What is even a passion project?
I have dreams, like everyone. They’re changing quite frequently, and I change my mind all the time.
One day I want to become a millionaire; the other day, finding an excellent job at a big company is enough. Sometimes, I just want to start my own business and sell my artwork. The next day I wake up and decide to be more elite and only work with galleries.
I always chase my dreams, but they keep changing the direction. Then it gets more complicated.
Nowadays, I see that many people are mostly looking at their materialistic gains (realised myself is included): when you like drawing and are good at it (not even have to be REALLY good), you can start selling your works on Etsy, or work commission based. When you’re good at making resin art, maybe it’s good to start a small business promoted on TikTok.
But why do we want to profit from our hobbies all the time? Are there any “passion projects” left that are purely for ourselves?
I recently realised that I share the same mentality. I would like to profit from my passion; I don’t start a project to display my works, but I also want to make some cash on the side.
In 2021 (a veeerrry long time ago, right?), I started Dreamscape, a simple Instagram account to sell my artworks and find clients for commissions. I posted pretty consistently for a month or so, and then I stopped it. If I have to be honest, I got overwhelmed by it. I set goals for myself and had time and effort to put into Dreamscape, yet, after it became a “work”, I lost my motivation.
Now, I am doing all sorts of copywriting, research and writing assignments, doing a traineeship and trying to work out my diploma. We will see how it goes at the end of 2023 since I made a highly professional business plan for my “company” where I am the only employee and the founder.
I’m still open for commissions for Dreamscape and will start selling artworks on Etsy, but I promised myself that Dreamscape is a semi-passion project. It is a platform where I improve myself and show my works to the world. The materialistic gain will only be a cherry on top.
Besides the account, I decided to expand this “passion project” into writing articles. Articles about whatever I want. Not whenever I want, though; II want to be consistent and stay responsible to myself.
So, yeah, I started this article by questioning what is even a passion project. I will find that out this year. Trying to see what it really means to stay true to myself and to my passion.
