I would prefer if people saw cultivating your interests as a thing. This "passion" thing is not helpful. It makes it seem like you're going to meet the idea that's going to sweep you off your feet, while you are passively walking along the street.
Instead I think you have to go out and find your interests. And grow them, like you are tending to a garden. You may have started off interested in everything as a kid, but interests wilt and fade without care. You have to put the time in.
And that means even making yourself do things when you don't feel like it, like making yourself paint something or draw something, or go for a run, or write something, or cook something or learn something.
It's work. People harp on the passion thing, like you'll love every minute and time will just fly by because you're so in love with your passion project. Well no, it's still work. But it's good work.
Dr. Meg Jay creates a compelling argument on why putting in the work during your 20's is so important. Her book, The Defining Decade, [0] is a fantastic read that goes into the psychology behind this.
She also has a Ted Talk (Although I can't speak to this as I have only read her book). [1]
I am in a similar boat. Will not elaborate much publicly but I was disillusioned with my work and quit to pretty much... do nothing, and develop my creative skills until I absolutely have to work. Definitely don’t have a great “story” to pitch for my next job on why I have taken so much time off or what I have been doing with my time, but I have an opportunity to work on software that should allow me to get back on my feet without too much interviewing hassle.
i agree strongly with the "you are still you" part. I thought running away from my pain would make me forget. But yeah hundreds of miles don't really change how your brain works.
I posted this a couple times before, but I highly recommend people to read this article from Wait but Why site about choosing a career [1]. It's long but it really puts into perspective of choosing a career and the balance of life.
Instead I think you have to go out and find your interests. And grow them, like you are tending to a garden. You may have started off interested in everything as a kid, but interests wilt and fade without care. You have to put the time in.
And that means even making yourself do things when you don't feel like it, like making yourself paint something or draw something, or go for a run, or write something, or cook something or learn something.
It's work. People harp on the passion thing, like you'll love every minute and time will just fly by because you're so in love with your passion project. Well no, it's still work. But it's good work.