When someone asks you what your passion in life is, do you find yourself tongue-tied? Maybe you are one of those individuals who haven’t exactly pinned down what their passion is? Maybe you like a lot of things?
Years before, I found myself lost on what I really wanted to do when I grow up. Looking back, it’s pretty pathetic to ask teenagers (we chose our college degrees when we were 16 or 17) to decide on their careers when we can’t even make up our minds if we are skipping class or not without our friend’s opinion.
You: Are you skipping geometry?
Friend: If you will then I will. So are you skipping?
You: Are you?
Sounds familiar?
At the age of 16, I chose to take up Nursing simply because I thought it was what I wanted. Everyone kept telling me to be a nurse because then I would be able to work abroad and have a secure life. When I was prep, I wrote that I wanted to be a nurse for our graduation book. No idea what the reason was behind for that. Deep down, I knew I wanted to take up Psychology but at that time, Nursing seemed like the best option.
It wasn’t but I learned to love it. Being able to help people gave you that wonderful feeling in your heart especially when they thank you. But it just wasn’t me although I enjoyed it. Nursing had a lot of rules.
No hair color.
Your hair must be tied at all times.
No earrings.
No nail polish.
Wear flat shoes or only 2 inches of heels + closed shoes.
No bangs. (THE WORST!)
I broke a lot of rules. I forgot a lot of things. I thought because I passed every exam, test, quiz, and licensure exam, not to mention, I found a job on the first try, meant that Nursing was definitely my calling. The work was exhausting. I lost sleep and weight. People would comment on me being so thin that it was getting a little bit annoying. That’s what happens if you have to readjust your body clock every three days or so.
Was Nursing my passion? No. I thought it was the road for me until I got too exhausted and made a lot of mistakes during a shift. Maybe I can be a clinic nurse but the hospital scheduling definitely took a toll on my body and confidence as a nurse. So there I was, 23 years old and lost on what I wanted to do with my life.
After I resigned, I would sit by myself and ask, “WHAT NOW?” During this period, I realized that it is possible to have a career that’s different from your passion. You may be a doctor but your passion could lie on music which you do on the side. You could be a teacher who dances. I also realized that the happiest were those who were able to do their passions for work. And I wanted that.
I wanted to enjoy work so much that I wouldn’t think of it as work any more. If there’s something I could do, it was write. I don’t write excellently but I can write continuously, anytime, anywhere. So I applied as a writer.
When I got my first paycheck of 100 USD for a week’s work, I was so excited and happy. I was getting paid for sitting down to write for at least 5 hours a day. This was amazing! But what nobody told me was that even if you are doing your passion everyday, it gets tiring too but the difference is you still come back to do it. You can’t resist coming back to do it.
Being able to find your passion is an amazing gift to yourself. Have you found your passion yet? If not, here are some ways that can help you.
Passion is described as an intense emotion, a compelling enthusiasm, or desire for something. It can be on a hobby, an activity, or yes a feeling.
