Buzz
While you may have numerous hobbies, true passions are limited to just one or two. The key difference lies in the emotional intensity and value you attach to something—when it deeply resonates with you, it becomes a passion. If an activity brings you relaxation without overwhelming excitement, it’s likely a hobby. Reflect on your hobbies and your feelings toward them, then use a few methods to identify which one truly ignites your passion.
Steps
Consider the time spent on the activity
Pay attention to which activity occupies your thoughts the most. Whether you're driving, trying to fall asleep, or exercising, notice what you think about most frequently. If you find yourself constantly thinking about an activity you're not currently engaged in, it’s likely a passion.
- Hobbies usually occupy your mind only when you're actively doing them or occasionally at other times. Passions, however, stay with you throughout the day, and you find yourself thinking about them from various angles.
- If you frequently search for liquidation sales and thrift stores, regularly check your online selling accounts, and strive to attract customers, then reselling items might be your passion.
Assess your time allocation. Pay attention to what you do daily and weekly. You might notice activities you frequently engage in or spend the most time on. Activities that consume a significant portion of your time could very well be your passions.
- For instance, if you play the guitar every day, basketball twice a week, write poetry 4-5 times, and play Xbox once a week, then guitar and poetry are strong candidates for passions, while basketball and Xbox are likely just hobbies.
Notice how quickly time flies. After engaging in an activity, check the clock. When pursuing a passion, you’ll lose track of time because you’re so immersed that hours feel like minutes. If you frequently check the clock, it’s probably just a hobby.
- For example, half an hour of basketball might feel long, but two and a half hours of playing the guitar could pass like two minutes because it’s a passion.
Recognize when you prioritize the activity over responsibilities. Look at your work and household tasks and see what interrupts them. If you tend to get absorbed in another activity instead of completing assigned tasks, it’s a sign you’re prioritizing your passion.
- For example, if you’re working on a research project but spend hours perfecting a photo for the presentation instead of reading materials, photography might be your passion.
Evaluate your attitude
Ask yourself if the activity relaxes or stresses you. Start doing the activity for a while and assess how you feel. If you feel happy and at ease, you’re likely doing something you enjoy. If you feel slightly frustrated or at least focused and intense, you’re engaging in a passion.
- It might sound counterintuitive, but passions often bring some level of stress. Because you care deeply, pursuing a passion isn’t always a relaxing experience.
- Hobbies are usually enjoyable and relaxing, so you’ll feel more at ease while doing them.
- For example, if you set up a woodworking shop and start building something, feeling intensely focused and slightly anxious could mean woodworking is your passion. If it’s not, you’ll feel more relaxed.
Determine if you want to improve in that area. Engage in the activity more frequently and observe whether you’re working hard to get better or simply enjoying the moment. You’ll put in more effort if it’s a passion rather than just a hobby.
- If it’s a passion, you’ll strive to excel and become the best in that field. On the other hand, hobbies only require you to feel satisfied while casually engaging in them.
- For example, if you often cook challenging recipes, it’s likely a passion. But if you stick to making the same stew or waffles repeatedly, it’s probably just a cooking hobby.
"We live in an incredible era where almost any hobby can evolve into a financially sustainable career."
Adrian Klaphaak, CPCC
Career Coach
Career Coach
Ask yourself if the activity aligns with your values and beliefs. List your core values in life, society, faith, or belief systems. If an activity resonates with these values, it’s likely a passion.
- This step requires some abstract thinking, so take your time to reflect on the list.
- For example, you might list activities like hiking, singing, or gaming as hobbies. Your values could include adventure, health, appreciating beauty, and avoiding technology. Comparing both lists, hiking aligns with these values, making it a potential passion.
Evaluate your hobbies
Share your potential passions with others and ask for their opinions. Pick an activity that might be a passion and discuss it with friends. Ask them if you seem excited or indifferent when talking about it. If you ramble on and they notice your enthusiasm, it’s likely your passion.
- When discussing your passion, you might speak louder, faster, and more animatedly. You’ll want to keep talking about it and feel excited without wanting to stop.
- If people say you seem less knowledgeable or indifferent about the topic, it’s probably just a hobby. You’ll feel more energized talking about passions than hobbies.
Stop the activity for a week. Choose something you do weekly or a few times a week and suddenly stop. If you find yourself thinking about it daily, missing it, and not wanting to do anything else, you’ve found your passion. If you don’t mind, it’s likely just a hobby.
- For example, if you play frisbee every Wednesday, skip it for a week. If you fill the time with something else without much thought, it’s just a hobby.
- Stop editing the videos you usually work on. If after two days you can’t focus on anything else and just want to edit, that’s your passion.
Take a quiz for objective guidance. Beyond your own thoughts, seek external input through standardized questions. Be honest about your feelings toward the activity. A quiz can help you understand its significance beyond your personal perspective.
- A quiz might not pinpoint your exact passion or hobby, but it can help you view your pursuits more objectively.
- Websites like Clarity on Fire, Goodnet, and Paid to Exist offer quizzes that can provide insights into turning hobbies into passions.
