In the landscape of creative careers, there’s a path we all believe we must follow—a journey that begins with passion and purpose, driving us to become indispensable cogs in the industry machine. We’re told that success is about growth, about carving out our own space in the world, and about building something bigger than ourselves. But what happens when the path disappears? What happens when the passion fades, and the purpose dissolves into the background noise of an unforgiving world?
The anxiety that creeps in when passion falters is an all-consuming force. For many of us, we began our careers full of fire, driven by a love for what we do. Whether it was VFX, art, games, or another creative endeavor, we poured ourselves into our work, believing that this was our purpose. We built skillsets, amassed toolkits, and even gained some financial security along the way. But then, somewhere along that path, life has a way of throwing unexpected obstacles our way—like the devastating impact of a global pandemic. COVID-19 didn't just disrupt economies and health; it attacked something deeper, something more personal. It challenged our sense of direction, our passion, and ultimately, our purpose.
It’s easy to lose yourself in the daily grind, especially when that grind starts to feel purposeless. The passion that once fueled late nights and endless creativity can start to wane under the weight of uncertainty. And when that passion is gone, what’s left? A purposeless existence—an idea so terrifying that it sends us spiraling into anxiety and depression. This isn’t just about the work; it’s about the core of our existence. What do we do when the things that once defined us no longer hold meaning?
The fear of a purposeless life is paralyzing. It’s the kind of fear that grips your mind, amplifying every doubt, every insecurity, until it becomes a monster too large to fight. The anxiety that comes with this fear doesn’t just sit quietly in the background; it grows, consuming every part of you until it’s all you can think about. The very idea of losing your purpose, of living a life without meaning, spirals you into a dark place where the anxiety itself becomes the new reality.
As creative professionals, we’re taught to thrive on passion. But what happens when that passion is beaten down, when life events—like a pandemic—strip away the very things that once brought us joy? What happens when we wake up one day and realize that the spark is gone, replaced by a relentless anxiety that we can’t seem to shake? The truth is, many of us find ourselves lost in this spiral, struggling to find a way out.
There’s no easy solution to this problem, no quick fix that can restore the passion we once had. The reality is that life will never be easy, and the anxiety of existence is something we must face head-on. Søren Kierkegaard once said, "Anxiety is the price of the ticket to life." It’s a fundamental ingredient in the development of self. To exist and to think as a human is to be anxious. But what do we do with that anxiety? How do we move forward when it feels like we’re drowning in it?
Perhaps the answer lies in accepting that the journey isn’t always about passion. Sometimes, it’s about survival. It’s about finding new ways to navigate the uncertainty, even when the path isn’t clear. It’s about redefining what purpose means to us, not as a grand, all-encompassing goal, but as a series of small steps that keep us moving forward. It’s about facing the anxiety, acknowledging it, and using it as fuel to keep going.
In the end, the battle between passion, purpose, and the anxiety of existence is one we all must face. It’s a struggle that defines the human experience, especially in a world that’s constantly shifting beneath our feet. But it’s also a reminder that we are resilient, that we can adapt, and that even in the darkest moments, there is always a way forward. We may lose sight of our passion, we may falter in our purpose, but as long as we keep moving, keep striving, we can find our way through the spiral.
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