Real Life Wednesday: What’s Your Passion?
Want to know something wild?
These Wednesday posts. When I share whatever I feel and write about things I do and love, whether it’s important or dumb, the minute I go to hit publish? EXTREME ANXIETY. Like wake-up-in-the-middle-of-the-night anxiety.
Like, anxiety that necessitates texting a friend and needing reassurance. Anxiety that has me telling Eddie before he walks out the door that “there is no way I’m posting this!” because I just feel… weird.
The truth is that they make me feel super uncomfortable, open, vulnerable and exposed. Like, hey! Hit me! I’m telling you even more about alllll the things in my life.
But. It’s forcing me to go outside of my comfort zone. I am loving the feeling of feeling uncomfortable, except I also sort of hate it. A lot. Then I wonder how I can grow (as a person, as a writer, as a freak) if I am not forcing myself to do things that make me feel uneasy. This is one way. Even though it makes me want to punch myself in the face at the same time.
I’ve found that this is where I can write whatever junk I want to write about, the things I am crazy passionate about – other than food but still sometimes about food that I might not make. More about life and less about omgs and imobsessed and I made this pizza and you have to try it before I lose my mind. You know?
I’ve been passionate about writing for almost my entire life, though it’s gone in and out. I’ve talked about this to death but what I was a kid, I’d spend hours writing “stories” in notebooks – basically my versions of Babysitters Club and Sweet Valley High. I would get so wrapped up in those stories and my own that I’d have a tough time focusing on real life. (Obvi not much has changed.)
When I was in sixth grade, I’d sit in front of the computer (which was pretty new at the time) and type up little poems and stories about love and heartbreak, because apparently at the age of eleven I was heartbroken.
It wasn’t a major loss. Trust me. I don’t even think my mom was freaked out by my weird writings. I think I was just pretending to be a tortured artist.
I journaled often – um, my favorite entries are the ones when I was clearly angry and ripped open a page and wrote mean things about my brothers. It was so hilarious but so drives home the point that I physically CAN’T get things out of my mind/heart unless I write them down. Happy or sad. Angry or elated. You know the drill.
It’s not like I write any great literary works of art and I sure could benefit from a good long sesh with a thesaurus and probably even a dictionary. But that’s not the point.
I don’t even know if I can’t explain how I feel about writing. Writing notes, writing my thoughts, writing stories, writing daily ramblings to invisible internet friends – all of it. It stirs something up inside me but makes me feel at home at the same time. I feel physically full when I can’t write. My head isn’t clear, I’m generally overwhelmed and to be oh so completely cliché, I don’t feel complete! For real.
I want to say something here a la Ryan Gosling in The Notebook and how it awakens my soul but that would be taking it too far. Maybe. But it’s true! Exclamation points and all.
Towards the end of high school and all through college, I pretty much ditched writing. Like, writing anything. I obviously had to write papers (which was something I never minded) but for enjoyment or release or therapy or growth… it wasn’t happening. Being (or wanting to be) social took over. Before I went to college, my parents tried to get me to major in English or some form of creative writing to which I would (literally) scream WHAT!! THAT IS SO BORING! THAT’S NOT ME! And that was that. I wasn’t interested.
When I first started my blog, it was like… lightbulb. Hello, brightest lightbulb ever. A few weeks in I went over to my parents’ house, sat in the kitchen and bawled like a freaking baby. Like ugly cry, can’t breath cry, hiccup cry. I was wailing I JUST LOVE WRITING SO MUCH! And all I was doing was talking about recipes. But it was enough for me.
I know. So dramatic. I think that comes with the passion thing.
I take passion to another level… except for the things I don’t care about. Then I’m apathetic. Basically, I’m passionate to a fault.
So me.
{I can’t find the original source of this photo – if you know it, please share.}
I’m rambling on about all of this today because I’m so curious. What are you passionate about? I will admit that I am such a passion-driven person (read: not rationally driven, hint hint) that I have a difficult time understanding when others aren’t passionate. I mean, doesn’t everyone have to be head over heels about something?!?! I think it makes living, like… worth it. It’s what makes me work really hard every day.
As invisible internet BFFs, I’m kind of dying to know what makes you tick. What makes you wake up in the morning or what is it that you HOPE to wake up in the morning for one day?
If I am not doing something I’m passionate about, it eats me alive from inside. Lots of people don’t understand. I’m paralyzed if I’m not following it. Okay well. I don’t mean like in a Hannah-from-GIRLS type of way. But you know. Do I make sense? Probably not. Hey! Maybe next week I’ll not write ten thousand words. Something I am not passionate about: expressing myself in a few sentences.
152 Comments on “Real Life Wednesday: What’s Your Passion?”
Just love, love, love this (and all your posts, really)! You’re authentically, completely you and it shows, as does your incredible passion. It’s just awesome and, like many others have said, inspiring and motivating. Thanks, for the sharing and the encouragement.
As for my passion…I’m still searching for what my real passion is. I have many interests and decent knowledge or skills on the surface, but don’t really know what I am truly passionate about. Like can’t stand to never do this again passionate. I also feel really stuck (maybe just afraid?) as to how to turn my passion into a viable, lifelong, satisfying career. Sorry, that’s heavy stuff. But reading your blog is making me long for a career that I love and want to do wholeheartedly. I’d just like to fast forward to when I have the answer!
I don’t often/ever comment, which I probably weird, but this post really resonated with me. I also wrote weird short stories in word (pre-Word??) documents, often times involving my brothers or some other adventure. In college this became angsty poem writing, and now just lengthy emails to friends and my closest brother. I work in medicine and do science all day, and missed writing so much. I’d find myself indulgently scribbling on notepads or jumping to my computer at 3am just to get it out. I just started blogging, just recipes, but it’s astounding how much I love it! Just the perfect outlet and demand for creativity. Anyways, thanks for putting yourself out there- it makes it seem easier for me, too.
this makes me so happy. thank you for commenting!
I feel like getting to be creative in general is my passion. I was always crafting and writing and dreaming of weird small business when I was younger. I would make and sell jewelry (like, really NICE jewelry – brides and bridesmaids would usually buy my stuff), I would do custom Christmas cards, I worked in a stationary store making wedding invitations…everything creative. Freshman year of college I filled up tons of notebooks just with my feelings and stories and hopes. And yet…I majored in nursing, math and sciences. And i hated it. I cried for 6 years in college (yes, 6) and yet still didn’t switch to something creative because I was afraid I’d let my parents down.
When I finished college, I never looked back at nursing. I poured myself into my blog (which I started during college to cope with hating my choices so much) and I love the creativity of it. I still buy and freak out over school supplies, notebooks, pens, stickers and anything colorful. I write, I take pictures, I style food…I love being creative.
Love this post, So. Much. I feel the same way about writing — I get antsy and fussy when I don’t have time to write. It’s in my bones.
P.S. Your passion is infectious. Keep these posts coming. :)
Passion….such a hard thing to pin down! Creativity is a passion. In all forms. I also think, as I grow as a person, that writing has become a passion (though I hated to admit it to other people when I was younger because I didn’t want them to think I was some weirdo kid that actually enjoyed writing papers and stuff). That’s why I wanted to start blogging, and why I started following bloggers (like you). it’s so exciting to me that so many people in this world enjoy all of these things, and that they’re brave enough to put it out there for people to see! I’m also passionate about the things that make me truly happy, and going after them. That’s really broad, i know, but there are so many things I like to do…and it’s hard to do sitting at a desk all day! :) Ok, back to the day job…
Thanks for sharing your stories.
This post is a huge slap in the face in the best way. I work ALOT and constantly struggle with work life balance so I always feel like I’m running from one place to the next as fast as I can to keep everyone happy- work, gym, home, grocery store. But as many hours as I spend working, I wouldn’t say it’s my passion. These Wednesday posts have been a wake up call for me this year to dig deep and find a way to do what I love enjoy every minute of life!
My passion is being a mom…it is the only thing in life that has given me complete and utter joy and love. Being a mom is the hardest job…everyday you feel like a hero and a failure!!! Hero: I washed my 11 year olds outfit that she HAD to have for today….Failure: My kids had cereal for dinner!!! It’s scary and amazing all at the same time…being responsible for 3 human beings is crazy! I was a young mom 21…and now I am 32! I almost can’t remember my life before my kids….it’s my greatest passion….
Cereal for dinner if not a failure – they had dinner didn’t they?!?! Don’t be so hard on yourself. My kids are grown and I would so love to give them cereal for dinner :). Enjoy every moment they grow fast.
Such weird timing for this post! Yesterday I was feeling pretty down because I also feel if I’m not doing something I’m passionate about my creativity is squelched. Maybe that’s a little like Hannah in GIRLS? Totally get where you’re coming from, though! It’s so important to pursue the things you’re passionate about.
I love your posts so much, and your passion is so amazing! I also used to (and still do) write little stories on Word, even if it’a just to clear my head. But my main passion is dancing, and I feel so free when I dance. It’s someplace I can just be me, and put all of my emotions out there for the world, without having to explain them!
http://thenimblemouse.blogspot.co.uk/
Carys xxxxx
You are just the greatest. <3
I am passionate about teaching children with special needs. I am constantly looking for new ideas and ways to engage them. It is so much fun!
Regarding a thesaurus, Stephen King says, “any word you have to hunt for in a thesaurus is the wrong word. There are no exceptions to this rule.” His book “On Writing” should be required reading for anyone interested in writing. Love it.
yes!!
I must say that picture of the light switch sums me up perfectly!
Loved this post too – it really got me thinking!
Eilidh | http://letsgetwonderfullylost.blogspot.co.uk
xoxo
I GET IT! I UNDERSTAND WHERE YOU’RE COMING FROM! I know that anxiety, but –unsolicited advice time — step outside yourself and look at these posts from the perspective of one of your invisible internet friends and realize that you are helping all of them (us) so much! These posts are a breath of fresh air! They give us a real person behind the (beautiful, delicious and well-written) food posts! That’s hard to find.
My passions: writing, beauty products, fashion, home decor, pretty items (those pens? I die), shopping, and trying my hardest everyday to figure out how to a) Take myself seriously — but not too seriously, and B) Somehow turn all of those things into a living.
Last, I can’t hide what I’m feeling — whether it’s enthusiasm, apathy or something else. This sometimes works out for me, but it also sometimes gets me into trouble. I can’t help it. I FEEL THINGS.
I can’t wait for next week’s Real Life Wednesday!
I DO know. I am passionate about a lot of things. About creating just systems and making food that brings people together and loving people where they are and seeking beauty in nature. I think I’m always afraid if I get too passionate about something I’ll burn out. That I won’t have enough passion to sustain the work, ya know? Or maybe it’s a fear that I’ll fail at something I really, really care about. I think that’s a lot of the reason why it’s hard to speak what I care about on the deepest, gut level.
Oy. I feel like I just went to a therapy session. I need a brownie now.
I had the same experience when I was younger. I wrote all the time. I even wrote songs that I would sing to my mom. I have the worst singing voice, but my mom, bless her heart, still listened with this pained smile on her face. I journaled all the way up until high school ended. In college something changes in you and it’s like you don’t think that is cool anymore or whatever but I stopped writing. It wasn’t until I came across your blog that I was like duh, I should give this a whirl. Blogging combines my two passions, writing and cooking. I may not always be grammatically correct but it still is such an outlet. Everyday when my 3 month old goes down for a nap I thank God, hold my breath that he stays asleep, and either head off to the kitchen to cook or sit in the office and write. It is my favorite time of day…. Maybe that makes me a bad mom. I need my me time though!
Great post! I am most passionate about inspiring and creating beauty. I enjoy writing, graphic design, painting, crafting…….I wake up every day excited to create something beautiful or find something beautiful!
I adore these posts so much it’s unreal.
I have been religiously reading your blog for the last 3 years, and have never left a comment. Today’s post was so inspiring I couldn’t help but say something. I really appreciate you putting yourself out here and sharing with all your invisible internet friends!
I am insanely passionate about exercising, and running in particular. I recently broke my foot and have been unable to run for the last FOUR months. I have been angry, sad, depressed and felt miserable for the last quarter year. Today was the first day I was allowed to try running again. I’m only allowed 15 minutes, but in those 15 mins I felt more alive, more myself than I’ve felt for a long time. I think I found my joy again. If writing and sharing your life brings YOU joy and makes you feel alive, keep up the good work!
Thanks for inspiring us to keep living our passions!
