steal my dreams, seriously.

here are 13 of mine. because sometimes we need a reminder that it is all possible.

“What are you excited about?”

Earlier this year, my fiancé, S asked me this question. It was meant to pull me out of my deep, endless-feeling pit. But instead, my mind immediately filled with dread. I couldn’t think of a single thing. I just didn’t have the energy to look beyond the day right in front of me. These days, though, I’m thankful to say there are so many things that fill me with real hope for the future.

I realized that rather than focus on the question, “What gets me excited?”, it was more helpful to ask myself: “What do people need to know?”

I once read that friends are like doorways to new worlds, showing us glimpses of lives beyond our own. If you’re feeling low or uninspired lately, I hope these words can feel like a friend. I’m here to tell you that hope and excitement can return, even if it feels out of reach right now. When we’re struggling, what we need most is a spark; a glimpse of what could be.

Here’s a list of 13 dreams that light me up. They remind me why I’m here and that no matter what challenges come my way, they’re merely obstacles transforming into paths toward these dreams.

Take them, reshape them, make them your own, and let them be a reminder of what’s possible:

1. Start a community kitchen that’s free for anyone to come and cook, bake, learn, or share a meal. The dream is a space where people connect over food, share recipes, and build friendships across cultures and generations.

2. Launch a “Traveling Art Studio” where a mobile art studio travels to underserved communities, providing free access to art supplies and creative workshops. This pop up event would support residents to collaborate on murals, sculptures, or crafts, creating public art that reflects their stories and experiences.

   

   Source: Living Room Community Art Studio

3. Found a city of healing arts, where people can come to practice and learn about traditional craftwork like ceramics, weaving, and textile arts, painting, mindful cooking, and natural therapies such as dance and forest immersion. This city would be a peaceful oasis where anyone seeking to reconnect with themselves could come, learn, and grow.

4. Build a cozy cafe with a massive free library in Laos that doubles as a refuge and community space for anyone needing a safe place to read, learn, or simply rest. Every corner would feel welcoming, and everyone would be free to come and stay as long as they like.

   

   The higher the ceilings, the bigger the dreams | Source: pinterest

5. Develop an educational “Museum of the Future,” where people explore interactive exhibits on climate solutions, futuristic cities, and sustainable technologies. This would be a place of hope, showcasing practical, inspiring ways to protect and nurture our world.

6. Open an intergenerational living space where young people and elders live side-by-side, sharing knowledge, experiences, and companionship. This would bridge generations, helping everyone feel valued and connected.

7. Found a “School of Everyday Magic,” where people of all ages learn skills like finding joy in the small things, practicing gratitude, being present, and celebrating life’s little wonders. This dream nurtures wonder, awe, and creativity.

8. Build a “Place of Play” open to people of all ages to rediscover joy through playgrounds, climbing walls, games, and creative workshops. This dream embraces the idea that play is essential, no matter how old we are.

9. Create a self-sustaining farm that doubles as a sanctuary for animals in need. A peaceful life growing food, making art, and providing refuge for creatures big and small, living in harmony with nature. I stayed at Lynne’s animal sanctuary earlier this year and was captivated by all the beautiful animals she’s saved and their incredible stories.

10. Build a “World Garden” where each section represents a different climate or ecosystem, from deserts to rainforests, to teach people about biodiversity. Visitors could wander through every environment, developing a deep appreciation for the Earth’s wonders.

11. Establish a “Memory Bank” where people can deposit their favorite stories, lessons, and memories, preserved for future generations. This would be a time capsule of humanity’s warmth and wisdom, open to everyone.

12. Create an “Everyday Legends” podcasts that interviews dreamers with extraordinary life experiences and aspirations. From artists and activists to entrepreneurs and everyday visionaries. Each episode spotlights a person’s unique journey, capturing their struggles, triumphs, and the values that guide them. My favorite podcast that’s close to this is called Wild Ideas Worth Living.

13. Own a cozy, candle-lit cabin in the mountains, where travelers and locals gather to share stories, songs, and laughter. A place with no phones, just good company, and the sound of birds in the background.

We all had dreams once, and no matter how big or small they are, I hope you find the courage and strength to keep them alive.

Dream on,

Jenn

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P.S. to my dear readers in the US, please please finalize your plans to vote. It matters not just at a federal but local level—our dreams for a better world depends on it! I shared this message in a previous piece and will express it again:

Many moons ago, I worked in the Governor’s Office of Constituents Affairs where I read through hundreds thousands of letters and took hundreds of calls from constituents across California. At the end of the week, I’d synthesize the most popular concerns and hand a list to the governor so he could address them formally.

There are a ton of priorities that all feel and are incredibly urgent but policy makers can take on only so many problems simultaneously. They decide what to do, what to prioritize, based on what they’re hearing from their constituents. I know you’re probably tired, I am too, (there’s so much on our plates every day) but don’t ever forget that your voice and vote matters (especially if you’re from America and live in a swing state!).

Bill Gates’ personal life may be a bit messy, but the man is right:

“Look locally as well as nationally. A lot of the relevant decisions are made at the state and local levels by governors, mayors, state legislatures, and city councils—places where individual citizens can have an even bigger impact than at the federal level. In the United States, for example, electricity is primarily regulated by statewide public utility commissions, made up of either elected or appointed commissioners. Know who your representatives are and keep in touch with them.”

Photo by Mike Von on Unsplash

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