Life in Progress Diaries

How I’m Learning to Keep Going (Even When Life Gets Messy)

Ah, Monday. That magical day when the coffee hits differently (read: stronger) and the week feels like a fresh page… or a crumpled one you just smoothed out because last week didn’t quite go as planned. This week, I’m holding onto a quote that feels like it was tailor-made for my chaotic but hopeful life: “Dream it. Wish it. Do it.”

So here’s what that mantra looks like in my real, sometimes messy life.

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Dream It 🌟

Let’s start with the fun part: dreaming. Right now, I’m dreaming of three big things: growing my blog, acing the TOPIK test, and finally sorting out my health so I can live my best life.

The blog dream? It’s like this buzzing excitement in my head—I have so many ideas, and I can already picture this amazing little community where we’re all cheering each other on, sharing wins, and maybe a little too much coffee.

The TOPIK test dream? Oh, this one’s vivid. I imagine myself strolling through Busan, confidently starting conversations like, “Hey, let’s talk about how great tteokbokki is!” (Because priorities, right?) I can already hear myself laughing and chatting with locals like it’s the most natural thing in the world. Spoiler alert: it’s not yet, but we’ll get there.

And the dream of improving myself? Oh, that one gets me right in the feels. I imagine waking up feeling happy, healthy, and ready to take on the day, glowing like one of those overly optimistic morning people you see in movies. My health under control, my energy on point, and my life filled with the kind of things that make me smile—and maybe even make someone else smile, too.

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Wish It ✨

Now, let’s talk about the middle bit: wishing. This is where I start asking myself, “Can I actually do this?” Cue the mental tug-of-war between self-doubt and, “Girl, you’ve done harder things!”

When I start to doubt, I look at what I’ve already done. Living on my own? Check. Moving to South Korea? Double check. Starting a blog? Boom—look where you’re reading this! Those used to be wild, far-off dreams, and now they’re part of my story.

Right now, my biggest wish is to feel healthy again. Living with ulcerative colitis is no picnic (unless your idea of a picnic is hospital visits and endless medication). But here’s the thing: wishing isn’t just about crossing your fingers. It’s about believing things can get better—and then figuring out how to make them better.

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Do It 💪

Ah, the “do” part. The hardest, messiest, most rewarding bit of all.

Recently, I’ve taken some pretty big steps toward my dreams. I’ve moved to Korea, started taking Korean lessons, and launched this blog you’re reading now (hi!). I’ve even made a list of post ideas, so if writer’s block ever strikes, I won’t panic and start Googling, “How to be interesting.”

But it’s not all big leaps. Some days, “doing it” looks like working on small habits—like improving my sleep or drinking more water. (Side note: how is hydration still so hard?!) I’m learning that it’s okay to go slow. Each small win, whether it’s finishing my water bottle or getting to bed on time, is a step toward the bigger picture.

Of course, life doesn’t always cooperate. Health flares up, finances get tight, the weather decides to ruin your plans. But I’ve learned to roll with it. If I can’t do everything, I focus on what I can do. It’s not perfect, but hey—progress over perfection, right?

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A Quick Story of “Dream It. Wish It. Do It.”

Let me tell you a little story. Back in the pandemic days, I had this crazy dream of moving to South Korea. It felt impossible at first. I started by testing the waters—saving money, learning basic Korean, and planning a short trip to see if it was the right move.

Turns out, it was. That trip showed me I could do this. So I came home, worked hard, finished my degree, and applied for jobs. Fast forward to now: I’ve been living here for over a year and a half. Was it scary? Yes. Was it worth it? Absolutely.

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This Week: Mixed Bags and Motivation

This week, I’m feeling all the emotions. On one hand, I’ve got an endoscopy coming up, which isn’t exactly how I’d choose to spend my Tuesday. On the other hand, I’m finally flying back to England after so long—and I’m a mix of nerves and excitement. (Flying solo through Dubai? Let’s just say Google Maps is about to be my best friend.)

With so much happening, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But then I saw this quote, and it reminded me to focus on my dreams and keep moving forward. Life might not be perfect, but progress happens one step at a time.

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Let’s Do This

This week, I’m challenging myself to take one small step toward my goals. Maybe it’s writing a new blog post, practicing some Korean, or just staying hydrated. Whatever it is, I’m committing to doing it.

And I want to challenge you, too. What’s one step you can take toward your dream today? Big or small, it all adds up. Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear about your journey.

Here’s to a week of dreaming, wishing, and doing. We’ve got this.