How do you follow your dreams? It’s hard to say. I always heard since I was a child that I have to be brave, have courage, be strong, and many more “masculine” stereotypes. However, I do not consider myself as a very “masculine” model. I’m not strong, I’m a coward, I’m extremely sensitive and paranoiac about death. I also tend to overthink every small detail. Thus, how do I take risks?

Now with some perspective from these past years, I think if I had all the adventures I did, it’s because I’m unconscious, I don’t think much about the consequences, and I do not create many expectations. Explosive cocktail. Once, a friend told me: every dream you have; don’t over expect. I took this mantra with me before taking one of the most significant decisions of my life, going to Colombia for a year with almost no money. Just following my instincts.

The purpose was simple: going there, taking photos and coming back home. No more expectations than that. I delete from my mind any possible idea about taking the best photographs of my life, doing the best reportage which was going to help me publish a book or anything. Simple, press cmd+z or crtl+z depending on your mind software.  Just go, and enjoy the ride. What can go wrong? Many things I promise you, but don’t worry. However, that’s not how I started the journey.

The start is always on my mind, I remember when I was on the plane, completely nervous and alone, on my way to Colombia. I had the random coincidence of sitting next to two friendly and talkative septuagenarian women who explained to me their adventures around the globe before departing. That’s another good story. Anyways. I checked my brand-new graduate banking account before boarding with only £350 and a one-way ticket. In my mind, I had all the evil thoughts. How am I going to survive one year with only that? Typically, in other countries, it’s easier to generate cash, but in Colombia, this is a challenge. Also, I owe £600 to my best friend who helped me to pay the pay ticket, but remember, only one way. How am I going to pay the return? Everything seemed against me. But, again, let’s start from the beginning. Why did I want to go to Colombia? What was the point? Aren’t there any other better countries closest to the UK? That was the question my parents had on their mind, but they couldn’t knock over my stubbornness to fulfil my dream.

However, my dreams were still hanging around my mind. Dreams never leave, they might hide, but they will always be there. As soon as I finished my Masters, I got a job in London. I did what I was supposed to do even if it wasn’t an amazing one. I started working but my dreams were pushing me to leave that job after the first day. That’s why I always say, do you listen to your dreams? Because they talk a lot. I came back after my first day at work looking for any opportunity in South America. It didn’t matter what job I wanted to be there at any cost. However, sometimes you have to find a good excuse to achieve your dreams. For me, it was to convince all my surroundings (family, friends, etc…) that I wasn’t crazy, I was going to be there to do something “productive”. Don’t confuse this with the magic word everyone is talking about.  

After three weeks of working in that new fantastic position, I found an agency who help foreigners to find jobs in South America. I look for jobs, and I found one as a photography/advertising teacher in the university of a tiny city in Colombia. Almost in the middle of nowhere. Perfect. I was sure that from that small little city I can start realising my dream. I applied, I did a skype interview with the faculty director, pay the fee to the agency (a complete £400 robbery), look for the VISA requirements, and write my resignation letter after one and a half months at my job. My old boss still remembers me, and I will never forget his face.

I just need to call everyone to let them know I was going to finally realise my dream, but in other words, “I find something better”. At first, of course family and friends were in shock. No one understands, as one what your dreams are, because for some people dreams are synonymous for craziness. Or they don’t believe, they said it’s something related to the age. Typical questions came: how are you going to leave a proper job in London to go to Colombia? Makes no sense. From getting a master in the capital of the UK, in a prestigious university, finding a job straight away to pay the bill, to go to a developing country, getting an income five times less than in England, it makes no total sense. That’s why I always say, the most important thing is to have one or two friends who really know you and push you to follow your dreams. Also, don’t think too much that’s a terrible idea. That’s why I close my eyes on my room, I listened to my dreams, a swiss friend who is always there, and a sweet beauty future bestseller Colombia writer girl. These two people calm the other voices who didn’t allow me to dream. PLEASE, essential, FIND THOSE PEOPLE IN YOUR LIFE. Their answer was clear as crystal, take the risk, if anything terrible happens borrow money, you come back to your parents’ home and stay a few months listening to them about how terrible your ideas are. Then, restart the game, you find a job and leave again. This is one of the most important aspects everyone must consider. Thanks to, whatever name your God has, we (people who live in a developed country) have the extremely luckiness to have second chances. There is no end of the world. If you make a mistake you can reset and start again. It’s not ideal, but it is a safeguard. No one wants to come back to their parents’ home, ask for money, or any of those uncomfortable situations but you can do it because in our countries there are opportunities to start again. It’s easier than you think. Look the other way round, if you are successful, your dreams will come true, sooner or later. If not, then, that’s the price you have to pay, which happens many times. GET USE TO IT ASAP!  It happens to me many times, and I can promise you the feeling of coming back with my luggage full of shame and clothes through the door of my parents’ home is not sweet. But at least I can go through with no regrets as it happens because I listened to my dreams.

Are you listening to yours?

Above: Karolina and Angela, two septuagenarians from the Channel Islands, who travel around the globe because they told me “we don’t have much time left, so we have to enjoy”. Very inspiring before I took my first big adventure, and lovely they allowed me to take a selfie.

By Cesar Moreno Huerta

My name is Cesar Moreno Huerta. Fun fact: I have two surnames. I´m from Spain but I have been living in the UK for the past six years. However, during that time I spent one year in Colombia, working as a lecturer. I studied photojournalism at Southampton Solent University and an MSc Marketing at Brunel London University. Now, I´m doing a PhD in Business & Economics at Loughborough.

About my personal life, easy I love all types of art. I go to the cinema at least five-six times per month, visit museums, read intensely (especially Joel Dicker ones), and my main passion is photography. I have been taking pictures and doing exhibitions since I was twelve years old. You can find my work on Instagram: @cesarmhmedia. Also, football is my second passion, Real Madrid supporter since I was born.