Dreams Come With Expiration Dates

In the last year of my language studies, we were given the choice of focusing on teaching or translation. At the time, I wanted to be both a teacher and a translator. I wanted to become an audiovisual translator so that I could translate movies from English into Spanish. Making the subtitles for foreign movies was my ultimate goal. I imagined my name in the credits at the end of the movie: “Translated by Jessica Araus.”

However, after graduating from college, I put all my effort into becoming an English teacher. I knew that finding a job as an English teacher would be easier than finding a job as a translator. Thoughts such as “Someday I’ll study audiovisual translation” made me put my dream on pause. But my dream remained on pause for over ten years, and eventually died. I know it died because I don’t feel it anymore, and because I no longer want to be a translator. I have to admit that the day I came to this realization, I felt a bit sad. It was almost like a feeling of mourning. To really let go of that dream, I got rid of the many audiovisual translation manuals and books that were accumulating dust in my bookcase.

So what do I want to do now? I want to write articles for recognized websites and magazines. I’ve already added a new job title to my LinkedIn profile that says “Freelance writer,” something I’d never thought I could do. Part of my new dream has already manifested. Writing has taken over, and I am determined to go on my new path.

I’ve learned that dreams come with an expiration date and if we do not take action on our dreams, they die. The good news about dreams dying is that new dreams are born.

My mom, who is 55 years old, is embarking on her new dream of having a business. She always wanted to be a nurse, but life was complicated when she was little. My grandmother had 10 children and couldn’t afford to give higher education to all of them, including my mom. My mom did let go of her dream to become a nurse. However, like me, she now has new dreams.

In the end, the only person who can decide when the time has come for a dream to die is you. You have the ultimate word. You can try to pursue an old dream of yours, or you can let it go. Just be careful with your new dreams. These will eventually expire too if you put them on pause. If you keep saying to yourself, “Someday I’ll take piano lessons”, “Someday I’ll write a book”, or “Someday I’ll go on a road trip,” that “someday” will kill your dreams.

The only way to make a dream happen is by taking consistent action. @jessaraus13 (Click to Tweet!)

Check on your dream like you check on the tank of your car. Keep the tank full and give it maintenance. Make a plan and write it down. Make a vision board, ask for help, and do whatever you have to do until it comes to realization. Dreams are a reflection of the soul, and we all deserve to achieve them.

Jessica Araus is a language teacher, entrepreneur, and writer at www.jessicaaraus.com. She is driven by her desire to inspire others to live a better lifestyle. She believes that by changing certain beliefs and taking the necessary action, we can live the life of our dreams. Sign up to her newsletter and get a free copy of her ebook: Live Your Dream Life in 2018.