Can You Identify Your Passion? What Is Your “Red Dress?
“What is your passion?”
It was a simple enough question, one that I should have been easily able to answer. What IS my passion? As I sat there listening to the life coach guide us in an exercise on Saturday night, I tried to clear my mind and really dig deep to answer. Really concentrate. And you know what I came up with? Nothing.
NOTHING.
Isn’t that just sad? I couldn’t identify my passion.
I had way too many thoughts in my head and not one CLEAR answer. I knew what the obvious answers might be but I wasn’t FEELING THEM. It was like all of my interests were gone. There was nothing that truly sparked for me. It seemed as if my entire life was now a faded black and white photograph where once it had been filled with vibrant colors. I have to tell you, coming to this realization was shocking.
Stepping back from it, I realize that now am MOTIVATED. I need to clear out my life and my obligations. I need to get “un-busy” and re-connect with myself so that I can remember what fills me up. I think it is time for a little self-realization.
I know I am not alone in this. I think in today’s society it is so easy for women (and men) to find themselves engulfed in the day-to-day administrative details of life. Running kids here. Picking up groceries there. Sprinting to the bank. We FORGET who we truly are and what WE TRULY LOVE. Obviously we love our families, that is easy. But what about ourselves? Where do we find joy?
The three questions that stumped me the other night I now ask you:
- What is your passion?
- If time and money were no object, what would you do?
- What excites you? What makes you happy?
Something to think about, huh?
On a similar note, I just read a fabulous post by Jenny the Bloggess about her RED DRESS.
“I want, just once, to wear a bright red, strapless ball gown with no apologies. I want to be shocking, and vivid and wear a dress as intensely amazing as the person I so want to be. And the more I thought about it the more I realized how often we deny ourselves that red dress and all the other capricious, ridiculous, overindulgent and silly things that we desperately want but never let ourselves have because they are simply “not sensible”. Things like flying lessons, and ballet shoes, and breaking into spontaneous song, and building a train set, and crawling onto the roof just to see the stars better. Things like cartwheels and learning how to box and painting encouraging words on your body to remind yourself that you’re worth it.”
She goes on to challenge readers to think about what they need and what they are too embarrassed to ask for. “Find your red dress. And wear the hell out of it.”
Excellent advice, Jenny! I think I that is what I am looking for… my red dress. I suddenly feel the need to go on a shopping trip. I’ve got a dress to buy.
How about you?
Twitter: litlsuzzy
says:
I’m with you on not having a passion. I don’t think I ever had one.
It IS too easy to get caught up in the day to day and taking care of others. I’m very guilty of putting myself last in all aspects of my life.
It’s time for that to stop. Thanks for the dose of inspiration.
.-= Sarah´s last blog ..My Fat Story =-.
WOW…I needed to read this post today. I am really trying to break out of the mold of what is expected and practical and do embrace my TRUE passions. And thanks for linking to the Bloggess post. LOVED that too:)
Twitter: lovinstilettos
says:
That really is excellent advice! I love it!
.-= Michelle @ Mommy Loves Stilettos´s last blog ..♥Random Dozen. =-.
Twitter: LoveFeast
says:
How fun would it be, if your next Momz Share event had a red dress requirement…so mamas could rock their stuff?! Just an idea!
.-= LoveFeast Table´s last blog ..Fancy Friday Pinkalicious! =-.
Love this.
Thank you.
JennieG
Twitter: mammamania
Reply:
May 26th, 2010 at 10:42 AM
No, THANK YOU. Your post came at just the right time for me. Normally, you fill me up with laughter. Today you just plain filled me up with inspiration. I was serious about buying a red dress. Which kinda frightens me.
Twitter: ooph
says:
Yes. I most certainly need more red dress in my life. BIG. TIME. Thanks for the reminder.
.-= Stefanie´s last blog ..diagnosis diarrhea =-.
JennieG
Twitter: mammamania
Reply:
May 26th, 2010 at 10:42 AM
All mothers of boys need a red dress I have decided…. we are simply surrounded by too much testosterone.
AMEN!!!!
