I am continuing to open up paid subscription issues like this one to everyone through April, in case they may help someone deal with the challenges of the current crisis a little bit better.
Dear friends, welcome to Ad Astra. It’s so good to have you here.
This week, I struggled a bit coming up with a theme for this newsletter. I have a long list of topics to cover, but every time I’d sit down to approach any of them, no words would come out. In short, my inspiration decided to take a break. It’s normal and it happens to everyone.
And yet, I couldn’t skip a week just because my inspiration was lackluster. I made a commitment to myself and to you — my readers — for weekly issues. Skipping one wasn’t an option, so I sat down to write anyway.
And here, in the paragraph above, lies the answer promised to you in the subject line.
(I’m experimenting again with the audio version of this newsletter. At the suggestion of a friend, I’m going to try to make it more conversational. Check out the audio version if you prefer to listen to — rather than read — your content.)
The secret to reaching your dreams is commitment
I often get this question in emails, DMs, and comments on social media: “How did you become a travel photographer and writer, published in great magazines, traveling for work and creating stories?” (Sometimes the question is posed like this: “Your life is a dream, how do I get one too?”)
I suspect that what people want to hear in response is some sort of a “secret formula”, a “get-there-quick” action plan, a “golden ticket” to the destination of your dreams.
Alas, reality is often more prosaic than that. There is no formula for becoming someone you want to be overnight. No meaningful, lasting changes happen in a blink of an eye.
The truth is boring and the secret to reaching your dreams is simple: you have to commit to your path.
In the years since I’ve quit my job, I’ve had many opportunities to abandon my path. At times, it felt more attractive to just give up, find another job, get a paycheck, and stop fighting for my dream life.
But I guess I have issues with non-commitment. Once I’ve started something, I am compelled to see it through. And in a way, this attitude made sticking to this path a little bit easier for me.
“Time is short, my strength is limited, the office is a horror, the apartment is noisy, and if a pleasant, straightforward life is not possible then one must try to wriggle through by subtle maneuvers.”
— Franz Kafka
I love this quote by Franz Kafka; in it lies the wisdom for reaching your dreams. Sometimes, our path is straightforward and we transition from one step to the next with ease. Other times, all we can do is wriggle through by subtle maneuvers. What matters is that we keep trying and keep moving forward, no matter how hard the path gets.
Side note: when I first started on this path of becoming a travel photographer and writer, I devoured Daily Rituals: How Artists Work. This 300-page book documents the sometimes strange, sometimes rigorous habits and practices that creative people throughout centuries — Albert Einstein, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ayn Rand and a lot more — have employed in order to accomplish work they love.
Sticking to habits, another word for commitment, largely ruled.
No one becomes a professional in a chosen field overnight. In the Middle Ages, the system of apprentices learning from master craftsmen was widespread. It took a long time, often years, to become a master.
And yet, the age of Instagram influencers has convinced us that we can just show up and be successful right away. No matter how many followers one has, overnight success is still a (quite harming) illusion.
Commitment to your path is essential. It increases your chance for success because you’re willing to try repeatedly for a breakthrough.
Elizabeth Gilbert supported herself with waitressing jobs for years before she struck gold with Eat, Pray, Love (and she called herself a writer, not a waiter, all those years). Harrison Ford struggled as a carpenter in Hollywood before becoming a star. Alan Rickman, Viola Davis, Julia Child, J.K. Rowling — the list of people who could have given up numerous times but stuck with their dreams is long and illustrious.
So what does this have to do with YOUR innermost dreams and desires or with me pushing through lack of inspiration for this newsletter issue?
Dream → Action → More Action → Habit → Commitment
Your innermost dreams and desires will forever stay in the dreams zone unless you start taking action. (Taking action once in a blue moon doesn’t count.) You have to act consistently, over time, to create more action that turns into a habit, and later, commitment. This is the only way I know that works for reaching your dreams.
That’s why I didn’t skip this issue. I’ve committed to my path and this week, I encourage you to think about what committing to your path may look like for you.
Onwards,
Yulia
This week’s joy links:
I’m reading In The Midst of Winter by Isabel Allende
I’m listening to Stephan Micus, a German musician and composer heavily influenced by the music around the world and traditional instruments
I’m watching Last, a Korean drama (I’m on a streak!) about the underbelly world of Seoul and how small decisions can gradually turn a good man into an evil one
Here’s an on-going list of pandemic relief resources:
Hello Alice is offering $10,000 grants for small businesses affected by the pandemic
Google is offering ad credits to small businesses with active accounts
The founder of Spanx is giving a $5,000 grant to 1,000 female entrepreneurs to help alleviate the immediate needs and support the long-term recovery of those impacted
New York Foundation for the Arts has created a list of emergency grants for artists offered by various organizations
The NatGeo emergency fund for journalists is giving grants to journalists who provide local coverage of the pandemic (includes photographers, videographers, filmmakers and more).
Here’s a very thorough list of resources crowdsourced by the Freelancers Union ranging from legal help to emergency funds to state-specific resources (thank you to Carrie from Lyman Creative for pointing this one out!)
Ann Friedman (creator of Ann Friedman Weekly) is currently donating all her newsletter ad revenue to organizations or individuals whose lives and livelihoods are affected by the pandemic. You can nominate someone here.
Facebook is making $100 million in cash and ad credit grants to small businesses impacted by COVID-19. Details to come soon here.
Here’s a list of financial institutions offering relief to customers experiencing hardship.
Know of another resource I should list in the next issue? Hit reply and let me know.
Finally, if you find any joy or value in this labor of love, please consider supporting it by becoming a paid subscriber below. And if you already subscribe: THANK YOU.
Issue #16: The Secret To Reaching Your Dreams