Passions have become something we sample widely yet rarely savor. Pressured by peers, parents, and the pursuit of success, we rush at the opportunity to join a club, pick up an instrument, or start a sport. However, our initial adrenaline-induced excitement often vanishes as quickly as it comes. When encountering obstacles, we rarely reflect before hastily quitting, which prevents us from unearthing rewards. Crucially, we forget the clichéd but relevant truth: the process can be just as enjoyable as the result.

   When trying out a new interest, stepping out of our comfort zone can be unexpectedly rewarding. Junior Tiffany Au says she was nervous to join the soccer team as a freshman, but it ultimately helped her grow closer to her friends and spark a deeper interest in the sport.

   It takes time to fall in love with something. I’ve tried to quit piano for years. Since the beginning of middle school, I loathed the arduous press of each key and the tedious hours spent cramming in music theory. It wasn’t until sophomore year that I began gravitating towards music. Even though I look back on the grueling decade spent practicing with displeasure, I can confidently say that without it, I wouldn’t have been able to understand music to the degree I can today. Without my piano, I may have never been able to learn other instruments or composition quickly.

   While commitment is key to developing passion, it’s equally important to recognize when an activity no longer serves you. I was addicted to programming until I came to abhor it. However, I kept forcing myself to continue because I’ve committed five years of my life to it. With the temptation of achieving merit—such as winning a competition —it’s often hard to quit something we no longer enjoy. But does that shiny award bring us fulfillment, or simply temporary exhilaration from external approval? After I realized programming was more taxing than fulfilling, I decided to stop, freeing up more time to explore music.

   It’s easy to be mesmerized by something new and exciting, blinding us from what we love. Figuring out what you’re passionate about can feel like a waste of time. Only when we are willing to challenge ourselves, commit, and pivot—being brave enough to walk away from what no longer fits—can our passions reveal themselves.