Do you ever ask someone “How are you?” And they answer with “Living the dream” in a dreaded tone? I often notice a painful irony in this phrase, “living the dream.” It’s tossed out casually—usually with a half-hearted smile or a sigh—by people who are far from fulfilled, stuck in jobs or routines that drain their soul. This phrase has become a mask, a cultural code for settling, for staying small, for convincing ourselves and others that mediocrity is acceptable. But deep down, there’s a whisper—the soul’s gentle voice—saying, “This isn’t it. You were made for more.” What keeps people stuck in that place isn’t just the job itself, but the story they’ve bought into: that stability is safer than aliveness, that dreams are unrealistic, or that it’s too late.
But here’s the truth: You are not here to survive your life. You are here to live it awake. To honor your gifts, your values, your longing. When someone says “living the dream” but their spirit is clearly weary, I lovingly ask them, “Whose dream?” Because if it’s not your own, it’s time to rewrite the script. You can be actually living your dream—one rooted in purpose, joy, and truth. It starts with honesty, courage, and one brave step at a time. The moment you stop pretending and start listening to your soul, life will meet you with synchronicity, clarity, and momentum. You are allowed to change your mind. You are allowed to want more. And you are absolutely capable of becoming the version of you that lights up your own life.
