11 Ways To Discover Your Passions

Some of us discover our passions early in life; others go through life and don't figure out what brings them joy until their golden years. Having strong interests increases your excitement for life and can also provide you with a sense of belonging. Here are some tips on how to discover and develop your passions:

What Topics Are You Drawn To? 

Take a moment to collect some data about yourself. Observe the things that make your heart skip a beat whenever you think about them. Look at the pages you follow on social media, the books you read, the music you listen to, and the things you do in your spare time. Are there common themes? Do you find yourself drawn to a specific genre or style?

Write these things down. There's no right or wrong way to do it; all you need is something to write or type on and ideas. Jot down anything and be as broad as you want. Then go back and start breaking down those ideas.

If you like sports, for instance, which one is your favourite, and what about that sport do you like? Are you interested in a certain position? Designing and running plays? Or the entire sport as a whole? 

What Are Your Talents And/Or Strengths? 

Growing up, did you play sports? Did you have a shelf of awards? Or were you an artist who hung your own paintings on your walls? If either of those sounded like you, you could tap into those talents and evolve them into your passion. Finding something you are already good at means you're on the right track.

If you haven't practiced your talent in a while, start back up as soon as you can. Most times it'll return to you with a bit of patience. Just like riding a bike, it may take time, but soon you'll be back to your prime or even better. 

What Do You Love Doing? 

You may have a passion already and not realize it. Are there things that you enjoy doing already?

For example, if you are already interested in running, consider signing up for a marathon or joining a running class. If you like music, join a band or go to an open mic. Sometimes we mentally block ourselves and need a push out of our boundaries to take our passions to the next level. 

What Do You Talk About The Most? 

Are there any subjects you could talk about for half an hour or more with little preparation beforehand? If you were to teach someone who knows little about that subject, could you give them an in-depth crash course?

If you're having trouble coming up with subjects, consider asking friends or family what they think you talk about the most.

What's On Your Bucket List? 

We all have a list of things we'd love to do but tend to delay because we feel that we lack the money, the time, or the right social connections. If you have a bucket list, choose one activity and give it a shot. Start with a simple one and see what happens. You may not enjoy all the activities you try, but that's why it's called a bucket list and not a passion list.  

Seek Out New Opportunities 

Are you someone who tends to say no to social invites? This could be holding you back from discovering your passions. It can be tempting to stay in and watching movies instead of going out, but if you're invited somewhere new, say yes and see what happens. The world is a massive place and there's much to explore. 

You never know who you may meet or what you may find. Sometimes we discover new things while out and about.

There's always the option to say no. If you are vegan or vegetarian and someone invites you out to a steakhouse for dinner, you can politely decline. Same goes for activities you view as more harmful than good, like parties or partaking in illegal substances. Remember, you always have the final say in what you choose to do.

Try Anything At Least Once 

Opening your mind and having a broad appreciation for the world around you can lead you down some very fascinating paths. Always be willing to try new experiences. The old saying of "don't knock it until you try it" is a mantra everyone with a passion should have.

By trying something at least once, you'll be able to decide whether you like it. If you try it and it isn't your thing, that's okay. At least you tried it. Some people go through life convinced that they don't like something that they've never tried, like a certain type of food or genre of music. They'll never know for sure if they're missing out. They could have an untapped passion right under their noses. 

Connect With Your Inner Child 

As we grow older, we tend to forget about our childhood. Think back right now. Are there any memories from your younger years that stand out? Any significant friends or pastimes you used to enjoy but haven't in a long time? 

Rekindling your love for something you did as a child could bring back not only old memories but also a strong passion to do it more.

Did you build a lot of models or Lego kits when you were younger? Why not pick one up and try building one in the near future? Reconnecting with past happy experiences is a great way to reignite old passions you had forgotten. 

There have been multiple studies conducted that show the benefits of connecting with your inner child. We found this article by the National Library of Medicine most interesting.

Try A Class Or Workshop 

Are you interested in the culinary arts but have no idea where to start? You could search online for recipes that interest you or sign up for a home meal kit. Or you could sign up for a weekly cooking class; not only will you improve your skills in the kitchen, but you may also meet likeminded people who share your interest and could potentially become your friends.

