Chasing Stardust and Rent Checks
A day in the life of a relentless dreamer: turning chaos into creation, one stitch and lyric at a time.
I woke up today with a spark in my chest, the kind that feels like the universe just dared me to make something of myself. My life isn’t glamorous yet—it’s hostel walls, fabric scraps, and deadlines that seem to multiply faster than I can sew. But there’s magic in the mess, isn’t there? Somewhere between the rhythm of my scissors and the bass line of my EP, I feel unstoppable.
People ask me why I do all this. Why I pour every ounce of myself into music, fashion, art—into creating. The answer is simple: because I have to. My dreams aren’t polite. They don’t knock; they kick the door open, set my soul on fire, and refuse to let me settle for anything less than extraordinary.
It’s not always easy, though. The grind has its own kind of poetry, but that doesn’t mean it’s always beautiful. Some days, it’s scrubbing pods, crouched in tiny spaces while my mind races with ideas I don’t even have time to write down. Other days, it’s staring at a sewing machine, wondering if this one stitch is the one that will lead to the breakthrough I’ve been chasing.
The other day, I was crouched inside a pod, wiping down the mirrors with glass cleaner. As I looked into each reflection, I saw myself—tired, focused, and determined. These mirrors weren’t just reflecting my image back at me; they were reflecting my grind, my ambition, and my refusal to quit. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was real. This is what the hustle looks like.
Some nights, when the lights go out in the hostel and everyone else is asleep, I sit in my pod and let myself dream. I think about what’s next—new designs, new music, new opportunities. I replay the best moments: a lyric that came together perfectly, a jacket I finished that made me feel like I’m ready for the runway. Those quiet moments remind me of how far I’ve come, from scribbling ideas in the margins of notebooks to creating work that actually feels like me.
The truth is, I’m broke but bold. Tired but still typing up concepts for my next release. There are moments when I wonder if it’s all worth it—if I’m just chasing stardust that will never settle. But then I remember: every empire starts somewhere.
This journey has taught me that resilience is the most valuable skill I have. Every setback, every failure, every time I’ve doubted myself—it all builds something stronger. Like the time I sold a jacket I was so proud of to help cover rent, or when I stayed up all night stitching because I couldn’t afford to waste a single yard of fabric. Those moments fuel me just as much as the victories.
I’ve learned that the hustle isn’t just about the work; it’s about the mindset. Every stitch, every lyric, every vision I breathe into life is a step closer to my empire. The kind of empire they’ll write about—fashion that whispers rebellion, music that makes you feel like you could conquer the world.
I’ve also realized that my hustle isn’t just for me. It’s for anyone who’s ever been told their dreams are too big, too bold, too much. It’s for the people who can see the magic in the mess and refuse to give up. It’s for the version of me from five years ago, who didn’t know how to start but had the courage to try.
So here I am—part dreamer, part hustler, part relentless force of nature. My truth isn’t tidy, but it’s mine. And if you’re reading this, consider it your sign to chase your stardust, too. The journey won’t be easy, but trust me, it will be worth it.
About the Creator
Surj - Writer, Storyteller, and Creative Visionary
Surj, a writer, musician, and storyteller, shares his journey on Vocal.media. Passionate about writing, he explores themes from "The Art of Sexuality" and "Vice City Star," using his talents to connect and inspire.
Keep reading
More stories from Surj - Writer, Storyteller, and Creative Visionary and writers in Motivation and other communities.
Family Ties
I wake up every morning trying to catch my thoughts; ever wanted to remember a dream but couldn’t? Waking up and keeping a vibrational frequency aligned to my desires can feel like remembering a dream. My last thoughts always seem to be the first ones I wake up to. As usual, for me, it's work-related. My schedule is packed, it’s how I like it. Every day I’m working on a better version of myself. Balancing self-love and being selfless.
