Why I Choose To Live Small And Not Chase Big Dreams

Why I Choose To Live Small And Not Chase Big Dreams. Why Living Small Is My Biggest Win. Living Small, Thinking Clear: My Journey. Why I Choose Peace Over Ambition.

Choosing to live small isn’t about giving up; it’s about redefining what happiness means for you. Society often glorifies big dreams and ambitious goals, but not everyone finds joy in that constant chase. Sometimes, it’s about finding fulfillment in the little things and focusing on your current season of life.

I found that the key is accepting the season of life that you’re in. When I was starting my business, I knew I would have a little life outside it, and I accepted that. Now that I have pivoted and am trying to have more wholeness in life, I know that the business will be somewhat “normal” instead of “super busy” because I now focus on sports and wellness. Now there is nothing (unless it’s super important!) that will make me cancel my games and my workout time. I honor myself differently this season. Am I living big before because I was “busy” with my business? Am I living small now because I am no longer “busy” at work, but living a “little life” of sports and wellness? Well, honestly, I love both lives in different seasons. Big dreams will look different in the season of your life and the only way to know is to look deeper; introspection.

Why I Choose To Live Small And Not Chase Big Dreams

Here’s how you can confidently embrace a life that prioritizes your joy and values over societal expectations.

How to Know You’re Choosing to Live Small

• You feel content with where you are: If your heart feels settled, it’s a sign you’re living intentionally, not aimlessly. Feeling stuck and content are not the same thing. If you have some desires that you are not letting yourself explore, you might be resorting to living small due to some fear you haven’t tackled yet.

• You prioritize simplicity: You find joy in what you have rather than constantly striving for more. This is a hard one, especially with the societal pressure of having “everything” and being everywhere, but when you have joy, you can watch the world around you move and you still feel like you’re not losing yourself.

• You don’t feel the need to compare: You’re not chasing someone else’s version of success. I’ve often said that comparison is different from inspiration. We can use other people’s lives as inspiration. Maybe someone who can do meditation longer than we do is an inspiration and we want to eventually get there too. But we’re not comparing that someone is “better” because of it. We just know that everyone is on a different timeline and season of their lives.

• Your goals align with your values: You choose what feels meaningful to you rather than what looks impressive to others. Alignment has been a big thing in my life for the last couple of years. I found that when I do things that are aligned with my curiosity and interest, discipline and building daily habits become so much more manageable. I used to hate getting up early, but now I wake up at 5:30 am to warm up and stretch to get to my 6:30 am game. I’ve worked jobs in the past where they paid good money but it was torture for me to get up at 7 am. I found that money is a good motivation, but not a sustainable one. Eventually, you’ll have to find something that is aligned with your values, curiosity, interest, and joy. This doesn’t mean you have to quit your job, but it can mean that you can find something outside your current responsibilities that will feed your soul and bring you joy. Find where you feel peaceful and safe.

Understanding Seasons of Life : Why I Choose To Live Small And Not Chase Big Dreams

• Accept ebb and flow: Life isn’t always about growth; sometimes, it’s about rest and reflection. Rest is a hard thing to manage since we have associated our “success” when we are “busy” (remember my business story earlier?) – but the truth is recovery is as important, if not more. I learned this the hard way when I went hard training at a sport early on, and I realized I was not getting as good as I wanted, then eventually, I gave myself 48 hours to reset and just relax, and I found that my mind, body, and soul became much better. I no longer rush things as much as I used to before.

• Honor your capacity: It’s okay if now isn’t the season for chasing ambitious goals—it doesn’t mean you never will. You are never too old or too young to chase your dreams no matter what other people say. Also, starting small steps is always a great idea. Going hard right away might frustrate you more. But when you go in slow, tiny steps, you will find some space for compassion and things will become more sustainable.

• Focus on what matters now: Invest energy in relationships, self-care, or hobbies that bring you immediate joy. When you have people in your life that tell you your dreams are too big, or that you are too old, or too young for something, it can be hard for you to move forward. But that’s not to say that their advice is not valid, there are some validity and points to other people;’s advice, however, you know yourself and what’s inside you. You can start filtering what you share with other people to keep your dream alive. Work hard in silence, make moves behind the scenes, and find people who “get it.”

• Trust the process: Every season serves a purpose, even if it feels less “productive.” Just because you are not seeing results doesn’t mean nothing is working behind the scenes. An element of surrender will help you see that there are other forces in the world – mostly things you can’t control. As hard as it can be, even when you work hard and put in all your effort, you will have to let go of things and let them unfold.

