Passion: The key ingredient for creativity

Welcome to Creatives Anonymous, a weekly newsletter that explores what it means to be a modern-day creative through essays, interviews, and commentary.

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In the classic 00’s film Legally Blonde, Elle Woods delivers the following line during her commencement speech: “On our very first day at Harvard, a very wise Professor quoted Aristotle: 'The law is reason free from passion." Well, no offense to Aristotle, but in my three years at Harvard, I have come to find that passion is a key ingredient to the study and practice of law—and of life.”

Passion is also a key ingredient for creativity. 

Think back to when you were a kid. You probably tried a lot of activities—sports, hobbies, and so on. I know I did (karate, soccer, basketball, and fashion illustration, to name a few). And of all the activities you try, only a few stick with you through to adulthood. The ones that did probably shaped your professional career or creative pursuits. 

As kids, we chased our curiosity. It’s why we switched activities so often. We tried something, decided whether we liked it or not, and quit it or stuck with it. And often, the activities we ended up sticking with were a direct result of our passion for them. 

Curiosity and passion go hand in hand. Curiosity fuels passion, and passion in turn keeps you curious. 

Our passion only finds us as we chase our curiosity. It develops as we try different things. It’s the only way for us to discover what we like and what we don’t. And we might develop a passion for something we never thought possible, but we don’t know unless we take action. 

As kids, passion drove our decision-making. We didn’t have to justify why we liked doing something; we just did it. 

However, the older we get, the more we feel like we need a reason for pursuing what we do, whether it's because the money’s good or it’s where the next big opportunity lies. 

We don’t let ourselves follow our passions. In fact, we’re told not to follow them. 

Somewhere along the way, we stopped being curious. We stopped wondering what would happen if we took the alternate route. We settled for the status quo because we believe that’s the only path we can take. We set aside any notion of passion and instead replace it with what’s practical and safe.  

To rediscover passion, we need to tap back into our child-like wonder and curiosity. We must normalize the idea that it’s never too late to discover new passions, and that it’s okay if our passions change. Just because we were passionate about something at one point in our lives doesn’t mean we have to stick with it forever. We can fall out of love with things, and give ourselves permission to change our dreams. 

The example that comes to mind for me is tennis. When I told my parents I took up tennis as a hobby a few years ago, the first thing my dad said was, “I couldn’t get you out there for years and now you’re interested in playing?” 

It’s because I wanted to explore it on my own in a way that didn’t feel obligated or forced. 

When we force ourselves to do things, we end up losing passion for them. It’s why kids fall out of love with sports—often, they’re only sticking to them out of parental obligation. 

Passion can’t be forced; it has to be found. It has to feel natural. We have to want to do it. And it only grows when we give ourselves the space to follow what feels energizing, not what feels expected. 

So, if you’re looking to find what you’re passionate about, try something new. Revisit something old. Allow yourself to be a beginner. Let your interest and curiosity lead. Give yourself permission to explore. 

You never know what you’ll fall in love with and how it might shape what you do next.

Creative Corner

• 🎞️ What I’m Consuming: Summer in the City by Alex Aster.

• 💡 What I’m Loving: I came across a “Little Free Greenhouse” in my neighborhood that was giving away propagated plant clippings. Such a genius concept, and of course, I walked away with one.

• 🎨 What I’m Working On: Setting up my new planner, which starts on August 1!

• 💭 Weekly Musing:

Thank you 💕

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I’m so grateful for all of your support!

Alexa Phillips is a writer, brand strategist, and multi-passionate creative. She is the founder of Bright Eyes Creative, a Seattle-based brand consultancy and media company that helps founder-led consumer brands and creatives design content-driven brand experiences and media.

Where to find me:

• Learn more about my services 

• Listen to my recent podcast episodes.