Do you have a lifelong ambition?

Clearing through a load of my old belongings ready for a house move and I stumbled upon a precious gem from my past: a book of songs from the beloved musical 'Starlight Express' that was signed by the entire cast, a reminder of the childhood dream that I had worked hard to achieve and finally landed a role in, fulfilling my lifelong ambition.

I went to see Starlight Express when I was only nine in the London Apollo and fell in love, it had everything I love ‘rolled’ into one! (see what I did there?)

Starlight Express was a musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber, which debuted in London's West End in 1984. It features actors on roller skates and is known for its elaborate sets and special effects.

I spent my youth memorizing every line and move, preparing for the day I could audition for the show. But, when the show closed in 2002, I thought my dream would never be realized.

Years passed and I continued to pursue my passion in musical theatre, building up experience and credibility. I then received the news that 'Starlight Express' was returning for a UK Tour – revised without the huge ramps built in and around the audience but still….

I knew I had to be a part of it, I did not hesitate to reach out to anyone and everyone I knew until I found the casting agent and musical director willing to hear me explain that I had to have a role in the performance, especially for the Liverpool Empire Show as a minimum and luckily, I was able to land a role! Understudy for most but I got to perform my favourite song ‘Uncoupled’ in my hometown.

My childhood dream had finally come true and my life goal was complete!

But what comes next?

Achieving a lifelong ambition can be an enriching and fulfilling experience, but it can also leave you feeling a sense of emptiness or loss.

I still feel a considerable emptiness after this mission was accomplished, what else can fill that gap and keep me excited about things?

Here are a few tips for coping after achieving your life ambition:

Reflect on your accomplishment: Take some time to reflect on what you accomplished and how you felt during the process. This will help you appreciate the journey and the achievement.

Set new goals: Having a new goal to work towards can help you maintain a sense of purpose and motivation. Consider setting a new goal that is related to your achieved ambition or something completely different.

Celebrate your achievement: Take the time to celebrate your accomplishment and enjoy the moment. Share it with family, friends, and loved ones.

Practice gratitude: Be grateful for what you have achieved and all the people who have helped you along the way.

Seek support if needed: If you are feeling lost or overwhelmed, it is important to seek support from loved ones or a professional counsellor or therapist.

Reflect on what you have learned: Reflect on what you have learned throughout the process and how it can be applied to other aspects of your life.

Remember that achieving your life ambition is an important milestone, but it is not the end of the journey. Life is full of opportunities, and you can continue to grow and achieve new things.