When we are younger, the world is a canvas of endless possibilities. We dare to dream big, envisioning where we’ll live, who we’ll share our lives with, and how we’ll spend our precious time. This period of dreaming feels like a significant chapter in itself, filled with aspirations as boundless as our youthful energy. Then reality sets in, and we either chase those dreams with unwavering determination, or we gently let them fade. If we choose the latter, we often extend ourselves grace, acknowledging the practicalities of life and working towards a sense of peace with the path we’ve chosen.
Life progresses, and our resources—time, energy, finances—get allocated. Sometimes they fuel our dreams, but often they’re diverted towards other responsibilities and commitments. Those youthful dreams might start to seem distant, even a bit naive or selfish in the face of daily life. We adapt, we get used to a certain rhythm. Yet, deep down, we recognize the humbling journey of navigating aspirations and realities.
But what happens when a spark of interest flickers later in life? A new idea ignites that dormant dreamer within you. Should you simply dismiss it, reasoning that it’s too late or impractical? Or, why not leverage the wealth of experience you’ve accumulated to actually invest in these newfound dreams and ride the exhilarating wave of excitement they bring?
If you opt for the former – ignoring that spark – then the rest of this discussion becomes irrelevant. So, let’s lean into the latter. Let’s explore the empowering question: why not pursue these later-in-life aspirations?
Before we delve deeper, let’s clarify what we’re talking about. This isn’t solely about acquiring material possessions like a dream car or house. While those are certainly noteworthy goals, they might not necessitate the profound reallocation of resources and priorities that we’re advocating for here. Instead, consider those deeper longings.
Have you ever walked into a charming local business and thought, “I could see myself owning a place like this someday”? Or perhaps vacationed in a vibrant city and felt an undeniable pull, thinking, “I truly want to live here permanently”? If these gut feelings have grown into persistent desires, then let’s explore how, with a shift in perspective, you can transform these dreams into tangible realities.
It’s essential to start by acknowledging the “non-negotiables” in your life. However, ironically, these very “non-negotiables” are often where we stumble. When contemplating a significant life change to fulfill a later-in-life dream, we tend to solidify elements that are actually quite flexible. We cling to routine expenses, ingrained habits, and perceived obligations, which, when combined, can make the seemingly possible feel utterly unattainable. But why not challenge these perceived limitations?
There’s a simpler, more empowering way to assess the financial feasibility of a dream. Focus on the “delta”—the gap. What’s the actual monthly financial difference between your current lifestyle and the lifestyle your dream entails? This approach allows you to set aside those overwhelming, fear-based thoughts and instead make informed decisions based on concrete numbers.
Let’s illustrate this. Imagine you’ve always dreamt of living in downtown Chicago, but the thought of such a drastic change feels daunting. Begin by pinpointing the monthly housing cost difference. For example, say a downtown apartment would cost $3,000 more per month than your current housing. Assuming your core income remains stable despite the location shift, the question becomes: how can you strategically adjust other aspects of your life to bridge this $3,000 gap? Don’t immediately declare it impossible before you genuinely investigate the possibilities. Some current expenses might naturally decrease with this lifestyle change. Others you might need to consciously reduce. And yes, there might be new, related expenses to factor in. But why not explore these adjustments with an open mind?
The key difference between pursuing dreams in your youth versus later in life lies in the resources you possess. Now, you bring experience, established resources, and hopefully, a degree of wisdom to the table. What you might have less of is the unbridled fearlessness, the insatiable appetite for the unknown, and perhaps the same willingness to temporarily compromise on lifestyle and comfort that you had in your 20s. Conversely, this also illuminates why attempting these same dreams in your twenties was simultaneously harder and easier.
Over time, you’ve likely justified your choices by focusing on opportunity costs – what you might lose by pursuing a new path. And often, that assessment was valid. However, why not re-examine some of your current, ongoing expenses and your actual satisfaction with them? You might discover untapped opportunities to pursue those long-held dreams. The perceived cost of chasing them might be significantly less daunting than you’ve assumed.
You genuinely should pursue your later-in-life dreams with more vigor than you might instinctively feel inclined to. The math, the logistics – yes, they can seem intimidating. But the truly surprising reality is that the “math” of life rarely made perfect sense even when you were in your twenties, embarking on your initial dreams. So, why not embrace the exciting uncertainty of pursuing new ones now, armed with the wisdom and resources you’ve gained?
