There’s an unspoken belief that once you hit your 30s, the big dreams should be behind you.
You’re supposed to settle, to be “realistic” and keep things safe.
I almost believed that.
At 35, I was supposed to: get a good job in my field, and stay there for the next decade or so.
But there was a quiet stirring in me I couldn’t ignore. At 36, with no roadmap and plenty of doubts, I started my own business. I didn’t have it all figured out. What I did have was a whisper of faith and the courage to take one small step.
And that step changed everything.
Why We Stop Dreaming in Our 30s (and Beyond)
If you’ve ever felt like your big dreams are “unrealistic” or “too late,” you’re not alone. Many women hit this stage of life and quietly put their own desires on pause.
Some of the common reasons why we do this:
- Responsibility weighs heavier. Bills, family, career, caregiving…it can feel selfish to carve out space for your own dreams.
- Fear of failure feels riskier. At 20, failure is a lesson. At 35, it can feel like proof you’ve missed your chance.
- Comparison steals our spark. Watching others “ahead” in life makes us shrink back, doubting whether our dreams still matter.
- We’ve forgotten how to hope. After years of disappointments or detours, hope starts to feel dangerous.
The Truth You Need to Hear
Dreaming doesn’t expire.
In fact, your 30s, 40s, and beyond can be the richest seasons to dream because you now bring wisdom, resilience, and clarity that your younger self didn’t have.
The question isn’t: “Is it too late?”
The real question is: “Am I willing to begin again?”
How to Start Dreaming Again (Even If You Feel Stuck)
Here are three ways to gently wake up your dreaming self:
- Give yourself permission to want more. It’s not selfish or irresponsible to want a bigger, fuller life. Desire is often God’s way of nudging you forward.
- Start smaller than you think. You don’t need to overhaul your life in one leap. Begin with a single, doable step: journaling about what excites you, signing up for a class, or carving out one evening a week for your own projects.
- Anchor your dreams in faith, not fear. Instead of asking “What if it fails?”, ask “What if this is the doorway God is opening for me?”
Your Next Step
If you’re feeling that quiet stirring for “more,” you don’t have to figure it out alone. I created a resource called 105 Personal Growth Goals Every Woman Needs, a guide to help you dream again, set meaningful goals, and take practical steps toward them.
✨ Start small. Dream again. And let this be the season you say yes to your next chapter.
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