Jule Jessenberger

Dear past-me,

I know you’re still struggling to believe that one day you’re going to be successful with your passion. I know you’re doubting yourself. It might not be so much doubt anymore. But you still have bad days and wonder if your life will ever be better. If you’ll ever accomplish your dreams …

Unfortunately, I need to tell you that these bad days won’t ever go away.

What a bummer, huh?

But it’s okay.

Because you’ll learn to cope better. You’ll learn to accept the bad days and you’ll let all these negative emotions wash over you with a smile.

– A Million Dreams –

Then, you’ll put back on your crown and earn that money with your passion, knowing that bad days come and go like the waves in the oceans.

Bad days are storms that sometimes whirl up your life, but you’ll know that after it there’ll be sunshine again. There’ll always be sunshine. Believe me.

So, don’t doubt your talent. Don’t doubt that one day all your hard work will pay off. And especially, don’t doubt yourself. Instead …

Keep dreaming! Keep visualising! Keep believing in yourself and your talents!

(…) I think of what the world could be
A vision of the one I see
A million dreams is all it’s gonna take
A million dreams for the world we’re gonna make (…)

The Greatest Showman, “A Million Dreams”

– Into The Unknown –

I know you’re exhausted.

Because you’ve been doing this other job to support your dream. You’ve been working and working, so you can pursue your passion in your free-time in hope that one day you’ll make a living with it.

I know you’re frustrated.

Because you see all these other success stories and how people you know make it, while you’re still struggling to create. You don’t want to be jealous. And most of the time you’re not. You’re truly happy for others, but there’s still this nagging voice in yourself that asks: What about me? Why not me?

I know you’re angry.

Because even though it’s so fucking hard to follow your passion, you know that there’s not other way for you. Deep down, you feel this is your way. Your only way.

This voice inside you is like a siren’s call.

A call from your heart that WANTS you to follow your passion.

That WANTS you to take risks.

That WANTS you to step into the unknown and trust yourself.

(…) I’m sorry, secret siren, but I’m blocking out your calls.
I’ve had my adventure, I don’t need something new
I’m afraid of what I’m risking if I follow you (…)

Frozen “Into the unkown”

– You Will Find Your Way –

I know sometimes in the quiet moments you look at your life right now and feel pain. You feel lost, doubtful, impatient, and frustrated.

You think nothing works out as it should be. You even start to lose your patience and your energy drops further and further, while you struggle from month to month, job to job, dream to dream.

Why am I still here? Why am I not further ahead of the game? Will my time ever come? Will I make it?

I know it troubles you more and more that your family wonders why you don’t have a better job that pays better.

I mean, how could you end up with a minimum wage job even though you had the best education you could get? Why are you doing this to yourself? Why not do something different? Something safer? Something more secure?

You notice their worried glances and the “Maybe just give up?”-faces, instead of feeling their unconditional support and their unbreakable belief in your abilities.

Yes, you have supportive friends who’ll always have your back. Who believe in you. But sometimes you wonder, if that’s enough?

But you know what’s enough?

When YOU believe in YOU. When YOU support yourself. When YOU cheer for yourself. When YOU give everything for yourself, your dreams, your passion, and your goals.

You don’t need anyone else, love, to chase your dreams. Only you will know how far you’ll go. You know where you belong.

(…) And I won’t look back, I can go the distance
And I’ll stay on track, no, I won’t accept defeat
It’s an uphill slope, but I won’t lose hope
Till I go the distance, and my journey is complete (…)

Hercules, “Go The Distance”

– Your Shot Will Come –

Even though you feel forgotten and that no one will be interested in your stories or creations anyways, stop your cynicism for a second.

Take a deep breath.

Breath deeply in …. and then breath out. And with that breath let all the doubts, anger, and frustration out of your body.

Because you don’t fucking need that crap!

I tell you why: You’re already working for your goals! You’re believing in your passion and know – deep down – that you’re going to make it.

Between all these layers of doubt and fear and “shoulds, woulds, and coulds” … YOU KNOW that you’re worth it!

YOU KNOW IT!

You know that all the time you spend working to pay your bills in a job you don’t really like will pay off eventually.

You know that all the sacrifices you’re making will be worth it.

You know that all the hurtful and doubting comments from your family and other people about your career choice will eventually be proven wrong.

You know that your patience will be rewarded.

You know that your time will come and you won’t throw away your shot. Because you’re ready. You’ve been working all your life to be ready.

(…) I am not throwing away my shot!
I am not throwing away my shot!
Hey yo, I’m just like my country
I’m young, scrappy and hungry
And I’m not throwing away my shot! (…)

Hamilton, “My Shot”

So, keep going! Keep creating! Keep chasing the dream!

You can do it. I believe in you.

Your passionate supporter and number one fan,

Jule

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What else you might want to read to feel even more inspired:

Against All Odds – An inspirational journey

Things to remember, inked on my body

Choose: Guilt or regret?