Finding Fulfillment: My Journey Beyond the Pursuit of Passion
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Chapter 1: The Burden of Passion
The notion that we must "discover our passion," "select our field of study," "define our life’s purpose," and "identify our niche" has been a relentless source of stress for many, including myself.
These phrases felt like an invisible weight, constantly pressing down on me. But now, I’m free from that pressure—and proud of it. Here’s my story.
From a young age, society instills the belief that we must make significant life choices—what to study, what career path to follow—by a certain age, often 25 or 30. This expectation can create immense stress, and I felt it deeply.
I found myself switching careers multiple times and even transforming my beloved hobbies into jobs, only to discover that they lost their charm. I was trapped in a perpetual cycle, desperately searching for my so-called passion. Each time I thought I had located it, it slipped away, leaving me feeling lost once again.
Then it hit me—finding "it" was impossible because the truth is simpler than I imagined:
There is no singular "passion."
At least not in the way we commonly think about it. The idea that there’s one thing you should love doing every day for the rest of your life is misleading. Every job comes with its mundane moments. Regardless of how passionate you feel, you’ll experience ups and downs. Some tasks may feel tedious, and there will be days when motivation wanes.
However, this doesn’t mean you haven’t discovered your passion; it’s simply part of any job.
Moreover, how can you truly know if you’re passionate about something if you’ve never tried it? Passion is woven into the fabric of your life; it’s what you engage in without any external incentives. It’s so ingrained that it feels natural, yet society often reminds us that not everyone shares this experience.
Passion isn’t merely a pathway to a lucrative career. It emerges from genuine enjoyment. To find enjoyment, you first need to explore various activities.
Think back to your childhood. Did you ever ponder what your passion was? Likely not! You just engaged in activities you found fun, and you naturally gravitated toward what you enjoyed without the weight of expectation.
It was only when adults began asking questions like, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" or "What will you study?" that the idea of discovering a passion became burdensome.
We’ve been conditioned to believe that passion is synonymous with monetization. For instance, if I'm passionate about inventing a new language, it somehow doesn't qualify as a true passion because it lacks financial potential. But who dictated that? And why do we accept this narrative?
Finding passion shouldn’t be equated with selecting or crafting a job. We are human beings, not mere components in a machine, despite societal pressures to conform.
We can have multiple passions, some of which we may choose to turn into careers while others remain hobbies. Our interests can evolve, and it’s perfectly acceptable to shift focus over time.
The quest for a passion that requires relentless searching is misguided. It generates unnecessary stress.
True passion stems from experimentation and discovering activities that bring you joy, compelling you to continue exploring.
So venture out and engage in what you enjoy. That’s where your genuine motivation lies. Don’t chase the elusive "passion" that’s been marketed to you; it simply doesn’t exist.
Wishing you a fulfilling journey,
Maria
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