#007 - The passion trap
+ homebody scrolling finds...
Are people still chasing being passionate about their work? As I scroll through TikTok, I’ve recently stumbled across several accounts of people quitting their high-demand corporate jobs and taking up post as a barista at their local coffee store, returning to retail as a book seller, or simply just going into a role that, to them, is simply a pay cheque, and a means to an end. As someone who has had her identity tied to her career ever since I left school, flogging myself through internship after internship and being driven by my parents to become an independent career driven woman, this recent shift in conversation makes me think on whether people are still hung up on being passionate about their work?
In Australia, we often tie our identities to our jobs, particularly in my generation. Even today, ask a kid what they want to be when they grow up, and you won’t often hear “a good friend”, or “a parent”… you’ll usually hear a job title (albeit a farfetched one, from horse trainer to astronaut).
When I think about what “the best job” looks like, it’s the one that fills your cup and feels like an extension of yourself. That’s what my job feels like (most of the time). But here’s the kicker: this obsession with “following your passion” has recently been reframed, and potentially exposed, as another way of keeping the rich rich, and everyone else chasing their tales.
The principle of passion often comes back to choosing a job that makes you feel warm and fuzzy, even if it means sacrificing a decent paycheck or job security. More than 70% of uni-educated Australians reckon passion is more important than a fat salary or stable gig. This mindset cuts across gender, race, and class like a knife through butter.
So, why are we so hooked on the passion principle? It’s not just about finding a good job, but trying to nail a good life. A good life has become the goal of the work, not that a good job creates a good life. White-collar workers are caught between being workaholics and living up to the cultural ideal of self-expression, but chasing passion seems to bridge this gap, making work a part of our identity and promising to ward off the boredom of long hours. Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life anyone?!?!?!
But here’s the clincher — not everyone can turn their passion into a well-paid, stable job that also allows work-life balance. Thanks to automation and outsourcing, those without a uni degree struggle to find passion-fueled roles, which is probably why ‘content creation’ and ‘digital marketing pyramid schemes’ have become such a huge trend in the past 12 months.
Even those with degrees, especially from working-class or first-gen backgrounds, often end up in low-paying jobs far removed from their dreams. Meanwhile, the well-off can wait for their dream job, thanks to financial safety nets and social networks.
This passion obsession isn't just personal—it's a big player in workplace inequality. What does it mean for our culture of overwork? How does it close off other paths to fulfillment? And how does it let employers exploit our very sense of self? As a business owner, this is something I have really struggled with navigating, as passion is obviously a huge thing that I want my team to feel about their work and their roles, but not making that exploitative is inherent to my values. The line is thin, but I am doing my best to walk it.
Now, when I have people ask me for career advice, I steer clear of the “follow your passion” mantra which steered me through my early 20s. Instead, I ask them to consider what they want their relationship with work to be, and where their priorities lie in terms of passion vs pay vs work/life balance.
The inequality that passion exploitation can lead to has me rethinking how I guide young people. Passion shouldn’t be the be-all and end-all. I remember being gaslit when I was entering the PR agency world by a hiring manager who couldn’t stop talking about how they “weren’t driven by money”, and it made me think that I should feel the same — I should be driven by passion and interest and culture. But why can’t I have both? We should push for better work conditions, reasonable hours, enjoying what we do and stronger social safety nets.
Ultimately, paid work shouldn’t gobble up our entire identity, and I’ve written about this before as something I struggle with on the daily. I’m trying to diversify where I find meaning — through hobbies, community engagement, and other interests, particularly as I step into motherhood. I am trying to shield myself from putting all my fulfillment eggs in one work basket, even if it remains my biggest basket as I type this. For me, I am getting back into cooking, trying new baking recipes, and saving some DIY projects to take on when I am no longer the dimensions of a beach ball on chipolatas. My husband and I are actively trying to find balance in my passion, and shrinking the footprint of work in our lives.
To wrap it up, the passion principle might not be a principle at all, but more of a passion trap. The jealousy hits in when I see people embarking on their pursuit of jobs that simply pay the bills. So for me, it’s about finding that balance. But I think if we can all reflect on how passion is affecting workplace equality… workplaces at large might end up a little better off for it.
Kinda obsessed with purchasing…
I am a bonafide homebody, and not in the way that someone who says they like to be home but is always witnessed in public is. I am almost always in my house, and this has only been exacerbated by pregnancy and my final trimester of pregnancy as I become less and less mobile. I’m not mad about it, because I love home, as my friends and family are fully aware. But it has led me to just become more and more passionate about my spaces and making every corner of my home spark joy, as Marie Kondo would say. I’ve been asked for styling advice from a few people lately (which is literally like the most flattering thing anyone could ever do), and in my research for these friends, the below is what’s ended up on my wishlist.
Studio Simone Painted Wood Picture Frame — I’ve become obsessed with finding beautiful photo frames as I have so many special memories I want to display, but find finding cute frames SO DIFFICULT. I’ve ended up on lots of handpainted UK creators pages and while I can’t afford this one, it’s in my wishlist regardless.
Sarah Goodwin Ziggy Frame — I found Sarah Goodwin’s work on my IG Explore page, and have a few from her on the way currently to decorate the nursery.
Norsu Rufus Bookends — I love the colour of these, and think they’d be so fabulous in an office, book ending a range of professional development or non-fiction novels.
Kayla Plosz Antiel wire fox terrier print — I also came across Kayla’s work on my IG Explore page, and was originally PUMPED about the idea of getting a commission of our dog, Gertrude, done by her. She’s not currently taking commissions (stinger), but she has so many cute scalloped prints available that are vintage inspired. I’ll probably wait for her commissions to re-open, but if you have a black lab or a terrier or a number of other pet breeds, you might find something perfect for you from her print collection.
Molly Goddard photography print — Molly is a Melbourne based florist but also sells these stunning prints on her website. This radish one is my fave, but she has heaps of options with different colour ways.
Kinda obsessed with reading…
Here are the most recent books I’ve read, and what I’d rate them:
Under The Influence by Noelle Crooks, 4/5 - an easy read that will be of particular interest to all my fellow PR & marketing girlies. A new age Devil Wears Prada comparison isn’t too much of a stretch I’d say.
What I Would Do To You, 3/5 - this was our last book club pick, and definitely spruiked conversation. It’s set in Queensland for my fellow Queenslanders, which is always an extra treat for a book.
Happiness Falls by Angie Kim, 3/5 - not perfect but highly intelligent, and thought-provoking so definitely worth a read.
Green Dot by Madeleine Gray, 3/5 - this one is wildly popular, and while I don’t mind an insufferable main character, this protaganist just got to me for some reason. Still very much recommend reading it, despite my average rating, I couldn’t put it down.
The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston, 5/5 - honestly, it’s a cheesy romance with time travel and I gobbled it up. No notes. The perfect read if you’re in Europe this summer.
A pretty solid streak if I do say so myself.
PS — if you’re a big reader, follow me on Goodreads here! I log every single book I read (as well as audiobooks I listen to… don’t @ me). I love seeing what other people read too so please add me so I can get even more inspo!
A final remark…
Enjoy this video of a toddler going for a walk in the rain in an excellent duck onesie. If anyone knows where I can get one of these bad boys in adult size, please HMU.
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and with that, friends, I’ll see you next time.
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