Why do we feel we need to justify our passion projects? “I’m writing this memoir for the grandkids.” “I’m making these quilts as a legacy for my children.” Did we ask them? Probably not.
A passion project is for you. Creating anything is primarily for the creator’s benefit: to express themselves, to develop their skills, to calm their nerves, whatever.* The project comes from you, and it is for you. Any further application for your project is gravy!
Why Is It Only For Me?
If the reason for your endeavour is not rooted in your need to create, it can disappoint you. If you’re making something with the sole purpose of selling those items, what if they don’t sell? If you’re writing that book primarily for your grandchildren to read, what if they’re not really interested in it? Will you feel that your time and energy have been wasted?
The Creator’s Mindset Is Available To You Now
Doing a project for you is fulfilling, in and of itself. It doesn’t need external validation in the form of sales, or praise, or appreciation, to be important. That’s a difficult mindset to establish when we’ve spent our lives working for money. The freedom of creating for creation’s sake is afforded to a very small group of people who are fortunate to be supported financially. Probably the last time you had this opportunity you were a child. For most of our adult lives, this is not the case. But, the moment you retire, this mindset is available to you for the first time in your life as an adult. Wow! It feels too good to be true, and because of that we often hesitate.
Living Not Thriving
“Maybe I should wait until Dad’s health is better?” “Maybe I should tidy up the basement first, or paint the hallway?” There are any number of things that can use up our time when we no longer go into work every day. The mundane chores of life can fill a day quite easily with cleaning, tidying, fixing, gardening, grocery shopping, laundry, exercising and cooking. But we don’t get up every day for the next 20-30 years eager to do the chores, and go to the occasional doctor’s appointment. That’s living, but not thriving.
Using Your Talents To Flourish
Thriving is embracing your passions and gifts and using them in a way that brings you joy and feeds your soul. It’s the reason you get up in the morning eager to engage with the day, and learn and grow. It keeps you connected to the world around you and allows you to meet new people. A passion project makes life abundant and fun.
You Deserve It
Yes, it takes courage to follow your passion, and overcome that hesitation and life-long pattern of denying yourself. It may take support and encouragement from others. It will involve some soul-searching on your part.
When you’ve decided that you want to step onto this path, there may also be the question of what exactly your passion is? It can take some time to sort through your interests, skills and values to unearth that passion. But, as you do so, the process feels deeply satisfying. It’s a journey of self-discovery that you’re allowing yourself to go on, for you. We all deserve to thrive. Do it for you.
What would you explore if you didn’t have any chores or responsibilities to fill your day? Comment below.
*https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2713374524000098
Retired, And Now What? 