Work, life, work, life. Many of us find ourselves caught in a never-ending cycle of responsibility and expectation, leaving little room for the things we love (or even free time in general!). When it’s really bad, we completely lose sight of what used to light us up.
Hope is not lost! You can rediscover your passions and joy right now, simply by remembering. The rediscovery process is powerfully healing, and it will revive your lust for life while creating deeply rooted personal growth and resilience.
Let’s talk about how to find your passion in 6 easy methods you can try right now.
What Does Passion Feel Like?
Your passion is anything that lights your soul on fire, brings your life meaning, and makes you feel genuinely focused, curious, and alive.
For many people, their life’s passion is a hobby, career, relationship, or particular interest. It can be broad—like traveling—or much more specific, like miniature diorama art. Whatever floats your boat, a passion is anything that brings joy, excitement, and possibly even purpose to your life.
Passion is more than a hobby; it’s necessary for your overall well-being and enjoyment, allowing you to connect with yourself and the world. With a greater sense of passion, your creativity will be sparked, you’ll feel more motivated to achieve goals, and a deeper sense of self will be cultivated.
How to Find Your Passion: 6 Easy Methods to Try
As we explore different ways to find your passion, you’ll find that doors to happiness and a positive mindset will quickly open.
Keep reading for quick, simple ways to get back in touch with yourself and your joy.
1. Connect with Your Inner Child
Think about what lit you up as a kid or teenager. Was it painting? Biking? Poetry? Sports? Science?
Whatever tickled your fancy in your younger life—before the responsibilities of the adult world took hold—is your first key to your passion. This can even include listening to music or watching movies you enjoyed as a kid.
Maybe your passion is the same, maybe it has evolved since then, but this is a surefire way to get back in touch with your innermost feelings, desires, and joy.
2. Reflect on Your Interests Now
Take a moment for yourself and make a list (mental or written, your choice) of what makes you feel excited or driven today.
Try to go deeper than the usual things, like money or material success. Think deeper—what kinds of hobbies or activities get you excited? What are some topics that get you thinking hard or talking a lot?
If you need some help, ask someone close to you: Is there something I’m always talking to you about? This is a key to unlock positive places where your mental and emotional energy goes.
3. Think About What Makes You Jealous (in a Good Way)
A bit of an interesting one, we’ll admit, but stick with us here. What things do you immediately think, I wish I had that, or I want to do that, when you see someone else? Anything another person has that makes you jealous can point you toward things in life you want or want to do.
Ask yourself:
- Who makes you envious?
- What is it about them—their job, life, hobby, talent in a particular area?
- What do they embody or allow themselves that you may deny yourself?
4. Start Small
Dedicate a few minutes each day or week to engage in activities that interest you. Whether it’s drawing, writing, dancing, or gardening, allow yourself the freedom to explore without pressure.
Do it just for yourself, with zero expectations of making money, mastering it, or showing off. Be proud of yourself for starting.
5. Get Experimental and Curious
Don’t be afraid to try new things! Embrace experimentation as a way to discover new passions. Take a class, join a workshop, move your body differently, take a new route home, switch up your routine, or create something—anything. Take in your surroundings and observe how it feels. Don’t judge whatever comes out of it; keep moving and trying.
Thought-dumping in a journal can also help glean insight. Ask yourself: “If I knew I couldn’t fail, what would I do?”
6. Clear Out Any Emotional Clutter
Sometimes we can’t feel our passions because we’re burnt out, tired, carrying shame, or have been people-pleasing too long.
When all of our mental and emotional energy goes to fulfilling our responsibilities, doubting ourselves, or trying to make everyone happy, we lose sight of what brings us joy. If you’ve been people pleasing for a long time, maybe you weren’t able to figure out how to find your passion (because you were too focused on everyone else).
Whatever the case may be, take moments for yourself to heal, grieve if you have to, and clear out any shame, sadness, or exhaustion. Collect your thoughts, practice self-care, use positive self-talk, and refer back to the first method. Your passion will find you.
Building Joy, Resilience, and Motivation Through Passion
Finding and living your passions connects you to something much deeper than obligation or fun. Passion creates meaning and self-discovery, which can have profound ripple effects on your joy, resilience, and motivation across all areas of life.
1. It Builds Intrinsic Motivation
Passion creates intrinsic motivation—the kind that comes from internal reward (pride, joy, purpose, love), as opposed to external rewards (money, fame, recognition). While your passions may generate income, it is the intrinsic motivation that gives you reason and spark to continue creating or doing.
2. Your Brain Enters a Flow State
When you’re focused, your brain enters a flow state full of beta and gamma brainwaves. When you’re in this flow state, you can better concentrate, make decisions, and think. This creates momentum, and momentum creates motivation. Tune into your flow state consistently, and you’ll feel the long-term benefits.
3. You Can Weather Storms with Purpose
For many of us, our passions bring us a sense of purpose. Whether it’s being a parent, working a job we love, or doing a hobby that speaks to us, we are living out our life’s purpose. That purpose is what drives us when things get hard, motivating us through challenges and building resilience. You’re more likely to weather the storm because you love what you do.
4. It Grounds You
Life is uncertain, but your passion can be a constant through difficult moments. The power of your passion to ground you is unmatched, bringing you a safe haven and sense of identity.
What’s Your Passion?
Finding your passion can be a powerful healing process, and living it is exponentially rewarding. If you were wondering how to find your passion and why you should, we hope this article gave you insight to get closer to your joy and purpose.
Nurturing your passion requires intention and awareness, but it is a process worth doing for your long-term happiness and well-being. You can unlock a deep sense of self and heightened motivation and resilience simply by doing what you love.
Tell us in the comments what your passion is and if the methods in this article helped you find it. Leave us a comment—we’d love to hear from you!