Rediscovering My Dream: From Boutique Burnout to Fulfillment

 

Girl, let me share something raw with you. 

There’s a huge difference between chasing a goal and living a dream. Tabitha Brown said it best—goals are just things you wake up one day and decide to do. 

Maybe it’s because you saw someone else do it, and you thought, “I want that too.” 

But a dream? A dream is different. 

A dream is that thing that keeps you up at night, the purpose deep inside you that God planted there. 

It’s the thing that tugs at your heart, no matter how busy life gets.

I’ll be honest with you—that did something in my spirit. It really got me thinking like, my boutique used to be my everything. It was my passion, the thing I couldn’t wait to pour myself into. 

But over time, it started to feel like just another job. 

It became a task on my to-do list, a chore, something I had to get through rather than something I loved. When burnout hit, I wasn’t rushing to get back to it. I felt stuck.

So, I asked myself, “What is my real dream?”

I had a deep conversation with my husband about it. He reminded me that what I’m doing now—while it’s important—isn’t necessarily the dream. 

It’s just the journey to get there and that got me thinking back to when I was a teenager.

Back then, I was obsessed with fashion. 

I even looked at fashion schools, not because I wanted to be a designer (I wasn’t into sewing or sketching like that), but because I knew fashion was where I belonged. 

I’d go to the mall with my mom, and while she shopped, I’d find myself mentally restyling the mannequins. Sometimes we’d randomly pick out clothes and style them and take pictures. I could see the potential in pieces, even when they weren’t put together right. 

I knew, even as a kid, that one day I wanted to be the one dressing those mannequins, people too and bringing store windows to life with style.

But life, girl, it has a way of pushing those dreams aside. 

We get busy. 

Bills need paying.

Kids need caring for…

and before we know it, we’ve put our dreams on the back burner. That’s what happened to me. 

I used to be so creative with my style, but somewhere along the way, that creativity got lost in the everyday hustle.

I barely style myself anymore. My hair is a normal color for once and I wear black tshirts and black shorts like a uniform. 

But here’s the thing—I still have that dream. 

It’s still there, waiting for me.

And maybe, just maybe…

It’s time to stop chasing the goals that wear me out and start nurturing the dream that lights me up.

&If you’re feeling the same way—stuck between the grind and your true passion—let me share some steps to help you reconnect with your dream:

🩷 Think back to what used to make you excited. What did you love doing when you were younger? What’s that thing you’ve always wanted to do but put on hold?

🧡 Talk to someone you trust about your dreams. Sometimes, hearing an outside perspective can help you see the bigger picture and reconnect with your purpose.

💜 You don’t have to make huge changes overnight. Begin by carving out a little time each week to work on something related to your dream. Even small steps can reignite your passion.

🩷 Make a vision board. What would it look like if you were living your dream? Visualize it. Write it down. Make it real in your mind before you make it real in your life.

🧡 Once you’ve got that vision, start taking steps to make it happen. It might mean reworking your current routine, setting new goals, or even just allowing yourself to dream again.

I’m reminding myself of that little girl who knew she wanted to style mannequins, who dreamed of making fashion come alive. I plan to get back to that dream, and I encourage you to do the same.

Sis, your dream is still there, waiting for you. 

It doesn’t matter how long it’s been or what life has thrown your way—it’s never too late to start living it. So, what’s that thing that’s been sitting in the back of your mind, waiting for you to give it the attention it deserves? 

It’s time to stop just getting by and start living in your purpose.

I’d love to hear from you—what’s the dream you’ve been holding onto? How are you going to take that first step to reconnect with it? Drop a comment or message me. Let’s support each other in making our dreams a reality.