Changing my life in 4 months!?

And how One Piece inspired me to never stop dreaming

I’ve never been interested in One Piece. Pirates aren’t really my thing, and the art style wasn’t as “cute” as I normally gravitate towards.

So, years passed. People would suggest the show to me over and over again. I even tried watching, and I just couldn’t get into it….until the live-action show dropped on Netflix and changed my entire outlook on life. I’m not exaggerating. I’m so inspired!

In One Piece, Luffy is a young man who dreams of becoming the King of the Pirates. In a world where one of the most powerful pirates can split a ship in half with a single swipe of his sword, this isn’t an easy task. Many people laugh at Luffy on his journey. They dismiss him and kick dirt on his dreams, but he never gives up. Not only is he laser-focused on his dream, but he also makes it his mission to inspire everyone around him to chase after what they want…even if it directly opposes his own goal.

That is the kind of uplifting and resilient spirit I wish to embody.

A few days ago, I wrote about how depression robbed me of my ability to dream, and I made a list of “wishes” to manifest this month. Well, after watching One Piece, I’m inspired to sit down and think hard about what I want my life to look like. And I want to completely transform my life by the end of the year. Here are the questions I’ll be asking myself:

• What brings me joy?

• What am I good at?

• Who do I care about most in my life?

• What holds me back?

• What am I most proud of?

• What has been my biggest regret?

• Who supports me with joy in their heart?

• Who do I support with joy in my heart?

• How can I be useful while still feeling full [not drained]?

• In what environments do I flourish?

Hopefully, these questions offer you some clarity as well!

Transformation Loading…

I’m already off to a transformative start, as I’ve punched fear in the face and made the leap to move to a new city. I actually changed my mind about a dozen times. I canceled flights and trips and even changed my destination, but this Sunday, I’ll officially be off on a new adventure in a new state! I’m scared out of my mind…but also excited.

Another change I’m making? My career. Kind of. I’ve stumbled into becoming a professional writer. If you know anything about me, you know my journey started selling handmade wares online and planning fun photoshoots with friends and family. I’ve always written stories but never shared them until around 2018, and the very first story I publicly shared [Adorned by Chi] got a development deal, a collaboration with Hello Kitty (still so crazy to me!), and characters I made up in my head landed on merch in Hot Topic stores and online. I’ll never not be in awe of that.

How to Be a Better Adult is so different from my first. It was birthed from my frustration and feeling like a failed adult. It’s a much weirder story. Less cute. More depressing, lol, and no marketable characters to display on merch. But it’s still a story I’m proud of, and through writing it, I was able to release. Maybe I can’t tell everyone how different I feel from my peers or how the pressure to fit into certain spaces was killing me (literally). But I can create a character and put her in those same uncomfortable scenarios to express those feelings. Seeing people say they relate to Hope, gives me hope. It makes me feel less strange and alone.

Also!! Interjection to say…the audiobook is finally available! Check it out here. And join my Weird Book Club as we start reading together on September 15th!

Anyway, because of this story that I started writing as an emotional release, I’ll be at New York Comic Con! Not only do I have a booth right by B&N’s booth 😲, but I’ve been asked to speak on a panel…as an expert…me…an expert??? And because of the unrelenting stream of books and content I’ve been releasing, I’ve been able to write for two different comic book publishers…this year!

I don’t know what the end of this year will look like for me….yet. Even though I’ve faltered as I slowly trudged through my depression, I’ve rested, and now I’m finally ready to rebuild, even at a snail’s pace. I’m ready to trust God and dream again. I invite you to join me in dreaming in whatever way works for you!

Like Luffy, I’m drowning out the noise and pushing forward towards my ultimate goal! Once I figure out what it is, ha.

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

Listen to my girly podcast!: The Magical Girl’s Guide to Life

Read my nerdy self-help book!: The Magical Girl’s Guide to Life

Follow me on Instagram!: @ Jacqueaye