Finding Your Passion Instead of Just Following It

I have so much fun connecting with artists thru Instagram and highlighting amazing designers on the blog. I’m finding that lifting up artists, supporting them and encouraging them, brings me joy.

As I’ve talked to artists I’ve discovered that many of them, when telling me about their career in surface design, often apologize. They say ‘well I didn’t go to art school’, or ‘I’m just now getting into this field,’ as if it is a bad thing that they are new to the game and just now building their art business.

I look at it differently. I’m thrilled that at whatever point they are in life, they are making a change and are exploring, trying new things and seeking out a future that is more meaningful to them. They are finding their passion.

Note that I said they are finding their passion and not following it. I think there is a big distinction there. In fact, I believe the catchy phrase ‘follow your passion’ can be misleading. It suggests that we all inherently have an interest that we are over the moon passionate about. And makes people who have never been big time, obsessively into something feel like big ‘ole losers.

For years I resisted moving in any direction because I thought I shouldn't act until I had identified what I was passionate about. That I needed to have clear goals and an identified path to follow. I thought that if I tried something and I wasn't immediately into it (or good at it, for that matter) that it wasn't my calling. I really struggled, confused that I didn't know what I wanted to do with my life!

Then I had, as Oprah would say, an 'aha! moment'. I realized that a lot of people who are passionate about what they do did not start out feeling that way. Not even close. Instead, they just started experimenting, devoting time and energy to something they enjoyed. Then, slowly, through trial and error, step by step weaving their way down the path of discovery, they found something that stuck. And through daily practice, turned it into their passion.  

Now I’m still not totally sure where I want to go from here, what I want my career to look like. But I’m getting closer. That’s one thing I know for sure.

How do I know? Because every day I’m filled with excitement. Every day I can’t wait until I have time to work on this blog, to work on my patterns, and to connect with artists and support them in their work.

So, I'm just going to keep moving along, exploring and experimenting, with confidence that the pathway ahead will naturally unfold. Because my plan is to take this interest of mine and cultivate it. And I think, I really do think, turn it into my passion.

Want more?

Check-out these additional readings. Because, while I talk a big game, I alas am not an expert on this topic…just someone sharing their story.

Screw Finding Your Passion by Mark Manson

Try This If You're Struggling to Find Your Passion by Leah Manderson

The Short but Powerful Guide to Finding Your Passion by Leo Babauta