It’s not that I can’t imagine it. It’s just that it’s so rare and difficult to find a job that also perfectly aligns with personal fulfillment that I consider it terrible advice.

Like, there’s a reason there is a “starving artist” stereotype. The chances of “making it big” as an artist are pretty slim, and if I told an artistic kid to simply follow their passion and it’ll work out, I’d be lying. I know some professional artists actually, and they said 80% of the job is basically marketing themselves and negotiating contracts, not making art… so even if they end up (technically) doing what they love, the job might not be what they expect.

You can consider yourself lucky that you managed to find something that works, but I would never advise someone to severely limit themselves at the starting line or to set unrealistic expectations.