Living Your Dream, Not Just Wishing It

When I was younger, I never thought of being a photographer. I thought it was just a hobby for rich people—something you did if you had expensive gear and the luxury of time. The only photos I saw were from National Geographic books and magazines that my dad’s boss handed down to us. But as I grew older, I had a dream. It wasn’t just any dream. I wanted to be a photographer—a professional photographer who travelled the world, capturing moments for National Geographic. The thought of working in far-off places, meeting fascinating people, and seeing my images featured in a prestigious magazine filled me with excitement. It was all about the adventure, the recognition, and yes, the fame—it felt like the ultimate goal.

But somewhere along the way, something started to feel off. I wasn’t just focused on the craft or the passion that had originally driven me to pick up a camera. Instead, I found myself consumed by the noise of social media—the constant checking of likes, scrolling through endless feeds, and comparing my work to everyone else’s. How many followers did I have? How did my images stack up against those influencers I followed? It wasn’t about the work anymore; it was about chasing the applause. The external validation. The recognition.

It’s easy to get lost in the noise of social media, especially when you’re bombarded by everyone’s highlight reel. The perfectly curated photos, the endless streams of success stories, the “perfect lives” on display 24/7. It’s exhausting. And before you know it, you start measuring your own worth against those carefully crafted images. You start to wonder if your passion for the craft is enough or if it’s only valuable if it gets the likes, the shares, the comments.

And I didn’t realise it at first, but that’s when I started to lose sight of what really mattered to me. There was this one moment where I added the National Geographic logo to one of my photos. And I’ll be honest—it felt good. For a fleeting second, I thought, “This is it. This is what I’ve been working towards. It looks official now.” But then, I looked at the image again and thought, Wait, is this really about the work I’ve done, or am I just seeking validation because that’s what I’ve always wanted?

It was a vulnerable realisation. I had spent so much time chasing after something that wasn’t really mine to begin with. I was so consumed by social media and the constant search for validation that I lost touch with the passion and love for the craft I had once felt so strongly. It wasn’t the applause that I needed—it was the connection to what I loved.

What I realised in that moment was simple, but profound: I didn’t need to chase after a title, a logo, or external approval. All I needed was the passion that had always been within me. The validation I was looking for had already been inside me. I just needed to focus on what I loved doing and live that passion, not for an audience, but for myself.

Working as a Digital Media Specialist at Bangkok Patana School has given me the opportunity to continue pursuing photography. It’s not National Geographic, but it’s been a platform that has allowed me to share my work in meaningful ways. Through the school’s TAPS programme, I was able to exhibit my nature and wildlife photos. It wasn’t the cover of a famous magazine, but it didn’t matter. For the first time in a long time, I wasn’t thinking about the applause. I was thinking about the joy of creating, of sharing, and of living my passion.

What I’ve realised is that the pursuit of external recognition will only take you so far. You can chase the likes, the followers, and the logos, but at the end of the day, it’s about the craft itself. It’s about why you do it, not for what you do it. The passion, the process, and the satisfaction that comes from creating something you love—that’s where the real reward lies.

I no longer feel the need to measure my worth against a logo or a title. I’ve realised that the dream is not in the destination or the validation from others—it’s in the journey. It’s in living the passion every day, sharing it with the world in whatever way feels true to you, without waiting for anyone else to tell you it’s “good enough.”

If you have a dream, don’t wait for the “right moment,” or the “perfect opportunity.” Don’t get caught up in the noise of social media, the constant comparison, or the chase for likes and followers. Live your passion, share your work, and enjoy the process. You don’t need anyone’s approval to know that you’re doing what you love.

The world will catch up when it’s meant to. Until then, you’ve already started living your dream—now.