A lazy and mediocre software developer gets paid more than a world class concert pianist who obsessively practices 10 hours a day.

The world doesn't need pianists like it needs software engineers. This demand was also different 200 years ago.

This is basic economics that not enough people seem to understand when they choose a job. Or maybe they do understand but want to ignore the problem early in their careers.

As a student in my 20s, my love for mathematics exceeded my love of engineering. I studied both and was good at both, but never went far beyond undergrad level mathematics due to job opportunities.

Sometimes in life we need to clearly separate what to do as an amateur (for the love) and as a professional (for the money). Sometimes the interests align, and if they do, good for you! But it's important to be honest with yourself about goals and planning.