Dream Bankruptcy: Breaking Free, Rediscovering Purpose
Feeling lost in our ambition leads to an existential crisis; it’s a time to identify its common origins and proceed to a realisation of what our dreams could actually mean to us.
It’s more than a lack of excitement, it’s an unmistakable sense of disappointment that creeps into our dreams as those bright and attractive ideas start to lose their luster, turning into heavy burdens. It’s a huge shift in our emotional landscape as the once-exciting journey is tarnished by a sad realisation that the path we’ve chosen may not lead us to where we’ve always wanted to go.
Having gone through this experience multiple times, it still makes me feel like I’m not good enough. It’s very disheartening to experience or anticipate this kind of emotional state when you’re starting a new career path or aggressively pursuing lifelong aspirations.
Experiencing such emotions repeatedly can be quite challenging, and it really makes me feel like a shit. If you’re about to experience this, especially if you’re in the middle of establishing your job path or pursuing any aspirations you’ve always wanted to realise:
You might be experiencing a state of dream bankruptcy.
Dream bankruptcy; a term that describes a state of emotional bankruptcy in the life of an aspirant (read: dreamer) where the initial enthusiasm and drive have faded, leaving a difficult emptiness to fill. Understanding this state is important because it’s the first step on the road to self-discovery and, ultimately, finding meaning and direction.
Unrealistic expectations that cast shadows on our aspirations, the paralysing fear of failure that stops us from experiencing the cathartic power of failure (which means the power that can help us reach any goal we set out to achieve), succumbing to being controlled by external forces that distract us from our true intentions, a relentless drive for perfection that prevents us from forming ideas on our own, and a gradual loss of true joy that is masked by external pressures of exclusion.
Understanding Dream Bankruptcy
Dream bankruptcy is a condition of emotional and psychological struggles that exist beyond the physical domain of objectives. It is not just unfulfilled dreams; it’s an existential crisis triggered by the weight of expectations, the fear of failure, and an unwavering commitment to a particular vision.
The following are some of the most common causes of dream bankruptcy:
- Unrealistic Expectations: Shadows cast by unrealistic expectations obscure the path, leading to eventual disillusionment.
- Fear of Failure: The paralysing fear of failure prevents you from embracing failure as a turning point.
- External Pressures: Succumbing to societal or familial expectations veers us away from authentic ambitions.
- Perfectionism: The pursuit of perfection prevents visions from developing naturally and limits creative expression.
- Loss of Passion: This is known as the slow death of passion because true pleasure fades under the pressure of other people’s expectations.
Man is condemned to be free; because once thrown into the world, he is responsible for everything he does. It is up to you to give [life] a meaning. — Jean-Paul Sartre
When we try to look back on the history of human experience, victory stories emerge as beacons of hope and wisdom. These anecdotes, laced with existential musings and self-help breakthroughs, illustrate the resilience of the human spirit. They remind us that letting up of unrealistic goals is not a surrender, but rather the beginning of a transforming path of self-discovery.
Let us embrace the contradictions of existence as we explore the worlds of philosophy and self-help on our journey into dream bankruptcy. Dream bankruptcy doesn’t mean we’re failing. It means we need to reevaluate our goals. May you find the courage to let go of the impossible and the wisdom to find a new way that aligns with who you are.
Read this next article written by me on finding out the strategies to liberate ourselves from a state of dream bankruptcy:
