Rediscovering Joy: How to Enjoy What You Once Loved Again 

By Rob Jafek, Principal | Boomerang Capital Partners

It’s a common experience: something that once brought joy and excitement turns into a chore when it

becomes a job. What was once a passion then gets tied to deadlines, expectations, and financial

necessity – draining the joy from the very thing that used to bring happiness. However, it is possible to

rekindle the love for an old passion, like diving into a new project property. By approaching it with a

sense of wonder, appreciating the progress made, and seeking a fresh perspective, it is possible to enjoy

what was once loved again.

Approaching with a Sense of Wonder: One of the most powerful ways to rediscover enjoyment is to

cultivate a sense of wonder intentionally. Over time, familiarity breeds routine, and routine can dull the

excitement that once existed. Stepping back and seeing the activity with fresh eyes, like a beginner

would, can help reignite curiosity. Instead of focusing on obligations, consider exploring new aspects of

the field or approaching them in a completely different way. If you once loved painting but lost interest

when it became a commission-based career, try experimenting with styles or techniques you never used

before, simply for the fun of it.

Appreciating Your Growth and Progress: Another way to rediscover joy is to recognize and appreciate

how far you’ve come. When you first started, you were likely in awe of those who were ahead of you.

Now, you are the experienced one. Take a moment to appreciate the skills and knowledge you’ve gained

over time. Instead of seeing your experience as a burden that takes the fun away, try to reframe it as a

privilege—you have mastered something you once struggled with. Reflect on the journey and recognize

that the struggles and challenges were part of what made it enjoyable in the first place.

Returning to the Root of the Passion: To reignite enthusiasm, it helps to revisit what made the activity

fun in the first place. What aspects of it originally captivated you? Was it the feeling of creative

expression, the sense of accomplishment, or the excitement of learning something new? Try to engage

with the activity in a way that strips away the work-related pressures and brings back the original joy. If

writing became a draining career, try writing something purely for yourself, without an audience,

without a deadline, and without expectations.

Seeing Through a Newcomer’s Eyes: A great way to regain perspective is by seeing the activity through

the eyes of someone new to the field. Beginners bring enthusiasm, fresh questions, and an appreciation

for the small joys that experts may overlook. One of the best ways to do this is through mentorship.

Teaching someone who is just starting out can remind you why you fell in love with the activity in the

first place. Their excitement can be contagious, and their curiosity can rekindle your own. Mentoring not

only helps others grow, but it can also help you reconnect with your passion on a deeper level.

Things to Consider: We’ve frequently commented on how much we appreciate and admire people in

real estate redevelopment. Even some of our competitors. Real estate redevelopment is more than just

a career—it is a passion that transforms neighborhoods, revitalizes communities, and creates spaces

where people can thrive. For those who take on the role of a redeveloper, the rewards go far beyond

financial gain. Seeing a neglected property evolve into a valuable asset for the neighborhood is good for

all, and the satisfaction of breathing new life into neglected properties, improving the quality of life for

residents, and playing a crucial role in community development makes this field deeply fulfilling. What

you do is awesome and helps many others, but since you’ll rarely hear appreciation, hear it from us:

thank you.

Final Thoughts: Losing joy in something once loved is natural when it turns into work, but it doesn’t

have to be permanent. By approaching the activity with fresh eyes, appreciating your progress, revisiting

the roots of your passion, and mentoring others, you can rekindle the excitement that once made it so

fulfilling. Passion isn’t lost forever—it just needs a new perspective to bring it back to life.