How to Discover a Passion That Adds Joy and Meaning to Your Life

Think of your life as a piece of art, where passion is the bright color that makes it come alive. Passion is what you enjoy doing and what motivates you. It pushes you to work hard and improve at what you love, even when times are tough. It serves as a light that guides you through challenges, helping you find your way forward. As Oprah Winfrey said, “Passion is energy. Feel the power that comes from focusing on what excites you.” Passion is something you can grow and lean into.

When you live with passion, your life can be filled with joy and meaning. The passion within you is what fuels a life that is exciting and full of purpose. 

Inspiring views on purpose and passion 

As my team wrapped up a virtual meeting one day, my colleagues delved into what creates purpose in one’s life. They wandered into the topic of passion, and we quickly did a round-robin of what brings each of our lives meaning. Comments came from the heart and brought the group closer. Here are a few notable takes on passion.

Colin described his passion: “I am on a mission based on my passion for making human connections. I aim to co-create a world of harmony and joy by sharing stories and smiles with everyone I meet."

“I'm passionate about capturing meaningful moments through photography, especially for couples and families,” Yuri shared. “For me, it's not just about taking pictures but also about creating lasting memories that they can cherish forever.”

Tom summed up his passion: "I’m passionate about quality; supporting the makers and craftsmen in my community, knowing where things are sourced from, and doing my part to be responsible as a modern consumer."

Each of these people discovered something that has given life meaning and brought joy to others’ lives as well. You can do the same! But first, find out how having passions can support your well-being. 

Beyond bringing fulfillment to your life and boosting physical health, pursuing a passion and working on a purpose also benefits your well-being and mental health . Having a passion can:  

1. Lift your spirits. Having a passion helps bring balance to your life. It can relieve stress and lift your spirits. Whether it’s going for a run, playing a sport, or reading a good book, these activities can help you feel better. Tuning out the noise of the day by looking forward to your favorite hobby—like painting or doing yoga—can make you feel calm and happy.
   
   
2. Boost self-esteem. Finding a passion can make you feel more able and help your self-esteem. When you work through challenges linked to something you love, you feel a sense of accomplishment. For example, if you enjoy volunteering at your local food bank, taking on new tasks, like planning a fundraiser, can be exciting. Successfully meeting those challenges boosts your confidence and makes you feel proud of yourself.
   
   
3. Build resilience. Focusing on a passion also helps you become more resilient, which means you can bounce back from tough times more easily. When you engage in activities that you love, you learn more about your strengths and weaknesses. If you're feeling bad about something at work, focusing on your passion can help lift your mood. Whether it’s running or getting involved in community service, these activities can provide the energy and motivation you need to overcome difficulties.  

The physical health benefits of finding a passion 

Pursuing your interests can benefit both your outlook on life and physical health. Research shows that those who engage in hobbies and activities outside the workplace enjoy reduced stress, more energy, and increased creativity.

Purpose and passion may even play a role in maintaining good physical function as you age. One study showed that those with a higher purpose retained more strength and ability to move than those without such a passion.

Perhaps the best news of all is that purpose and passion can boost physical health, so those who embrace a passion may live longer. 

What can make it hard to find your passion  

Having a passion can add purpose and quality to your life. But discovering that passion can be tough. You may have been encouraged by family or society to follow a path that takes up your time and energy, yet you aren’t that into it. Also, it’s common to be afraid of failing or trying something new, which can stop you from finding what excites you.

To really reveal your passions, it’s important to push aside outside influences and take some time to explore what interests you most. 

Steps to finding your passion 

It’s all about learning more about yourself and making sure your actions match what you really want. And it helps to be open to possibilities. Your passion could be tied to work, family, friends, spirituality, community support, social causes, or travel.

Here are some first steps to take when discovering your passion. 

• Take time to think and dream. Start by thinking about what makes you excited or what topics and activities you really enjoy.
  
  
• Try something new. Try out different experiences. Meet new people. Do things that might be outside your comfort zone.
  
  
• Identify your values. When you know with clarity what you value most, you are on your way to discovering your passion.
  
  
• Seek feedback and advice from others. Sometimes, our friends and family seem to know us better than we know ourselves. Ask some loved ones what comes to mind when they think of you. You can also ask for advice from mentors or people you look up to.
  
