Have a Passion for Passion

“Make time for passion. Consider it a real priority instead of an “extra” to be squeezed in when you have some free time. You may never have free time.”

If you have just survived your first (or second) week of this college semester: Congratulations, woot woot, insert confetti here. And also if you are a returning reader on Hope For Mondays, congrats on that too! 

Like many of you, I had the ultimate week of firsts including starting my internship at College Times (on my first day I wrote not one, not two, but FOUR articles and three on my second day and I'm still having a blast), beginning my online sign language class,  trying out Ollie Vaughns for some spectacular breakfast, and continuing to set aside time for passion. While evaluating these new experiences I started to recognize some common themes in my life too. I have noticed that I use these same phrases about every week: "I don't have time," "I'm too busy," "I have this other thing I have to do, sorry," etc.  Some of these statements may be common in your vocabulary too, although there is nothing wrong with being aware of your time management capabilities. But it can become a problem when one puts passions on the back burner because they believe they simply do not have the time. I find it important and healthy to do something you like to do at least once a day, which explains my simple yet obsessive Starbucks addiction. But when it comes to passions these do not have to be acted upon everyday but as often as you can without forgetting them. 

So far my list of passions include (and not in any specific order): surrounding myself with people I love; furthering my career in journalism; The Local Citizen; discovering all the aspects that make me me; and living in a world where those around me are happy, comfortable and aware.

Our happiness and future success should not be put aside while we wait for the "free time" bus to stop. If you keep standing at that bus stop passing up each and every opportunity to be happy, you will never recognize this happiness when it approaches. As far as I am concerned, there is no such thing as "free time". This myth is nonexistent to most college students, working individuals, busy bees, and just about anyone who has ever had to experience multitasking. I don't believe in free time but I do believe in making time for passions. We all have our busy schedules but try and pencil in "my passion" into your planner once in awhile. You can be selective when it comes to this time too. I am still working on prioritizing family, friends, school work, work work, passions and my happiness. But as long as I work on my passions I think I will be equally happy.

Outfit details: "Monday" tee (TJ MAXX), circle skirt (Urban Outfitters), necklace (thrift gift), colorful bracelet (Target), gold spike bracelet (Rocks Box), Dior lipstick (originally my grandmother's)

So in case you are completely lost on exactly how to freeze time and fit in your passions here are some tips which you can practice if you so desire:

1. List your passions.
2. Stop saying the words "busy" and "can't", you will continue to be busy for the rest of your life so stop stating the obvious, it's getting old.
3. Do them with a friend.
4. Be grateful that you have activities to prioritize vs living an endlessly boring and lost existence.
5. Schedule your life: when to grab lunch with your family, homework, passions that make you happy. It sounds silly but if you schedule your happiness you will most likely treat it as a priority.
6. Make a career out of your passions.
7. Prioritize your passions and your outside work separately and equally.
8. Repeat steps 1-7. 

"Create the perfect time, the perfect opportunity, and the perfect situation." Because most of the time if we are waiting for this moment and this free time it will never happen. I stumbled upon this idea in a video called "Change" which you can find at the bottom of this post. I advise you to listen to this at your lowest and your highest.

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Some other things that might make you smile or think:

• "Quiz Yourself: Do You Lead with Emotional Intelligence"
• Demi Coffee and The Hive on The Local Citizen
• "Change" motivational thoughts we always need
• "Heart Out" by The 1975