Work & Life
Balancing Work and Passion Projects
The hype is real. Pursuing one or multiple passion projects on the side can be beneficial. Why? Let's dive in.
In today's fast-paced world, where we often find ourselves consumed by work demands, it's easy to lose sight of our passions and personal projects. Yet, embracing our passions and balancing our professional responsibilities and personal fulfilment is crucial for leading a well-rounded and fulfilling life.
When we hear "passion project," we often think of a hobby or side gig that brings us joy and serves as a creative outlet. These projects may encompass various forms of expression, such as writing, painting, gardening, playing an instrument, or even launching a small business. They allow us to explore our interests, develop our creativity, and stretch our talents. It doesn't necessarily have to be something you need to make money off. It can be anything that gives you peace and joy at the end of a work day. Or keeps you occupied on your weekends.
For example, I love my art. And teaching. So, on weeknights and weekends, when I want to pause my work — I paint extensively. I sometimes take workshops teaching what I know to individuals or groups of students ranging from kids to adults. This is my passion project. Someday, I plan to monetize it even better (apart from teaching) by making my merchandise and collaborating with more people. Still, for now, this allows me to explore my interests, expand my horizons and build upon my creativity. It gives me moments of peace and sanity from the world's hubbub.
Here are some of the artwork I do (and sometimes sell) and teach, too! My current passion project is exploring Islamic geometry and patterns, as seen in the last few images. You can find more of these on my Instagram account.
The importance of passion projects
Passion projects are more than just hobbies; they are essential to who we are as individuals. They provide us with a sense of purpose, ignite our creativity, and foster personal growth. These projects allow us to express ourselves authentically and pursue our interests beyond the confines of our traditional work roles. Investing time and energy in our passions can add a sense of fulfilment and satisfaction in all areas of our lives. And remember the immense learning from doing something new and different from your job.
However, finding a balance between our professional obligations and passions can be challenging. Many of us struggle with the constraints of a demanding job, long hours, and tight schedules. The thought of squeezing in time for our passions can seem daunting, if not impossible.
Yet, neglecting our creative pursuits can lead to feelings of dissatisfaction, burnout, and an overall lack of fulfilment. To lead an enriching life, striking an equilibrium between our work and passion projects is important.
Maintaining a healthy work-life balance
While it's terrific if you decide to pursue a passion project, it is essential that we also keep track of our work-life balance. It ensures we have enough time and energy for our professional duties and personal endeavours.
However, achieving this balance can be challenging, mainly when our jobs consume a significant portion of our day. To strike the proper equilibrium, it's crucial to prioritize and manage our time effectively. We can start by setting boundaries, delegating tasks, and practising self-care. Doing so allows us to create space for our passion projects without neglecting our work commitments.
On the days when I cannot do anything, I take that break, ensuring I don’t kill myself with either work or my passion project. Understanding where to draw the line between working and burning out is essential.
Managing Mental Health
Maintaining good mental health is essential when juggling multiple responsibilities. Passion projects can act as a form of stress relief and provide an outlet for pent-up emotions. Engaging in activities we are passionate about reduces stress levels and enhances our overall mental well-being. By allocating time to our passion projects, we can rejuvenate ourselves and return to work with renewed energy and focus. Passion projects can truly soothe the soul. This comes from someone who has done multiple of them (and continues to do so) and has found peace in doing them.
Building Skills and Growth
Passion projects not only provide joy and fulfilment but also offer opportunities for personal and professional growth. Pursuing our interests allows us to acquire new skills, knowledge, and experiences. These newfound abilities can be leveraged in various aspects of our lives, including the workplace. Developing skills through passion projects boosts our self-confidence and performance in primary job roles. Investing in our passions today can lead to a brighter and more fulfilling future.
To end…
Finding the right balance between work and passion projects is fundamental to leading a fulfilling and joyful life. By embracing our passions, we tap into our creativity, find purpose beyond our professional identities, manage stress, and continuously grow. Prioritizing our mental health and carving out time for our passions amidst our busy schedules is a worthwhile endeavour.
So, dear reader or anyone looking to take up a project, I encourage you to reflect on your life today. What passion projects have you been putting off? I wish you to take the leap, make the time, and embark on a journey of self-discovery, growth, and fulfilment.
Remember, pursuing passion is a crucial ingredient to a truly satisfying life. Our jobs give us money (it is essential, I agree), but passion projects give the soul happiness. And you never know when that passion project can also become something that pays you. Give it a shot.
