Passion as the recipe for success

I recently listened to an interview with Camilla Hamid, one of Sweden’s most beloved baking influencers. Her celebrated and unique recipes are both imaginative and full of passion.

When asked about the key to her remarkable success, she didn’t mention marketing strategies or social media algorithms. Instead, she said her achievements are grounded in something very simple: the joy and passion she feels when she’s baking. She added:

I’ve turned down truly excellent opportunities because they didn’t spark joy.

It’s so easy to chase after things that look good on paper without first checking in with ourselves. “Does this project actually excite me? Does this offer align with who I am and what I love?”

Success isn’t just about results or recognition, it’s about staying true to ourselves. When passion and joy are part of the process, they become the most important ingredients — not just for baking, but for creating anything meaningful.

Of course, planning and strategy can help guide us along the way. They can improve our chances and shape the final outcome. But without that inner spark, even the most “successful” result can feel strangely empty. Like a cake that looks perfect on the outside but is dry and flavorless when you take a bite.

On the flip side, when we create from a place of curiosity and joy, something shifts. The pressure around the outcome starts to fade. We become less focused on proving ourselves and more connected to the process itself.

That kind of approach opens us up to fresh inspiration and new ideas. We might even end up in unexpected places — somewhere unfamiliar, yet completely real.

So whether you’re baking, blogging, or simply figuring out your next step in life, maybe the right question isn’t “Will this succeed?” but “Does this bring me joy?”

Because joy might just be the secret ingredient that’s been missing.