hippity-hoppity-brigade:

i’ve seen rhetoric that if you’re asexual or aromantic, your passion is channeled into non-sexual or -romantic things, and you become naturally talented or passionate about certain hobbies.

don’t hold yourself to this. you matter without any passion or hobbies to fuel or define you. you don’t have to search for a caveat — “i’m aromantic but i love photography,” etc. — because being asexual and/or aromantic is not lacking. you don’t have to make up for it in other ways. 

discovering an enjoyment of non-relationship things is fun. it’s good for anyone to know what they enjoy and who they become through their hobbies; and for people who feel closed out of traditional relationship dynamics, it’s satisfying to find a thing that centers you and brings you pleasure without having to navigate the stress of relationships. 

but it isn’t a necessity. your body doesn’t ~redirect~ passion from sex or romance to mountain biking or whatever. don’t let this idea make you think that you’re not be ace or aro in the “right” way. you’re being you. that’s enough.