And no, you're not behind for still figuring things out.
One of the most common inspirational quotes out there goes something like this: "Follow your passion, and success will follow you."
It's a quote that's inspired so many people, and I understand why. It sounds hopeful, like if you just find that one thing, everything else will fall into place. But the truth is, it's not a one-size-fits-all kind of advice.
Even now, I still get a little nervous when someone asks me those kinds of big questions:
"So, what's your passion?" "What's your dream?"
It always feels like you're expected to answer with something extraordinary. Something powerful. Something life-defining.
I admire the people who have a clear answer. I really do. But I also know there are a lot of us out here who are still... figuring it out. And that's okay too.
You're Not Behind. You're Still Becoming
The truth is, many people don't know what their "passion" is, not when they choose their major, not when they enter college, and sometimes not even years into their career.
They may enjoy parts of what they do, feel curious, even committed, but still don't have a single thing they can point to and say, "That's it. That's what I was born to do."
And that's not something to be ashamed of. Because passion isn't always something you're born with. It's often something you build.
You're Not Alone If You Don't Know Yet
According to a study by Stanford psychologist William Damon, only about 20% of people under 26 can clearly define a life passion.
That means 4 out of 5 young people feel uncertain, still exploring, still unsure, still searching.
That's not a flaw. It's not failure. It's normal.
We often picture passion as this magical "aha" moment. A bolt of lightning. One day you wake up and suddenly know. But more often, passion is something that takes shape slowly.
It starts when you try something, stay with it long enough to get better, and one day someone says:
"Hey, you're really good at that."
And something lights up inside you. That feeling of excitement, that pull to go deeper, that's passion starting to take root. But here's the key: it usually comes after you start, not before.
So if you're waiting to "find your passion" before you take action, you might end up standing still for a long time.
Start Small. Let Passion Catch Up.
For me, that's exactly how it happened.
I didn't wake up one day and say, "This is what I want to study, this is the work I want to do forever."
It started with trying. Then learning. Then realizing I was actually kind of good at it. That I enjoyed it. That I was curious about this topic long before I ever put a name to it.
And step by step, my path became clearer, not because I knew, but because I moved.
That story, maybe I'll share in full another time. But the point is, you don't need to know everything in order to begin.
Shift the Questions You Ask Yourself
Instead of asking:
"What was I born to do?"
Try asking:
"What am I naturally drawn to?" "What do I enjoy doing or learning about , even just a little?" "What's something I lose track of time while doing?"
Sometimes the answers are quiet. Sometimes they change. And that's okay.
You don't need to have your life figured out to start building it. You just need to begin somewhere, with curiosity, with intention, with openness.
Passion will meet you along the way. But don't just wait for it. Be open. Try. Explore. Reflect. Because some of the most important choices in your life might not come from passion, but they may one day lead you to it.