"Passion or Practicality? Finding Balance in Doing What You Love"

Doing What You Love: The Dream and the Reality

As I sit here, fresh from an incredible 8-week long service leave including a road trip through Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia with my children, I reflect on the journey I’ve been on, not just across Australia but in life. This trip wasn’t just about sightseeing; it was a pilgrimage of sorts, visiting families who hosted me during my first-ever stay in Australia. That visit ultimately resulted in one of the biggest decisions of my life: migrating to this beautiful country. It’s a story of following my dreams and doing what I love—deciding to build a life that I knew would bring me fulfillment.

 Now, I find myself at a crossroads. After dedicating time to build Nurturing Parenthood, a business that reflects my passion for supporting parents, I’m returning to the security of my permanent part-time role. This reality has reminded me of something important: while we’re often told to "do what you love," the reality can be more complicated.

 The Allure of Doing What You Love

 There’s a romantic notion that if you’re passionate about something, you should pursue it relentlessly—make it your career, your life’s purpose. It’s a message we hear often, and for good reason. When you love what you do, work doesn’t feel like a chore. It’s fulfilling, energizing, and aligned with your core values. I’ve found this to be true in my own experience with Nurturing Parenthood and most of my nursing jobs I have held.

 My immigration story is, in a way, an example of doing what I love. I followed a dream and built a life around it. Now, running my own business lets me tap into that same sense of purpose. But here’s the reality I’ve also come to appreciate: not everyone has the privilege to follow their dreams so easily, and even when you do, practicalities still come into play.

 The Practical Reality

 As much as I’d love to dedicate myself solely to my business, the truth is that it isn’t yet my main source of income. I need to return to my stable part-time position to support my family and ensure we have the security we need. In some ways, being able to "do what you love" can be a privilege—a luxury that not everyone can afford right away.

 As I read in a Psychology Today article, rather than solely pursuing your passion, it’s wise to find ways to integrate what you love into your daily life, even if it doesn’t define your career. Take the time to do things that bring you joy, as they will help you navigate the tasks you may not enjoy as much.

 Similarly, an article from The Muse rightly points out that we need to stop pretending that everyone can, or should, follow the "do what you love" advice. For many people, there are financial or personal constraints that make this impractical. That doesn’t mean giving up on your dreams, but it does mean balancing them with the realities of life.

 Finding Balance

 The key, I’ve found, is balance. It’s possible to pursue your passions while still maintaining a steady income. In fact, doing something you love—whether it’s a hobby, side project, or small business—can give you the energy and satisfaction you need to face the less exciting but necessary tasks in life. My time building Nurturing Parenthood has brought me joy and fulfillment, even as I return to my permanent role.

 The road trip I took with my children reminded me that following your passions doesn’t always have to mean a career overhaul. Sometimes, it’s about finding moments of joy and purpose in the midst of the everyday. Revisiting the families that were part of my Australian journey was a beautiful reminder of what happens when you follow your heart, even if it’s just in small steps.

 So yes, pursue what you love, but be gentle with yourself if that doesn’t mean dropping everything to chase a dream. You can build a life that incorporates your passions, even if it’s not in the way the world tells you to.

 Final thoughts

At the end of the day, finding fulfillment is about striking a balance between practicality and passion. Take the time to do what you love, but remember that it’s okay to hold onto what’s necessary to sustain your life. Following your dreams can take many forms—sometimes they’re about the big leaps, and sometimes they’re in the small, meaningful steps we take every day.

Have you found a way to balance your passion with the practical demands of life? Or are you still navigating the path to doing what you love? I'd love to hear your experiences and thoughts—share your journey in the comments!