How to Stay Passionate When Your Hobby Becomes Your Job

I got into Blockchain, Crypto, Web3, or whatever you want to call it, because it fascinated me. I loved reading about it, understanding it, and seeing where it could go. It started as a genuine hobby, a passion project that kept me curious and motivated. Even when work was hard or uncertain, I still found myself learning about something I loved. That passion carried me further than I could’ve imagined, and I wouldn’t be here today without it.

I was captivated by Bitcoin, amazed by how blockchain worked, and inspired by its potential. I chased projects I believed in, even if they didn’t always succeed. The vision of what this technology could become was a powerful motivator. It pushed me to keep going, to keep building, and to keep learning.

Security had always been another interest of mine. When I started exploring smart contracts on Ethereum, I naturally became obsessed with writing more secure code. Around 2020, as major hacks were happening left and right, that curiosity led me deeper into the world of auditing. Eventually, I joined an auditing company and later Immunefi. Four years later, I’m still here, and I couldn’t be happier.

But as with anything, even a passion can evolve. What starts as a hobby can turn into a career, and eventually, that career becomes… well, a job.

Don’t get me wrong. I still firmly believe in the principles of cryptocurrency. Yet, after years in the space, I’ve also seen how original ideals fade, how convenience often prevails over decentralization, and how the industry constantly shifts beneath your feet. That’s the nature of progress, and it’s both exciting and exhausting.

Especially in security, the work is vital but also relentless. Keeping assets secure is one of the most crucial tasks in Web3, and I’m proud to contribute to this effort. However, even meaningful work can become draining if you never take a break from it.

Over time, I learned that to keep growing and stay creative, I needed distance.

If your hobby becomes your job, you can’t let it remain your only hobby. Otherwise, you’ll end up mentally at work 24/7, and I’ve been there. It’s not sustainable, especially when you have a family with whom you want to be fully present.

So, I started building a different set of hobbies.

For me, that’s analog photography, journaling, mechanical watches (I’ve fallen deep into that rabbit hole), reading, and of course, writing this blog. Each of these things helps me unwind, clear my head, and return to work with a fresher perspective. They remind me that while my job is important, it’s not the only thing that defines me.

Having something outside of your work gives your mind the space it needs to recharge.

Suppose you’ve turned your hobby into your career. In that case, I encourage you to find something else, something completely unrelated, to call your own. It might just be what keeps your spark alive.

I’ve written before about motivation and burnout, and this is one of the practices that has truly worked for me.

The Space Between Work and Meaning

“Work is not just about doing more. It’s about doing what matters and leaving space for what makes you human.”
— Cal Newport, Slow Productivity

When your passion becomes your profession, it’s easy to lose sight of why you started in the first place. But having a hobby outside of work, something you do for no reason other than joy, helps you stay connected to that original curiosity.

It keeps your mind light, your heart open, and your creativity alive.

Sometimes, the best way to care for your work is to care for yourself first—to step away, breathe, and let your mind settle on something else entirely.

“The things you think about determine the quality of your mind. Your soul takes on the color of your thoughts.”
— Marcus Aurelius, Meditations

Maybe that’s the secret: not to chase balance, but to create enough space for life to breathe between the lines of work.

See You Soon!