The actual “dream chasing” has been going on longer than 10 years, but right now I’m referring to this blog which is officially 10 years old this month! (Cue the confetti!) But first things first, if you landed on this page because you were scouring the web for inspiration re: dream chasing, I thought I’d disclose the fact that I was just sifting through Google the other day searching for the same thing!
High five, dream chaser! We’re already more similar than you think.
I also thought I’d let you know that when I registered this domain name 10 years ago, I was totally clueless what I was swiping my card for. I just wanted a space to blog and a catchy name to go with it, if I’m being honest. It wasn’t until several years later that I started to feel the responsibility of it all—of being an (accidental) advocate of this actual chase of dreams.
In other words, it was all fun and games until emails and comments started pouring in from people seeking advice (or a listening ear) as they chase their own dreams. And if you know me, I take these types of interactions quite seriously.
The first couple of years were alright. I got answers ready for every FAQ. After all, I reached the peak of my career at a young age, left my corporate job to travel and to work remotely, launched several passion projects, married the guy of my dreams, and enjoyed the freedom of chasing the next big thing whenever I felt like it.
Textbook dream-chasing stuff, pretty much.
But then I became a mother and everything sort of became.. messy. I had to #konmari the heck out of my dreams to make room for two little humans, and it was only then that I realized that I barely scratched the surface of what it truly takes to chase dreams.
Don’t get me wrong, being a mother now is everything to me and quite possibly the best dream I never knew I had. It’s just that everything I knew about chasing my own dreams was challenged, even shattered.
And so I wondered over and over if “chasing dreams” still applies to me in this season of my life.
What does chasing dreams look like for us anyway, mid-30 creative women with little humans to feed and raise?
This question floats around like a dark cloud above my head, especially when anxiety hits. There were times when I struggled to balance it all and I was almost sure that I was so done here.
And yet somehow, year after year, whenever I thread my way through this seemingly dead-end road, I find myself having a stronger resolve and a deeper grasp of the purpose of this blog, what it can grow into, and why I should keep going and trying.
And now I stand on this 10-year mark knowing full well that I was forever changed by God in this journey, simply because I kept finding the courage to show up and to allow this space to evolve and grow as it should.
More so, because I learned to (albeit reluctantly) acknowledge the seasons and honor the process.
Chasing dreams is the intentional pursuit of the big, audacious dreams that God has placed in our hearts. But more often than not, the chase looks more like planting and growing a tree than running and winning a race.
It means being willing to take both the big leaps of faith as well as the small and unseen everyday steps.
It means going through seasons of both hustling and healing, of both stretching and slowing down.
And sometimes it means letting God hide you like a seed because that’s the only way to grow your roots.
All this to say, if you’re here hoping to find inspiration from someone who already “made it”, I hope you won’t be disappointed to know that I’m actually writing this from the trenches of my own glorious and messy chase.
The ducks are far from being in a row. The bags are unpacked indefinitely. The dreams have yet to come true. But I do know that the best lessons are learned from the messy and hidden parts of the story, and that’s what I hope to continue to share in this space on this 10th year.
Thank you for staying around for it all, and may you find on these pages the inspiration you need to—quietly, slowly, steadily—keep going too.
Love, Riz
Photos by Sheila Catilo. <3
Hi Mommy Riz, I am impressed with what you’ve written. You inspired me. Love it much!
When you said, “Is chasing dreams still applies to me at this age?” It hit me! We share the same question, momsshh.
Am I still allowed to chase my dreams now that I am 32. I am a wife, a mother, and a teacher? I work 24/7, literally. Everyday becomes busier. Work becomes tougher and life plays harder. How will I?
But then, I realized, everyday is a chance given by God to go on and still chase that one big dream. Yes, there will be a lot of hindrances and struggles along the way but with God everything will be just fine. Especially now that I have my husband and our little kuletchai by my side, everything will be better.
After reading your blog post, my question has been answered.
It’s never too late to set new goals, to dream a new dream, and to chase that one big dream. With the guidance of the Lord and with the love of my family, I can make it. I will chase and reach it! Claiming it!
Thanks for the inspiration Mommy Riz.