An estimated 8% of us have realized our dreams? 😐

Notes on returning to the life that’s been calling you all along

In May, I posted this piece of artwork that unexpectedly took off on Instagram – it reached over half a million people and was shared thousands of times. Strangers messaged me to say it felt like a sign meant just for them. A whisper from the universe.

That got me thinking: How many people actually realize their dreams?

I looked it up – 8% do, according to Psychology Today. Not because they lack ambition, but because they don’t have a plan and follow through.

I’ve taken my share of detours. My first job out of college was supposed to be my “dream job” at a prestigious design studio. Just a few months in, I started watching the clock after lunch. Then one day, the owner rented our studio to a TV production crew filming an episode on location. All the designers took the day off, uninterested. But I stayed – I was curious.

I watched them roll in the lights, paper the floors, mark the spots where actors would stand. I got to chat with the crew, hang around the craft services table, and ask questions about who did what. It was the most exciting day I had in that office.

In six months, I was living in Los Angeles and working four part-time jobs instead. I loved it. A world of possibility opened up for me.

You don’t have to burn everything down to follow what lights you up. But you do have to give it space. You might think this is easier to do when you are younger, but nothing makes you feel young again like making space to dream again.

Those 4 part-time jobs did not lead me exactly where I thought it would. But I did learn what kind of work environments are not for me. To seek work that feels aligned with what I love to create. I find the older I get, the more I listen to my intuition, the more my days are filled with working on the things that matter to me.

My dreams fill up a vision board that hangs by my art desk. This year, I’ve already checked off more than a few - like landing hoped-for licensing deals and being invited to travel and teach at a retreat. I glance at it daily, using it as a guide to remind me of where to put my extra time. They are glimmers of the future I want to create.

The small things you dream about? They matter. If you give them room, they’ll give you something back – hope, joy, a reason to get out of bed. A practice. A purpose. Even if you have to keep the day job, you’ll have something that’s yours.

Maybe it starts with a sketchbook. Maybe you journal when you wake up. Take a 15-minute walk outside daily. Ask yourself: When was the last time I lost track of time because I just loved what I was doing?

The truth is, we’re not too old. It’s not too late. Your dreams may not look like one big thing - but more like a collection of small things you build a life around.

Let yourself return to them. Just to see what’s still there, waiting.

Need some inspiration to begin? Check out some of the books in my library.

Until Next Time ✨,
Kim

I collect my favorite books that I go back to again and again. We could all use a toolkit of things that spark inspiration.

✨ The Crossroads of Should and Must by Elle Luna
I discovered this book shortly after losing my job four years ago, and it felt like the universe handing me a permission slip. Elle’s words helped me pause, reflect, and begin listening to my Musts instead of all the Shoulds. It’s not only empowering – it’s also beautifully illustrated, like a journal made for dreamers.

✨ Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
This one is pure creative wonder. Liz writes with such honesty and wonder about the nature of ideas and inspiration. Have you ever had a great idea and let it slip away? After reading Big Magic, you might be less likely to let the next one pass you by.

✨ The Book of Alchemy: A Creative Practice for an Inspired Life by Suleika Jaouad
A beautiful invitation to explore what’s stirring inside you. Through short stories and journal prompts offered by a wide range of creatives, Suleika encourages a practice of daily reflection and presence. It’s a creative tool for journaling. And you all know how I feel about journaling.

✨ The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron
I don’t think I could leave out this classic. Have you ever heard people talk about morning pages? It’s the practice of waking up and writing three pages every morning – stream-of-consciousness style. This book guides you through a 12-week journey of creative recovery and self-discovery through journaling.

✨ The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
I first read this book when I was about to graduate from college, unsure of what path to take next. The story of a young shepherd wandering in search of treasure struck a deep chord. It reminded me that we don’t always know where life is leading - but if we show up, trust the journey, and do our best with what we’re given, the road will unfold. Like one of my mantras: Trust the Universe. I recently reread it, over twenty-five years later, and it still resonates.