Oh my god, I am EXACTLY the same way about being passionate. I’m so hopelessly ridiculously obsessed with design of all kinds, but more than anything in the world, interior design. Like so obsessed that for a break from my graphic design job, I’ll daydream about interiors. A design break from design? Yeah, I’m a nerd. Because I graduated in the recession, I had to temporarily abandon my interiors plans and it is killing me!
Keep doing everything you’re doing. Your obvious passion for food and writing is what I love about this blog! You’re doing an amazing job!
Loooove this. I am SO attracted to passion (and men, fyi ;) ) but I can’t stand when people do have a fun hobby or are working toward something!
I’m back in school premed and I LOVE LOVE learning about the body and how it works. And a huge passion (Aside from writing my blog) is eating disorder advocacy!
So realistic and yes I have been kind of trying to work on my passion too..I love cooking and I have been working hard to convert my hobby into business..It is amazing how passion drives us!!
First of all, I think you’re so right that your discomfort is a good sign. I don’t think I’m the only one who loves hearing from you in non-recipe format :)
Regarding passion. I’ve always thought myself to be a passionate person, though my passions seem to evolve and change over time. Lately I’ve been feeling like, although I’m passionate about completely random things (coffee, singer-songwriter folksy music and singing harmony, editing, reading, baking, um does instagram count?), none of them translate to a job. I like the job I’ve been doing for 5 years (since I was just a year out of college) but I don’t feel passionate about my role anymore, which makes me feel a) depressed and b) like I need to either adjust what I’m doing to fit what I’m passionate about (which is, mainly, what again?) or get back in touch with what made me passionate about doing this in the first place. Renewed vision and all that.
Food for thought! See, it is consistent with the theme of your blog!
i really wish that i could say that i love writing but it’s never been something i’ve been good at. photos/creating things/VISUALS have always been my obsession. i feel like i am dead inside if i don’t have a way to channel what i see in life. writing blog posts is like the hardest thing EVER. I could edit photos all day long and I have so much fun doing that but writing always stumps me. So many bloggers are like “i’ve always dreamed of having my own cookbook!” Me? I don’t know! The writing terrifies me. The recipes & photos? No problem. Writing. AHHHHH.
i was an obsessive note taker in school and really loved pens (still do!) but it’s always been about how my writing LOOKS instead of what I’ve written in my notebook/journal. I think all of the notes i ever wrote to my friends included some commentary on my handwriting.
i guess the point is that i get hung up on visuals. like right now half of my I’s are lowercase and I am annoyed by that but too lazy to go fix them. Anywho. You are a writing machine and I really enjoy what you write. I admire the heck out of you!
you have an eye like nobody’s business girl. visuals are what make you YOU!
I love this post and i am SO very much the same way about passion and about writing. I can’t even express how much I relate, but seriously… I get it. Writing is breathing. And a life without passion is just….. ugh. Grey.
I’m passionate about nothing! Seriously, I’m not. I have stuff I like, and even a handful of things I love, but I’m the most non-passionate person on the planet (and no, I’m not like a sad, depressed person, I’m happy!).
I mean, obviously I’m obsessed with my husband and my baby, and being a mom is about a million times better than I even thought it would be, but that is as passionate as I get!
Jessica, I really love this post. It made me start thinking about what I am passionate about. I love your honesty about everything. It’s what makes this blog awesome. Thanks for sharing!
ps – I am passionate about writing too. And cheese. And those pens…omg
What makes me passionate is writing, traveling and connecting with others. Someday, I hope to wake up and be a nutritionist and help others live healthier happier lives through my passion and knowledge. I’m also really passionate about having a loving family and hope that we can have one if not two babies in the next few years.
Loved this post. I think you’re very brave for putting yourself out there, and I wish I had the courage to do the same.
Also, I totally wrote Sweet Valley & Babysitter’s Club stories when I was younger too! They were the two biggest influences on my writing at that point in time (kind of sad, I know, but true).
I used to be passionate about writing, but I seem to have lost the passion. Every now and then I’ll pick up a pen and a piece of paper (or log into 750words.com) and just write. It makes me happy. But then real life happens and I stop. Reading this post has made me feel like I need to look for something in life to be passionate about again. Currently I’m obsessed with food and nutrition. But is it a passion? I’m not quite sure.
