As I kid my mum and dad always said to me you can be whatever but ever since I’ve started making those “life changing decisions,” such as college and university, the “you can be anything” was just was thrown out the window. All my family wants to know what I’m majoring in, how much money I’m going to make or where is my choice now going to take me. At first, I resented this idea of defining your life with your job and how much money you make. Lately, I’ve been so focused on grades and applications, I’ve found that my passion for the things I once loved just faded. They became my childhood and I am now an adult. I loved learning new languages and understanding other cultures but I always made the excuses, “I’m so busy” or “when I get a spare minute.”
I need to just do it and stop procrastinating. These things make me happy why aren’t I pursuing them?
I spoke to a few of my friends and they all experienced something similar. A lot of them found their passions becoming a second thought over the constant pressure of adulthood:
“I miss the art I used to create it wasn’t always beautiful or elegant but it was my passion.”
“I loved piano but since I’ve been studying for my exams I just haven’t got the time.”
“I used to volunteer at a youth centre but I just couldn’t find the time.”
Why do all these passions have to be pushed aside when many of them are helping other people or giving something to the community?
The society and education system we go through mold people to stick to the rule book and to play it safe. A study in New Zealand concluded that when children were given the opportunity to take risks and do what they wanted their confidence and happiness increased and helped them become more mature and creative.
I find the staff at Affinity Magazine an inspiration all of the people that contribute and work hard to achieve the best. All the writers have such passion towards their opinion.
Our government shouldn’t be making budget cuts to schools when this is their pipeline of passion and creativity for the future. By cutting corners and putting pressure on students to make decisions about their life, they still have absolutely no idea what they want from life.
Let’s go head first into 2017 by supporting small businesses, trying something new and encourage the next generation to pursue a passion.
