Admission time: I probably go to the cinema once a year, although I can’t actually remember the last time I went. I also don’t have any subscription services (no Disney+, Netflix, Amazon…) so if something isn’t on terrestrial television, there’s a very good chance I won’t have seen it.
Saturday night ‘Mrs Harris Goes to Paris’ was on Channel 4 (I believe it’s now available to watch on-demand, if you haven’t seen it). I suspect I was its prime target audience and I absolutely loved it.
The basic premise is a cleaning lady, in 1950s London, finds a Christian Dior dress in a client’s wardrobe and thus begins her dream of owning her very own CD dress.
She’s met by support, but also dissenting voices, and it’s ultimately a story about knowing what you want, staying true to yourself and going after it, despite obstacles, nay-sayers and even self-doubt.
It really got me thinking – about big dreams and ‘Sunday best’. How many of us have beautiful items in our wardrobes that we fear ruining, so simply allow them to gather dust, or have beautiful plates that only come out on special occasions?
How many of us actually go for the big dreams? Make a plan and work towards them? My big dream was to own my own home. I did, once upon a time, but sold it to start a business and, long story short, things did not work out. I turned 40, with no home, no job, no savings and I was emotionally, physically and mentally broken. Despite all of this, I promised myself I wouldn’t turn 60 in a similar place.
I initially found a job as a temp, then somewhere which, despite being a great company, wasn’t the right one for me, and finally I ended up on my current role. I got myself out of debt, saved like a demon and in September last year, got the keys to my very own home.
Big dreams can come true. Yes, they take time, dedication, hard work, sacrifice at times, but if you really, really want something, I believe you’ll find a way (though winning the lottery is probably an exception!). If you need some help, either figuring out your big dream, or the steps required to make it come true, I’d love to help you.
And I’ll leave you with one of my favourite quotes from the film: ‘you dare to follow your dreams, Mrs Harris.” Will you?