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Can the two go hand in hand? How do these two scenarios relate? Let's dive in!
I've had this strange re-occurring dream. It's usually dreams that take me back to the past.... during my school days. I find this very nostalgic, but also very disturbing. Why am I always dreaming about my childhood and teenage years? Especially when I have long graduated from college. There could be a few reasons.
In the labyrinthine corridors of our subconscious minds, dreams often serve as cryptic messages, unveiling the deepest recesses of our fears, desires, and unresolved emotions. Among these dreams, a recurring motif emerges—a journey back in time to the hallowed halls of academia, long after we've bid farewell to our student years.
Yet, despite the passage of time, we find ourselves ensnared in a perpetual loop, unable to move forward with our careers and feeling as though we've hit a formidable wall.
The moment you realize you've hit a wall in your life:
What significance lies in these reveries of returning to grade school or college, years after donning the cap and gown? To unravel this enigma, we must delve into the psyche, exploring the intricate interplay of past experiences, present circumstances, and subconscious desires.
The dream unfolds like a sepia-toned film reel, casting us as both protagonist and spectator in a surreal journey through time. The familiar sights and sounds of school days envelop us—the chatter of classmates, the scent of freshly sharpened pencils, the weight of textbooks in hand. Yet, beneath the veneer of nostalgia lies a palpable sense of unease, a gnawing realization that we are trapped in a bygone era, unable to break free from its grip.
We are living in a society and a culture that values youth over age and the wisdom that comes with age. It's the sad truth that temporal value is deemed more important than eternal value.
No wonder it is so easy to feel like one giant failure if you don't get to fulfill your dreams when society says you should.
Do yourself a favor:
Regard not society's expectations or advice. Most of them have no idea what they are doing.
At its core, this dream symbolizes a profound sense of stagnation and frustration in our professional lives. We find ourselves at a crossroads, grappling with the daunting prospect of forging ahead in our careers or succumbing to the inertia of complacency. The return to school represents a longing for a time when the path forward was clear and the possibilities seemed endless—a stark contrast to the murky uncertainty that pervades our current reality.
But why do we revisit these formative years in our dreams, rather than confronting the challenges of adulthood head-on? The answer lies in the complex web of emotions that underpin our subconscious minds. For some, the dream may serve as a means of escapism—a temporary reprieve from the pressures and responsibilities of grown-up life. For others, it may symbolize a deep-seated fear of failure, a reluctance to confront the daunting task of charting a new course in the face of uncertainty.
When you are doing everything you can and still hit a wall:
And it seems I have. I did everything right. I graduated from high school. I went to college and got my bachelor's degree in my career of choice: game art and design. This was something I spent my hard-earned money to learn. And to this day, I am still paying for it!
So what now? I began applying for real-time job opportunities in the video game field. My dream job was just beyond the horizon. I couldn't wait. I was finally digging my way out of poverty and getting out of having to live poor, doing what I love to do!!!
So, what could possibly go wrong? Well... everything. I was then told I wasn't qualified for any of the following jobs because I didn't have any professional work experience in that expertise. Oh, great! Now they're telling me I have to do more work to show for the already hard work I've poured my heart and soul into. Is my Artstation portfolio not enough to demonstrate that I have the skills needed for these jobs??? Is my college degree just a piece of paper to them? No. Many of them require that burnt piece of paper on top of the professional experience. But how do you get that experience if they won't hire you? I was stumped.
So what next? I did volunteer work for unpaid game projects for 3 years. Now I have hands-on experience to show with 3 published games on Steam! What an accomplishment!
Now with experience, I'm sure to get hired. I put in application after application. Phone call after phone call. I've gone through interview after interview. And to no avail, I hit that same wall. I was very perplexed by this. How can these employers not recognize the gift in me?
I've gotten nothing but the cold shoulder from game companies it seems. It begs the question: is it really about skills? Or is it about being at the right place at the right time? And knowing the right people? I'm not sure. Maybe my chance for success is better off solo.
So, now I've got a response from someone who had some real-time experience behind his belt. He quoted:
"I’ve been 11+ years in the game industry. It has never been this competitive during my time. So much great talent available with 10+ years' experience and AAA titles in their portfolios. Not sure if things ever go back to normal, but currently qualified might not be enough."
-Kluk
That could explain some things. Being qualified is still not enough for these employers. Why? We've got hundreds of applicants for these jobs, and many of them have more experience than I do. After all, why should they hire me over someone who has more experience than me for that job? Hmmm.... it seems I've hit another wall. I've got some serious competition. And It isn't working very well in my favor.
So, what do I do now? Should I sit around and wait for these employers to recognize the gift in me in order to be used?
I'll be waiting until the day I die, at this rate. This isn't going to work for me. I have been met with so much resistance regarding this. But does that mean I should give up?
The answer is no.
One thing is for sure: there are no guarantees in life. No promises of the life you've always wanted. No promises you'll get the guy you want, the career you want, or the recognition you deserve.
I have found that the answer is clear:
Don't wait for success to come to you. You've got to create opportunities for yourself.
Learn marketing, sales, programming, writing, and the highs and lows of the field you are going for. Learn how to build a business from the ground up. It is your life. You decide. And as for me, I'm not going to let anybody's inability to see the gift in me deter me from what I know I was put here on this earth for! No way!
If you don't have a dream, you'll be stuck building someone else's.
Conclusion
Amidst the shadowy recesses of our subconscious, there exists a spark of hope—a light in the darkness. By confronting these recurring dreams, we are forced to confront the underlying issues that may hold us back from realizing our full potential. Perhaps it is only by acknowledging our fears and insecurities that we can begin to dismantle the barriers that stand between us and our dreams.
Taking heed God's purpose and my journey of transformation has lead me to believe that I am supposed to start something, to create my own opportunities.
This is an encouragement to embrace the uncertainty of the unknown, knowing that within its depths lie the seeds of opportunity and growth. And though the road ahead may be fraught with obstacles, remember this: we are the architects of our own dreams, and with courage and determination, we can break free from the shackles of the past and forge a path towards a brighter, more fulfilling future.
I'll be posting an updated version of this soon. Keeping everyone posted, since this site erased my original work and I have to start all over again. It sucks! Stay tuned, guys!
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