The Thief of Joy: When Passion Becomes a Chore

 

"Doing something you love but on a schedule that you can't control, starts to feel the same as doing something you hate."

Well this thought really hit me so hard, and it is something that many can relate to.

Imagine waking up every morning, excited to work on a project or task you've been pouring your heart into for months or even years. You're passionate about it, and it brings you immense joy. But then, someone else dictates your schedule, telling you exactly when and how to work on it (which i feel the latter is ok anyway). The excitement starts to fade, and before you know it, the project that once brought you so much happiness now feels like a burden. Again ,this is a common thing for many of us. 

I realized that when we do something we love but have no control over the schedule, it can start to feel like a chore. The passion and excitement that once pushed us really starts to fade and is replaced by a feeling of obligation, like we are being dragged every step of the way.

For instance, as a maintenance personnel myself, i take pride in keeping machinery running smoothly. I love troubleshooting problems and finding creative solutions to keep equipment in top condition. However, there are moments where the organization implements strict shift schedules or rigid maintenance protocols. Of course in a business sense, some adjustment are necessary, but on a personal level you sort of feel suffocated by the lack of flexibility (I am sure you get the point 😉). 

Or that manager who enjoys his work and really has everything materially, but the power to control his or her schedule is simply out of reach. It's either he is scheduled to attend those meetings or seminars or traveling outside to close that business deal despite his physical or mental state at that moment.

So, really, the lack of control over our schedule suck the joy out of activities we love, and It's because our passion and creativity are closely tied to our sense of autonomy or freedom to think outside the box. When we're in control, we can experiment, take risks, and explore new ideas. We're more likely to feel engaged, motivated, and fulfilled.

On the other hand, when someone else dictates our schedule, we can feel micromanaged and restricted. Our creativity sort of hits a brick wall, and our passion starts to dwindle.

In the end, the solution really isn't to abandon our passions, responsibilities or schedules entirely, but to find a balance. If possible shift to that which allows you to have some measure of control over your schedule.

Really, having some control over our schedule can reignite our passion and make our activities feel enjoyable again, and that comes with some physical and mental health benefits too.