Don't Quit Your Daydream




I can't speak for everyone, but I'm glad I didn't quit daydreaming and decided to take a risk and go for what I love to do. In my experience it was difficult convincing my parents that I wanted to pursue an unconventional job as my career. Especially since my parents immigrated to the States from Korea I wanted them to be proud of me. I often found myself lacking interest in school and would skip classes, forgetting that I would later regret it because it affected my GPA. I started working in high school and worked different jobs to be financially independent. My first job was at Panera and later on worked at a bank, a bookstore, Nordstrom (didn't help my spending habit), and at one point wanted to be a hygienist so I worked as a dental assistant. After working different jobs, nothing piqued my interest and I told myself I couldn't work a 9-5 job because I was unhappy. I wanted to be my own boss but I didn't know what I wanted to do in life.

Fast forward a couple of years and I discover my newfound hobby, photography. I started posting photos on Instagram and realized I was able to monetize by working with different brands. I was still in college at this time but decided to quit working as a dental assistant and focus on school. I was slacking off in school and decided to put school as my top priority so I could graduate. All of my friends had already graduated and I was still stuck in school, my parents would joke that I was getting my PhD. Luckily I graduate and pursue photography full time which has opened many doors and opportunities to travel. Travel has allowed me to be open minded and see the world in a different perspective. I'm still daydreaming about one day opening my own coffee shop, going on mission trips with my parents, writing a children's book, and work with amazing organizations such as Charity: Water, UNICEF, etc. I love what Humans of New York is doing and want to follow in his footsteps, bringing awareness to people's stories around the world. I'm always fascinated hearing about people's lives and the story that shaped who they are. I would love to use my platform for good and give voice to those that don't have one.

My advice is to make your dreams a reality and don't quit daydreaming! I know I need to take my own advice as well, but you all have gifts and talents that are being put to waste if you're not using them. I know it's not always easy and there are circumstances that may prevent you from doing so, but why not take a chance if you can? At least make an effort to go for it! One of the questions I always get is how I started blogging. Its always the hardest, but first step is to just do it. I'm not telling you to quit your job because it's not always realistic, but you can always start and see where it takes you. Go the unconventional path and do what you love as cliche as it sounds. Don't let a certain salary be your definition of success, my definition of success is finding happiness in what you do.

Also, I have received a lot of questions about traveling. A majority of my trips are not sponsored and I pay for most of my travels. I will have a post up about how I'm able to go on trips, tips on saving money, etc. If you have any questions leave them below!





Love, Sharon

15 comments

  1. Hi Sharon, I think it’s great that you were able to monetize on your hobby and I love your Instagram pictures as well! I can relate as I still have no idea what I want to do in the professional field as it also took me longer than the typical 4 years to graduate college with major changes and whatnot. It’s hard when you aren’t financially comfortable as well, but it seems that you’ve been able to pursue those hobbies due to being financially comfortable at home?

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    1. Thank you xx I think there's a lot of misconceptions that people who are Instagram are wealthy based on their photos, but I would have to disagree. Some are and some aren't which is why I would say don't believe everything you see on Instagram. I was not financially dependent on my parents and would pay for everything myself and found ways to support my hobbies and trips :) I wouldn't say that I considered myself financially comfortable when I first started taking photos, hope that answers your question!

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  2. Thank you for writing this, Sharon. I've found your recent posts very relatable and refreshingly honest. I would love to read those posts about saving money for travel, how to pack efficiently, how to make travel more comfortable, too.

    Also, do you think you'd ever consider selling some of your photographs? I've seen quite a few, especially from Paris, that are so stunning and would look lovely framed.

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    1. Thanks Anne for reading I really appreciate it :) I have had people ask if I sell my photographs I'll be thinking about it thank you so much for your kind words!

      I will definitely have a post up on how I afford to travel and tips on traveling! xx

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  3. Love this post! Super refreshing to hear others struggles that relate to so many of us. Currently in grad school trying to figure my life out with part time jobs. Absolutely adore photography and wish to travel, when do you think was the point in which you started to realize you could do this as a career?

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    1. I think it was after three years or so I realized I could make my hobby into a career :) Ah how exciting I wanted to go to grad school but don't think it's realistic because I would most likely skip classes haha. Wishing you the best of luck! Jugging school and working is hard!

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  4. Wonderful post, thank you for sharing. I really like your work and photos are incredibly beautiful!
    Much love xx
    www.lienasnow.com

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  5. I've read your blog for a very long time and I applaud you for sticking to your dreams! I'm so glad you posted this because I really needed to read something like this to remind me of my dreams and goals. Thanks for sharing. :)

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  6. Thank you so much for this inspiration! I've always wanted to be a writer, and it kinda sounds crazy to some people, but I just can't quit that daydream. And your photography is BEAUTIFUL! Keep up the good work!
    Xo, Ashley / https://thehoneyscoop.com/5-pairs-of-cute-shoes-you-can-walk-to-class-in/

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  7. Thank you for addressing this, Sharon. I've noticed your posts very relatable and refreshingly. I would like to read these posts about saving money for travel, how to prepare efficiently, how to make travel more convenient, too.

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  8. Thank you for addressing this, Sharon. I've noticed your posts very relatable and refreshingly. I would like to read these posts about saving money for travel, how to prepare efficiently, how to make travel more convenient, too.

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  9. Nice Post & Imagies are very amazing

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  10. Sharon, Thank you Very much for writing this. I've recently found your posts. It is very relatable and refreshingly true. I would love to see those posts about saving money during travel, how to pack efficiently, how to make travel more comfortable, too.


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