Inspiration and motivation can be hard to come by, especially if you’re stuck in a rut of an everyday routine and are working at a position that doesn’t allow for a much creative outlet.

Trust me, I completely understand. I spent two years working a 9 to 5 office job, and I struggled with getting out of bed on some days.

Then, there was only one thing that could get me started in the morning. It became the source of not only energy but of enthusiasm and exploration. You’ve probably guessed by the title that the cause of my zeal become coffee.

 

 

 

It all started off as a joke between my friends and me, as I’m the type of person who prefers sticking to familiar things, so I tended to always order the same thing. I was challenged to experiment a bit, and I took to it.

It led to me making a decision to start trying out different flavors and recipes until I found the perfect one to my taste palette.

It’s truly incredible what an effect such small and simple decision can start having in your life. Once I ran out of options at my local coffee shops, I started exploring some I’ve never even considered visiting before.

I tried out brews I never knew existed, and soon my standard Americano order was replaced with that of Turkish coffee, a delicacy I knew I had to get my hands on. This led to my trip to Turkey, the land of the brew.

I spent some time in Istanbul, wondering the streets, and pondered life as I visited various famous landmarks. Sightseeing in a world so different from mine, I realized that the main reason I wanted to travel is to experience coffee tastes on a local level.

An extremely nice old lady, with whom I was staying with, always brewed some Turkish coffee in the morning and we would have it together, talking over breakfast for hours. In this week, I learned more about Turkish people from their coffee habits than I ever could from the tourist guide.

I’m not necessarily recommending that you start experimenting with coffee yourself- or any other food or drink. But I definitely recommend trying to find that special something that will help your steps gain a special kick.

To help you locate your passion, I’ve assembled a 3-step guide to discovery:

1. Experimentation

The first step is to stop what you’re doing and get out of the routine. Spice things up a bit, say ‘yes’ to new things more often and rediscover old hobbies. It doesn’t have to be big to start with, and it will be something different for everyone.

Watch that movie you always wanted to watch. Make time for the 50-hour TV show you just never could fit into your schedule. Read the book that is on your list since 2015. Try ice-skating for the first time, do some volunteer work, meet new people, go to more parties. Don’t be afraid to try things out- that’s the fun of it.

2. Observation

Experimenting is amazing, but you need to also keep in mind the effects it has on you. Did finishing the book/project/movie come with a sense of accomplishment? Did it put a big smile on your face? Can you see yourself using it as a mechanism of letting loose and keeping stress at bay?

Completely simplified it is exploring things that may make you happy and then recognize when they do. And rinse and repeat.

3. Relax and Enjoy

A lot of people make mistakes of trying to monetize their hobbies. It is great when it works out, but in most cases trying to earn money from doing what you enjoy in your free time will guarantee that the task will become tedious.

This is why I recommend developing a ritual of relaxation, something that acts as a reset button for you- leaving you feeling fresh and relaxed after.

After all, that’s the best part about having a passion- it takes you to a whole different world.

My personal experience is that everyone has something they believe in, the light at the end of the tunnel, something that keeps them going when things get rough. But it’s also okay if you’re not so certain about what your anchor is if you’re between passions and are exploring your horizons.

Keep this simple guide in mind when you’re ready to find what you believe in- it will end up being more than worth it. I, together with my fateful cup of Turkish coffee, wish you all the luck on this journey of self-discovery.