How to Create Your Dream Life by Following Your Purpose
by Kristina Karlsson
Sometimes an podcast episode lands at the intersection of purpose and practicality - and this one does exactly that.
I recently sat down with Jacinta, a former nurse turned social innovator, who chased her Purpose by founding Life Shared - a Purpose driven business that addresses two urgent problems: loneliness in later life and access to affordable housing.
Her model?
Carefully matching older householders with spare bedrooms -> to home companions seeking affordable rent in exchange for 6–10 hours of companionship and practical help each week.
It’s intergenerational living with dignity at the centre - and there are 13 million spare bedrooms in Australia alone.
Imagine the possibilities.
From the ward to systems-level impact
Jacinta’s story winds from a country childhood to nursing, through a pivotal “matron’s office” moment that nudged her toward industry roles and leadership, and later into aged care following her parents’ diagnoses (Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s-related dementia).
Those lived experiences made the gaps painfully clear - and lit the path to build something more human-centred around a meaningful Purpose.
...and along the way, she found her way into our Dream Life Community and Coaching Program.
So I've had the privilege of watching her chase her dream... and there is so much for us to all learn from her progress.
Why home-share works
- Belonging beats burnout: Older people stay in familiar communities, keep pets, host grandchildren and maintain routines.
- The antidote to loneliness: Companionship is powerful. We talk about “Blue Zones” and the deep health benefits of staying socially connected.
- Access and affordability: Many women in mid-life are at risk of homelessness; a safe, values-aligned home-share can be a bridge.
The courage to shine your light
When I challenged Jacinta during our Dream Life Coaching theme “Shine Your Light,” she said yes to doing radio and press - stretching her beyond comfort.
The ripple?
The right people saw Life Shared and reached out: carers, daughters, and decision-makers who didn’t know this option existed.
Sometimes your visibility is someone else’s lifeline.
Rituals that compound results
Inside Dream Life Coaching we’re big on simple structures: 3 daily priorities, weekly reflection, and health as a non-negotiable.
Jacinta keeps her Daily Progress Journal close, measures what matters, and stacks small wins - quarter after quarter.
My own anchor lately has been sleep (hello Oura ring!).
When we care for our energy, everything improves.
Five insights you’ll gain from listening
- Start before you feel ready. Momentum lives on the other side of the first step. (You do not have to be great to start…)
- Design for dignity. Human-centred models can fix “impossible” problems when we zoom out to community-level solutions.
- Make health your wealth. Capacity peaks when sleep, movement, and nature time are planned like meetings.
- Reflect to improve. Weekly/quarterly reviews reveal the habits that actually moved the needle.
- Share your dream out loud. Doors open when people can find you. Your story is a bridge for someone else.
Try this: 10 minutes to move your dream forward
Open your journal and write the answer to: “What would I do if I knew I couldn’t fail?”
Then list today’s three most important actions - and do the smallest one now.
If you want a gentle structure and a cheering squad, join us inside DL Coaching: https://www.yourdreamlifestartshere.com/course.
The Dream Life Impact: Jacinta’s Reflection 🌿
One of the moments that touched me most during our chat came when Jacinta shared how her journey with Dream Life Coaching has helped her bring Life Shared to life - quite literally.
She told me she first discovered my book - Your Dream Life Starts Here - and joined our Dream Life Coaching community at a time when her idea felt huge and a little overwhelming.
“I had this big idea,” she said, “but it felt too big. Joining Dream Life Coaching helped me break it down. The 90-day planning tools and those Monday sessions made it all feel doable.”
That kind of clarity is what I love seeing unfold for our community. It’s the moment when dreaming shifts into doing.
Jacinta also shared how the theme we often explore together - “Shine Your Light” - helped her find the courage to put herself out there.
“I wouldn’t have put myself forward for that radio interview if it wasn’t for you, Kristina,” she told me.
“You gave me the nudge to share what we were doing - and as soon as I did, the right people started finding me.”
She’s built her visibility, her confidence, and her impact - all through a mindset of consistent reflection and progress.
“Those tools changed everything,” she said. “I went from being stuck in overwhelm to actually tracking progress and celebrating wins - that’s what helped Life Shared go from concept to reality.”
Hearing those words fills my heart. Because this is exactly why I created Dream Life Coaching - to give people the structure, support, and belief they need to make their dreams real.
Jacinta summed it up beautifully:
“Kristina, you’ve been such a big part of this journey. Your belief and the Dream Life community gave me courage to dream bigger - and to take the steps to make it real.”
If you’re reading this and feeling that little spark to start - or to finally take your next brave step - I’d love to help you too. You can join us inside Dream Life Coaching and start mapping your own 90-day plan here: yourdreamlifestartshere.com/course.
Because with the right structure and community, your dream really can become your reality 💛
Dream Big!
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