Adulting nowadays feels a lot like the week between Christmas and New Year’s Eve, especially when you’ve entered into your empty-nester phase. As children, everything in the world was new, magical, fascinating, and beautiful. We were encouraged to play, create, and grow our imagination. When we set higher goals for ourselves many of us were cheered on and supported. A dream could feel like a future back then.
At some point, that empowerment to be more became about survival and maintenance. The hope endowed upon us to make a better world was passed onto the younger generation and the generation after that. We grew up, paid too many bills, paused our dreams indefinitely, tried to blend in, and created our families.
Then, one day, the children have started their own lives in pursuit of their dreams. After the boxes are packed, you notice the house is more organized and less chaotic. The holidays feel a little more quiet and we finally get a moment to reflect on all the years that blurred past while we were fussing about, trying to make sure everything was “just right”, as if we were preparing for a show rather than living our lives. This is typically when people begin talking about preparing for the Third Act of life, but it feels like we missed the whole Second Act.
One day, when the the dust has settled, there comes a moment. That moment when you take a sip of coffee, stare out the window as you really notice the silence, and suddenly remember a child who had big dreams. The child who was excited about Christmas and knew Santa Claus was real; the child who was a leader and thought everyone was her friend; the child who wanted to be an actor, a writer, and an artist. That’s the moment you remember. The magic isn’t gone, but the technique is a little rusty. Empowering dreams still feels important.
The week between Christmas and the New Year is not about making resolutions or creating a new version of yourself. This time is a gift. Accept it as an intermission. Take time to process everything and then remember the magical being you truly are, built by dreams. Instead of focusing on some ethereal Final Act, consider how you want your story to go next. It’s your life to live and your story to write, after all. You are the writer, the actor, and the director. Give yourself permission to Dream Big again.
You don’t need to wait for the holidays to make your dreams come true. Sometimes, all you need is warm cup of coffee, a moment of reflection, and the courage to build the life you want to have right now. What would you do if you could do anything?
Come back whenever you want to talk. The coffee is always ready.
~Miss Marie – Traveling Coffee Girl
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