Here’s a more relatable and engaging version of your article:
I remember my days in the cubicle like it was yesterday, and the one thing that sticks out is the mind-numbing boredom. Before I caught the travel bug, I was working in hospital administration. I was the friendly face that greeted families when they came to visit their loved ones, and later, I worked in the surgery department’s admin office.
Our office was a small team of five, all older than me, and I was working for one of the doctors. There wasn’t always a lot to do, so I spent a lot of my time on MySpace and Friendster (remember those?) or just catching up on the news.
When I returned from my first trip in 2008, I found myself back in the same old routine. The boredom and the ample downtime led me to start a travel blog. Every day felt like a repeat of the one before. I felt stuck, uninspired, and stagnant. I kept asking myself, "What am I doing wrong?" I had a job, I worked out, I had a social life, hobbies, and good friends. Wasn’t this supposed to be the American dream?
But something was missing. I felt like I was living the plot of the movie Office Space. My mom used to say it was because I was in a job I didn’t love. She believed that once I found my passion, work would become more than just work. And she was right.
But finding your passion isn’t as simple as sitting down with a pen and paper and deciding, "This is what I’m passionate about." It’s something you stumble upon. You live your life, and one day, you realize that what you’re doing right now is what truly excites you.
I remember a friend from Thailand whose uncle fell seriously ill. She was a former marketing manager from New York City, but while she was caring for her uncle, she realized that her true passion was caring for people. So, she decided to become a nurse.
Another friend, Matt, discovered his love for gardening. He and his wife enjoyed growing their own food, and with each passing season, he found himself more interested in farming and less in his law practice. They’re now planning to buy a farm once his wife finishes her doctorate.
I had a similar experience. When I first started traveling, people thought I was crazy for giving up the so-called American dream. But I realized that the American dream wasn’t for me. I was trying to fit into a mold that wasn’t made for me. I wasn’t cut out for the 9 to 5 office life.
Traveling made me realize that my passion was seeing the world. It was only when I stepped out of my comfort zone and started living life on my own terms that I discovered what truly excited me. After a few years of blogging to fund my travels, I realized that this was what I loved doing. This was my career. I had found my passion.
If you’re unhappy or if you’re constantly daydreaming about a different life, you need to make a change. You need to step out of your comfort zone, try new things, and learn from your failures. You can’t win at life if you don’t participate in it. Watching Netflix all day won’t change anything. You won’t lose weight if you don’t exercise. You won’t meet new people if you don’t go out. You won’t find your soulmate if you don’t date. You won’t know your potential if you don’t push yourself.
You need to get out there and live life. Life happens outside your door, and you need to be a part of it. The day I quit my job was the day I took a step towards the life I wanted. Starting my blog was another step forward. Every day, I take one more step towards my ideal life, whether it’s reading a bit longer, cooking dinner, signing up for archery classes, learning how to garden, joining social clubs, or booking that cheap flight I found.
Your life won’t change unless you make the effort to change it. And the same goes for you. A lot can happen when you participate in life. But you need to play the game to win. Even if you don’t find your passion, you’ll discover new interests and hobbies. So stop daydreaming and start living. Make the changes you want to see in your life. Remember, small ripples can turn into big waves.
