Passion VS Job
By pinkpiglet
@pinkpiglet (330)
Philippines
July 19, 2011 3:23am CST
My passion is performing. I love to sing, dance, act and basically be on stage and perform in front of a lot of people. I've been doing this ever since I was a kid. But now that I've graduated college, I thought I should really focus more on getting a proper job, and put aside first my love for performing. So I got a job as a teacher. It was fun and I enjoyed the company of children. But somehow, there was still something that's missing. I really missed performing. Teaching in a classroom can somehow be similar to performing in front of people, but it's still different and I still felt incomplete.
So after a year, I quit my teaching job and concentrated on going to auditions. But unfortunately, I didn't get any steady and long-term performing opportunities. Should I just have kept my teaching job and give up on my singing career dream, or did I make the right decision on following my dreams?
Are you guys happy with your job now or are you still dreaming of having that job that is related to your passion?
11 responses
@innocence2011 (2)
• China
19 Jul 11
when i get my first job ,i pay more passion to do it ,as time goes by ,i gradually feel boring,because the job is simply and no communication with people,just sit beside the computer,press the keyboard....oh my god ,nightmare...so,five month later,i quit ,and now,i wanna hunt a excited job,the salary is not important,but how much passion i pay is the most.
@lovebetty (1)
• China
20 Jul 11
it's my first job,it's a nightmare.I want to change my life.I'm looking for "more worthwhile work".
@mjcookie (2271)
• Philippines
20 Jul 11
This may sound too idealistic, but I do believe in NEVER EVER giving up on your dreams. After all, your dreams are a big part of who you are; they identify who you are as a person. It's about perfect timing, as many people say, even when sometimes you just cannot wait any longer.
I'm currently studying right now in the arts field, and I chose this because I can incorporate into it many types of arts that I love: music, dancing, theater, etc. Yes, I like the same things that you do, and it is sad how these fields sometimes seem too hard to reach given the competition and the few opportunities available. I mean, it's always easier to be a computer specialist or an engineer once you have the degree, but an actor or a performer? Oh my God. You'd have to work your way really hard to get there. Even when you're already working, you can still try pursuing your dreams. It's never too late. I think one of the best ways to waste life is to live it the way you don't want to live it. Sometimes we just feel like we don't have a choice, but we ALWAYS have a choice. Even when it means compromising many things, you should always go for what the heart speaks.
I know it's hard to go after them when the situation expects you to do otherwise (e.g. you have a family to feed), but they've got to understand.
As Coldplay says, "Nobody said it was easy."
Good luck on that. :)
@puccagirl (7294)
• Israel
19 Jul 11
I don't exactly have my dreamjob at the moment, but it is in the same field, and I hope it will lead to my dreamjob (which is having my own company one day) eventually. SO I could be worse off, I guess.
I think everyone should try to pursue their dreams when given the chance, but you also have to realize when you have to give up on them. So I think you did the right thing, but if things don't pick up, you might want to consider doing something else for a while. That doesn't mean you have to forget about your dreams though, you can always try to go back to pursuing them again after a while.
@Jelminrie (358)
• Philippines
19 Jul 11
Like you i always wanted to be out where i am now, i want to break free! But i need this, even though i want to have time, studies to equip myself to be what i want to be i can't I am afraid to step out of my comfort zone, afraid to lost a job and not be able to get a good one. Happy yes but not all the time because i am looking for some self fulfillment but i am figuring it out maybe i am just being selfish to myself and my job maybe this is where i should be, i am giving my job a chance, All things work together for good.
@RJlady1 (144)
• United States
19 Jul 11
Well, starving is not worth following your dreams. I'd say at least a part time job keeps a person's hand in to keep their resume looking good and keeps food on the table. Then a person would still have time to pursue something else as well.
I don't think anyone should ever stifle their creativity, but there is a balance unless someone is independently wealthy. There is just so much competition out there when it comes to the performing arts.
@diala84 (138)
• United States
20 Jul 11
I think it is irresponsible to quit your job for a hobby. However, if you can do activities in your free time to gain a following, practice your talent, volunteer in a related area and make strides to gain opportunities in that area. Then hopefully you can grow that into a career and quit your day job. Sometimes you have to compromise to make ends meet but that doesn't mean you have to give up your dream it just means it may take some time to get there.
I have never really had a true passion. I have lots of hobbies and interests but none I consider doing full time. I like gardening, painting, dancing, crafts, helping others, etc.. but sometimes it is hard to fit all your interests into a single job or career so I work doing some of these things and have some as hobbies.
@Graceekwenx (3160)
• Philippines
19 Jul 11
Hi Pink! I am a singer but more on the classic genre. Here in the Philippines, classical artists arent paid well enough to really make it a living. This is the reason why i had to shift to science course which is not what i really wanted. I felt that i had made the right decision to just making my singing hobby a pastime and good enough for little gigs. I am a medical claims analyst now and i loved it just the same.
For practicality, my advice to you is to go back to your teaching job. Your singing career dream will always be around you as it is your passion. You can always apply your performing arts when you are in school. Before you know it, you might even be considered by the school to handle directing a play.
@rappeter13 (8608)
• Romania
19 Jul 11
If you have a passion, you have to continue doing it. But if you cannot make a living out of it, you must concentrate more on the job, because in order to live we need money, as the things which are needed are bought with money. Follow your dream, but you have to know your limits.
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
19 Jul 11
Well, if you don't really need the money because you have it even without a job, then you can very well go after your passion of singing. You can go to those auditions as long as you like.
But if you need to earn money, then you can go after your passion while working. You can go to those auditions on your days off.
@thatgirl13 (7294)
• South Korea
19 Jul 11
Wow we seem to share the same passion. i have a huge love for singing, dancing, acting, basically anything that has to do with performance.
Anyway what was your major in college? Did it have to do anything with performance? If it did I really think that is a plus point and you can continue with it.
@RBBantiles (347)
• Philippines
19 Jul 11
I don't know if this is really your cup of tea, Friend Pinkpiglet, but you might find inquiring about possibilities at the UP College of Music (or is it Conservatory?) worth your time. I don't really know. It might be worth a try.
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