  
• Journal about your thoughts and dreams. Write whatever comes to mind when you think about options for passions you would like to pursue. If you’re not sure where to start, ask yourself these questions:
  
  - What do you do in your life that gives you incredible pleasure?
  - What excites you?
  - What brought you joy as you were growing up?
  - What do you look forward to doing at the end of a busy day to ease your stress? 
  

Finding your passion or dream takes some thinking, trying new things, and being open to possibilities. It’s all about learning more about yourself and making sure your actions match what you really want. 

Be inspired by others 

You can take inspiration from how others have found and lived out their passions. I once heard a story of 3 women, now in their 80s, who travel to Georgia each year to take part in building homes with Habitat for Humanity. Perhaps these kinds of stories empower you to be a part of something bigger.

My colleagues had more inspiration to share the day they spoke of their passions. Some listed hobbies. Others recounted how family became both their purpose and a passion. And others found inspiration in different areas.

Lexy explained her passion: "Many years ago, I decided my life's purpose was quite simple: to experience and share joy. That's it. It's simple and maybe a little self-centered, but when I keep that purpose in mind, it helps me make decisions and live my life in a way that makes the world a better, happier place."

Emilio's passion: "I am passionate about creating art, specifically drawing. I have the mindset that no matter what I am doing in life, creating art and drawing is something I could never let go of and will always persist. Not for any specific goal or purpose, but just the love and enjoyment of creating."

Plus, being passionate can inspire others! When someone is excited about what they love, it can inspire those around them. A dedicated coach can lift an entire team, and an enthusiastic teacher can make students excited to learn. Parents who show their children the importance of following their passions teach them valuable lessons about making time for what makes them happy. No matter what stage of life you are in, discovering your passion can improve your mental health and bring joy to your life. 

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This information is not intended to take the place of regular medical care or advice. Please check with your doctor before using this information or beginning any self-care program. Images used for this article do not depict any members of the Silver&Fit program.   

References

Alimujiang, A., Wiensch, A., Boss, J., Fleischer, N. L., Mondul, A. M., McLean, K., Mukherjee, B., & Pearce, C. L. (2019). Association between life purpose and mortality among US adults older than 50 years. JAMA Network Open, 2(5), e194270. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.4270

American Psychological Association. (2020, February 1). Building your resilience. https://www.apa.org/topics/resilience/building-your-resilience

Gregorevic, K. (2020). Staying Alive. Macmillan Publishers Aus.

Harvard Business Review. (2019, November 19). The unexpected benefits of pursuing a passion outside of work https://hbr.org/2019/11/the-unexpected-benefits-of-pursuing-a-passion-outside-of-work

Kim, E. S., Kawachi, I., Chen, Y., & Kubzansky, L. D. (2017). Association between purpose in life and objective measures of physical function in older adults. JAMA psychiatry, 74(10), 1039–1045. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2017.2145

Meyer, C. - Second Wind Movement. (2022, June 2). Passion vs purpose: 4 differences. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTxhOmTD16s

O'Keefe PA, Dweck CS, Walton GM. Implicit theories of interest: Finding your passion or developing It? Psychological Science. 2018 Oct;29(10),1653-1664. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797618780643

Ryff, C. D. (2017). The benefits of purposeful life engagement on later-life physical function. JAMA Psychiatry, 74(10), 1046. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2017.2136

Sanchez, R., Lawrence, A., Cabrejas, M. M., & Victoria, M. (2024). Living the passionate journey: Creating a life and career fueled by lasting excitement. ResearchGate. ETCOR Educational Research Center Research Consultancy Services. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/379994007_Living_the_Passionate_Journey_Creating_a_
Life_and_Career_Fueled_by_Lasting_Excitement

Sharma, G., Yukhymenko-Lescroart, M., & Sanchez, T. (2023). Examining the role of life purpose in high school students' self-esteem through structural equation modelling. Heliyon, 9(9), e19614. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e19614

Zawadzki, M. J., Smyth, J. M., & Costigan, H. J. (2015). Real-time associations between engaging in leisure and daily health and well-being. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 49(4), 605–615. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-015-9694-3

This article was written by Stephanie Ruiz, edited by Gail Olson, and clinically reviewed by Elizabeth Thompson, MPH, RDN, on March 6, 2025.

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