Passion has led me to the most fulfilling moments in both my personal and professional lives, without a doubt.
I consider myself quite passionate, in the most positive sense of the word—and sometimes not so positive, especially when I was younger. Historically, passion was seen as a negative, overpowering emotion, something we had to endure rather than enjoy. Derived from the Latin words passio/patere (meaning "to suffer"), it’s easy to see why it earned such a bad reputation. But today, we understand passion as a strong liking, a deep desire, or devotion to activities, objects, or concepts. This modern interpretation of passion as a positive force is what I believe truly drives success.
When I channel my energy and time into my passions, doors begin to open. With each door I dare to step through, I encounter experiences I never could have imagined. I started to think about the importance of following one’s passions after a friend recently mentioned how passionate I appear when I talk about something I love, and how that enthusiasm draws people in, even if they haven't heard of it before or aren't particularly interested in the topic.
So today, I want to share a few examples from both my personal and professional life to illustrate how following my passions has led me to what I consider a very happy and successful life.
Following my passions in my personal life
One of my first passions was (and still is) music. Pursuing this passion led me to study Sound Engineering and, most importantly, to play in many bands. With one of these bands, I recorded an album and performed in legendary venues, even opening for a very popular band in front of thousands. The music industry is hard, to say the least, but my passion carried me through the toughest challenges. I have some of the best memories from this time.
A different kind of passion that I followed, concerning heart affairs, led me to marry a man I had only physically been with for two weeks. We had a long-distance relationship for a year as we figured out the quickest way to be together. Did I know it would work out? Absolutely not, but he was as passionate as I was, so if it wasn’t going to work out, at least I knew I was going to have a good time! Nearly eight years later, we are still happily married and living in a city we both adore.
Finally, as a long-time lover of anything Brazilian, I started dancing Samba after getting married and moving to Barcelona. I had never taken dancing lessons in my entire life—well, that’s not entirely true. I did once, but I injured myself on the first day and never went back. I thought I was unable to dance; however, my passion was stronger. I gave it another try, loved it, and it brought me immense joy. It even helped me heal after my mom passed away. On top of it all, it took me to Brazil three times to dance in the official Rio Carnival parade, something beyond my wildest dreams.
Following my passions in my professional life
During my twenties, I was not passionate about the job I was doing. Working in sound was great, and I was passionate about it, but the industry was not what I expected, and as a woman in a male-dominated space, it was hard to find interesting jobs—if at all. So, I quickly shifted careers towards TV production. And, although I enjoyed it most of the time, it never ignited true passion in me. I hardly ever talked about it, felt indifferent about attending industry events, or sharing my progress. In all honesty, I was more interested in growing my personal life, having fun, and enjoying my youth.
However, this took a dramatic turn when I discovered my passion for Web3. It was this crazy new tech world that offered so many possibilities for both myself and the world at large. It captivated me completely. Feeling so passionate about it, I was compelled to leave the corporate world I had grown tired of and become a solopreneur. I suddenly found myself unable to stop talking about Web3, constantly attending industry events, and empowering others both inside and outside the space to continue growing within it.
Once I became a solopreneur, I embraced my passion for writing and storytelling, a calling that took some time for me to recognize and act upon. Now, I engage in this full-time with clients I am genuinely excited to work with, and it brings me immense joy. Lately, I’ve started pursuing another passion project—Formula 1. It’s still early days, but I am already noticing opportunities emerging simply because I am pursuing what excites me.
I'm confident that continuing to follow my passions will lead to more opportunities—perhaps unexpected ones, but fulfilling nonetheless. And I am sure this will not be the last.
So, dear reader, follow your passions!
People often tell me how much they enjoy seeing my "passion" when I discuss the topics I love. It’s clear that passion is not just an internal fire; it radiates outward, drawing others in. This visibility of passion opens doors to new opportunities. And it’s evident that when you let your passion shine, the world takes notice—and that can lead to wonderful, unexpected and successful paths.
Now, I would love to know how passion has shaped your life. I invite you to share your experiences in the comments below. Your stories inspire us all!
Additionally, if you don’t feel like passion has shaped your life, I challenge you to dedicate at least one hour each week to pursue something you feel passionate about. I can assure you that this practice will slowly transform your life.
Until next time, dear reader, follow your passions!
-Sabrina
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⚡️About Sabrina Bonini
Sabrina Bonini is a content specialist, writer, and educator who thrives as a multi-passionate solopreneur. She’s currently creating content about Web3, new technologies, and Formula 1.
On a personal level, Sabrina writes the weekly publication ✍️ Diary of a Modern Solopreneur, bringing readers along on her solopreneur journey and sharing insights and lessons in hopes of empowering others on the same path.
When she’s not busy typing away, she’s picking up new hobbies, indulging her curiosity, or playing hide-and-seek with her fluffy cat. Discover more about her work and connect with her on LinkedIn.
🤯 I'd love to hear more about you meeting your husband and what your relationship was like in the first year or 2. That sounds unique!
Where were you before Barcelona?