Living Fully: How The Alchemist Changed My Perspective On Life
What is your Personal Legend?
One of the most inspiring books I’ve read—and re-read a few times, which I don’t do often—is The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. It’s a short, easy read but incredibly powerful.
I love the story, but what I love most is the concept of a Personal Legend. Without spoiling it, in The Alchemist, a Personal Legend represents an individual’s life purpose—the ultimate goal that each person is meant to pursue to achieve fulfillment. The book suggests that everyone has a Personal Legend, but fear, doubt, and societal expectations often prevent people from pursuing it. Embracing your Personal Legend requires courage, self-trust, and the willingness to learn from life’s challenges and signs.
I first read the book in 2018 after moving to Miami, at a time when I was going through Post-Traumatic Growth (though I didn’t know it at the time). The concept really resonated with me as I was in a strange place—recovering from a tragic event, just turned 30, and not fully sure how to approach this new chapter of my life.
It wasn’t an instant shift, but it led me to a path of living life to the fullest, focusing on my own Personal Legend, and pursuing what I wanted instead of what was expected of me.
I don’t think I can state exactly what my Personal Legend is. It’s not as tangible as Santiago’s in the book. For me, it’s more abstract—a commitment to living a life true to myself, focused on joy and fulfillment. My Personal Legend has taken me to many places and paths, but each choice aligns with the same vision.
It took a lot of personal work from 2018 to 2021 to fully embrace this. Overcoming fear, doubt, and societal or family expectations was not easy. Being okay with rubbing people the wrong way—people I love—was especially hard. But I decided it was worth it. It might sound selfish sometimes, but I’m at peace with that. Too many people live their parents’ Personal Legend instead of their own. I want to pursue my Personal Legend. I can’t live my life for others just to be nice. I only have one life; there’s no redo… so, I’m going for it.
Have you read The Alchemist? If so, what did you think? Do you have a sense of your own Personal Legend? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
📚 Love exploring thought-provoking books? Check out my other reflections to uncover how timeless stories and powerful ideas can inspire growth and perspective.