I’ve felt the rush of working on something I love, the deep focus of getting lost in a project, and the thrill of seeing something come to life. But I also know that not everything I enjoy can or should be my career. Some passions are best left as precisely that: passions.
We often hear the advice, “Do what you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life.” Sounds great, right? But for many, turning a passion into a job comes with trade-offs: deadlines, financial pressure, and the potential loss of joy when a hobby becomes an obligation. Work doesn’t need to be your passion, but passion needs a place in your life.
The Myth of Passion-Driven Careers
There’s an expectation that we should all turn our passions into careers, but that’s not always realistic. Some passions don’t pay the bills. Others lose their magic when they become work. And honestly? That’s okay.
A job can simply be a way to provide stability, support loved ones, or build skills. It doesn’t have to be your life’s great calling. However, problems arise when people believe they must find complete fulfillment through work alone, leading to frustration when reality doesn’t match the dream.
Making Room for Passion
If your job isn’t your passion, make sure your passion has a home elsewhere. That could mean hobbies, side projects, or something entirely different. So schedule passion like an appointment, find work that matches your values, always try to sneak passion into work, and find your side projects or hobbies. If people and community are your thing, find like-minded people with whom to share your passion.
Embracing the Seasons of Passion
Passions aren’t always lifelong and constant commitments. Sometimes, they shift, fade, or return in unexpected ways. What once consumed your time might take a backseat, making space for something new. Instead of clinging to one idea of passion, allow yourself to grow with it. Think back—what did you love as a child or years ago that got lost along the way? Maybe it’s time to bring it back.
The Balance of Passion and Work
You can feel the pull from your work and the excitement of your tasks and do an excellent job, even if your job won’t be your one true calling. It can be a means to an end, a place to learn, or something you do well. But passion? Passion needs a place to breathe, live, and move your heart and soul. It doesn’t need to be a career. It just needs to exist somewhere in your life.
So when a friend calls you up and says, “Hey, I’m heading out to do that thing I love,” let it be a reminder. We should do these things more often.
