title or salary, even though those things are important. For me, it was always about how I want to feel in five years. After experiencing trauma and grief, I’ve come to understand the importance of enjoying the now. Can you balance living in the moment with chasing your goals? Absolutely. Is it always easy? No.

If I work tirelessly to reach my dreams but burn out along the way, without ever truly enjoying the journey, is it really worth it? What happens when you finally achieve your goal? Will you look back and wonder where the last five years went, or will you feel that it was all worth it?

I believe in pursuing your goals with passion, but not at the expense of the present. Because in the end, dreams are only as meaningful as the moments we live while working toward them.