By Surj - Writer, Storyteller, and Creative Visionary5 years ago in Families
“The Man Who Never Missed a Day”
When I was 17, I met a man who delivered newspapers in the rain. Not in a casual, half-hearted way—but fully committed, every single morning. He would leave his house before sunrise, his coat soaked, shoes falling apart, and the wind cutting through him like a knife. Yet, despite the cold and wet, he smiled at everyone on his route. To a teenager like me, it was both confusing and inspiring. I remember the first time I saw him struggle with a bundle of papers that seemed almost too heavy for him. He slipped on the wet pavement, muttered something under his breath, and kept walking. When he reached the next house, he knocked on the door, handed over the paper, and smiled as the door closed. That smile was strange to me—it wasn’t pride or satisfaction, it was… calm. Almost peaceful. Curious, I approached him one morning. “Why don’t you take a day off when it’s so hard?” I asked, shivering in my hoodie as the rain soaked me through. He laughed, a deep, gravelly sound that didn’t sound annoyed, only knowing. “Son, nobody cares about today,” he said, shaking his head. “What matters is tomorrow. You build your life the same way: one small effort, every day, even when nobody notices.” At the time, I didn’t understand. My life felt urgent, like it had to explode with success immediately. I was chasing big ideas, jumping from project to project, leaving most half-finished. I thought motivation was everything—without the spark of inspiration, nothing mattered. The idea of showing up every single day, even when tired, even when bored, even when invisible, felt almost insane. I watched him for weeks. Rain or shine, he was there. I started noticing small details I hadn’t seen before—the careful folding of the papers, the way he adjusted his wet coat to protect the bundle, the extra minute he took to smile at a child running out to grab the paper. Every morning, the same ritual. Every morning, the same effort. And yet, nobody cheered. Nobody noticed. Years passed. I went to college, chasing my own “big dreams,” my own versions of instant success. I started businesses, abandoned them; learned new skills, stopped halfway; made promises to myself I couldn’t keep. I told myself I was working toward greatness, but mostly, I was chasing the idea of success, not the work itself. Motivation was my fuel, and when it ran out, I stopped moving. Meanwhile, the memory of that man stayed with me. The quiet diligence, the smile in the pouring rain. I didn’t realize it at the time, but he had already taught me the most important lesson: consistency matters more than talent, and persistence matters more than inspiration. Years later, I found myself struggling. A career path crumbled beneath me, a relationship ended badly, and my confidence had hit rock bottom. I remembered the man with the newspapers. I thought about how small, invisible efforts can be the hardest to trust—because results are not immediate, and recognition is not guaranteed. Yet, he had shown me that those small efforts accumulate, slowly but inevitably, into a life that cannot be ignored. I started experimenting with this principle myself. Every morning, I wrote 500 words for my stories—even when tired, even when uninspired. I practiced my skills quietly, without posting or sharing. I did the work not for applause, but because it mattered to the person I wanted to become. Some days, it felt like nothing was happening. Some days, I wanted to give up. But then I remembered the man with the newspapers, and I kept showing up. It didn’t take long before I started noticing changes. The words I wrote flowed better, ideas connected in ways they never had before. People began noticing my work. Small victories became more frequent, and my confidence started to rebuild. What had seemed like meaningless, invisible effort had quietly transformed my life. That man never became famous. He never went viral. He had no thousands of followers, no awards, no recognition. But every paper he delivered, every smile he shared, every step he took in the rain—it all mattered. Each day of consistent effort built a life he owned completely, a life he could be proud of. I realized then that success is not a moment. It is not a sudden flash of recognition or a single lucky opportunity. Success is the sum of the quiet, consistent decisions we make when no one is watching. It’s the choice to wake up when it’s easier to sleep. It’s the decision to work when it’s easier to scroll on your phone. It’s the effort we put in when the world doesn’t applaud. And the truth is simple: showing up every day is more powerful than talent, motivation, or luck. Talent fades. Motivation fluctuates. But showing up—every single day, rain or shine—creates results you cannot imagine. Just like the man in the rain, your efforts may not be recognized immediately. People may overlook them, circumstances may feel unfair, progress may seem invisible. But over time, the cumulative effect of your daily effort will speak for itself. One day, the world will notice. One day, your consistency will transform your life. So, start today. Don’t wait for motivation. Don’t wait for inspiration. Show up. Every day. One small effort. One action. One step at a time. Let your grind be louder than your excuses. Because the man who never missed a day wasn’t special. He was ordinary. But through persistence, he became unstoppable. And so can you.
By Ihtisham Ulhaq5 days ago in Motivation
The Devil's Cut
“Comrade, finally you’re awake.” The voice was smooth, sensual. A flickering incandescent bar was all that lit the white, sterile room. All Vladimir remembered was everything going black. He tried to move his arms and found them strapped to the gurney.
By Matthew J. Fromm6 days ago in Fiction
Comments (2)
For those seeking to really know who this man is stay tuned because his journey will be told in all truths by myself. Stay tuned
Im so proud of you, for making your vision come forth on your journey through story telling. I hope that other readers follow you and become motivated through your creativity.