6 Simple Steps to Start Moving Toward Your Dream

6 Simple Steps to Start Moving Toward Your Dream

It doesn’t have to be all at once — just one step at a time.

Hello there!

You know that dream? The one that keeps showing up, quietly, consistently, like it’s waiting for you to notice it?

Maybe you see it in quick flashes: a new career, a creative project, a move closer to home, a shop filled with things you love. It doesn’t ask for much, just that you take it seriously, even for a moment.

I have one of those dreams, too. And lately, it’s become impossible to ignore. It’s taken root in my thoughts and is slowly reshaping how I see everything. In this post, I’m sharing more about the dream I can’t let go of, and the small (and big) ways I’m starting to move toward it. My hope is that by sharing my process (dare I say transformation!) helps you too.

A Dream That Won’t Let Go

When I let myself picture it, I’m back in the Chicago suburbs surrounded by the trees that shift with the seasons and extended family dinners every weekend. I imagine seeing my siblings and nieces and nephews more often. And to top it off, I imagine a new way of living that doesn’t include a stressful job I'm no longer inspired by, but rather, I see a shop — a brick-and-mortar version of Stone & Story — filled with pottery, books, linens, jewelry, beauty goods, and gifts that matter. There’s joy in the little details: sunlight through the windows, soft music, and of course — the best free gift wrapping in town.

It feels so clear I can almost walk into it.

And then I wake up. And I start listing the reasons it won’t work. Have you ever done that? Talked yourself out of a dream before you’ve even given it a chance?

The Tension Between Safe and Brave

Maybe you've spent years in one kind of work, one kind of life. It’s comfortable. But still, something in you whispers, What else? What if?

That voice isn’t silly or selfish. It’s calling you back to what makes you come alive.

I’m learning that following a dream doesn’t mean flipping your life upside down overnight. It means listening more closely – listening to what lights you up, to what drains you. It means giving yourself permission to want something more, even when it doesn’t look “practical” yet.

What I’m Doing (That You Can Try Too)

Right now, I’m doing small things:

• Writing my thoughts down (this blog is part of that).

• Saying my dream out loud.

• Noticing what brings energy and what steals it.

• Talking to people I trust.

• Taking tiny steps, even when I feel unsure.

If you’re in a similar place, wondering whether to follow that quiet tug, maybe these steps can help you, too.

Want to Try? Start Here With Me:

• Name your dream. Write it down, no matter how big or small.

• Take one step this week. Just one small, doable action.

• Put it on the calendar. Make time for it like anything else that matters.

• Track progress. Celebrate the small wins. They matter more than you think.

• Say it out loud. You never know who will cheer you on.

• Be kind to yourself. Even 20 minutes a few times a week is progress.

If the Dream Changes, That’s Okay Too

Maybe your dream evolves. Maybe it surprises you. That doesn’t make it a failure — it means you’re growing. And isn’t that the point?

What about you?

What’s the dream that’s been quietly asking for your attention? Have you ever taken a leap and been glad you did — or wished you had? Leave a comment or send me a message. I’d love to hear where you are in the process!

Let’s keep dreaming — bravely, imperfectly, and together.

Sarah