Projecting your Passions

Its really rare to these days to meet someone who has a strong interest or hobby.

Whenever you met someone new, and ask them about themselves, you usually just hear about their work or family. Not many people talk about things that interest them outside of that.


Why is that?
Why don't people share their interests or hobbies with other people?

Honestly, I think its because past a certain age, we don't commit any real time to them.

As children and teenagers it's acceptable to have hobbies and interests purely for the sake of fun. It's okay to spend hours on arts, sports, games or anything else we want to do.

But about the age of 20 years old, something happens to all of us...

We seem to let our passions and interests fade as 'real life' takes over.Within a few years of our twenties, we end up living to work, and pay bills, rather than to do the things that bring us happiness.

It amazes how many thirty year olds I meet at social events who have no passions or interests outside work. They spend every night watching TV or on facebook, but rarely do anything that fills them with a sense of fun or engagement.

Is this just a reality of the world? Or is it laziness?

Personally, I think it's more laziness on our part that we let our hobbies and interests fade as we grow up. Or we think that others will disapprove if we do things just for fun, rather than to make money.

One person who I really admire for his passion is an online video-gamer named Seamus, who shares his passion for video games on his YouTube channel. What I really enjoy about his game playing is the way he does commentary all the way through, sharing his interests and opinions.

If you watch one of his LPs (Let's Play videos) you will definitely get a few laughs from what he has to say as he plays through each video game.

But what is amazing is that he does this completely for the love of playing video games. It isn't part of his job, or his career plan, it's just something he does because he enjoys it. To me, that willingness to put energy into a hobby (and to share it with others) is something that is missing from most people's lives.

And amazingly, because he enjoys doing it, a lot of other people enjoy watching him. Currently he has over 100,000 people who subscribe to his YouTube channel. That is exposure that most businesses would kill for. And yet SSoHPKC does it for a hobby.

So, my point is this: if you have (or had) a hobby that you enjoyed, then spend more time on it. Stop being lazy, and stop falling into the trap of being another boring adult.

Yes, your work and responsibilities are important, but they don't have to become your whole life. Take some time out during each day and do something just for the fun of it.

And if it feels a little silly, or if someone laughs at you for it, then tell them to go get a hobby!