What do you wake up in the morning aching to do? What do you love to talk about? What truly makes you come alive? For so many of us, we wake up in the morning feeling as though we are carrying the weight of a thousand worlds on our shoulders. It’s that dread of opening our eyes and realizing it’s time to face another day, and we simply don’t want to do it. I say “our” and “we” because I have been there. I have spent hours snoozing my alarm, burying my head deeper within my pillow, wishing the day wasn’t starting quite yet. I have spent hours perusing the internet in search of the answer to that ominous question: “what do I want to do with my life?”. I’ve debated masters degrees in an array of subjects, work in all different industries, in different cities and countries in the world, all the while feeling as though something was missing. That something is passion. What am I passionate about?
I have spent a long time dwelling over what my passion is. It has taken a lot of time and thought to figure out what I am NOT passionate about. I am not passionate about doing an MBA, working in advertising, or working in corporate NYC (or corporate anywhere, for that matter). Since my first trip to Europe, I knew that I had a love of travel and a keenness to see more of the world. For most of my travels, I felt as though I was in search of my passion, when, in reality, I was living it. So what am I truly passionate about? I’m passionate about traveling… and writing about that travel. I find exhilaration in entering a new city where no one knows me. I love engaging in conversation with a stranger who quickly becomes a new friend. I love seeing different parts of the world, because it is as though I am opening my eyes for the very first time. I enjoy scaring myself just a little bit, and pushing myself outside of my comfort zone. Each obstacle I face feels as though I’ve summited a new mountain, and although it’s not easy, it feels so damn good.
Now that I have discovered my passion, how I am going to live it out? How am I going to make a life where I am happy and able to follow my passion and travel the world? That, I am not quite sure about; but, I feel as though I am on my way to finding out the answer to that question. I truly believe that when you begin doing something you love, things will work out. I am also a believer in setting your own destiny and creating the life that you want. I believe that you are the only person that can tell yourself what you can and cannot do. Everyone has a passion, so find yours. Dig yourself out of bed with the intention of doing something that truly makes you come alive, because everyday after that it will be that much easier to get out of bed.
Want to hear more about my thoughts on happiness and travel? Check out Ryan and I’s podcast discussing just that here!