A guided course on a topic will allow you to ask questions regularly and get firsthand experience with an activity. You will get instant feedback and will know right away if you are doing a task correctly rather than relying on your own judgment and internet forums.

Surround Yourself With Likeminded People 

Similarly to the last point, surrounding yourself with likeminded people allows you to have a think tank and to geek out over similar passions. This could be as simple as joining a Facebook group on a certain topic, to joining local clubs, to starting your own club that meets regularly to share their knowledge and love for a particular subject.

Websites like www.meetup.com are great places to start. You can join a physical group that meets up in your town, an online group that chats on platforms like Skype or Zoom, or even create your own group and invite others to join.

Disclaimer: Online groups on social media pages may be toxic. Be aware that there are people who enjoy trolling others or giving false information. If you are going to ask for advice or guidance on a social media platform, take all responses with a grain of salt.

Find A Mentor Or Coach

Nobody knows what skills to develop more than someone who has mastered them. Most mentors and coaches are more than happy to discuss their passions with like-minded people. They have been through the ups and downs, know the struggles, and may have suggestions on how to overcome challenges. Be sure to ask questions and be open to their advice.

If a coach or mentor doesn't have the answer you're looking for, they may be able to point you in the right direction or get you into contact with someone who does.

How To Develop The Right Attitude To Find Your Passions: 

Now that we've covered some of the ways to discover your passions, let's discuss how to develop a positive attitude towards your passions and prevent yourself from burning out or losing interest:

Shift Your Mindset

It can be easy to get dragged down by monotony and begin to see the activities that normally excite you as a chore. Be enthusiastic about your passions. Don't be afraid to share them with others or get geeky over it. 

A passion is something that drives your body and soul. When you meet your passions with enthusiasm, you subconsciously associate positivity and drive. This can help you overcome the inevitable obstacles that come with any project.

Practice

Like most things, a bit of practice goes a long way. No one in the history of humanity was naturally perfect the first time they tried a particular skill. Everyone needs to practice to hone their abilities.

Set time aside daily or weekly to work on your passions. By dedicating a bit of time, you will grow your abilities at a consistent rate. Just like working out, you don't get results immediately, but rather over time.

Many pro athletes, musicians, chefs, writers, and performers have spent countless hours perfecting their craft. All of them will admit that they failed along the way, but they got back up, brushed themselves off, and kept going. Success doesn't happen overnight. 

Take Up Journaling And/Or Meditating

Journaling is a fantastic way to keep track of your day. Recording your accomplishments, goals, and lessons learned keeps you motivated and in a growth mindset. Take a minute at the end of your day to write down something that captured your interest that day. 

Was it a conversation with a friend? Discovering a new type of food or drink? Finding a new band? By doing so, you'll think about it once again and begin to ask yourself questions to dive deeper. This can lead to discovering new passions. 

Meditating is similar, but without writing. Find a quiet place and get comfy. For a few minutes, think about all the new things you discovered during your day. Are there any that you'd like to know more about? Remember the sights, the sounds, the scents; build that memory back as much as you can. Do your best to recreate that scene when you discovered it in your head.

Choose Actions Over Words

It's easy to tell people "I'm so passionate about [subject]", but if they ask to see, you'll want to have proof to show them. Take pictures and videos; record your successes. When you can show others what you've been passionately working on, they will associate you with that passion. 

What Would Your Future Self Say?

We'd all like to believe that our time is infinite. When we say we'll do something later, we usually don't give it a timeframe or due date, but in our later years, we may look back with regret.

Think about your future self. Picture yourself sitting on a rocking chair, perusing an old photo album and reminiscing about life. What would your future self say about your present self? Would they be happy with what they accomplished? Would they be filled with regret?  

Summary

When we discover our passions we open doors to more opportunities. We build our strengths and become more aware of our potential. Work doesn't drag as much when you enjoy what you do and you will get more fulfillment and sense of accomplishment when you are passionate about what you do. 

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