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At age 70, I truly have to wonder if I am unusual in that I have never had any driving passions in my life. Oh, I liked my career, I liked being a parent, I loved/love my husbands, I enjoyed music and home ownership. I like travel, I do dog rescue. But, internally there has never been a deep, deep compelling engagement with anything that took over all other facets of my being. I’ve known people in the performing arts, or collectors, or helicopter parents. I know people who love history and continually explore new aspects or historical discoveries. Etc. etc. etc.
I’ve just always been a practical sort of person willing to put in the time, effort and funds to anything I believe in until it stopped making sense. I am sort of jealous of a person who will sacrifice just about everything to pursue a passion. Wonder, at this stage in life, how much joy I have missed out on. Am I unusual?
I would say half or maybe even the majority of people are in your shoes.
In a way, I envy people in your shoes, because, well ... if you don't have a passion, then there's no reason to feel your wasting time at your job.
It sounds like you have enjoyed what you've done in life, and who you've spent time with. I know people who have no interests and are bored with everything, all the time. I don't think you fit into that category, so no, I don't think you are unusual
I'm a very good writer. I have worked with dogs all my life. I love to read. But I find the overriding passions that cause you to neglect other vital parts of your life and development are not really positive things for the person engaged in them. A well-rounded life is very important, and OP, it sounds like you have one. I have a ton of hobbies I enjoy and interests I pursue. But really all I want at the end of the day is to have spent some time with friends or family, to have done something I enjoyed, and to know I'm going to lay down in my own bed at night with my pets snuggled up next to me.
I have many things in my life that I enjoy, my family, friends, job, pets, etc. I'm not sure I see the need for a particular passion, as life is unpredictable, and pursuing any singular passion can become difficult.
At age 70, I truly have to wonder if I am unusual in that I have never had any driving passions in my life. Oh, I liked my career, I liked being a parent, I loved/love my husbands, I enjoyed music and home ownership. I like travel, I do dog rescue. But, internally there has never been a deep, deep compelling engagement with anything that took over all other facets of my being. I’ve known people in the performing arts, or collectors, or helicopter parents. I know people who love history and continually explore new aspects or historical discoveries. Etc. etc. etc.
I’ve just always been a practical sort of person willing to put in the time, effort and funds to anything I believe in until it stopped making sense. I am sort of jealous of a person who will sacrifice just about everything to pursue a passion. Wonder, at this stage in life, how much joy I have missed out on. Am I unusual?
No, I don't think you're unusual at all. I think you're probably the norm.
The best feeling in the world is the orgasm. So if you have had and still have that, you are not missing anything.
A drug addict might say their drug of choice is even better than an orgasm. And that's certainly not to say that doing hard drugs to test that out is a good thing as it often leads to extreme disaster for the person and anyone involved with them. But they certainly are passionate about their drugs, and that goes to show that sometimes being overly passionate about something isn't always a good thing.
At age 70, I truly have to wonder if I am unusual in that I have never had any driving passions in my life. Oh, I liked my career, I liked being a parent, I loved/love my husbands, I enjoyed music and home ownership. I like travel, I do dog rescue. But, internally there has never been a deep, deep compelling engagement with anything that took over all other facets of my being. I’ve known people in the performing arts, or collectors, or helicopter parents. I know people who love history and continually explore new aspects or historical discoveries. Etc. etc. etc.
I’ve just always been a practical sort of person willing to put in the time, effort and funds to anything I believe in until it stopped making sense. I am sort of jealous of a person who will sacrifice just about everything to pursue a passion. Wonder, at this stage in life, how much joy I have missed out on. Am I unusual?
I think most people have busy lives and ever changing interests that make them well-rounded people without a real passion for any one thing.
Others have found something they're passionate about and really enjoy getting immersed in it.
One isn't any more fulfilling of a life than the other, I don't believe.
It sounds like you wish you had something to focus on at this point in your life. If that's the case, be curious, try a lot of things and you'll find it. I know retired men who took up woodworking and make amazing furniture. I know a woman who retired and took up painting - and is now selling her work. Another has learned French. One took a photography class and wonders where the camera has been her whole life.
Grandma Moses didn't start painting until she was in her 70's. Laura Ingalls Wilder was in her 70's when she had her first book published. Frank McCourt was in his 60's.
If you feel you want more at this point in your life - get out and see where your interests take you.
IMHO..."passion" is sometimes a misused/misunderstood/over-rated term.
I agree 100%. The term is over-used and kinda trendy. I'm hoping it falls by the wayside sooner than later. Puts too much pressure on normal, well-rounded, content people (like OP and myself). I love my husband and sons deeply. But passionately? Well, DH for sure when those moments strike! Not sure that would be appropriate to discuss, however, at a job interview where they want to know about my passions.
At age 70, I truly have to wonder if I am unusual in that I have never had any driving passions in my life. Oh, I liked my career, I liked being a parent, I loved/love my husbands, I enjoyed music and home ownership. I like travel, I do dog rescue. But, internally there has never been a deep, deep compelling engagement with anything that took over all other facets of my being. I’ve known people in the performing arts, or collectors, or helicopter parents. I know people who love history and continually explore new aspects or historical discoveries. Etc. etc. etc.
I’ve just always been a practical sort of person willing to put in the time, effort and funds to anything I believe in until it stopped making sense. I am sort of jealous of a person who will sacrifice just about everything to pursue a passion. Wonder, at this stage in life, how much joy I have missed out on. Am I unusual?
It sounds to me like you have a good balance. Seems like you are enjoying your life so wouldn't worry about it. A person can be passionate about say work. Their passion causes them to neglect their family. You don't have to worry about things like that. Think you struck a good balance. Be happy
I am one of those people who has an absolute passion for art . It’s not something I looked for or tried to have, it just is. I don’t feel it totally defines me though since I wear many hats in this life and love many other things.
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Not sure that would be appropriate to discuss, however, at a job interview where they want to know about my passions.