.-= Carmen´s last blog ..I’m The Boss Applesauce =-.
Twitter: SaucyB
says:
Without a doubt my passion is helping animals and that’s why I volunteer at a local animal shelter. I know what you mean about losing sight of what excites you, since for a long time i thought this was something i would do “when I retire”. Some upsetting circumstances at work put me in a position where I really NEEDED this outlet and I am so glad I didn’t put it off. Every care in the world disappears when I am walking and playing with the dogs.
For more about what my passion does for me, check out:
http://www.lifeofsaucyb.com/2010/04/over-million-served.html
JennieG
Twitter: mammamania
Reply:
May 26th, 2010 at 12:52 PM
That is just SO THRILLING TO HEAR! Good for you! You make me happy to know that it is possible to achieve…
Twitter: MusingsfromMe
says:
Trying to recall the last time I wore an extravagant dress. Not sure I have ever worn anything dramatic. I did not have a prom at school in England. I’m OK with dressing casually…which is a problem in and of itself. I did pick out a couple of dressy blouses this morning while at TJ Maxx. It’s a start.
.-= MusingsfromMe/Jill´s last blog ..BABW–Build-a-Bear Gift Card Giveaway!! =-.
Twitter: marymac
says:
You are a rocker. She is a rocker. She inspired me, too- wrote a post today about something that happened to me as a result of her post- that could only happen to me haha- stop by tomorrow!
LOVE you- see you in DC tomorrow!
xo
.-= marymac´s last blog ..Fruit Pizza =-.
marymac
Twitter: marymac
Reply:
May 27th, 2010 at 5:42 AM
The post inspired by you and Jenny:
http://www.pajamasandcoffee.com/?p=2624
.-= marymac´s last blog ..Fruit Pizza =-.
I am totally in the same situation right now and have had the same thoughts. It kind of scares me that I can’t answer those questions either but at least I know now that I am not the only one!
Twitter: xtremeparnthood
says:
You know what is sad? When she asked the question about what our passion was the only thing that truly popped in my head and stayed there was “SLEEP!”
Thats pretty damn pitiful.
Maybe I need a red dress too!?
Twitter: pam_tastic
says:
Oh geez…you really nailed it with this one. I’ve been so bogged down with mom-wife-job duties lately that I have recently made this same discovery. I have no passion “for me” anymore…all my passion (aka…energy) has gone into all the daily-weekly tasks that I am no longer a “fun” person…and I truly hate that… I’m going to seriously think about these questions – and I’ll get back to you
As if I had written it myself!! A friend introduced me to Zumba a couple months ago, and that has put me on the path to rediscovering my love for music and my younger, funner, sexier, crazier self. Love your blog!
Thanks for encouraging women to wear that red dress! Wouldn’t it be great to see more of these beautiful moms in all their glory?!
Great post!
-Deb for Ouidad
Twitter: ThetaMom
says:
I.love.this.
The last time I bought and rocked a red dress was in college.
It’s time to rock another one again mama! Thanks for the post!
Twitter: alfredliveshere
says:
Great post, and good thought process for us all to be on.
Not sure what my non-literal red dress is; the literal red dress for a guy like me is just a bad bad idea, as not my style and the prep would required a lot of hot wax and I have never ever walked in heels.
We all need to have the passion and the chutzpah to do this…!
Twitter: boxofchocolates
says:
Great question and one that will take some more pondering. I’m thinking this may become some blog fodder for me. You are right that we get so caught up in the day to day business of life that our passion{s} often get pushed to the back. Thanks for making me stop and think about not only my passions but how to bring them back in my life! I’m linking up to my Sunday Stars tomorrow.
.-= Mel’s Box of Chocolates´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday – Cupcakes =-.
[...] Jenni of Hip as I Wanna Be contemplated the journey in finding your life’s passion. I have many passions in life, this blog being one of them. It’s feels good to identify [...]
Twitter: andiperullo
says:
What a fabulous post!!!!!!! Thankfully, despite being overwhelmed and busy, I know my passions in life and I follow them to the extremes.
.-= Andi´s last blog ..India: Day 4 (Part 2) =-.