I’ve been asked several times some version of the question
How did you find your passion/happiness?
My answer is never as eloquent or polished as I would prefer, as I’m sure this post won’t be either but I’ll give it my best go!
Preface: When the time came for me to ponder some big plays in my life I was lucky that my soul knew the answer. This is not always the case; maybe you fall in the category of people who still need to discover their passion.
Stage 1, age 17: I was making the decision of what school to attend and have an epiphany while standing inside ZGallery at The Gateway (local mall). I stood amidst lovely & beautiful home décor and I remember wishing I could have everything in the store. Somewhere between worrying about a new and high paying job I’d just started, dreaming of going to college & imagining the many paths my life could take. I came to the very real conclusion that if I attended the University of Utah (where I’d been planning to go for years) I could have all the things I ever wanted but if I were to attend Snow College I could have any life I wanted. Within a week I’d applied, registered & found housing at Snow College.
While attending Snow College two major events occurred; I discovered International Language Programs & I fell in love (later in life I learned he would be my first love but not my last). Days after returning from volunteering for an election campaign (November 4th to be exact) I attended an information meeting for ILP, a volunteer program to teach English overseas, something I'd been dreaming of doing but there were requirements I could only satisfy with time. Within the month I had applied, been accepted & was moving to Russia in January.
Stage 2, age 21: I found myself at a fork in the road & in desperate need to analyze where my life was headed & decide if that was in fact where I wanted my life to go. The majority of turmoil in this stage lasted about six months, mostly consisting of doubt, fear, pain, worry of regret and a broken heart when I realized major changes were needed if I were to pursue the life I felt would bring me the most fulfillment & happiness. This decision ended a very meaningful relationship in which I know many tears were shed and dreams were shattered. It is the most difficult decision I’ve made in my life, to date.
This chapter of my life was filled with soul searching, anguish, hope, loneliness and relief.
Stage 3, age 22: I needed a plan for happiness & confidence. Through several sessions of soul searching, deep conversations with anyone who would listen and tearful break downs I discovered what my next steps should be.
I knew that I would never be happy with myself if I didn’t finish my bachelor’s degree so straight away I enrolled in school and hope to be finished this December. If I weren’t completely determined to finish my degree I’m not sure I could have finished it. At this time my degree was in communications but all because I took this class I changed my degree to Integrated Studies in History & Political Science. I believe a degree change would have been the inevitable outcome.
Throughout this stage I was sensitive to the whisperings of the world around me. I often daydreamed about moments in my life I was at my happiest & most content. It became apparent that a vast majority of these moments were while I was traveling.
Stage 4, age 23-25: you I knew my degree would keep me grounded in Utah for a few years which has felt like a lifetime of sorts but it bought me time to come up with my next step after graduation. live the life you choose.
I am passionate about travel. I am more passionate about travel than I am about electronics, a pretty home, a nice car, having children, stability, money & even ‘home’. Knowing this made it easier for me to recognize (& love) the option of being an expat. Through the years my decision to sell everything I own and travel the world has only felt more natural & right. I am committed to this dream. It comes at costs I wasn’t prepared for and with payoffs I didn’t know existed.
My tips to finding your passion/happiness:
- Surround yourself with people, places & things that bring positive energy to your life and let go of the negative. Easier said than done, I know. I use pictures, places. family & friends.
- Keep pictures, lists & diaries of what brings goodness & joy to your life. This can be done by writing in a journal, cut out pictures & words that make you smile and feel content, make lists of when & what makes you smile, laugh and at peace.
- Ask people what they are passionate about. It could get your ball moving & maybe even start theirs a little too.
- Don’t be afraid of change, embrace it. Accept that there is a time & place for all things, we are always a work in progress & the sooner we realize it’s unrealistic to think life will stay a certain way the sooner we can find our new normal. I highly recommend practicing one. little. word.
- Stay motivated. Sure I’ve got a dream, that doesn’t always mean I’m brimming with passion & motivation. This is where your surroundings are worth their weight in gold. Why pay for artwork when you’ve got authentic memories to remind you of the life you love to live. Cultivate positive relationships. Bring a smile & sunshine to someone else, good karma.
What about you? How did you find your passion? Just yesterday I went to lunch with a dear old friend & a new friend and discussed finding talents we were born with, talents we've cultivated & talents we've discovered? Do you have any tips? maybe you'd like to write a guest post about your story? e-mail me :)
Photos found on my favorite photo website Weheartit
Comments