Confessions of a Multipotentialite: Embracing the Joyful Chaos of Pursuing Multiple Interests
The advice to choose one area of interest and go deeper is something that many of us have heard from a young age. It can be difficult to reconcile this with the desire to explore multiple interests and pursue various hobbies and activities. As someone who has always been interested in many different things, I have struggled with this advice and the fear that I might not excel at anything if I don’t focus on one thing.
Throughout my life, I have participated in various school activities and workshops that were often unrelated to each other. Sometimes I would pursue what I learned, and other times I would simply move on. This led to the fear that I might keep experimenting and never identify one thing in which I can excel.
However, over time, I have come to realize that these random interests and experiences have taught me priceless lessons. Looking back, I can see how they connect and how they have contributed to who I am today. Here are some of the lessons I have learned:
- These random interests and experiences often connect in unexpected ways. In hindsight, I can see how they have led me to where I am today.
- Pursuing these interests has allowed me to meet some of the best people in my life, from diverse fields and backgrounds.
- Exploring different hobbies and activities has added different perspectives to my life, making me more humble and open-minded. It has also made my life more diverse and holistic.
- Not every interest needs to last forever. Some may only last for a month, a year, or ten years, and that’s okay. The time they were here, they served their purpose. You never know how they may reappear later in your life.
- It’s important to approach these interests from a space of curiosity rather than a space of lack. Pursuing multiple interests should not be about feeling like you need to do everything to feel enough.
While I’m still learning on this journey, I’ve come to understand that it’s okay to have multiple interests and pursue different hobbies and activities. These experiences have all contributed to who I am at this very moment.
For those of you who also have multiple interests, I understand your struggle and want to offer my support. If you’re afraid to try different things, know that I’m cheering you on. And if you choose to stick to one thing, that’s cool too. We need all kinds of people.
It’s worth noting that the famous quote “Jack of all trades, master of none” is often misquoted. The full quote is “A jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one.” This highlights the importance of having a broad range of skills and experiences, rather than just focusing on one thing.
In conclusion, pursuing multiple interests can be a valuable and enriching experience. These experiences can teach us important lessons, introduce us to new people and perspectives, and contribute to our overall growth and development. While it’s important to go deep in one area of interest, it’s also okay to explore different hobbies and activities that bring us joy and fulfillment.
