the bold dev

My biggest dream has evolved over time, but I’ve noticed a common theme: being able to build a life around something I create. No matter the scenario, I am financially stable enough to pay my bills, pursue my passions, and support my family. Most importantly, I want the freedom to do the work I love, not a job I dread.

Scenarios

For a long time, I dreamed of opening a bookstore café. A cozy space filled with the rich aroma of coffee and the comfort of endless books. I imagined a place that felt like home, not just for me but for the community, a sanctuary for readers and creatives alike.

I came across a Pinterest image that perfectly captures the aesthetic I have in mind. At this point, it feels like a bit of a cliché dream, but I can’t shake the vision. The biggest challenge, of course, would be competing with giants like Starbucks and Amazon. Still, I feel like consumer habits seem to be shifting, and maybe just maybe this dream isn’t entirely out of reach. For now, though, it will stay on the back burner.

During the pandemic, that dream evolved into something digital. I longed a successful online store for creative items like stickers, calendars, and art. I researched the process extensively, but self-doubt crept in. Would people actually buy from me? That thought kept me from ever taking the leap, so I’ll never know if I was right or wrong.

And then there’s blogging, something I wanted to do since the early days of social media, back when blogs felt like personal diaries open to the world. I wanted to write pieces that people genuinely looked forward to reading. Even now, that dream lingers, though I’ve always struggled to understand how one actually makes money from blogging. I get the concept, but it still feels abstract, like something I won’t fully grasp until I go through the process myself.

Reality

Surprisingly, I’m a point where I actually like my job. But that doesn’t mean I’ve stopped dreaming about launching a creative project on the side, something that gives me the best of both worlds.

Financial stability is a big motivator. I want to pay off my credit cards and loans, buy a condo in the city, plan a wedding, and finally pay off my braces. And that’s just the beginning.

While I’m still figuring out how to truly make money online, I know what I don’t want. I have no interest in selling courses or pushing products I didn’t create. Instead, I’m focusing on developing my writing and carving out my own little space on the internet.