The Cost of Not Pursuing Your Dreams

In Oda’s case, her story begins with a common dilemma: having to choose a stable career over her creative passion. Whilst being a nurse was something she loved doing and caring for others was part of that love, it eventually did end up leaving her struggling with anxiety and a sense of unfulfillment.

Her story and experience showcase what many of us do and are important to acknowledge; ignoring our passions can take a huge toll on our emotional wellbeing. Which makes me wonder: what dreams have you set aside and how might rediscovering and connecting with them bring you more joy and happiness in your life?

How to Rediscover Your Dream

Thankfully for Oda, an unexpected opportunity presented itself to her; auditioning for Norwegian Idol in 2020 sparked her passion for music again. Taking a chance on herself changed everything, leading her to the Eurovision stage and after that, a career that now feels truly aligned with who she is.

I love how her story is a great reminder for us all that it is never too late to find and dust off old dreams and take a chance on ourselves.

“I forgot about my music. I forgot about what it meant to me and how I felt when I was working with music. But then I realized—this is who I am.” — Oda Rose

Some Practical Steps to Reconnect with YOUR Passion

• Reflect: Think back to your childhood—what did you love doing?
• Take small steps: Start by dedicating a few minutes each day to your passion, whether it’s music, writing, painting, or something else entirely.
• Seek inspiration: Follow stories like Oda’s, where people reignited their passions later in life, to remind yourself that it’s possible.
• Surround yourself with support: Join communities or groups that encourage and uplift you (You can join my FB Group or mailing list as a starting point if you like—I would LOVE to welcome you to the B Side!).

Resistance and Its Role on This Journey

When you decide to follow your passion, rest assured that the road ahead isn’t easy all the time, but it means your journey will be more fulfilling! If Oda’s journey shows us anything, it’s that persevering in the face of anxiety and self-doubt with small acts of courage will lead to a transformation of some kind.

Finally…and most importantly

Your own daydreams aren’t out of reach, and they might not be exactly the same as they were ‘back then’, but they are still worth pursuing. Take Oda’s journey as proof that it is never too late to rediscover your passion and dreams and try to turn them into something meaningful.

Over to you: what is one small step you can take today to reconnect with an ‘old’ dream of yours and start living the life you truly want?