What if You Don't Know What Your Passion is?

Few things are as discouraging as listening to others talk about their passions when you clearly don't have one. If you frequently find yourself in this situation, don't despair. Regardless of your age, finding your passion is still possible. Try these suggestions for building confidence and figuring out which areas bring you the most joy.

Let Go of Negative Thoughts

Sometimes, the only thing keeping you from finding your passion is negative self-talk. Start your journey to a more meaningful career by learning to recognize negative thoughts and replace them with positive thoughts. For example, whenever you start thinking that you are too old to move in a new direction, push those thoughts away with the affirmation that it's never too late to learn new things. If you have string of anxious thoughts when embarking on something new, just get started, as taking action can help you move past the anxiety.

Start Dreaming

Take some time to reconnect with the dreams you had during your youth. What did you want to be when you grew up? If you have moved in that direction but are now disillusioned, start exploring new dreams. What hobbies give you joy? What ideas excite you? What problems would you like to solve? Move closer to finding your passion by keeping a list of these items in a journal or on your phone.

Work on Areas of Discontent

Next, take steps to improve your sources of frustration. Finding your passion is difficult if you are dealing with too much stress. If you're currently employed, attempt to make positive changes at your job while you look for a new one. If you have health issues, take steps to improve them. Look at your friendships, and spend less time with people who pull you down. Making changes is hard, so don't make too many at once. Instead, take baby steps toward improvement.

Expand and Explore

Expanding your circle and exploring new things are key components to finding your passion. Take a look at that list of interests that you made, and dig deeper into some of the areas. Take a course, join a club or seek volunteer opportunities related to your interests. Let your curiosity guide your activities, and remember to have fun. Don't expect every new activity to lead to your passion. Rather, be open to finding more areas that give you joy, allowing you to detect an area of passion when it presents itself.

Finding your passion starts with building confidence and then exploring new things. Work on getting rid of negative self-talk and minimizing anxiety. Most importantly, let your honest feelings guide your activities as you take control of your life and embrace your passions.

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