The beginning…
Have you ever imagined how you would be as adults? I did. I used to picture myself strolling through airport corridors, carry-on in hand, en route to a business meeting in a foreign country. I envisioned myself as a successful businesswoman, traveling in first class, conducting deals around the world.
That dream was my beacon, and I poured all my efforts into making it a reality, following my parents' formula for success: study hard, do your best, and secure a good job for a lifetime. One day, almost without realizing it, I found myself "achieving" what I believed was my dream—traveling for a big company, seeing my name in memos, and meeting businesspeople seeking my advice. Yet, why was I constantly tired, anxious, and unwell?
A small bite of that childhood dream allowed me to realize it wasn't what I truly wanted. I had a good salary, wore expensive clothes, and dined in elegant restaurants. However, stress, sleeplessness, and the constant problem-solving for others' goals didn't bring happiness.
I finally admitted I was wrong; happiness wasn't aligning with that image of a successful woman. I had grown and prepared myself only to understand that happiness wasn't about a hefty paycheck and designer clothes. True satisfaction meant turning my passion for drawing and illustration into reality. Accepting my mistake wasn't easy, especially after years of believing in that clear image of my imagined life. It takes courage to accept starting anew, but I was sure I didn't want a life like that. So, I left it all behind to follow my dream with the understanding that maybe dreams are just that, and reality is what we create every day.
I had saved enough money to survive for a few months, and one fine day, I quit everything I thought would make me happy. I confess I had a plan B, having worked for a few years as a contributor on a microstock site selling vectors, providing some 'passive income' that, along with my savings, would grant me some 'financial freedom' for a while.
Nowadays, I understand that, as millennials, the one thing we can't afford is to live with fear. We have the greatest number of tools and possibilities in history to forge our own paths—different from our parents', different from what they wanted for us, even different from what we envisioned for ourselves. We can edit, change, and correct the course. We must show, to ourselves and the world, that we value holistic well-being and actively seek happiness in everything we do.
So, today marks the beginning of my blog, after a year of experimentation and hard work, after a rediscovery of myself. This was a pivotal step, and I can finally check it off the list. Or maybe not—perhaps I'm wrong again. Maybe this new adventure will lead me to different places, with diverse options and people. Today, I'm not afraid. It would be an honor if you joined me on this journey to discover the new and infinite options that lie ahead, to keep discovering myself. In this path that doesn't lead us to happiness but is happiness itself.
An you, are you ready to start yours?