Since beginning my internship, I’ve been adjusting to a life with more structure, joining the ranks of the Monday through Friday crowd.
No longer am I gallivanting abroad, somehow balancing the lengthy hours of fashion journalism, English as a second language instruction, and the planning of my own personal travel. No longer am I a student, with near boundless time outside the classroom, free to split between my studies and my hobbies as I see fit. No longer am I searching for stability in the unpredictable line of freelance work.
I used to fear the “daily grind,” expecting that monotony would set in, that I would lose my passions or my life outside the workplace. It turns out, however, that my response to the increase in structure has only intensified those personal passions. In fact, I’m loving the balance of the stability between the hours of 10 and 6 versus the limitless possibility I have in the remaining hours and days each week. All that I care about, from health to art to friendships to adventure – all are going strong.
My interests are a part of who I am – and I’m realizing that while it is important for them to have at least some involvement with my work, they don’t need to be the whole story. Because on any given day, I indulge my passions simply by being who I am.
I have ample opportunity to incorporate them into my life. Case in point: I may not be professionally styling anymore, but I spent some time doing just that this past weekend, finally organizing the bookshelves in my sister’s and my living room. We are so close to being completely set up here.
What else? I always have a refrigerator stocked with food I believe in.
I play with my clothes and my accessories on a daily basis.
I play on top of my stove.
I write every day – it might be a blog post, it might be a fiction project, it might be something else, but it is always words on a page.
I am always exploring my city with the same sense of adventure I had while traveling: by strolling it on foot, by exploring its markets and boutiques, by experiencing its art – whether avant-garde-new or classically old, and of course, tasting its food.
Every day, I find ways to become excited about my life. I find ways to explore the areas that matter to me.
It’s simply another way that I find balance, and I’m learning that it may be the most important way of all.
How do you indulge your passions each day?
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writing is definitely my passion, and I either blog or write in a journal or both everyday. I like your take on stability and the balance of work and play.
Have a great Monday!
Ah I love this! As usual :) I think you’re right on when you say that you want your work to inolve your interests to an extent, but that it is still possible to keep those things that you are most passionate about a part of your life outside of work. I just created a treadmill workout for one of my coworkers and that spoke to one of my passions. I also email with friends to get me through the day, talk to my family daily, eat and create healthy food and try to get outdoors as much as possible even if it is just to walk to get lunch instead of have it delivered. Its the little things in life that can make us feel fulfilled sometimes! :)
Trying new foods is definitely one of my passions, so it’s not hard to keep up with that! Plus I like to carve out some time to just be alone and unwind- it keeps me sane!
trying new foods is exciting. i love finding new tastes!
i love this post :) that is a great question- i need to focus more on my passions!
I love the way you write. It’s inspiring. I hope we get to meet again sometime!
“Because on any given day, I indulge my passions simply by being who I am.”
Beautifully stated, Leslie. Life doesn’t need to be divided into “all or nothing” categories. It’s a mixed bag, and exploring every facet of yourself and the world you live in is all part of the fun.
Also, your bookshelves look fabulous!
This is awesome! And so inspiring to hear :)
Definitely blogging, and doing the things that make me feel like me such as reading, taking pictures, and picking out what to wear each day allow me to indulge in my passions.