Why You Should Pursue Your Passion, Even If It’s Not Considered A “Real Job”

Everyone has a passion, and we usually discover it when we’re pretty young. Our passion is what we choose to do with our time when we have no pressing responsibilities and just want to feel happy. Some of us write, some draw or paint, some act or sing, and some cook or bake. Whatever your passion is, you probably can’t recall a time in your life when you didn’t do it. There’s a reason for that. It’s because you don’t choose your passion; it chooses you. It’s ingrained in you and it’s part of who you are. That’s why it’s worth it to pursue your passion no matter what.

The mistake a lot of people make when it comes to their passion is assuming that it’s not a viable career option. We’re told from childhood that, in order to be respectable adults, we have to go to college and get a “real job.” In this case, a real job is construed as a well-paying position that society respects but you hate because it destroys your soul every day and your boss is a douchebag. Those of us who have gone that route and ended up utterly unfulfilled usually end up reverting back to our original passion and giving zero f*cks what society or our families think about it. Even if you do have to keep your soul-sucking “real job” for a little bit longer in order to pay the bills, you should be pursuing your passion at least in your off-time. Here are some of the best reasons to do what you love, even if the world thinks you’re nuts.

  1. You’re good at it, and that feels awesome. Whatever your passion is, you’ve been perfecting your art since you were a child. Chances are, you’re pretty good at it by now. Doing something you’re good at is always a joyful experience, and admiring the finished product is just the ego boost you need after a draining day of adulthood.
  2. It’s more productive than sitting around watching TV. It can be a bad habit to come home every day and just veg out with a pizza and Netflix. That’s fine to do sometimes, but you’ll feel better if you do something more stimulating at least once or twice a week.
  3. Social media has made it easier than ever to share your work and get recognized. Twenty years ago, you would’ve had to print out your poem and mail it to all your friends, then wait a couple weeks for a possible response. Now, you can post your words or pictures immediately from your smartphone and receive responses from your friends within minutes. If they’re good friends, they’ll share it and even more people will see your work. We live in a great era for creativity.
  4. Technology has also made it easier to turn a passion into a career. Writers can get published online quickly and inexpensively, culinary gurus can share pictures of their food and enter cooking contests for publicity. There’s an outlet for just about every creative passion these days. If you find the right outlet and pour your heart and soul into your work, there’s a solid chance you’ll be able to make some money doing what you love and maybe even turn it into your only source of income. Isn’t that the dream? Go make it a reality!
  5. Whether you make money or not, your soul will be happy. Even if you’re still drudging away at that 9-5 job, you’ll already be working on your next creative project in your head. The sense of fulfillment you get from doing something you love is just about the best feeling ever, and it’ll carry you through the hard times.
  6. Loving your life makes you sexy. When you meet someone who hates their life and isn’t happy, it’s a turn off. When you’re single and looking for a suitable partner, you naturally gravitate towards people who are already living a fulfilled life. Therefore, it stands to reason that people see you the same way. If you’re doing something you love with your life, people will see how brightly you’re shining and they’ll want to get to know you better.
  7. You only live once, so make it count. The time we’re on this earth is so brief and fleeting. Why would you spend that time doing something you hate when you could be doing something you love? Pursuing your passion will not only make your life happy, but it will ensure that you leave a legacy behind when you’re gone. Nobody will remember how much money you made, but they sure will remember the poem you wrote that made them feel so much, or the incredible German chocolate cake you made for their birthday. Those are the memories that will last.
Anna Martin Yonk is a freelance writer and blogger in sunny North Carolina. She loves hanging out with her goofy husband and two rescue dogs and can be found at the beach with a drink in hand whenever possible. You can find her on Instagram @mrsyonkdogmom or on her Facebook page.
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