Seven Things No One Tells You About Following Your Passion
Can you believe it's already November? It feels like 2019 has slipped by. In two months, we'll be starting a new decade!
And guess what? Today's the first day of NaNoWriMo! I finished my YA fantasy/sci-fi novel, WANDERSKY, last month. Now I can start fresh with DREAMWEAVERS, my middle grade fantasy novel! It's always exciting beginning a new novel. There are so many opportunities!
But all that aside, today I'd like to talk about following your passion. What is "passion"?
Something you enjoy -- the reason you get up in the morning. It should both terrify and excite you. If it doesn't bring you joy and fulfillment and challenge you in some way, it's not your passion.
Put simply, it's your life's purpose -- your reason for existing. You can't walk away from it or forget about it.
And it doesn't have to be something creative like writing, acting, filmmaking, etc. It doesn't need to change the world, either. It can be something as simple as helping people or decorating the house.
Writing is my passion. I've known it since I was a child and I know it now. For me, writing is a compulsion -- as necessary as breathing, eating, and sleeping. I could never give it up. While I'm writing, it feels euphoric and cathartic -- two big signs that it's right for me.
I'd like to share six things no one tells you about following your passion:
1. It's Lonely
Our passions often involve spending a lot of time alone thinking and working hard. It's a long journey with a lot of ups and downs -- and sometimes, people won't support you through it. They might even say something negative, trying to deter you. Speaking of which...
2. You'll Be Misunderstood
Some people won't understand why you've chosen to follow your passion. Maybe you've quit your job in pursuit of it or made a lot of sacrifices. Most people nowadays are superficial -- and they just can't understand why you'd want to chase something that involves hard work and failure along the way. They want quick rewards, but those are always the most fleeting. Which also brings me to my next point...
3. It's Hard Work, But Little Reward
Success doesn't happen overnight. It can take years or even decades to get where you want to be. You might not be able to make money off of it, but those are just materialistic rewards. The real reward comes from the joy you feel while doing your passion -- in knowing you aren't wasting your life.
4. There Are Many Tests
Along the way, you're going to experience a lot of setbacks, rejections, failures, and disappointments. But don't let it discourage you or convince you you're on the wrong path. No, these obstacles are tests. They test your resolve, your determination, and your passion itself. It can help you understand yourself -- how far you're willing to go to achieve what you want -- and what you're capable of. It can also show you if something is your passion or not.
5. You'll Go Unappreciated
Don't expect people to congratulate or appreciate you for your passion, especially in the beginning. Just finished a novel? Baked a really great cake? Painted a masterpiece? Other people might not understand how large of a milestone it is. But celebrate anyway -- even the small victories -- because they're steps in the right direction. On the flip side...
6. Some People Might Be Jealous of You
It's true. Some people are ugly jealous monsters with clever disguises. They may appear as friends, family members, or peers. These people will be jealous of you following your passion because they never had the courage to. The fact that you're trying will be very threatening to them. You may lose people in your life during this time and realize their bitter nature. It's important to not let them get to you -- or bring you down to their level. Don't be lazy and unmotivated like them.
And last but not least...
7. It's Fulfilling
While other people are chasing material objects and temporary rewards in this world, you're after something better -- true happiness. Your passion can lead you to it. And finally achieving what you've wanted after all these years is gratifying. When you live your life with purpose, you can never go astray.
Passion is the magical ingredient that makes life worth living. Remember that.
Thanks for reading! Always follow your passion -- no matter what others say or how hard it is. You only have one life so make proper use of it before it's too late.
Sincerely,
Dana
And guess what? Today's the first day of NaNoWriMo! I finished my YA fantasy/sci-fi novel, WANDERSKY, last month. Now I can start fresh with DREAMWEAVERS, my middle grade fantasy novel! It's always exciting beginning a new novel. There are so many opportunities!
But all that aside, today I'd like to talk about following your passion. What is "passion"?
Something you enjoy -- the reason you get up in the morning. It should both terrify and excite you. If it doesn't bring you joy and fulfillment and challenge you in some way, it's not your passion.
Put simply, it's your life's purpose -- your reason for existing. You can't walk away from it or forget about it.
And it doesn't have to be something creative like writing, acting, filmmaking, etc. It doesn't need to change the world, either. It can be something as simple as helping people or decorating the house.
Writing is my passion. I've known it since I was a child and I know it now. For me, writing is a compulsion -- as necessary as breathing, eating, and sleeping. I could never give it up. While I'm writing, it feels euphoric and cathartic -- two big signs that it's right for me.
I'd like to share six things no one tells you about following your passion:
1. It's Lonely
Our passions often involve spending a lot of time alone thinking and working hard. It's a long journey with a lot of ups and downs -- and sometimes, people won't support you through it. They might even say something negative, trying to deter you. Speaking of which...
2. You'll Be Misunderstood
Some people won't understand why you've chosen to follow your passion. Maybe you've quit your job in pursuit of it or made a lot of sacrifices. Most people nowadays are superficial -- and they just can't understand why you'd want to chase something that involves hard work and failure along the way. They want quick rewards, but those are always the most fleeting. Which also brings me to my next point...
3. It's Hard Work, But Little Reward
Success doesn't happen overnight. It can take years or even decades to get where you want to be. You might not be able to make money off of it, but those are just materialistic rewards. The real reward comes from the joy you feel while doing your passion -- in knowing you aren't wasting your life.
4. There Are Many Tests
Along the way, you're going to experience a lot of setbacks, rejections, failures, and disappointments. But don't let it discourage you or convince you you're on the wrong path. No, these obstacles are tests. They test your resolve, your determination, and your passion itself. It can help you understand yourself -- how far you're willing to go to achieve what you want -- and what you're capable of. It can also show you if something is your passion or not.
5. You'll Go Unappreciated
Don't expect people to congratulate or appreciate you for your passion, especially in the beginning. Just finished a novel? Baked a really great cake? Painted a masterpiece? Other people might not understand how large of a milestone it is. But celebrate anyway -- even the small victories -- because they're steps in the right direction. On the flip side...
6. Some People Might Be Jealous of You
It's true. Some people are ugly jealous monsters with clever disguises. They may appear as friends, family members, or peers. These people will be jealous of you following your passion because they never had the courage to. The fact that you're trying will be very threatening to them. You may lose people in your life during this time and realize their bitter nature. It's important to not let them get to you -- or bring you down to their level. Don't be lazy and unmotivated like them.
And last but not least...
7. It's Fulfilling
While other people are chasing material objects and temporary rewards in this world, you're after something better -- true happiness. Your passion can lead you to it. And finally achieving what you've wanted after all these years is gratifying. When you live your life with purpose, you can never go astray.
Passion is the magical ingredient that makes life worth living. Remember that.
Thanks for reading! Always follow your passion -- no matter what others say or how hard it is. You only have one life so make proper use of it before it's too late.
Sincerely,
Dana
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