“Follow your passion, and, above all, don’t let anyone limit your dreams.” ~ Donovan Bailey

I’ve been so incredibly lucky recently. I’ve (finally!) discovered my absolute passion, the thing that makes me sprint home from work, makes me jump out of bed in the morning (I know!) and gives me natural energy. Writing and reading about all things inspirational and communicating with my readers is what keeps me going.

If you’ve been reading Purpose Fairy for a while, you’re probably in this category as well.  If you’re anything like me, you probably have people in your life who respond to this is various ways:

People who think you’re a bit weird and just leave you alone.

People who are curious, but don’t want to ask about it in case someone else finds out.

People who ask and then have huge ‘a-ha’ moment as you speak.

People who are crazy interested and completely on the same wavelength.

People who think you’re just going through a bit of a phase and roll and their eyes at you.

People who laugh at it and joke that you’ll end up in a hippy commune before you can say ‘incense’.

However, for years, I was unwilling to tell anyone that I was interested in self-improvement and spiritually. I even managed to fool myself for a while and pushed it away for as long as possible. I didn’t want to look like I had my head in the clouds and definitely didn’t want to explain any of my reasons for dive-bombing into my passion and going full-steam ahead with it. Would everyone say ‘I told you’ so if it failed? What if they spoke about me behind my back? What if they criticized me?

I’ve learned over time that the universe will bring people and events into your path for a reason. It’s so easy though when you’re totally ‘in the zone’, to ignore all these comments and fire on through because you want it so badly. But often the universe guides you through the messages of those close to you.

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other’s opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.” ~Steve Jobs

How to Follow Your Passion when People Doubt You

Here are 5 ways to follow your passion when people doubt you, by listening to others, learning from their words and staying strong and grounded, even if you feel they’re not really helping you:

1. See it as a gift.

If someone chooses to ask about your interests, see this as a gift- they are giving their time and are genuinely interested in your life. Don’t presume they just being nice- you’ve obviously sparked something in them.

2. Hear their answers as much as you’d like them to hear yours.

They might have some golden wisdom of their own, and they might even be able to help you or connect you with someone.

3. Listen, really listen.

Listen to their concerns- they’re not always doing it to discourage you. Do you really need to spend thousands of dollars on that course when you could just start today? Are you procrastinating out of fear? Sometimes people see things that we don’t when we’re in our heads, and it’s these things that can really turn projects and ideas into game-changers.

4. Meditate on your passion.

And be sure it’s what you really what in your heart of hearts- are you doing it for you, or for someone else? Is this what you really want or are you doing it to prove a point to someone, or to yourself?

5. Don’t take it personally. 

If people seem to be laughing at you, laugh with them- don’t take it so personally. All my friends know I’m vegan, a metaphysical book freak and I love wearing 80’s clothing, and I’m fine with that (more importantly, I realized, so are they). Passionate should be joyous, liberating and harmonious, not serious, rigid and stifling.

Listen to others and thank them for their words. Sometimes, people have a funny way of showing it (cue family!), but they always have your best interests at heart. But just think, are they really holding you back or are you using them as an excuse not to blossom? You can share your insights by commenting below 🙂

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