Why Big Dreams Are Different for Everyone

• Your definition of success matters: What feels big to others might feel small to you—and that’s okay.

• Dreams evolve: Your priorities and passions may change over time, and that’s part of your journey.

• Small dreams can have big impact: Pursuing what makes you happy can ripple out and inspire others.

• No one-size-fits-all: Living authentically means embracing dreams that resonate with you, not society’s blueprint.

• Trust yourself: You know when you know. This is not about being “ready” or being “capable” – you will always get into situations where things won’t work out or it will look like a giant failure. This applies to a receptionist and a CEO. Meaning, everyone in any industry and any status will go through things. Listen to your gut when it’s telling you it’s time to slow down, and when it’s time to go hard. Only you can tell.

How to Be Confident in Your Choices

• Embrace your values: Align your life with what’s most important to you, not external pressures.

• Practice self-acceptance: You’re not “less than” for choosing a simpler path; you’re brave for choosing what’s right for you. I would have never thought that sitting in a coffee shop and people-watching is such a “joy” for me now, when I used to sit at a coffee shop put my head down for 8-10 hours, and just hustle and feel “successful”.

• Celebrate your wins: Even the smallest victories matter when they bring you closer to joy.

• Stay true to yourself: Confidence grows when you trust your decisions, regardless of what others think. Dancing to the beat of your own drum can be hard when everyone’s music is playing in the background, but staying true to yourself is something you will be thankful for as you grow and evolve.

Choosing Your Own Joy : Why I Choose To Live Small And Not Chase Big Dreams

• Define what joy means to you: List the things that truly make you happy and focus on those. If you want to sit by the beach and hear the waves, do that. If you want to have a dance party in your room, do that. I always ask myself: is this healthy? is this a learning experience? is there love here? is this true to who I am? These questions help me to go for what brings me joy. I eventually trusted myself that I would figure it out. I will make mistakes just like everyone else, and it’s okay.

• Let go of external expectations: Society doesn’t get to decide what fulfillment looks like for you. Man, the world can be brutal at times because some people will just pass on these wild expectations that don’t make sense to the person that you want to be- it’s not okay, but no one knows better than yourself. At the same time, the world is also great because the more true to yourself you become, the more you repel people who don’t “get it” and the more you get closer to meeting people that will help you move forward.

• Prioritize presence over progress: Focus on enjoying the moment instead of always striving for the next milestone. It’s like sometimes we’re always looking back or forward and forgetting that now is all we have. Now is the present we have to embrace and enjoy. I found that when we hope for joy, it doesn’t come up as literal joy, it comes up as opportunities to be joyful. The present is the best way to be joyful. One day I came home from an event and it was early fall when the crisp cold air was slowly getting through my thin sweater and I was annoyed. I complained for a second of course (I’m human!), but after I started to come up to other people at the event and started talking about my thin sweater and how I love it and I’m a little sad I have to put it away until the next season, and lo and behold, other people felt the same and we started having conversations and had a good laugh. I’m so glad I chose to be present rather than in my head complaining and huffing and puffing.

• Say no to comparison: Your life is unique—don’t measure it against someone else’s. This is hard. So now when I feel like I want to compare myself, I go up to that person or comment on their social media, and I celebrate them. I congratulate them, I commend them, I say how happy I am for them and how they are such an inspiration. This alleviates the need to compare. Also, everyone goes through something. Every single one of us is going through something we don’t know about. So I trust that each of our journeys will look, sound, and feel different.

Daily Steps for a Joyful Life

• Start with gratitude: Write down three things you’re grateful for every morning.

• Create space for what you love: Dedicate time each day to hobbies or activities that bring you happiness. Say NO to things that no longer serve you and bring you joy. If you can’t say NO fully, limit your exposure to things and people that don’t fill your cup.

• Practice mindfulness: Stay present by meditating, journaling, or simply appreciating your surroundings.

• Set small, meaningful goals: Focus on intentions that align with your current season of life.

• Limit distractions: Step back from social media or toxic environments that make you question your worth.

Why I Choose To Live Small And Not Chase Big Dreams

Living small doesn’t mean living less—it means living authentically. By embracing what matters to you, letting go of external pressures, and choosing joy over societal expectations, you can lead a life that feels fulfilling and true. Remember, your journey is yours alone, and it’s okay if your dreams look different. Trust yourself, cherish the present, and live with intention.