by Olivia Burger, Dupaco Community Credit Union, & YP Co Director of Programs

The daily grind, we are all used to it. Wake up, go to work, get home and try to unwind with a glass of wine or two, go to bed and do it all over again the next day. Week after week, Monday through Friday, 8-5. Time is precious, life is short. How do we find or make time for the things we love and are passionate about?

Regardless of the type of job that you have, a majority of us often spend more time in the office then we do in our own homes. There’s nothing wrong with being a hard worker and putting in some extra hours, but it’s important to know that you still need to make time outside of work for YOU. And not only just making time in general, but specifically making extra time to focus on your passion.

Some of us may be lucky enough to have a career that combines both our job and our passion, but others may not. What fuels your fire? Whether it’s writing, cooking, music, playing sports, animals or volunteer work, if you’re not one of the lucky few who gets to tie that into your regular work day, it’s important to find time for those things once you get home. Set time aside, schedule yourself a specific day or two out of the week to work on your hobbies or passion. Think of it as “penciling yourself” into your own daily planner or set a reminder on your smartphone.

One way to figure out what a passion of yours might be is to think back to when you were younger. What was the one thing or things that brought you true happiness? Before bills, family obligations and responsibilities came into the picture, what was the thing that got you excited to wake up every day? Now, if that thing is no longer a part of your life, think back and figure out why. Consider the reasons why it may have slipped from your daily life, and if there is an alternative solution to bring it back. Maybe you injured your knee playing ball and had to stop, but now can use your passion and experience to coach, whether it is your son’s soccer league or daughter’s softball team. Making your passion or hobby work for you is important, so make sure it is something you enjoy, but also something you can maintain.