The Dream Is Still Waiting

The other day, I noticed a small, tender bump on the bottom of my foot. It seemed to appear out of nowhere. One minute, I was going about my normal routine, and the next, I was shifting my weight, wincing every time I took a step.

In two months, I'm supposed to be walking the cobblestone streets of Spain, France, and Italy — my first trip to Europe and a dream I've looked forward to for years. Long days of exploring, wandering, and soaking in every bit of beauty I can find. And now, here I am, staring down a small, painful bump that threatens to throw a wrench into it all.

Isn’t that just how dreams tend to go?

You set your sights on something beautiful. You plan, you prepare, you dare to hope. And then, somewhere along the way, you hit a bump you didn’t see coming.

A diagnosis. A setback. A heartbreak. A tiny but tender disruption to the path you had so carefully envisioned.

In that moment, it’s easy to think, "Maybe I can't do this. Maybe it’s not meant to be."

But here’s the truth I’m holding onto — and the heart of what we believe at Different Kind of Special:

It’s not the bump that defines the journey. It's how you respond to it.

When life threw this little foot curveball my way, I had a choice.

I could ignore it and hope for the best. I could panic and assume the worst. Or I could stay curious. Gather information. Adjust my steps. Cushion the tender places. Protect the dream with tiny, loving choices.

And so I laced up my most supportive shoes. I made a plan. I treated the small discomfort as worthy of my care. Not because it was catastrophic. But because I am learning — over and over again — that small shifts made early are acts of love for our future selves.

That’s what Different Kind of Special is all about.

Real life. Real dreams. Real bumps.

Not a perfect path, but a wholehearted one.

Where we meet the unexpected with heart-first problem-solving. Where we give ourselves permission to adapt, adjust, and keep moving toward what matters most. Where we remember that dreams are still waiting for us — even when the road is rougher than we imagined.

Europe is still waiting for me.

And whatever dream you’re carrying close to your heart? It’s still waiting for you, too.

Bumps and all.

If this story resonates with you, I'd love for you to join us. Every week, I share a dose of calm, clarity, and connection through The Weekly Special — a free newsletter from Different Kind of Special. It's a space where real life and real hope meet, bumps and all.

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From my heart to yours, Michele