When Passion Isn’t Paying the Bills: A Teacher’s Honest Truth

Passion is what drives us, and doing it usually brings out the best in us. When it comes to choosing a career path, many often have the belief that it's better to work in a field or industry that aligns with our passion, as it often brings about fulfillment because you'll enjoy what you do, and the organization will also benefit from that. But what if you're being paid less in that play you have a passion for? Should you still stick to it or leave it for greener pastures so you can earn enough to attain financial stability? In this article, I'll be stating my opinion on both and the reason for that.

Personally, if you had asked me this question a decade ago, I would have given you a different response from what I do go for today, and that's due to my level of knowledge about and experience with life back then. I remember I once talked about leaving a well-paying job a decade ago for another that aligns with my passion. While working then, I must say that in truth I was enjoying my work, and it feels as though I'm being paid for having fun because working in a field you're passionate about is like free money. But then I must also say that why I didn't feel the impact of leaving that well-paying job for another that aligns with my passion that pays less was because my parents still send me some tokens for upkeep.

Having someone else pay part of my bills and having little or no responsibility made me feel comfortable making that decision, and I must say that even as of then, I was proud I did, as I perceived it to be the best decision, but do I think it's the right decision now? Definitely not, and that is due to my exposure and lesson about life through the years to date. I mean, if I were to see a well-paying job that's outside of the field I'm passionate about, I'd definitely jump on it immediately as much as it is legit.

Presently I work as a teacher, and it's worth noting that teaching is something I'm passionate about. I love imparting knowledge and mentoring young minds, and it's one of the reasons why I'm still working in that field despite seeing jobs in other fields that pay about the same wages or slightly above my earnings as a teacher, but if I were to see a well-paying job that won't drain me too much in other fields, I'd definitely dump my job as a teacher for it, as much as it guarantees me good pay and would ultimately pave my way to financial stability.

Be it a job as a cleaner, caregiver, waste collector, or what have you, once it pays well and it's legit, I'm willing to delve into it; money is an essential part of human survival, and it's quite frustrating when you can afford your basic needs due to it abstaining, so what's the point of doing something you're passionate about and giving it your all, and yet you lack what it takes to assure yourself a bright future financially? I won't want to grow old into my 70s and still be jumping from one job to another, and a well-paying job can help me gather enough to start a business that brings in steady income during my old age.

That's about it on my take on passion and money. While I would have loved to invest my time in my passion so it could generate me money, unfortunately here where I work and the country I find myself in, educators are the least appreciated and paid staff, so I'd rather just leave for a greener pasture than stay and struggle to my old age without anything to show for it financially.

All photos are mine.