I’m not sure if there’s a word or general concept that I can pin down right now about what my passion is, but I know the only job/activity I’ve ever actually looked forward to doing And felt rewarded by was doing resume reviewing for the Career Services during college. I would love to have that kind of thing be my day. I guess supporting people to live their best life is my passion.
That was quite a confession! I admire your ability to get your passion on paper…hmmm. I guess you could call it …A GIFT!?! Anyone who spends every waking moment absorbed in their craft is not weird. You are an artist. And your struggle to understand why you are so intense is your engine.
Things to look forward to…I am the 54 year old mom of 4 girls, ages 23-30. All fabulous, productive, and very DIFFERENT. I PRAY they have the precious gift that you have to find and harness a passion for life as you have done.
I stumbled on your blog, happy accident. I don’t read blogs, but instantly found your corismatic writing comforting. You make me laugh, you seem familiar. Thanks for connecting with all of us.
Your friend, Cam
Ps that has got to be a Natalie dee sketch?
thank you so much cam!
I’m a super passionate person. Things I am passionate about: feeding my family well, raising my children, writing, my husband, Jesus, sleep, and getting to be on Survivor one day. Balanced, right? :)
thanks so much for such a wonderful Wednesday Things post. I too have extreme anxiety that wakes me up at 3 and 4 am and I start texting or writing. I’m passionate about what I want to become which is pretty pathetic because I am so blessed with so many wonderful things. I want to be happy. I want to stop worrying about body image. I want to ride horses EVERYDAY and live with them in my backyard. I want to cook endlessly. I want assurance that my husband loves me. I want to know that my children don’t think I’m utterly pathetic. And the list goes on. It is so refreshing to know that I am not alone. I, too, write to convey my concerns, thoughts, anxieties and utter pissed-offedness…it’s who I am…I cannot communicate rationally…and this is what drives my husband crazy.
Love your blog and recipes. This came home for me I do not post often. Generation has taught me passion changes over time. I was just giving great thought to this the other day. It is like the light switch, life changes fast. Some day young ones you’ll realize this. Never was a writer very poor at putting thoughts to paper. I could go into a length post but just say some plans may change along your path. Hold your passions close develope new ones. Keep bright eyes in times of trouble, share a dish with someone needing a lift or for know reason. Pick a recipe from here and share her blog! The world will laugh more, thanks for sharing Jessica.
My passions – writing and movies and zombies! I love all of these so much, that my also obsessed business partner and I created an entire company around these things and for the past two years we’ve been giving movie tours. And people love them, too!
Nothing like doing what you are passionate about everyday.
One more passion? Your blog. Seriously. I was just asked to provide beauty content for a brand new platform and while I could contribute some, I said they really need to contact you because you are so amazing. So if a woman named Christie or a fellow named Barry email…..it’s because I sent them. xoxo
Love,
Patti
Your invisible internet pal. :-)
patti – that is SO cool. i love it.
and thank you so much!
I totally get it… :-) First, let me say that I truly enjoy your posts. I’m always so happy to see an email from your blog…and I sit at my desk and sip a cup of tea while reading your blog.. You never fail to disappoint..
I think I have to say that first and foremost my passion is cooking. It relaxes me, and puts me in a happy zone. The zone that blocks out everything else that might be unpleasant (bad day at work, frigid weather, etc) at that particular moment.
And..I’ve found a new passion…and that is my blog. While the cooking part the major part of it, I think it’s the writing part that makes for me…it gives me that opportunity to express myself, but at the same time, is forcing me out of my comfort zone, and get over any insecurities that I thought I had.
And..while the anxiety of hitting that “publish” button still remains… I still do it, knowing full well that I’m putting myself out there for judgment. Which, I might add, I have not come across at all.
I’m overwhelmed with the kindness of my new blogging friends…the “welcome to the blogging world” with open arms. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but never in a million years would I have expected the kindness and support of people who I’ve never met, but have quickly become my friends.
Next to having my three kids (now grown) my blog is the best thing that I’ve ever done. Honestly.
And now…comes the anxiety of hitting “submit comment..”
no anxiety girl! i totally get it. blogging changed my life and even thinking about it sometimes makes me tear up. i’m such a dork.
