This is huge. It really annoys me when people say "well I've always loved programming." That's great, but you're the exception, both in that you always loved programming and in that the thing you love is quite lucrative. I know a ton of people who are very intelligent and talented that have had to go through a trial and error process of figuring out how their talents will lead them to a career. Telling them to "follow your passion" is putting the cart before the horse.

In my experience people find their passion by working hard at something with reasonable potential. If you work hard at something it may not turn out to be the thing you love but it will expose you to other people who value your work, as well as their own and you can find ways to pivot.