Sometimes it seems like everyone has something in their life that brings them joy. It's not a career, it's something that they just love doing and brings them joy. It's theirs.
And it seems like everyone, from the sports-playing kids in town to your neighbor with the beautiful garden, has something that fascinates them.
But what if you're not sure what your passion in life is? Your job and family are of course sources of accomplishment and joy, but what do you do when you want something that's all yours?
First of all, if you haven't found your passion, perfect hobby, or true creative calling, don't worry. That's not a failing on your part. It just means that you've been busy doing other important things. So don't beat yourself up.
This little guide is designed to help you figure out what you love doing, and how to find what it is that will add some more dimension and flavor to your life.
Just like cultivating your inner creative, though, it will take some time and reflection, so be patient! Eventually, you'll get in touch with whatever it is that fills you with joy.
Take a look at the steps below, and let us know about your true passion, hidden talent, or surprising hobby in the comments!
1. Pay Attention To What Interests You
Do you find yourself watching a lot of science fiction movies? Do you notice you’ve been lingering over some yoga pamphlets? Or maybe you find yourself doodling during meetings and downtime.
Whatever it is, you’re drawn to it, and that means you have a natural interest in that thing. So dig a little deeper.
Check out more science fiction, take that yoga class, or turn that doodle into a finished drawing.
2. Look Into The Past
What did you do when you were younger for fun and entertainment? What did you dream about doing when you imagined the future? What made you curious?
Try to remember as many as you can. Maybe some you’ll have fulfilled, but others may have been forgotten. Write as many as you can down and see what still holds your attention.
3. Don't Worry Too Much About The Future
Worrying that you won’t find the missing piece to make you happy and fulfilled is only going to hinder you, so try to focus on the present.
Focus on what you’re going to do today to explore what you like. Because if you pressure yourself too much, you won’t like anything!
4. Notice How You Feel When You're Doing Something
So you’re trying something new. How does it feel? When something is right for you, it will feel right, and you’ll feel right doing it. But it also goes for things that don’t.
If something genuinely doesn’t interest you, or worse, feels, like a chore, then it’s not what you were looking for. And that’s OK! Not everything will be for you.
5. Identify The Things You Keep Coming Back To
You probably have a few hobbies or interests that keep popping up over and over again.
Maybe you like to reread Wikipedia articles on Civil War espionage. Maybe when you’re bored, you find yourself making something new in the kitchen.
If you keep returning to something, odds are that it’s meaningful to you.
6. Change Your Routine
Falling into a routine is an easy way to kill a creative — or an introspective — mood because you’re on autopilot.
By changing your environment, you might find yourself thinking differently, and you might, in that different setting, realize something about yourself that had never occurred to you before.
7. Try New Things
This might seem like a no-brainer, but you’re not going to know what you like and what you don’t unless you try everything out.
If something seems interesting, give it a shot. If it doesn’t work out, well, now you know that it’s not for you.
So fencing seemed really cool in the movies, but left you with nothing but soreness? Well, now the question has at least been answered. Onto the next thing!
8. Try Saying Yes!
It’s easy to shy away from new, weird opportunities, but you never know what they might hold.
Your friend from work has an extra ticket to a concert you’ve never heard of? Why not check it out? You see a coupon for kayaking lessons? Hey, it’s good exercise!
And even if it doesn’t end up being something you love, you’ll at the very least have a good story to tell!
9. Don't Follow Someone Else's Dream
Your parents might have wanted you to follow in their footsteps, and your best friend might think that the fifth grade talent show was a sign of your future as a singer, but if those goals don’t interest you, then do what you want.
It’s your life, not theirs, and while pressure is real, so is disappointment and regret later.
10. Be Patient
Your perfect calling isn’t going to drop out of the sky and bean you on the head.
It’s going to take a lot of time, introspection, and a fair amount of trial and error before you find what fits you. And that’s OK!
By spending the time on yourself to find out what really makes you happy, you’ll have the reward of really knowing how to fulfill yourself.
What is your true calling in life? Let us know in the comments below, and please SHARE with friends and family who might be seeking some direction in life!
