Summary

This article discusses three reasons why people might hesitate to pursue their passions and offers encouragement to overcome these obstacles.

Abstract

The article titled "3 Reasons That Might Be Hindering You to Pursue Your Passion" addresses the challenges that people face when trying to pursue their passions. The author shares their thoughts on the fear of changing course, the difficulty of generating income from a passion, and the fear of what family might say. The author encourages readers to take action despite their fears and offers practical advice on transitioning from a 9-5 job to pursuing a passion full-time. The article includes personal anecdotes and emphasizes the importance of mental health and self-care in the pursuit of passion.

Opinions

It's never too late to pursue your passion, regardless of age or current circumstances.
The fear of changing course can be overcome by focusing on the potential growth and learning opportunities.
It's possible to generate income from a passion while still working a 9-5 job.
The support and approval of family is not necessary to pursue a passion, but it can be helpful.
Mental health and self-care are important considerations when pursuing a passion.
The author emphasizes the importance of taking action and not just dreaming about pursuing a passion.
The author encourages readers to put themselves first and prioritize their own happiness and well-being.

3 Reasons That Might Be Hindering You to Pursue Your Passion

At the age of 18, teenagers in most countries are expected to choose a college course that will mold them to the professionals that they’re expected to be. I’ve always thought about how young that is. I can’t even have my rum and coke at a bar and yet I was expected to make a huge life decision.

Let me tell you my thoughts, an encouragement for people, especially for those who feel like it’s too late to start from scratch, that their lives are already carved and they have no choice but to carry on with whatever they’re doing.

The aim of this article is to help you gauge the reality of what’s stopping you from pursuing your passion; pin-point the cause and work your way from there.

Here are 3 things that might be hindering you to pursue your passion:

1. It’s scary to change course

You might be thinking, well, I’m too old now, I should have done this when I was younger. NO! There will always be an excuse to not do what you love to do because it’s scary, you will always find one very, very easily.

You know when you see a co-worker or your teacher in a supermarket and hope to the Man above that you won’t make eye contact so that you don’t have to acknowledge them, so you look at everywhere else but in their direction? That’s what you do! Don’t make eye contact with the excuse not to, don’t acknowledge it, look everywhere else but there.

Well, if it’s scary and uncomfortable it means you’re on the right path. Whether it will work out or not, wouldn’t you have rather known? Wouldn’t you have rather grown? Instead of being stuck at a path you no longer believe in or a path that no longer makes you happy, wouldn’t you rather try?

You’re not a tree, if you’re unhappy, move!

2. It’s a hassle to generate income with what you would rather do

As to the second point, yes, maybe painting or writing or vlogging as a beginner wouldn’t make you live like the Rich Kids of Beverly Hills, and yes, we have mouths to feed. Well, I get it, I get it. But is stressing out every day from waking up to going home from your 9–5 job worth it? Is doing your best at a job to only be recognized by fake smiles and boring claps at the conference room worth the compromise of the job your doing vs. the job you would rather do?

There are lots of ways to do what you love while simultaneously doing your current job. Here’s an article I wrote that might help you transition from having a 9–5 job to a full time freelancer:

It’s not even a matter of how much you really want it, because let’s be real here, we all have this fantasy in our heads of who we are supposed to be, but it’s a matter of how hard you are willing to work for it.

3. You’re scared of what your family might say

No matter what your age is, there’s always that little person in you that wants your family to be proud of you. Even the toughest of us with the “I don't care” attitude would not always admit it, but the approval and support of family will always be appreciated deeply.

But we don’t always have that don’t we? Most of us (At least a lot of people I know), don’t get the support and appreciation we want in our corporate job, much less if we tell them we want to start over. That we would rather be artists, or musicians, or travelers for a living.

They wouldn’t understand even if we tell them we’re not happy. That your mental health is suffering. Mental health? “You’ll get over it.” or “You’re just looking for attention.” A lot of us have gotten that huh?

The point is, if you’re scared, that’s okay. If you come up to tell them and a hoarse, trembling voice comes out, that’s okay. Do it anyway. It’s okay to put yourself first. It’s okay, it’s okay, it’s okay. You’re not selfish. You’re not. Know what you want and put all your energy into it.

Don’t overthink, just do. You know that burning desire inside of you? Yes, that nagging sensation that you can do better than that? That you are better than that? It’s there because you probably can and you probably are. Find ways! Don’t just dream, be like Cardi B! Make money moves!