Ever felt like giving up in life? | Yakezie Reader Insights | Yakezie Forums

Has any of you tried following you dream or your passion?

It's not exactly an accepted way of life since most people just work and earn a decent living. People around you discourage you for being who you are.

It's also the road less traveled and people can't relate to that.

So have any of you all done this and ever felt like giving up? What did you guys do then? 

I NEVER GIVE UP… I learn to change with my dream. I wanted to be a dancer so I danced my ass off and found my niche in salsa. Who would have thought a white salsa dancer…  

I wanted to be an actor and booked roles that seemed great and then fell apart. I was devastated and frustrated. I then decided to learn how to make my own shorts by writing and learning videography which kept my dream VERY alive. I then found I loved photography because video work kind of goes hand in hand. To learn to be as great as I can be I photographed everyone and their mother and I am still growing.

I can't always get exactly what I want but I don't mind molding my goals with the waves in the ocean. 

I've had some criticism, mainly from my inlaws, about how I make my living. "Why don't a get a proper job", even though I earn more now than I did when working in 2 jobs. I just ignore this and use it as motivation to become REALLY successful. When I buy my huge house and villa, I will have proved them totally wrong! 

I wrote a post to address this last week. It's a personal story, but luckily I haven't given up going out on my own. 

http://retireby40.org/2012/02/…..-it-alone/

It might take 15 years, but if you persevere and keep working at it, you will at least have the opportunity to try. 

I'm all about doing this, and I'm kind of used to people thinking some of my ideas are crazy, but those who know me have gradually resigned themselves to the fact that I usually manage to do them, and those who don't…well, don't.  But of course I've felt like giving up on things. I have given up on some stuff, too. Like wedding photography.  But I did so after I'd been able to get clients and shoot weddings, and after a lot of consideration.  I posted a compilation post from others on this same topic a few days ago: Not Giving Up.

Thanks for the encouragement guys :) 

You don't want to get down the road of life, look back and see that you were not true to yourself.

On the other hand, criticism can be helpful – use it to reflect on your dream and how you are pursuing it.  If there is truth in the criticism, figure out how you want to address that.  Everyone, everyone at some point wants to give up.

I think you can do a little bit of A and a little bit of B. I think you can follow your pursuits while still 'just working' and 'earning a decent living.' This isn't meant to discourage you from following your dream. I just think that people often think it's an either or situation. Sometimes 'just working' actually helps you pay for your dreams sooner. For example, let's say you make a ton of money working 'for the man' for a couple of years. Well once those years are over and you have a chunk of change in the bank you can stop working 'for the man' and do whatever it is you like. This may be more valuable than jumping the gun and following your pursuits when you have little money and have to live paycheck to paycheck. Of course, that's only going to work if you can make a lot of money at your day job, but I think it's important to realize that it's not always all or nothing with these types of things. Having said all of that if you are passionate about your goals you will reach them, no matter what other people say. Best of luck!

Gonna check those out, Thanks Mom!

I am truly amazed at the encouragement from the response here! Never I have seen such real care from fellow forumers!

I agree with the below. I love that quote. That's something I value more than anything. I am 26, considered relatively young still. I just don't think a "normal" life of working everyday and accepting that I "have" to be a certain, mediocre way is the way to go for me.

FamilyMoneyValues said:

You don't want to get down the road of life, look back and see that you were not true to yourself.