From Depression to Dream Life
Today, I'm getting vulnerable as I write from Kasane, Botswana - a country that's been on my heart since middle school, in my journals since Baylor University, and vision boards since 2018. Yesterday, tears trickled down my cheeks as I watched wild giraffes alongside the serene Chobe River at sunset.
Dream. Come. True.
You see, I came from humble beginnings where abuse was "my norm" and chaos, "my friend." The thought of seeing places like these were beyond any reality I could dream for myself.
And yet, here I am. Not just vacationing, but living in Africa.
But the big question remains - how did I get here? More importantly, how can YOU embark on a similar journey that leads you to a fulfilled life? One that harmonizes professional responsibilities, financial security, and those deep-seated desires that anchor your soul?
Below are a few steps I’ve taken that can hopefully illuminate your path, as well!
1. DO THE INNER WORK.
Therapy, once a taboo subject, is now fully embraced and promoted at healthy, thriving corporations today. Regularly meeting with a counselor, mentor, therapist, or mindset coach can move the needle. These trained professionals or "outside your friend circle" contacts provide unbiased insight, ideas, and methods to move through some mental roadblocks you may have. They're also a SAFE SPACE which means you can verbally-dump and they can keep your secrets.
Judgement free spaces are a must to get things off our chest, heal, and move forward.
2. TAKE A 15-MINUTE WALK DAILY.
As Jim Carrey astutely put it, “Depressed means you need Deep Rest.” While walking is a physical activity, it’s far less intimidating than a full-blown workout. When depression left me crippled with anxiety and lethargy, a daily walk became my lifeline. Gradually, those walks transformed into jogs, then uphill sprints, and finally, I reestablished a regular workout routine.
Start small. Shake the sleep off or walk at sunset to "wash the day away" with perspective giving hues. Unplug from social media and reset your mind.
Action begets confidence, which is vital for your next step.
3. EMBRACE DREAM VISUALS.
No matter how you’re feeling, take three pictures representing what truly ignites your passion. It could be a musical instrument, basking on a sunny beach, your dream home (for me, it’s a container home), or a company you aspire to work for. Place these pictures where you can see them daily.
You might not know how you’ll reach those dreams, and THAT IS OK. In February 2021, I reluctantly placed the Northern Lights on my vision board. Then in January ‘22, I received an invitation to house sit in Yukon, Canada. On February 28, 2022, I stood beneath the resplendent Aurora Borealis.
The future is uncertain, but without clearly declaring what you want, you’ll never get it.
Anything is possible as long as you're willing to take the very first step.
📸: Amber Lethem
#hityourgoals #success #leadership #takeaction
