10 Pieces of Advice That Will Get You on the Path to Finding Your Passion

I understand all too well the difficulties in finding one’s passion. I didn’t find my passion until much later in life. As you may already know, I have been able to do hair since I was a young child. It’s one of my many gifts but for the majority of my life, I dismissed this gift. I would do people’s hair and make them promise not to tell anyone I did it, not because it didn’t look good but because I didn’t want to share it or even explore being a hair stylist.

I tried for a long time to go against the grain and do what my peers did like going to college, landing a corporate job, etc. But it wasn’t until I turned 30 when I finally removed my personal stigma of what my gift brought forth and decided to hone in on my craft. I got my cosmetology license in nine months, spent two years behind the chair full-time with two additional years part-time. And you know what happened during that time? I found my passion.

You see I wasn’t passionate about doing hair but I was passionate about the relationships that came from having a client in my chair. Being able to connect with client’s we talk about life and how they may be feeling. Those moments bring me a joy that I cannot describe and I wouldn’t have discovered this if I would have kept dismissing my gift.

Does this mean that I don’t enjoy what I do? No, it’s quite the opposite. It means once I fully and openly embraced my talents it opened something bigger within me that I didn’t know was there before. My work, which I’m so grateful and proud of has given me the opportunity to travel the world, foster amazing relationships with people, and allow me to live my passion every day!

So what happens when you have a hard time finding and embracing your passion? What advice would be helpful to someone who feels lost and unsure about themselves? My favorite Twitter account, My Black Matters asked this question and sista’s came out in full force with their words of wisdom. I’m sharing 10 of my favorite with you in the hopes that along with my story it will help get you on the path to finding your passion.

What advice do you have for black women who may be struggling with finding their path/passion?

— My Black Matters✊? (@MyBlackMatters) October 18, 2018

Dont let disappointments weigh you down, and take risks. You’re not going to achieve anything if you dont try.

— Tameka? (@TamekaShanae1) October 18, 2018

Take your time. Observe yourself. Try to notice what you really like to do, what gives you the greatest satisfaction. And give it all your being. Don’t listen to people who find it’s too slow or not ambitious enough. You have your own pace to find your path.

— satsukisweet (@satsukisweet) October 18, 2018

Don’t be afraid to be the only one to enter into a field, industry, company, institution or market. Sometimes being the outlier is your strength!

— luvey500k (@luvey1987) October 18, 2018

Focus your time and energy on the things that come naturally to you and that you find joy in. Your passion and purpose will be supported by who you are! #LookWithin pic.twitter.com/Rl5HBuQESD

— Pamela Denise Price (@PricelessVessel) October 19, 2018

I’m grown (apparently). Dont put so much pressure on yourself. Its often when we stop trying so hard to find something, it turns up. Never judge your life on, anothers, we all have our own path, with many ups and downs along the way. You’ll find your way… believe!

— Applebottom James (@Applebottomgal) October 20, 2018

Do NOT restrict yourself to things that are considered “black” you are a unique human being who is free to like whatever they want regardless of the color of your skin. Try new things, you’d be surprised.

— Ashley Dasy (@Ashley_Elodie) October 19, 2018

Revisit the happiest and most fulfilling moments of your past…those are the moments connected to your passion, purpose and future. It’s all connected.

— Yolanda’s Nuggets (@YolandasNuggets) October 18, 2018

from this point, write down every experience you have that touches your heart and soul, revisit said list, take note of your role in these activities and find the trend — spend every moment thereafter trying to expand in that direction.

— ✨ Simona ✨ (@disruptvlyuniq) October 18, 2018

Be patient. Even if patience is 5+ years. There are no guidelines to living, your happiness and health are indicators if you’re in a toxic space and ?ITS OKAY TO LEAVE!! Focus on what makes you happy and understand that you can make it work for you.

— mightyymag ? (@witdamag) October 18, 2018

Sometimes a moment of stillness to simple do nothing is what’s needed. Let go of fear. It can convince you to pass up opportunities all because you can’t see past the first step. Instead of finding passion, develop your passion, overtime it allows you to build that commitment.

— Sincleair Bain (@SincleairB) October 18, 2018