My dream was to become a fashion designer.
I had been in school for general education at a community college after a gap year, and decided to take the leap and go to art school. The financial aspect of art school brought me back to reality quickly. I've been living on my own since my senior year of high school and have a family who's very financially irresponsible so aside from a small amount from my grandfather (little under 10k) I was on my own to pay for school.
But I didn't immediately give up. I thought, let's try finding something that I can make more money with to pay for art school.
So I went to cosmetology school, year long program and I'd have a technically skilled job that would pay enough to support myself and pay for art school.
Less than a year out of school and I was struggling, after leaving my first chain salon for lack of training I couldn't find another position. I tried salons big and small, front desk to assistant to stylist positions. Got absolutely nowhere and then my for profit cosmetology school with its "forever job help guarantee" closed. I graduated 1 week too early to get any of my money back.
I finished my associates last year, and have secured a tech support role. (Base level in this company, but not exactly an entry level job) I am paid well, the work life balance could be better but luckily I'm still young and currently working on the next step in my career.
I've successfully kept a roof over my head on my own for the past 10 years, while trying to find a career path that works for me. My salary has doubled in the past 3 years, I know I've far surpassed my parents in financial stability. I have some money in the bank (not a ton, but it's there) and a bright outlook on the future with my husband and I sharing very strong work ethic and desire for more in life. I don't have any regrets at all not going for my "dream". I didn't know anything of the real world when I had this dream, it's unfair to hold myself to a thought when I didn't have all the information required to make a choice about my life.