Finding Your Joy

My grandpa once told me, "If you have a job you love, you'll never work a day in your life." I never understood that because, through my string of odd jobs (mostly administrative), I always thought they were a pain--not only because of lack of work ethic and pride from others but because the work itself seemed menial. Everyone says, "Each job is important," which is true, but not everyone who has more education or gets paid more than you acts that way. 

I worked in outpatient mental health previously, and I didn't enjoy it (mind you, it was during the middle of the pandemic), so it could've been due to lack of in-person contact. Regardless, I wasn't happy. 

Fast forward four-ish months, and I find myself in a new job: a mental health clinician in an inpatient setting dealing with forensic clients. *lightbulb moment* It has only been four weeks in my new position, but I've gotten so much enjoyment and pride out of learning about my patients, their backgrounds, and how to teach them terms and legal knowledge so they can move forward with their lives. This is a position I can see myself in years from now and even expect to grow and accept more responsibilities in doing so. 

According to one source, there are a few tips to finding your passion: 

1. Determine something that sparks and inspires your goals. In my case, it's my family and friends and the desire for consistency and for having future goals (i.e., buying a house, having a family, etc.). 

2. Thinking happy thoughts. Like Peter Pan, apparently thinking happy thoughts is important to finding your passion. My advice for this is to find something small to celebrate in every day. I find this prevents complacency and negativity. 

3. Revert back to things that once made you happy. I become happy by quite a few things--one of which is my passion for studying the strange and unnatural (i.e., serial killers) and topics in psychology. 

4. Don't only take a job for an increase in pay. My previous job was the highest paying job I'd ever held, but I was extremely unhappy. Money isn't everything. 

5. Be open minded and take risks. This, obviously, doesn't involve up and quitting your job with no savings or backup plan. Be smart about it, but sometimes a risk, like turning down one job, can present an even better opportunity. 

Don't use this as a concrete plan; it's just tips to help you. But ultimately, you will know whether or not something is right or wrong for you. Regardless, I hope you find your passion, your love, and you become everything you are meant to be. 

https://www.profitableventure.com/tips-finding-passion/