Dream vs Work

 

Dream vs Work: When Crochet Feeds the Soul, but Work Feeds the Family

We all have dreams that light us up inside. For me, it’s building a crochet business—imagining my own line of handmade items, maybe even a cozy little shop or a booming online store filled with colors, textures, and love in every stitch.

But then reality taps on the shoulder. There are bills to pay, mouths to feed, responsibilities that don’t wait for dreams to catch up. And so, the dream sits quietly while the 9-to-5 (or maybe more) keeps the wheels turning.

The Tug-of-War Between Passion and Responsibility

It’s hard. There’s this constant push and pull between what you want to do and what you need to do. Providing for your family will always come first—it has to. There’s pride and purpose in that, and it shouldn’t be overlooked.

But still, the dream doesn’t disappear. It lingers. And sometimes, that hurts more than ignoring it.

You’re Not Alone

A lot of people are in this exact same boat. You have a creative spark, a passion project, a dream business—but it feels out of reach because life is demanding. But here’s something I’ve come to believe: Just because you can’t go full-time on your dream doesn’t mean you have to give it up.

Start Where You Are, With What You Have

Maybe you can’t launch a full crochet business tomorrow. But can you start small? One product line, one Etsy listing, one weekend market? A few hours a week to create, plan, or build your audience slowly?

Every business started with one first step.

Your job right now is your investor. It funds your dream, even if that dream is growing slowly in the background.

Blending Dream and Duty

There’s no shame in putting your family first. That’s strength. That’s love. But nurturing your dream in small, sustainable ways isn’t selfish—it’s fuel for your spirit. You deserve joy, too.

The key is balance. Not every minute can go to your crochet dream, but not every minute should be drained by work either. Carve out just a little space for what lights you up. Protect that time.

The Long Game

Dreams aren’t on a timer. Whether it takes one year or ten, progress is progress. Keep learning. Keep creating. Keep believing. One day, the work that feeds your family and the dream that feeds your soul might just become one and the same.

And even if they don’t—your dream still matters. So keep stitching.