I believe dreams are a message.

Some dreams visit us in the night—mysterious, vivid, sometimes unsettling. Others arrive when we’re wide awake—longings that whisper, “There’s more.” Whether born in stillness or stirred by restlessness, dreams carry purpose. They nudge us toward healing, growth, and truth. But what happens when the life you’re living no longer reflects the dream that once lit you up inside?

That’s where real transformation begins.

On a recent episode of the It’s Your Story to Tell podcast, I had the honor of sitting down with Angela Johnson—a former hospital nurse whose story embodies what it looks like to follow that inner nudge and let it lead you somewhere completely new.

Angela’s journey didn’t begin with a grand plan. It began with burnout.

After years of working in a hospital setting, she found herself depleted—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. The version of success she had once believed in no longer felt right. She had climbed the ladder, followed the rules, checked the boxes. But inside, her soul whispered something different: You were made for more.

And she listened.

The Leap of Faith That Changed Everything

In Part 1 of our conversation, Angela shares what it was like to say yes to that whisper—and what followed was nothing short of radical. She uprooted her life and moved her family across the globe to Greece, in search of peace, purpose, and alignment.

It wasn’t an easy decision. She faced fear, uncertainty, and the tension of letting go of comfort in order to claim something deeper. But what she discovered was a new definition of success—one built not on stability, but on integrity. Not on appearances, but on authenticity.

Psychologically, this kind of shift reflects a major identity transformation. According to psychologist James Marcia, identity development involves exploration and commitment. Angela's willingness to step away from her old life and step into the unknown is a textbook case of what Marcia calls "identity achievement" — the result of exploring options and committing to what truly aligns with one’s values. Her choice to follow that inner nudge required emotional regulation, resilience, and an ability to tolerate ambiguity—skills that aren't just psychological, but spiritual as well.

Angela’s courage reminds us that staying stuck isn’t the only option. When our inner world no longer aligns with the life we’re living, that dissonance is a message. In cognitive dissonance theory, the discomfort we feel when our actions are misaligned with our beliefs motivates us to make a change. For Angela, the dissonance between what she valued and how she was living became too great to ignore.

Dreams aren’t always about what we want to do—they’re often about who we’re meant to become.

Redefining Success and Reclaiming Purpose

In Part 2 of the episode, Angela opens up about the next chapter—how she used her background in nursing to step into new roles as a virtual assistant and coach. These paths gave her something she hadn’t felt in a long time: freedom. The freedom to support others, honor her values, nurture her family, and pursue meaningful work that fueled her dreams rather than drained her.

She didn’t abandon her skills—she repurposed them. Her years of compassion, organization, and insight as a nurse now serve entrepreneurs and leaders who need support, clarity, and structure. She created a business, yes—but more importantly, she created a life that reflects what matters most.

From a psychological standpoint, this is what Carl Rogers referred to as self-actualization — the process of becoming more of who we truly are. Angela moved beyond survival and into a space where she could thrive. She designed a life that supported her emotional needs and created room for joy and purpose.

When You Feel That Nudge… Listen

So many women find themselves in that in-between space—what I call emotional purgatory. Not fully lost, but not fully alive either. We stay because we’re afraid. Afraid of change, afraid of failure, afraid of what people will think. But fear isn’t the end of the story.

Angela’s journey shows us what happens when we stop ignoring the longing and start asking: What is this dream trying to show me?

Because dreams don’t lie.
They come to guide you.
They come to grow you.
They come to free you.

And when you listen—really listen—you might just find that your dream isn’t about what you do at all. It’s about who you are becoming.

This Is Your Permission Slip

If you’re reading this and your heart is stirring, let me say this:
You are not crazy. You’re waking up.
You’re not selfish. You’re becoming aligned.
You’re not alone. You’re being invited.

This idea of alignment is central to a healthy identity and to emotional well-being. In positive psychology, alignment between our values and actions is called congruence, and it has been shown to reduce stress, increase satisfaction, and foster resilience. When we live in ways that honor our truth, we naturally create the conditions for healing and thriving.

Angela’s story is more than just a relocation tale. It’s a story of reinvention, resilience, and radical alignment. She shows us that even when the way forward isn’t clear, the willingness to follow the dream is what opens the path.

Your dream is a message. And maybe it’s time to respond.

Whether your dream is to move across the world or simply make space for joy, you deserve to explore it. Dreams aren’t frivolous. They’re sacred invitations from the soul.

Let Angela’s story be the reminder that transformation is possible. And let your own inner whisper be the spark that leads you home—to a life of purpose, peace, and truth.

Want help uncovering the message in your own dream?

I’m offering free dream interpretation sessions for a limited time. Let’s explore together what your soul might be trying to say.

In this 1:1 Dream Interpretation Session, we’ll go beyond surface-level goal setting and get to the heart of what’s calling you.

Whether you’re stuck in fear, overwhelmed by “what ifs,” or unsure of where to begin—this session is designed to help you reconnect with your purpose, uncover the false beliefs that are holding you back, and take the first aligned step forward.

In this 60-minute session, you will:

• Gain clarity on the dream placed inside you
• Identify subconscious blocks or grief that may be clouding your vision
• Reframe limiting beliefs and shift into alignment
• Receive powerful questions that unlock new insight
• Leave with a renewed sense of purpose and a strategic next step

You don’t need the whole plan.

You just need to remember the dream—and believe it’s possible again.

This session is for you if:

• You feel stuck in a cycle of survival or burnout
• You’ve been chasing success but still feel unfulfilled
• You’re ready to stop abandoning your own dream
• You want a safe space to be seen, heard, and supported

Let’s breathe life back into what you were created for.

You’ll walk away with clarity, peace, and belief in what’s possible.

Book Your Call (link https://l.bttr.to/iV92E)

You were made for more.

You don’t have to settle.

Let’s begin.

Bring the Power of Dreams to Your Team or Community

Megan offers transformative Dream Workshops and keynote talks designed for organizations, teams, and communities ready to move from vision to alignment. Using a powerful blend of psychology, soul-centered coaching, and narrative work, I guide participants in uncovering what their dreams are truly telling them—and how to turn that insight into action.

Whether you're looking to inspire your group, unlock creativity, or help your people reconnect with their purpose, this workshops creates space for deep reflection, courageous clarity, and real transformation.

✨ Perfect for retreats, leadership teams, women’s groups, and purpose-driven organizations.

✨ Available in person or virtually.

Let’s help your people reconnect to the vision that matters.

Now booking speaking engagements and dream workshops.

Reach out to learn more or reserve a session. (link to send request Contact)

About Our Coach Megan Babcock

Click here to view Coach Megan Babcock Profile

Megan Babcock is a certified Mental Health & Trauma Transformation Coach with 23 years in healthcare and passion for equipping others to be a healing presence in the world. As the founder of It's Your Story To Tell and recipient of Oregon's Best Transformation Coach 2025, Megan blends clinical insight with compassionate care to help leaders, caregivers and advocates support others through trauma and crisis.

She believes healing begins with presence and that people feel seen, safe and supported, they can begin to transform pain into purpose. Megan is committed to helping others reclaim their story, find their voice and become a light in the darkness for those they serve.

P.S. Megan is available for speaking at events geared at transformation. If interested, respond to this email to discuss how she can support your event, organization or ministry.