Personal Reflections: The Battle Between Craft and Passion
Does it seem logical to you that someone like me struggles to make a living? Look at what I’m sharing here, the depths we manage to reach together, you and me—separated by space, united by words.
I know what you’re asking of me, but I resist. You want me to separate craft from love, to kill the passion for creation while still creating with passion. You’re asking me to enslave my creativity, to transform it into a tool for selfish survival. But isn’t that the very curse I’ve been trying to escape?
The Immigrant’s Paradox: Passion vs. Survival
Immigration often demands we redefine ourselves. In a new land, survival comes first—finding work, building stability, and meeting practical needs. But for those driven by creativity, this often feels like a betrayal. How can we reconcile the need to survive with the need to create authentically?
I’ve wrestled with this paradox, wondering if my passion for creation is a curse or a gift. Am I doomed to compromise, to trade joy for sustenance? Or can I find a way to honor both—living fully while staying true to my craft?
Stories of Resilience: When Creation Meets Community
I’m not alone in this struggle. In every immigrant community, there are creators—artists, writers, musicians—who face the same battle. They must navigate the tension between survival and passion, between the practical and the transcendent.
Take the story of a painter I met in my new city. She works by day as a nurse, tending to others with patience and care. By night, she paints, her canvases bursting with life and color. Her art is her sanctuary, a reminder that her identity extends beyond her job title.
Or the musician who drives a delivery truck during the week and performs in small coffee shops on weekends. For him, music is a bridge—a way to connect with his new community and keep his spirit alive.
Practical Insights: Balancing Passion and Practicality
- Redefine Success
Success doesn’t have to mean sacrificing your passion. It can mean finding small, meaningful ways to integrate creativity into your daily life. - Build a Supportive Network
Seek out others who understand the creative struggle. Whether it’s a local art group or an online community, these connections can provide encouragement and inspiration. - Celebrate Small Wins
You don’t need to wait for the “big break.” Celebrate every piece you create, every connection you make, every step forward. - Remember Your Why
In the chaos of survival, remind yourself why you create. Passion isn’t a curse—it’s a gift that sustains you. - Find Balance in the Everyday
Even if your job doesn’t align with your passion, use it as a foundation for stability. Let it support your creative pursuits, rather than suppress them.
Moving Forward: A Life of Creation and Connection
I am the guardian of passion, the defender of joy, the knight of creation. I refuse to kill my love for craft or chain my life to the curse of survival alone.
As immigrants, as creators, and as people navigating a complex world, we can find a way to honor both. To live authentically while embracing the practicalities of life. To create, to connect, to thrive.
And if that makes me a little crazy? So be it.
Immigration challenges us to redefine ourselves, but it also offers a chance to embrace both creativity and survival. Explore how to navigate these dual paths and thrive in a new world at Holygration.
Written by Wa Alikum Salam, Immigrant.