How To Stop Conforming And Start Living Your Dream

How To Stop Conforming And Start Living Your Dream Photo by Web n Stuff via Flickr in the wonderful city of Chiang Mai, I met five backpackers who showed me that I didn’t have to be tied down to my job and that I didn’t need to be rich to travel. After that trip, I went home, finished my MBA,  quit my cubicle job, and, in July 2006, set out on an adventure around the world, said Nomadic Matt, founder of the blog Nomadic Matt, whose advice has been featured in Time, The New York Times,  and on CNN and many other sources. Although travel-specific, Nomadic Matt represents the individuals set on living their dreams and escaping the office lifestyle, no matter how crazy their dreams may seem. His methods are unconventional and require effort, but are worth it in the pursuit of a truly fulfilled  life.   In his article Everyone Says Im Running Away, Matt wrote: People assume that we are simply running away from our problems, running away from the real world, and to all those people who say that, I say to you, you’re right  I  am  running away.  I’m running away from  your  idea of the real world. I’m avoiding  your  life. And, instead, I’m running towards everything â€" towards the world, exotic places, new people, different cultures, and my own idea of freedom.    When were young, its a common feeling to want to belong and to feel as though were a part of something bigger than ourselves. This becomes a problem, however, when we, as individuals, fail to account for our own interests apart from those of our friends and societys. The desire to belong then becomes so strong that we begin to fear the idea of following our dreams because theyre so apart from everyone elses. But thats the idea, isnt it? Its the reason we love a good underdog or hero story they dont conform or pursue others ideas of how their lives should be lived. They embrace their own life, regardless of the judgment of others. They unabashedly pursue their goals and fearlessly tread the path less traveled. They run toward their dreams.