Lately, the topic of being a multi-passionate, multidimensional human being has been coming up for me….

I was in conversation with my friends about this in a community call, where I shared about my thoughts and feelings of being torn about my passion and side hustles I was pursuing. Then my coach brought up an important question:

When we feel overwhelmed by having multiple passions,

is it coming from a place of ego? A place of fear?

Or is it a sign that we’re out of alignment? That really stuck with me.

I teach people to pursue their passions; more specifically, first-generation immigrants who want to live a thriving life abroad. In contrast to my values and teachings, I’ve been overwhelmed by the challenge of juggling a multi-passionate life. I found myself spiraling into thoughts that I wasn’t succeeding in my passions, confusing passion with the pressure of making an income. I’ve realized that having multiple passions also comes with the pressure of monetizing them (certainly for me).

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Growing up, I watched my parents embody a relentless work ethic. They hustled day in and day out, often times rarely taking vacations, dedicating themselves fully to their careers.

Today, even in their 60s, my mom remains deeply involved in her local community, and my dad continues to teach part time despite being retired.

As someone with a part-time job, I naturally seek out various income streams. Yet here, in my life abroad, I’m beginning to question that inherited mindset (maybe). On my off days, I find it nearly impossible to relax where I feel compelled to fill every moment with something new and exciting, associating “busyness” with accomplishment 😭

This conversation sparked a realization, a TikTok I saw, that had earlier ignited an idea about following your dreams and pursuing things you never had the chance to.

Growing up, my focus was solely on studies aside from participating in extracurriculars that required mental focus and knowledge- like debate competitions and school functions.

But the goal was never just to participate; it was always to win. I was taught from an early age that everything was a competition :( if I didn’t come out on top, I was losing in life.

My parents placed so much emphasis on grades that any shortfall made me my own harshest critic. on those days, guilt would engulf me, leading to all-night study sessions, missed hangouts with friends, and even pressure to just study and study till I passed out on my study desk lol.

🫶Looking back, I see that this mindset was deeply unhealthy. Yet, in a society that measures smartness by test scores and class rankings, it becomes nearly impossible to escape that narrative, it becomes a way of life.😮‍💨

I was also an introvert growing up:

shy, reserved, and only daring to speak up in class, though I rarely found the courage to socialize beyond those moments. In my attempts to make friends throughout my schooling years, I often ended up feeling even more alone

Now, however, I’m learning to love myself despite my flaws and embrace the journey of who I am becoming.

I don’t know who or where I’d be if I had stayed back home, and yes, I do miss the comfort of family and old friends.

But I love the process of transformation-

my journey of personal development feels like the metamorphosis of a butterfly, evolving from a humble caterpillar into a beautiful, fully formed being.🦋

I might not yet know how to swim or ride a bike, but it’s never too late to learn. I’ve taught myself to drive, picked up new languages, and most importantly, reconnected with my inner child. These small victories ALWAYS bring me joy.

In a world that often tries to strip us of our joy, it’s essential to surround ourselves with people and experiences that spark happiness.

Embracing who we are, with all our imperfections, is the first step towards a truly thriving life 💌

Sending you hugs and love in your journey too <3

-Roji