Passions vs Work, the age old question and eternal struggle

At what point do you need to grow up and stop following your passions and focusing on your career?

I feel that everyone that has been young has had to think of this questions and try their best at answering it. Perhaps certain cultures have a heavier focus on splitting up the two, passions and career. I feel that the American culture is one of those.

So my biggest passion is traveling and music. Having a career job has stopped me from doing both of those at the full extent I would like. Specifically travel, it's very hard to do when you work a 8-5 job with 2 weeks of vacation every year. But you must be thinking now, "wait Dan, you got 6 months off to travel!" Yes, I did, and I am very grateful for that. I still am stuck here now and yearn even more for that open road, that open life where every day is different and you can go and come as you please.

So back to the question. It is essentially work vs life. So if I were to follow my passion and take off now and go teach english in korea, or pick fruit in australia, etc. I would definitely be following my passions. But I wouldn't be setting up a strong career that can one day support a family. So at what point do you need to stop doing your crazy dreams and loves and settle down to pursue that safe career to have the kids, the wife, the house, the car, all things that I do want one day. Perhaps the real answer is that the question is fundamentally flawed on it's own. Perhaps trying to split up your passions from your job is exactly why the vast majority of Americans hate their jobs and have bad marriages. Perhaps if we were to stick with our passions and eventually fall into a wise, and fun career we would be happier from 8-5. Which that energy leaks when you get home and you will be a happier person, have more fun with your wife and kids, and have a happier and more fulfilling life. You might not be rich, although I'm sure some people will be even if they stick with their passions. But you definitely will be happier.

Perhaps chasing that American dream to be more successful, powerful, richer is exactly why we are just all so damn depressed? Perhaps the "American Dream" is the problem itself?