Passion Projects: What, Why And How They Transform Lives

by | Jan 27, 2025 | Reinvent Yourself

Life is often a balancing act of responsibilities, work, and routines. Some weeks seem to float away, leaving me wondering what just happened, and others are a joy when I am in the zone. Regardless of how your days and weeks are, there is often that quiet longing for something more—something that brings a sense of purpose and meaning. Passion projects can be the key to unlocking this deeper connection with ourselves and the world around us.

In this blog, we’ll explore what passion projects are (and aren’t), how to discover what excites you, and how to bring your ideas to life. I will share Joni’s (completely made up) inspiring story of how journaling led her to write a book about her journey to self-love.

What Are Passion Projects?

A passion project is a deeply personal project rooted in curiosity, creativity, and purpose. Unlike work tasks or obligations, passion projects are activities you choose because they energise and inspire you. They can be anything from starting a blog, painting, volunteering, learning a new skill, launching a small business, or even writing a book.

Passion projects often:

  • Align with your values and interests.
  • Challenge you to grow personally or creatively.
  • Provide a sense of fulfilment beyond external rewards.
  • Are about long-hidden desires.

These projects can help you rediscover joy, find clarity in life, and even lead to unexpected opportunities. For Joni, a simple journaling habit evolved into a book aimed at helping women like her.

What Passion Projects Are Not

To truly understand passion projects, it’s essential to clarify what they aren’t:

  • They aren’t obligations. If a project feels like a chore, it’s not a passion project.
  • They aren’t just hobbies. While hobbies can bring joy, passion projects often carry a sense of purpose and intentionality.
  • They aren’t just side hustles. Although some passion projects may eventually generate income, their primary purpose is personal growth and fulfilment, not profit.

Passion projects should inspire and excite you, not overwhelm you with pressure. If the spark fades, pivoting or moving on to something else is okay—there’s no failure in trying.

Before we move on, let’s address this last statement.

Why It’s True They Aren’t Just Side Hustles:

  • Intrinsic Motivation: Passion projects are primarily driven by a desire for growth, creativity, or joy. The main goal is often to explore something meaningful or fulfilling rather than to achieve external success or financial gain.

For example, someone might start writing poetry or creating art purely for the love of it with no intention of monetising it.

  • Freedom from Pressure: Unlike side hustles, which are often tied to financial goals or professional aspirations, passion projects thrive without pressure. They allow space for experimentation, play, and self-discovery.
  • Personal Fulfilment: The essence of a passion project is about what it brings to the person undertaking it—whether that’s confidence, healing, or creative satisfaction—rather than how it’s perceived or valued by others.

When It Might Overlap With Side Hustles:

  • Evolving Into Income: Some passion projects naturally grow into side hustles or even full-time careers. For example, a hobby like photography could start as a personal passion but develop into a profitable business. A book could become the basis for a business idea. The key difference is that the initial motivation wasn’t profit-driven but passion-driven.
  • Blurred Lines: If someone begins a passion project but later feels compelled to monetise it, the project might shift into a side hustle or a business. In these cases, the project can still retain elements of passion, but the focus may gradually lean toward financial outcomes.

The Key Takeaway:

While passion projects and side hustles can overlap, the core distinction lies in intent. A passion project prioritises personal fulfilment and growth, whereas a side hustle often emphasises financial gain or professional advancement. Both can coexist, but it’s important to preserve the joy and authenticity of a passion project, even if it generates income down the line.

Discovering What We Want and Why

Passion projects begin with a spark of curiosity or desire, but discovering that spark can feel daunting. Start by asking yourself these questions:

  • What brings me joy?
  • What have I always wanted to try?
  • When do I feel most alive or in a state of flow? (I love this question)

Journaling can be a powerful tool for this self-discovery. By putting your thoughts on paper, you can unearth hidden dreams and gain clarity about what matters most. This was the first step for Joni, who initially began journaling to process her emotions but soon uncovered a love of writing that became her passion and her passion project.

Joni’s Story: Journaling to Self-Love and Beyond

Joni’s journey began at a difficult time in her life. She felt disconnected, unsure of her purpose, and burdened by self-doubt. Looking for a way to express her emotions, she started journaling each evening. What began as a small, private act soon became transformative. Anyone who journaling knows this to be true.

Through journaling, Joni reconnected with herself. She uncovered stories she had buried for years, reflected on moments of joy and pain, and started to see patterns in her thoughts and behaviours. As she wrote, she began to explore themes of self-worth and self-love.

Over time, Joni realised she wanted to share her journey with others. Inspired by the insights and healing she experienced, she decided to write a book to guide other women through similar challenges. Her book combined personal stories with practical exercises, encouraging readers to embrace self-love and rediscover their inner strength.

What started as a simple journaling habit became a passion project that transformed not only Joni’s life but also the lives of her readers.

Even though this is made up, I am sure it resonates with many of you reading this. It does me.

How to Find Out What Brings You Alive

Discovering your passion may not happen overnight, but these steps can guide you:

  • Recognise moments of flow. Pay attention to activities where time seems to fly by. These moments often hold clues to your passions.
  • Reconnect with childhood interests. Think back to what you loved doing as a child—painting, dancing, writing, or exploring the outdoors.
  • Experiment and explore. Try something new, even if it feels outside your comfort zone. Sometimes, passions emerge through action, not thought.

For Joni (and me), journaling opened the door to something much bigger. The key is to start small, remain curious and keep at it.

