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I spent years examining (also together with my psychologist) the question:

“People always tell you to follow your dream”. But often following one’s dream comes at a cost, or at least comes with some risk. Yet, the advice to “follow your dream” is a blanket advice, it supposedly trumps everything else.

I ended up deciding to not follow my dream, at that point in life, and I am happy I didn’t. I won’t be telling my kids to “follow your dream”. Think about it real good before blowing up your life.

>>surfsv+(OP)
> “People always tell you to follow your dream”.

Perhaps in the US. It's the privilege of living in an extremely wealthy country - the risk of following your dream is not that high, since, if you fail, you'll probably still be able to eke a relatively comfortable living. It doesn't work that way in most other countries. In most places, having a stable job that allows you to afford an apartment or (gasp) a house!, IS the dream, whereas in the US it's almost seen as failure due to lack of ambition.

However, seeing that living expenses in the US (mainly housing) are going way up, perhaps the era of following your dreams will end there (US) as well?

>>badpun+hk
Although the US is a wealthy country, I believe for most people "following your dream" there could be much harder than in Europe. Especially in terms of an unexpected healthcare problem at the wrong time.

Of course some people are wealthy enough for this not to be a problem, and it is easier to get investors there. Still, I would not characterize it as risk-free in the US.

>>mejuto+Ws
In a couple of small, wealthiest countries in Europe (Scandinavian countries, Switzerland), sure. But everywhere else, if you go for the dream and fail, you'll be barely making a living. Whereas in the US, you can fail and likely still land a $40k-50k job doing whatever. In Europe, managers in serious firms often don't make $50k.

Also, serious health problems before 40 are really rare.

>>surfsv+(OP)
Wise words :) However ... 'I won’t be telling my kids to “follow your dream”'. .. well, they'll probably do what they wanna do anyway, won't they? ;) My advice to our kids would be, follow your dreams, but be pragmatic, don't put all your eggs in one basket. If you want, to use random examples, to be a musician or something without reliable income, or spend a lot of time travelling for fun, then you're gonna have to learn how to live on little, e:g learn cheap healthy cooking skills, in extreme situation you might have to live in an old van or tent some of the time. And/or maybe develop some specialist work skill that isn't your ideal profession but brings in money quick when you need it. Alternatively, base your life around a career that pays enough to get by, while allowing free time to follow your dreams maybe by working part-time or something. I know someone who works as a teaching assistant in schools whilst doing lead roles in good quality amateur shows. She seems very happy, presumably happier than if she was professional actress. I guess my argument is , its not either/or, its a trade-off.... BTW we are SO lucky in tech. We can have it all, decent paid job that isn't crazy hours. Take time out to go travelling, come back and as long as you got the skillset you'll get hired again. Some other professions have even more freedom... anything medical, always in need. Nurses can call the shots completely.. (in terms of choosing hours, shifts, career breaks to go be in a show, protect a rainforest by occupying it or something)

>>badpun+nx
I think you're both right in the sense that, USA is more forgiving of career "mistakes" and people get many chances to "make it big" financially , while Europe is a little more conservative about career history but has better safety net which also gives people chances to re-invent themselves. (Speaking as someone who's lived in both UK and US). :)

>>badpun+nx
I see your point but I respectfully disagree.

It seems to me you are taking only maximum absolute dollar into account. 50k€ or less in Europe is more like $100k in my experience.

Assumptions:

- Comparing salaries in absolute dollar amount, without considering other costs from taxes, social security and cost of living.

- Education cost.

- Not falling sick, rare or not. Or needing an ambulance.

TLDR. The worst case in Europe is better than in the US. The best case in the US is better than in Europe.