I was always writing silly junk as a kid, too. Almost majored in English but talked myself out of it after finding out that English majors didn’t really have careers outside of teaching. And teaching and me were sooooo not meant for each other. So I majored in Broadcasting but ended up working for an academic library in the archives.
I rediscovered writing during this time and for about eight years I was really passionate about writing. I worked on a couple of novels (never published) and I contributed to an on-line romance serial for a publisher’s community boards. I basically ate, slept and breathed these characters. I would wake up in the middle of the night with new twists and plot-lines taking over my brain and I’d have to get up and get it all on paper RIGHTAWAY and then email my writing partner and squee over our collective brilliance.
But then…my library life took a turn that I hadn’t expected and suddenly my job became really super stressful and busy and my writing partner fell in love and got distracted by real life romance and, well, all that creativity, passion and inspiration dried up. The on-line romance serial ceased and I haven’t been that all consumed by anything since then. I did, however, pick up baking as a stress reliever which led me to food blogs and your sparkling awesome self. :-D
The light switch picture is totally me, as well. It always has been, and I’m so thankful for that. The thought of a life without passion is really depressing to me. Lately, I’m passionate about Bikram yoga…so much so that i’m training for a competition, stretching for an hour every night, doing handstands in my living room, and doing doubling several times/wk. I’m an English teacher, but I’m seriously considering dropping it all to become a yoga instructor…which is kinda terrifying. I just can’t. get. enough. Also, weirdly obsessed w/making old timey cocktails and researching their history. If I find something I’m into, I’ll read everything i can find on the topic. Some of my friends think i’m weird; others totally get it. You probably know what I mean. I’ve always had the mindset that if you love something, go all in. You’re doing that everyday, and you’re an inspiration to me because of it. :)
bikram competition?? you are a badass! this is so awesome.
I feel the same way about writing – my story is very similar to yours. You are one of the lucky few who actually get to pursue your passion full-time. I love these personal posts, and am glad that they are giving you another outlet for your creativity and writing passion. WRITE ON!
SINGING! I found Sweet Adelines 28 years ago and I have never looked back. We sing four part harmony with showmanship and choreography. I live for every Monday and can’t wait to get there in the evening. I could listen to music and sing 24 hours a day 7 days a week. I have scheduled weddings, my work, vacations, and everything else around my Sweet Adeline schedule since the very first day. These people are my family my friends and my support system. When my daughter was young, and because my family is sort of fractured, she thought they were my family and I just had a bunch of sisters. I walk in the door on Monday night and I leave the entire rest of my life behind… and for 3 hours, well 5 if you consider going out after, I’m just Phyllis! I don’t know how I would live without it! I adore my granddaughter and my daughter,and they are the only things I skip rehearsal for,but I get to be me! It’s awesome!
LOVE.
I can totally relate! I am totes the drama queen- and I totally know if you’re in your 30’s totes is a no no, but I don’t care I love it and own it. I am either in in 150% or not at all! I just turn everything I am passionate about into work instead of fun, PERFECTIONIST! Sometimes I don’t even want to do anything. Even sometimes when I am typing comments I get tense.
As for my PASSIONS- Food, so much so that I was VERY overweight. I have since lost 73 pounds. So Helping Others is another passion. I want to spread that healthy eating is FUN. Craft Beer is another passion. I love the grass roots movement, the move to help someone small and local rather than a corporation, plus I have had some damn good beers! Creativity and Expression is HUGE for me. I have been creative for as long as I know and as a creative yourself I am sure you know that you NEED to be creative or you are just soooo super sad.
Love this post and love how you share with us! Thanks for being so raw- they say and it is true- being vulnerable takes the most strength!
XOXO- Sophia
So good to reflect on what we are passionate about! Outside of being a mom and wife – I Love Jesus. I love every minute he stirs my hearts, I love the heartache I get for knowing “this world has nothing for me, this world is not my home”. I love when He speaks to me so intimately, when I get to know Him more and when I get to worship with song and praise to our Almighty Father. There isn’t anything in this world that stirs my heart like He does nor will there ever be. On an earthly matter of passion – I LOVE to work out. I love to sweat, get my heart pumping, lift weights, cycle, do a HIIT class, do any beach body dvd, dance… the list could go on but it’s what gets me going. I, lastly, love the beach – surfing, laying out, running. Anything that has a beach and the sun – that is my happy place!
