When I was in high school I wrote out a bucket list, a list of things to do before I die. I’m pretty sure I was the only kid in school who had one. While everyone else was planning for college and picking out their career paths I was busy worrying about death and how to live life to the fullest. My dad was in and out of the hospital a lot, we almost lost him more times than I care to remember, so death was very real to me at a time when most of my peers thought (and still think) they were invincible. After graduation I tried to adopt a more “grown up” way of doing things so I put my bucket list aside. I told myself that my goals were unrealistic and that you had to much more well-off than I am to do the sort of things I wanted. For two years I tried to be like everyone else. I started a photography business, because that’s what you do when you are decent with a camera, right? I was a part time homemaker. I tried to put aside any dreams that were wild and crazy and do you know what happened? Nothing. For two years I accomplished almost nothing.
So on September 16, 2013 I dug out my bucket list and I decided to start living life on my terms. Since then I have crossed seventeen things off my list and I have started chasing my lifelong dream of being a pilot, something that I previously thought was unattainable. I’ve also had a thousand unexpected little adventures along the way. I’ve conquered fears, I’ve faced challenges, I’ve had dreams come true and best of all I have been enjoying my life instead of letting it pass me by.
I’ve learned so much in the past few years of my life. The most important lesson of all has been that you have to have confidence. Fear comes from a lack of trust in oneself and once you start believing you can do or handle anything, life will improve drastically. Another major lesson is that nothing will happen unless you make it happen. There is no such thing as the “right time” to do something and a new experience will never fall out of the sky. Any new adventure will be hard work and it will probably all come at an inconvenient time but trust me, its totally worth it. The last lesson I want to share is that it really is quite simple to accomplish a goal. Pick one and make it happen. You can do it. I believe in you.
So what are your dreams?
A pilot? Excellent!!!
Love this post. So true. Time moves fast!
And I LOVE your list 🙂
“Any new adventure will be hard work and it will probably all come at an inconvenient time” – YES!!! So agree with this, Jenny! Now that I think about it, pretty much every opportunity I have had in the past few years, no matter how good of an opportunity it is, has come at a time when I was like, “Oh my gosh, I absolutely cannot handle this right now” but for some reason I felt an obligation to the universe to take advantage of it anyway 🙂
Love that shot on “final” and LOVE this post Jenny! It’s so hard to take that leap and most of us have been conditioned that we shouldn’t do it. But you’re right…not much happens and dreams begin to die. Love that you’re chasing yours!
What a great post! So much truth here and yay you for chasing dreams and living your life to the fullest.
hurrah for your dream chasing, Jenny! and thank you for this very inspiring post. I needed those words. Especially: “once you start believing you can do or handle anything, life will improve drastically” and “There is no such thing as the “right time” to do something and a new experience will never fall out of the sky.”. thank you. and that sea image at the top: I adore it (and love all the others). happy dream chasing!!!
Thank you. I needed this today.
i really needed to read this today…so happy you are following your dreams!
YES! x
I want my son to get his pilot’s license because a) I think it would just be so cool and b) (more importantly) it seems sooooo unrealistic and unattainable personally. Maybe not. I am in awe that you are getting it d-o-n-e. Good for you! Miss you ladies and your beautiful work!
I am so glad I came across your blog – Being a blogger myself, I so enjoy seeing what others are doing and feeling — Loved this post – Plan to visit time and time again – It is a comforting place to escape to!
~Kristine from Boston MA
I earned my PPL few years ago after dreaming of becoming of pilot waaaaay back from when I was 7 years old. I am now in my early 40s now. It’s the best feeling in the world being alone flying around at sunset over the coast like an Eagle in flight using your engine, the wings and even the thermals if you’re lucky enough to find some. For those of you who dream it, just do it! Go for it!