When I started working on the freedom of life a year ago and dared to look at my dreams, I never would have thought that I would ever be where I am today. However, if you looked at my life three years ago, you would see a different person. I was a career-oriented, high-profile pilot who quickly rose from office manager to head of human resources and a fast-growing successful business.
I was living the dream, making more money than enough to make sure I could buy anything, and finally I was successful!
But today’s story is the complete opposite. I’m cleaner. I work part-time seven days a week, cleaning up after other people. I work for minimum wage, and every day, physically.
Who did I think I was
I thought I couldn’t get a better job, a better position in life, and a better chance to show the world that I finally made it. I made significant amounts of money, traveled the world and bought everything I wanted.
I thought that if I could somehow achieve this, and prove it to everyone, because I worked in London 50 hours a week, I would get the respect that I always deserved. Completely defined her career. Without work, status and money, I would be nothing, and who wants to live like that?
So what happened?
I’m over it. One day I just decided it wasn’t for me. It was too intense, it was overwhelming work, killing me from the inside. I knew I didn’t want to work for someone else’s dreams anymore. I was tired from hard work, was on the verge of becoming mentally unstable and feeling completely miserable.
What was important was that I was happy, and my purpose was much deeper than sitting at my desk, head in my hands, wondering what the hell I was doing and why.
Journey has begun
As soon as I started this journey, I knew that it would not stop because I would never be satisfied. So I started looking for what really made me happy, what I loved to do, and how I could use it to serve the world.
I wanted to contribute, make a difference, and inspire others to do the same. It was like there was finally a light in my brain. I realized that life is what I did and I didn’t have to do what everyone else was doing. I could try something new, log out and live an extraordinary life.
The thing is, I didn’t have any money. When I quit my job, I got into a lot of debt. My credit cards were blocked, and the money I had I had to use for bills, rent payments, and pay off those debts.
I was very scared and worried because I wanted to follow my dreams and look for what mattered, but I still had to live. I wasn’t going to go back, so I had to admit defeat. I had to get a job.
That’s why I became a cleaner.
I won’t lie to you – it wasn’t easy. Until then, I was a high-flying bird. I took pride in being famous and successful and loved being able to afford whatever I wanted. Then I felt sorry for these people and could not imagine that I myself would be one of them.
I became what I never wanted to be. I was ashamed to admit it to people, but at the same time I knew that I had to do it. Financially, it took the pressure off. It also gave me the freedom to do what I loved and, above all, allowed me to rediscover my dreams and work with them.
Your work should not define you.
It took me a long time to realize that my work should not define me. All that mattered was that I could pay my bills, which was the only reason for that. The fact that everyone else saw me as just a cleaning lady meant nothing. They can think what they want.
I was the only one who knew the truth. I no longer had to justify myself to anyone. It’s so liberating.
Of course, there are also dark sides. I have days when I get so irritated that I’m frustrated that I have to do this job. I get a little down and down, but every time these doubts pop into my head, I instantly turn them into something positive.
So how can you deal with these challenges when you are doing something that is not your dream?
Understand that it serves a purpose
Remind yourself why you are here, why you are doing this work, and what you are getting from it. Remember that there is a reason for this, and that reason is to pay bills, pay rent, or buy groceries, that’s all.
It’s not about whether you’re a janitor or a garbage collector or what you choose to do while working on your dreams. You are a planner, a successful person, and you are brave enough to do what needs to be done to make sure your dreams are possible.
Be grateful
Seriously, this is the most important thing you can do. When I’m down, I remember how lucky I am and I’m grateful that I can get a job done, get paid, and still work on my dreams.
If I had a nine to five job, I probably wouldn’t be where I am today because I’d be too tired. I would be too comfortable with the money and the job and the ease of it all, so I would probably be stuck staying there.
Sometimes it’s good to do that kind of work because there’s something you really want to get rid of. This will motivate you much more. So always be grateful for this opportunity.
Be cheerful
Whenever I go to work, I see all the people in the office looking down and they are depressed. I remember what it was like to be stuck at a desk all day doing work that didn’t do much for me.
I’m spreading some light around me because I’m so lucky to be out of this rat race. If I can get other people to see that cleaning is not what I am, then maybe I can inspire them to do the same.
I hope this inspires you and guides you on the path to your dreams and goals in life. It is very important not to let what you do affect who you are. Some people will only judge you by what you do, but these people don’t know what you know.
Always feel blessed and honored to be able to follow your heart and have the courage to walk the path that makes you happy.
If you’re like me, you’re very lucky – and if you want to follow your dreams, start today before it’s too late!