Lately, I have been feeling as though my life lacks passion. How can I work towards finding something I could do that I am passionate about?

Finding your passion in life is often a journey that starts from within. For some, this journey begins with a quiet stirring that catches our attention from time to time. For others, the journey starts with a defining moment or event that happens in their lives that causes us to question how we’re living our lives. However, your journey begins, the quest to find one’s passion can be an exciting journey that leads to self-discovery, empowerment, and an enhanced quality of life. 

To discover what it is you’re passionate about, it may be helpful to spend some quiet time alone reflecting on what is important to you. Spending time in nature is a good way to clear your mind and help you get in touch with what your heart and soul is calling you to do. Taking a walk in a park, shoveling snow on a quiet night, or watching a sunrise are just a few ways you can quiet your mind and meditate on what it is that you’re passionate about.  

Once you’ve had a chance to quiet your mind and tap into your inner voice, try asking yourself the following questions:

• What did you enjoy doing as a child? 
• What did you dream of doing when you grew up?
• Is there a particular topic that you truly enjoy talking about? 
• What topics do you enjoy sharing your knowledge about with others?
• What talents, skills and strengths do you have that you might enjoy using in a different way? 
• Are there activities you enjoy that make you lose track of time?
• Who are the people in your life that you admire? 
• What is it about them or what they do that you admire?  
• If you decided to return to school, what would you choose to study?
• If money were no object, what choices would you make that would propel you toward your passion?

Here are a few steps you can take to move you closer to finding your passion. 

• Make a list of activities you may want to try. Include things you may, or may not, have an interest in. You may find that your passion lies in an area that you were not aware of prior to this time. Don’t forget to include activities that will challenge you to move outside of your comfort zone. Remember, you can always add to your list!

• Look around you for opportunities to get involved in activities that may spark an interest. Are there projects/activities at your place of employment or your church you could get involved in to help? What about volunteer opportunities in your community? Could you take a class or teach a subject? Reading books or articles about topics that pique your interests is yet another way to investigate where your passion lies. 

• Develop a schedule or timeline for the steps you want to take in finding your passion. It can be intimidating to try new and different things, so having a time-line can help motivate you to continue moving to achieving your goals.

Once you have made the decision to take steps toward finding your passion, you may experience feelings of fear and hesitation. If this happens, it’s important to explore your feelings so they don’t stop you from moving to accomplishing your goals. Are your fears related to what others may think? Are you afraid of failure? It may help to explore these feelings by talking to a trusted, supportive friend, family member, or mentor.  Another way to examine your fear is to journal about them. In our fast-paced world, this can provide an opportunity for you to slow down, take a step back, and reflect on what’s important to you. Just remember that spending time exploring your fears may not alleviate them altogether. There will be some steps you’ve chosen to take that will require you to take a leap of faith and move forward in spite of your fears. 

In closing, I would like to wish you the best on your journey to finding your passion! Don’t forget to enjoy yourself along the way.  

“If there is no passion in your life, then have you really lived? Find your passion, whatever it may be. Become it, and let it become you. and you will find great things happen for you, to you. and because of you.” – T. Alan Armstrong

By, Gladys Smith, a Licensed Independent Social Worker with Mental Health Associates, who has over 35 years of clinical experience in inpatient, outpatient, and residential settings. Although she provides therapy to adults and families, she specializes in working with adolescents who are struggling with mental health, behavioral and substance disorders. Gladys is a co-founder of Soul Creek Nature Therapy that focuses on offering peace and healing through a connection with nature.