As children, we yearn to become movie stars basking in the spotlight of stardom or astronauts soaring amongst the stars. But as we mature, reality forces us to trade in these lofty aspirations for more practical pursuits. With age, we often discover the chasm between what we deem to be practical and our reality. The relentless struggle between "never giving up" and "accepting reality" ultimately ends with our dreams fading into oblivion.

This guide seeks to offer a direction to navigate the harsh reality of letting go of your childhood dreams.

Acknowledging your feelings

In our dreams, we envision a version of ourselves we yearn to become and the life we wish to lead. Letting go of these aspirations can shatter that vision, leaving us with an aching hollowness like the heartbreak of a lost love. What we need to know is it's natural to feel overwhelmed after parting with a dream we have treasured for decades. 

Knowing a different road may lead to the same destination

When we are younger, we see the world around us in black and white, believing that there is only one path to achieving our dreams. As we get older, we start to see that there are many roads that can take us to our desired destination. 

The trick is to remember why we wanted to get there in the first place and what truly motivates us. If we can hold onto that, we will be able to find new paths to the same destination, even if they are not the ones we envisioned as children. For example, if one aspires to become a doctor as a way to help people, there are countless other professions that can enable one to do just that.

Accepting reality

Part of growing up is accepting that reality is not always as thrilling and adventurous as we once thought. As we mature, our priorities shift towards seeking stability and balance. It is important to recognise that we cannot have it all. When we acknowledge the sacrifices we need to make to pursue our dreams, we can set our priorities straight and face the unforgiving reality.

Exploring and pursuing new things

When we start losing our grip on the dreams we have clung to all throughout our lives, we may begin to explore and pursue different paths to see what else the world has to offer. Through new experiences and hobbies, we gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and our place in the world.

Taking action

We may not exactly know where we're going, but by taking steps towards our current goals, we may find our way. As Steve Jobs said, "You cannot connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So, you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future." 

Sometimes we don't need to abandon our childhood dreams. What we need is the courage to pursue them. If even after all these years, our hearts are still tethered to those dreams, then perhaps we should give them a chance.

Samin Yasar Anabil pretends to be a philosopher. He claims to be friends with overthinking. Tell him to stay sane at saminyasaranabil@gmail.com