Choosing the Right Passion Project

When you have multiple interests, choosing where to focus can feel overwhelming. To narrow it down:

  • Start with what excites you most. Which idea makes you feel energised and motivated?
  • Consider your resources. What fits realistically into your time, budget, and energy?
  • Pick one project for now. You don’t have to pursue every idea at once—start with one and see where it leads.

Joni didn’t set out to write a book immediately. She began with journaling and let her passion grow naturally. Taking small, manageable steps can help you avoid burnout and build momentum.

Experimenting and Taking Small Steps

Passion projects don’t require grand commitments from the start. Treat them as experiments:

  • Start small. If you’re interested in writing, start with a blog post or short story rather than a full book.
  • Set short-term goals. Dedicate a specific amount of time—such as 30 days—to see if the project resonates.
  • Stay playful. Remove the pressure of perfection and focus on enjoying the process.

Experimenting allows you to test your ideas, learn what works, and adjust as needed. Joni’s passion project began as daily journaling, which she committed to for just 10 minutes each evening. Try this gratitude practice to get you started.

Putting Passion Projects into Action

Once you’ve chosen a project, the next step is to bring it to life:

  • Set realistic goals. Break the project into small, manageable steps. This could be outlining a book chapter by chapter.
  • Create a routine. Dedicate regular time to work on your project, even if it’s just 15 minutes a day.
  • Build accountability. Share your goals with friends or join a community of like-minded people.
  • Celebrate milestones. Acknowledge your progress, no matter how small.

Action is what transforms ideas into reality. By taking consistent, intentional steps, you can turn your passion project into something meaningful and impactful.

What If It’s the Wrong One?

It’s natural to fear that a passion project might not work out, but here’s the truth:

  • There’s no such thing as failure. Every attempt teaches you something about yourself and your interests.
  • It’s okay to pivot. If a project no longer excites you, let it go and try something new.
  • Focus on growth. The process of exploring your passions is just as valuable as the outcome.

Joni’s passion for writing evolved as she worked on her book. What started as journaling became a self-help guide, and now she’s exploring new ideas for a second book.

Overcoming Common Barriers to Starting Passion Projects

Many people struggle to start passion projects due to time constraints, fear, or perfectionism. Here’s how to overcome these barriers:

  • Time: Start small and schedule your project like any other priority.
  • Fear of judgment: Remember, this is your project—it doesn’t need to impress anyone but you.
  • Perfectionism: Focus on progress, not perfection. Allow yourself to create imperfectly.

These simple shifts in mindset can help you move past hesitation and embrace your passions.

The Bigger Picture: How Passion Projects Can Transform Your Life

Passion projects aren’t just about the work itself—they can have a fantastic impact on your well-being:

  • Boost confidence. Accomplishing personal goals can help you feel more capable and self-assured.
  • Create new opportunities. Passion projects often lead to unexpected connections or career paths.
  • Deepen self-awareness. Exploring your passions helps you understand your values, desires, and strengths.

For Joni, her book healed her relationship with self-love and created a platform for her to support others. Passion projects can ripple outward in ways you never imagined.

Passion projects are powerful tools for self-discovery, growth, and fulfilment. Whether it’s journaling, writing, or something completely different, the journey begins with a single step. Like Joni, you may find that a small, personal practice evolves into something transformative—not just for you but for others as well.

Confession time. My current passion project is my YouTube channel. I started in fear and excitement and despite that, I have consistently created shorts and longer videos. Take a look and subscribe – pretty please.

Passion Project Exercise And Journal Prompts

Exercise: The Passion Map

Purpose: To help you clarify your interests and create a roadmap for your passion project.

Instructions:

  • Get a blank piece of paper or open your journal.
  • Draw a circle in the middle and write “Passions” inside it.
  • Create spokes radiating from the circle and label each spoke with areas of your life, such as “Creativity,” “Learning,” “Helping Others,” “Adventure,” etc.
  • Under each spoke, list activities or interests that bring you joy or curiosity. For example, under “Creativity,” you might write “painting, journaling, writing poetry.”
  • Circle the ideas that excite you most and feel achievable right now.
  • Reflect on how you can start exploring one of these ideas today.

Follow-Up Question: What small, manageable action can I take this week to explore this passion further?

10 Journal Prompts to Ignite Your Passion

  • What activity do I feel most excited or inspired by right now? Why?
  • What have I always wanted to try but haven’t yet?
  • When do I feel most in flow, where time seems to disappear?
  • What childhood dream or interest have I forgotten that still sparks joy?
  • What would I do if I knew I couldn’t fail?
  • How would I spend my time if money weren’t a factor?
  • What cause or topic am I deeply passionate about, and how could I explore it further?
  • Who inspires me, and what about their journey resonates with me?
  • What’s one small thing I can do this week to step closer to something that excites me?
  • How can I celebrate and nurture my creative side today?

Call to Action

Start your journey today:

  • Spend 10 minutes journaling about what excites or inspires you.
  • Pick one small step toward a project you’ve been curious about.
  • Share your idea with a friend or community to build accountability.

The world needs your unique passions—what will you create? If this resonates with you, take a look at my coaching program and my writing courses – 6 weeks to a new you will get your passion project off the ground.

Let your journal be a mirror reflecting your true self, unfiltered and raw, capturing the essence of your journey through life.

Dale Darley
Reinvent Yourself: Embracing Change to Unlock Your True Potential

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