Follow your passion - Practical Steps to live a passionate life and overcome depression

When we are passionate about something in our lives, we strive to achieve that goal or objective, or whatever you might call it. For example, consider a person passionate about playing cricket. In that case, they tend to engage in the activity as much as possible during their free time to revitalize themselves with the dopamine hormone released when doing something they love.

As we age, we often find ourselves involved in activities that dull our senses, whether it's due to work, daily tasks, or other commitments. This can result in insufficient time for engaging in the things we love, leading to a reduction in the release of happy hormones like dopamine, as the brain's reward system is not adequately activated.

Consequently, individuals may become unmotivated, resorting to activities that offer momentary pleasures and a brief burst of dopamine, such as binge eating, social media use, or binge-watching web series. This, in turn, can lead to the procrastination of important tasks, causing guilt. The experience of guilt can then spiral into frustration and anger, often expressed towards friends and family.

When individuals are asked about their passions, they often express a desire for certain activities, yet claim they don't have the time due to being "busy." This statement, "I am busy, so I did not engage in this activity I love," can be one of the most self-destructive affirmations individuals give themselves, ultimately leading to unhappiness.

Allow me to elaborate with an example: A 38-year-old man loves playing cricket. However, due to family responsibilities and work commitments, he finds himself unable to play. Rather than finding ways to manage his time effectively, he affirms that, being a grown-up now, he shouldn't be playing cricket. Deep down, he regrets not making time for the activity. When this vicious cycle persists across all the things he loves to do, it depletes his dopamine reserves.

While it is commonly understood that a lack or deficiency of dopamine can lead to depression, it is important to recognize that this deficiency also affects a person's ability to cope with everyday stressors. This can result in a loss of optimism and lead to blaming others or oneself for perceived shortcomings.

With this brief background, let me propose some common practices for our daily lives that can enable us to enjoy our passions while remaining productive in both personal and professional aspects.

Identify Your Sources of Happiness:

Acknowledge and list down the activities that bring you joy. Whether you're a 12-year-old or a 60-year-old, everyone has things they are passionate about.

Plan Your Daily Schedule:

Invest in a small task planner or download a planner app to schedule your daily tasks. Plan your activities for the next day and extend this practice over the next seven days.

Prioritize Based on Impact:

Among the things you're passionate about, order them considering two key criteria:

a. Impact on Others: Will the task potentially harm others (e.g., lying, breaking trust, borrowing money for non-essential purposes)?

b. Physical or Mental Impact: Will the activity affect you or those around you physically or mentally (e.g., drinking, smoking)?

Evaluate Passion vs. Addiction:

If a passion falls into either of these criteria, reconsider its worth. True passions, often developed since childhood, generally do not cause harm to oneself or others. Distinguish between genuine passion and addiction, such as with substances like alcohol or tobacco.

Identify Suitable Time Slots:

Over the next seven days, identify time slots for your passion that will have minimal impact on your personal and professional life. Strive for a balance that accommodates your interests without compromising your responsibilities.

Communicate with Family:

Sit down with your parents, spouse, or children and articulate the importance of pursuing your passions. Take the time to make them understand. Avoid preconceived notions that they won't comprehend; effective communication can break down such barriers.

Remember, finding a balance between your passions and responsibilities is a continuous process. Open communication and thoughtful planning can help integrate the things you love into your life without causing harm to yourself or others and help to overcome depression.