Today on my blog I wanted to write a story about following your dreams. I am a big believer of working hard for your dreams, but sometimes life takes an interesting turn. In my case I am doing something completely different now, than what I studied for. If you would’ve told me 5 years ago I would be a photographer now, I would not believe you or in fact, probably laugh at you. But life can fool you sometimes, am I right? The question is wether you can control these changes and plan your life. I find this one of the most interesting questions in the world, but I do know that I am so happy with the change that happened in my life. I always find it a bit embarassing to say, but I am an example of turning your passion into an actual job. And I wish that upon anyone, because it’s the absolute best feeling in the world. So today I wanted to share my background story and hope to inspire you along with it.
This post has been inspired by a serie on YouTube, called Couple Thinkers by GANT. It’s about finding answers to important questions in life. My favorite is the episode with Jo Nesbø, I absolutely love his books. The episode is called “How do you dare to follow your dreams and visions?” and it’s about the big changes Jo Nesbø made in his life, eventually leading to him being a world selling writer. I always find it very inspirational seeing people that simply followed their dreams – and successfully did.
When you are around 16 years old, in our society you have to decide what you’re going to do for the rest of your life. I chose studying Social Work at the University thinking I was going to be a social worker. I don’t know about you, but that choice is pretty hard. How do you decide on this when you are so young? In my case I was very happy with my choice, so I finished this study and started working in this field of work. Next to my work there I started this blog, thinking it was just for fun and a way to express myself creatively. But my work ended after 2 years and there I found myself wondering what the hell I was going to do with my life. I didn’t know how I was going to make money. I kept blogging because I loved doing it, expressing myself via photography. I did it purely for fun, I was working on my blog every day and didn’t make any money from it. And then, at a moment where I was in desperate need of change and positivity, I met a woman that offered me the possibility to start my own business: photographing houses for realtors. She used my blog as my portfolio and was confident I could make it work. And now I can call myself a photographer, since this is what I do for a living. It has nothing to do with the study I chose, and it turns out you can do that, in life.
So that is my story, in a few words. Like I wrote before I could’ve never imagined making money with my passion. And while there were some humps and bumps in the road – there always are – I am enjoying this all day, every day. Having my own business means being able to plan my own workdays and I especially love this since I am a mom. It also means working a lot, during the day and if I’m being completely honest here: I’m working 7 nights a week as well. But the thing with doing what you love is that you don’t mind. So I don’t, I am enjoying it and when I feel it’s too much, I take a step back. In my experience the energy will come back, since I can never leave this photography and blogging thing alone, it’s too much fun!
So with this post, I hope to inspire you. To make a step towards that secret dream you have. Sometimes we can feel it has to be perfect from the start, but that’s not true. You will not make money from day 1, you will not be world-famous from day 1. But take that step. Invest in yourself, in education, material, whatever. It shouldn’t be about making money, it’s about doing what you love most. Getting a certain fulfillment out of the things you do. And I know from my own experience that it is the absolute best feeling in the world! So if you have an idea in my mind, take that step. Do it next to your job, so you’re still making money. Let it grow, work hard and watch it unfold. Never Stop Learning, because learning doesn’t stop with going to school. And maybe, who knows, one day it will be your fulltime job. And you might not believe it’s going to happen, but remember I didn’t believe it as well. I am very curious what my life will bring me in the future, I am open and ready for what life will bring me. Wether it’s about me being a mother, a wife or in my profession as a photographer. I don’t know, and I can’t wait.
