BY AARDE WRITES for WEEKLY VOLCANO 5/23/25 |
Hey Aarde, I’m facing some big choices ahead. I need to decide if I should follow my passion or stay where I am in a career that pays my bills but offers absolutely no fulfillment.
Signed,
Safe & Unfulfilled
Hey Safe & Unfulfilled, It’s safe to say you’re asking a question many can relate to. The human drive is often fueled by passion and fulfillment, but we also live in a world where that doesn’t always pay the bills. I believe (some may argue) that maintaining a safety net can help you design and build a passion until it can stand on its own. There’s no shame in being responsible as you develop your passion plan; perhaps the people at your current employment could become a network of supporters. Think of your current job as an investor in your future—its sole purpose is to facilitate your goals. Allocate a set amount of income to fund your creative endeavor. Find and use skills in your current position that could benefit your plan.
Here are a few things to consider as you move forward: Take some time to calculate the risks of weaning off your current career into your passion plan and see if it’s manageable. Know yourself, your baseline operating finances, how you deal with uncertainty, and the worst-case scenarios.
Then, create time each week to dedicate to your passion project; make it a routine task as if it were a second job.
Make the tasks manageable—“Rome wasn’t built in a night.” Be careful not to burn out; working two jobs can be exhausting, so pay attention to your mind, body, and soul—they will all tell you when it’s time to rest. There’s no shame in rest.
Consider cutting back on low-value activities such as doom-scrolling and bingeing media.
Begin to share your passion publicly: submit a writing piece, hang your art in a local café, post a song you’ve been working on.
Build a network of supporters who will keep you accountable to yourself by their sheer interest in your craft.
One thing I’ve learned in caring for the elderly and through the death-planning courses I’ve taken is that people don’t want to die with regrets. We have a short time here, so ask yourself, Would you regret not trying to satisfy your passion? Your answer will guide your energy.
I support your vision!