Fantastic post! I also struggle with saying too much on the internets and putting too much out there. I would love to be more open and also get better at writing.
I don’t know if I really have a passion for any one thing. There are things I love to do, but I don’t have that urge to wake up and do them every day. I love my dogs like crazy…and I’m afraid to be the “crazy dog lady” when I get older, haha.
Wow i wish i was as passionate as everyone here about something ! Sadly what you spend most of your day doing should if you are lucky be your passion, but not for me. I work a ton of hours at a job that at the moment takes more from me than it gives. I think for me the tough thing is that what i’m good at (numbers, accounting, etc) is not necessarily aligned with anything that really sparks me inside. i mean when i’m not dealing with A holes and working 12 hr days i like it but its not my passion ? I guess right now i’m in one of those places where i know this is not for me and there is more out there but for now, I dont know what that is. I’m trying to be ok with that because i tend to believe the universe reveals things to you a little at a time sometimes vs. other times when you get the slap in the face ! I do love my family and my kitty (not in that order :) ). I love to move everyday whether its running or yoga. I do feel passionate about helping others and giving back. I feel blessed to have all the things i have (and a bit unworthy?) and i feel that everyone, especially people of means, should give back to their communities, etc. I also love food and baking but i wouldnt want those things to be my job cuz then maybe they would lose the allure ?
Thank you for your post…..its making me think !
Love every word in this!
I love reading your posts! I smile every time. Not sure I have any one passion though right now it’s staying fit and enjoying life. I took up ballroom dancing about 2 years ago and can’t imagine my life without it now and “Why did I wait so long?” It’s challenging and pushes my comfort zone – you have to get pretty connected on most of the dances – if you know what I mean.. It’s hard to put yourself out there and I admire that. Take those changes – this is not a dress rehearsal!
My passions are diverse. I think I’m just a passionate person or something. I get where you are coming from Jessica!
I love getting sucked in by a movie, music and tv show. That moment you are just totally engrossed in it. I love that!
I adore baking. Not cooking, but baking makes my heart sing! If a recipe works and tastes great. I just feel better! Most of the time I don’t eat it, I give it away. But just the creating part that I love!
I also found out, I miss drawing. I don’t have talent or anything. But I just need it or need to do it from time to time. I remember when you were in school and the assignment was just to draw something. I miss that,.. Why can’t we have that from time to time in a corporate environment? Could you imagine!
Next to that I love love make up and skincare. I love reading about it, trying it on ans talking about it. But most of the time I hide this passion. Otherwise people perceive me as shallow and superficial. I know I shouldn’t be bothered by what people think, but I reserve this kind of talk for people who understand it. Who love to talk about it too.
Love this post! It’s like a mutual therapy session! :)
That light switch says it all. Sometimes I wish mine had dimmer on it! Thanks for the post.
babysitters club and sweet valley high, you totally just brought memories and put a huge smile on my face!
Twenty or so years ago i might have said cooking was my passion, but then my health deteriorated to the point where I just can’t stand up long enough to cook an entire meal. However to be honest, and I guess that is what this is about, my real passion, my unacknowledged passion, has always been my creativity. Writing, yes, nothing published or probably even worth publishing, but nonetheless, writing. Painting, likewise, not in the class of the ‘real’ artists, the ones who get paid the big bucks, but still, painting. And drawing, and designing – architecture has been a grand passion since I was 8 and found out what an architect was – I even studied it, but the health thing got in the way of that too. The other passion (apart from my Dearly Beloved and our toy poodle) and the over-riding one in my life now, is embroidery. This is because it is something I can pick up and put down, I can do it sitting, I can design what I want to portray, and above all it is something I love.
I have been told that have OCD. If that is true, it’s not too bad. I don’t have to wash my hands every 2 minutes or lock and unlock the door 5 times before I go out but I am a little obsessive about some things. As far as I am concerned being a little obsessive about the things we care about is good. It produces the fire in the belly that means things get done – or not: trees don’t get chopped down, dams don’t get built, genocide doesn’t happen but these things will happen if we don’t obsess about them, if we aren’t passionate.
So, Jessica, stay passionate, stay obsessive – but only about the important things. As someone once said, don’t sweat the small stuff.