Your dream is precious and fragile, so be careful who you share it with.
Learn to set boundaries and be selective of who you allow into your inner circle.
Because some people are Dream Stealers and Joy Drainers.
They may (even) be people close to you, people you assume are on your side because of ties of family or friendship.
You WANT to believe that they really love you and have your best interests at heart, because isn’t that what friends and family are for?
The uncomfortable reality is …
Loved ones MAY have good intentions, but lack the tact and sensitivity to communicate in a way that makes you feel understood and supported.
The sad truth we do not like to admit to ourselves: some loved ones do NOT have our interests at heart.
For whatever reason – their own limiting beliefs, past pain, biased views of the world and other people, rigidity of thinking, innate character flaws – they lack the self-awareness, compassion, and capacity to acknowledge that you are a separate individual entitled to your own views, desires, and aspirations, that you are worthy of success and significance.
These are the ones who may actively criticize or undermine your dream.
Every interaction with them feels disempowering, exhausting, and leaves you feeling emotionally depleted.
When you share your dream with such persons, you take on their negativity and doubt IN ADDITION TO your own self-doubt and uncertainty.
They make you doubt your worth and the wisdom of your choices, and if you are not careful, you end up carrying their emotional baggage and your own.
Instead, actively surround yourself with people who share your values, who love you enough to embrace and support what you aspire to, even if they don’t fully understand it.
Better still, seek out those on a similar journey, and those who are a few steps ahead of you — following your dream is a long and challenging journey, and you need all the encouragement you can get.
And remember to also be that encouragement and support for someone else.