Lindsey Nordby

I am the type of person who has never been able to confine myself to one thing, but instead I like to do a little bit of a lot of things. There are different times in my life where one of my hobbies is more prominent than another. I think back to college, for example, where I made a side hustle out of photography. Now, while I still actively enjoy taking photos, I do it significantly less than I did in college.

Although, I have really struggled with this over the years. While I am passionate about a lot of things, somewhere along the way it was instilled in me that I have to make money off of all of the things I do. That has left me diving halfway into something I love and then trying to figure out how to quickly turn a profit from it.

Making a profit on the things you love is all well and good, until that becomes the reason you are doing something that you started doing as a hobby and passion.

A mindset shift that I have been and will likely always be working on is reminding myself that I am doing something because I love it, not because it’s a money maker. I have a great job that comfortably pays the bills, and sure, while being a full time entertainer or creative would be amazing, that is not my life (at least for now). Right now, I am focused on building a financially stable life for myself and my husband so that when the day comes that we decide to start a family, we are better prepared for it. And in the meantime, we want to live a comfortable and stable life, while engaging in activities that fuel us outside of work, and that is what we are doing, and we’re happy.

Though, even consciously recognizing this, every time I begin to work on something no matter what it is my mind begins spinning about how XYZ would make me happier or XYZ job/career path would be more fruitful.

I don’t know about you, but this KILLS the fun in that particular activity. When I start doing that, I start setting deadlines for myself and make it a task instead of something I do in my free time.

The phrase I keep trying to repeat to myself is “passion project”.

Just over a month ago I was telling my husband about the progress I was making on a book I am writing, and that night I was a little bummed about the lack of progress I had made. His response to me was how it was alright, because it was just a passion project, not something I am actively working towards getting published. He is completely right, but in the moment I had totally forgotten that. I was just thinking about a mental deadline I had set for myself.

Again, if you are building a business and turning a profit from your passions, that is fantastic! Seriously, go you. For me, at least for now, I have to remind myself that I’m not doing all these things for profit – I am doing them because I love them, and having a profit mentality pulls the joy from my hobbies.

I share all this because I want to encourage you: Seek out your hobbies, but don’t do everything for a paycheck. If that is what is meant to happen, it will. Though, in the meantime, put yourself fully into the things you are doing and enjoy them! When the time is right, a door will open, or God will nudge you to open one. If it’s meant to be a profitable venture, it will. But there is no need to stress about turning a profit now, if the time and place just isn’t right!

Let’s work to encourage each other and cheer one another on in our passions. But, if they’re not naturally profitable ventures (yet!), don’t force it! Live in the moment and enjoy the ride.