Formally, I never been one to make New Year’s resolutions; instead, I continuously embark on new plans and projects, especially those involving writing. Yet, regardless of the projects we take on, being mentally, spiritually, and financially prepared is crucial—without that readiness, we may start without finishing or end up veering off course. That’s exactly what happened to me.

Last year, I envisioned that by the end of 2024, I would be a well-established online Spiritual Writing Influencer. My goal was to teach others the art of daily writing as emotional therapy while earning a living from it. However, life has its ways of intervening. Even when you know what steps to take, lacking the necessary resources can halt your progress. Like many aspiring entrepreneurs, I found myself needing to work for someone else to save money for my own ventures—a path that proved both unrealistic and time-consuming.

I took on a physically and emotionally taxing job that turned me into a shadow of my former self. Despite constantly reminding myself of why I accepted this role, my personal projects faded as the demands of work consumed me. I labored hard daily to prove my worth to my employer, tackling unrealistic tasks that often felt like deliberate attempts to undermine me. My life was drifting away from my true purpose. Although the pay was decent, job satisfaction was nonexistent, and my savings grew at a snail’s pace. To fund my project as planned, I would need to work for years more or find a second job—but where would I find the time?

As the year raced by, achieving the financial goals for my projects seemed impossible. Tensions with my managers escalated; my efforts went unrecognized, and my performance ratings plummeted. Thoughts of independence consumed me. I contemplated resigning numerous times, but the fear of leaving a steady income and risking everything kept me anchored.

The turning point came when I discovered a malicious plot against me at work, making it unbearable to return. For the first time, I stayed away from my job, knowing deep down it was over. Then, out of the blue, an old schoolmate called me. I shared my ordeal with him, and he asked, “Aren’t you a writer? I remember you published some books in the past. What happened to that part of your life? Why don’t you make it your full-time career?” His words jolted me awake from a deep slumber.

Now, I am fully pursuing my true passion, and it fills me with happiness. I realize that I am becoming the person I envisioned for 2025. We may stray from our true calling due to circumstances beyond our control, but if our passion and resilience remain, we will eventually find our way back.