When you hear the word “passion”, what is the first thing that comes to mind? Do you think about romance and passionate love, or do you think of finding your passion or sense of purpose in life?
Passion seems to be one of those words that is used frequently but has a somewhat vague or unattainable sound to it. Most people use the word passion to refer to strong or intense emotions, whether it’s in relation to long-term enthusiasm and motivation or strong sexual attraction.
But is passion something that only some of us have while others search far and wide to find it? Should you speak to a remote relationship coach to find your “true” passion? Is passion as elusive as happiness?
In this article, we discuss the meaning and nature of passion and explore how intense emotions can affect our relationships and overall quality of life. Read on.
What Is The Meaning Of Passion?
Passion can mean a whole lot of different things to different people. For some, passion takes a form of obsessive love or sexual attraction, while others see it as long-term commitment and motivation to a topic or activity. Still, most definitions of passion seem to include intense feelings and emotions, whether long-term or short lived. In general, passion is often linked with topics, people, and activities with the following characteristics:
- Something you enjoy
- Something you value
- Something you’re dedicated to
Despite the varying personal definitions of passion, research findings seem to be clear on one thing: passion can be developed and used in a positive manner that helps us achieve our personal goals and dreams. This doesn’t necessarily mean that your passion will be something previously unknown to you and rekindled out of nowhere; it simply means that enduring motivation and dedication to an area of interest can increase your possibility of achieving success in that area, whether it’s work, a hobby, or any other aspect of personal development.
What Are The Types Of Passion?
In order to satisfy their basic psychological needs of autonomy, competence, and relatedness, people engage in a wide range of activities throughout their life, trying to find those which provide enjoyment and fulfillment. Most people select a limited number of activities that they perceive as particularly important and enjoyable. These activities can then be considered as passions.
In the Dualistic Model of Passion (DMP) proposed by Robert J. Vallerand, there are two main types of passionate activities:
Harmonious
Harmonious passion is born when an activity is autonomously internalized into a person’s identity. When an individual freely accepts the activity as resonant or important to them, a motivational force is created, encouraging them to engage in the passionate activity on a regular basis.
Harmonious passion comes from the authentic integrating self, meaning that the individual is free to fully partake in the activity in a flexible, open manner, without feeling an uncontrollable urge to engage in it. This form of passion usually has positive effects on the person’s psychological well-being.
Obsessive
Obsessive passion, on the other hand, comes about when an activity is internalized in a controlled manner, typically from intrapersonal and interpersonal pressure that involves matters of self-esteem and social acceptance.
The sense of enjoyment and excitement in this type of passion is often uncontrollable, and the individual may experience an uncontrollable urge to engage in the activity. This tends to lead to a lack of flexibility that may conflict with other areas in the individual’s life and have a negative impact on their psychological well-being.
Is Passion Stronger Than Love?
In romantic relationships, the word passion is often used to refer to infatuation and sexual attraction. Romantic passion is also often contrasted with love, with the former being a temporary phase of euphoria or ecstasy and the latter being a lasting state of living. In the sense of attraction, passion is often strong, yet short lived. By contrast, companionate love and emotional intimacy tend to be better predictors of happiness in the relationship than passion, although both can have a positive impact.
How Long Does Passion Last?
It’s easy to get lost in romantic passion and expect that the intense feelings will last forever. Unfortunately, this kind of attraction has an expiration date. The initial romantic passion and infatuation may last for a couple of years before giving way to less intense, but no less powerful companionship and love.
How Do You Bring Back Passion?
Whether you feel like you’ve lost attraction to your partner and wish to revive a dying relationship or want to bring back a passion for a hobby, you may find value in the following tips:
- Take a step back.
Slowing down can help you get in touch with your deepest values and enable you to reconnect with your partner. This may mean going on walks in nature, practicing yoga, and relaxing with your loved one.
- Rekindle emotional connections.
Open and honest communication can do wonders for rekindling the passion in your relationship. Strengthening intimacy can also improve your confidence and motivation to engage in activities that improve your psychological well-being.
- Learn to live in the moment.
Focusing on the present moment and practicing mindfulness can both rekindle your personal passions and improve your romantic relationships.
- Combat your fears.
Whether you are afraid of ending up alone or struggle with being vulnerable, facing your fears and insecurities is necessary if you want to move forward and nurture healthy relationships in your life.
Speak With A Relationship Coach Online And Revive Your Passion
At PIVOT, we strive to help individuals and couples find a sense of purpose and enjoyment in their lives by offering expertise-based relationship coaching and advice to facilitate positive change. Through a wide range of tailored intensive workshops and retreats, we can help you achieve balance in your emotional life and promote sustained psychological well-being. It is our goal to provide you with the tools and resources you need to overcome your fears and heal your emotional wounds. Get in touch with a PIVOT advocate today.
