Welcome Back and Happy New Year! After the first few days of almost two weeks off, I found myself wondering what the heck to do with myself. I had eaten enough cheese and chocolate to make me dizzy, played every board game imaginable, baked enough goodies for a small army, and still had over a week to go. I had intentionally made no big plans for the break, as I really needed some time to decompress. My life has been quite busy this past year and after a little reflection, I came to the conclusion that very little of that busy-ness was for my own self improvement. That is not my intention for this year. This year is the year of ME. And the year of less cheese and chocolate.
Life often feels like a whirlwind, especially after enduring prolonged periods of uncertainty and stress. We go through the motions of merely "making it through" each day and that can strip life of its vibrancy, leaving us feeling disconnected from our passions and purpose. Yet, this loss is not a permanent state. Rediscovering what makes us feel good, fulfilled, and passionate is entirely possible—it just requires a mindful approach and the willingness to explore anew. I personally don't want to hear myself saying “I just need to make it through ___ and then I can focus on me."
Understanding Why We Lose Passion
Periods of stress and uncertainty often shift our focus toward survival, leaving little room for creativity, joy, or exploration. This survival mode may dull our emotional spectrum, making activities we once loved seem trivial or exhausting. Recognizing this as a natural response to prolonged challenges can help alleviate feelings of guilt or failure.
Signs You’ve Lost Touch with Your Passion:
Lack of enthusiasm for hobbies or interests.
Difficulty identifying activities that bring joy.
A sense of going through the motions without fulfillment.
Feeling stuck or unsure about what’s next.
These feelings are valid, but they’re also a signal that it’s time to recalibrate and prioritize yourself. Now, we all have responsibilities in life that will take up a lot of our time. We just can't forget about ourselves in the process.
Embrace Stillness and Self-Reflection
I took some time to reflect over the break, as I said before, and it truly was eye opening. I have been busy with so many things - kids sports, kids school, planning for college, traveling for sports, meeting family for special occasions…the list goes on. Very little of that time was spent on something solely for me. And don’t get me wrong, most of those things bring me joy, but they aren’t things that are just for ME. For my personal, internal well-being. This is the first year I have really felt like that, and that raised a red flag. I didn’t grow, I didn’t flourish, and I certainly didn’t rest. Now, there’s not anything wrong with periods of non-growth, but it does make me take pause and try to see what prevented me from paying more attention.
This is why setting aside time for stillness and introspection is so important. It allows you to reconnect with your inner self. Practices like mindfulness meditation, journaling, or simply sitting quietly with your thoughts can reveal buried desires and interests.
Set a timer for 10 minutes each morning.
Sit quietly and ask yourself: “What would make me feel fulfilled today?”
Write down any ideas or feelings that come up without judgment.
Sometimes we can get stuck just trying to find something to do. Think back to when you were younger. What activities brought you joy before life became complicated? Whether it was painting, playing a sport, exploring nature, or writing stories, these early passions often hold clues to what still resonates with your core self.
List five activities you loved as a child or teenager.
Choose one to revisit this week. Approach it with curiosity rather than expectation.
Sometimes, rediscovering passion means exploring uncharted territory. Stepping outside your comfort zone can spark inspiration and reignite enthusiasm.
Take a class in something you’ve always been curious about, like cooking, pottery, or coding.
Join a local club or group aligned with an interest, such as hiking or book discussions.
Volunteer for a cause that resonates with you.
When you are reflecting, try to focus on the good things too, not just where you feel there is lack. Cultivating gratitude shifts your focus toward the positive aspects of life, which can rekindle feelings of fulfillment. Celebrating small achievements—like finishing a book, cooking a new recipe, or completing a workout—creates momentum and a sense of accomplishment.
At the end of each day, write down three things you’re grateful for and one small win.
Reflect on how these moments contribute to a more fulfilling life.
Our bodies often know what we need before our minds do. Paying attention to physical sensations can help guide you toward activities that feel right.
Experiment with movement, like yoga, dancing, or walking in nature.
Notice how different activities make you feel—energized, relaxed, or joyful—and prioritize those.
Crafting a Plan to Rekindle Passion
Rediscovering your passions is just the first step. Integrating them into your daily life is a different thing entirely. It requires intention and planning. Often, at least for me, I have this grand idea to start something and then it fails because I don’t have a clear vision on the HOW. Here’s how to make it happen:
Set Clear Goals
Once you identify activities or pursuits that ignite your passion, set specific and achievable goals. For example, if painting brings you joy, aim to dedicate one evening a week to it. Make a plan to find a class, work it into your schedule, and stick to it! If you have to list out every single step, from buying paint to finding a subject, do it. The more specific, the more likely you are to follow through with it.
Create a Ritual Around Your Passion
Turn your passion into a habit by integrating it into your routine. For example, if you love reading, set aside 20 minutes before bed each night. It takes 21 days to create a habit, so keep at it!
Find a Support System
Surrounding yourself with people who encourage your growth can make a significant difference. Share your goals with friends or join communities that share your interests.
Overcome Fear and Resistance
It’s natural to feel hesitant when trying something new or returning to a forgotten passion. Recognize this resistance as a sign of growth and approach it with compassion.
Affirmation: “I am allowed to take time for myself and pursue what brings me joy.”
Measure Progress and Adjust
Check in with yourself periodically to assess how your efforts are impacting your well-being. If something isn’t working, don’t hesitate to adjust your approach. There are no rules, you are simply experimenting!
Questions to Ask:
What’s working well?
What challenges am I facing?
How can I make this more enjoyable?
Is there something I might enjoy more?
Embracing the Journey
Rediscovering passion is not about reaching a specific destination but about enjoying the process of exploring and connecting with yourself. When we are too busy to allow ourselves this time, we lose sight of those passions. Life’s uncertainties and stresses may leave their mark, but they also provide an opportunity to rebuild with intention and mindfulness. We can’t eliminate stress, but we can certainly build our resilience through nourishing our mental and physical well being.
I hope you remember to be patient with yourself, and I certainly will too. Each small step you take is progress, and over time, those steps will lead to a life filled with meaning, joy, and passion once again.
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