Indecisive – Word of My Life
Do you ever feel overwhelmed by having too many passions and interests? You might be a rainbow personality like me. Today, like most days, was a kaleidoscope of activities that showcase just how varied my interests can be.
The morning began in my garden, tending to the thirsty plants and my chirpy birds, including relocating my Mary Jane to a new, discreet spot under a tent. Gardening reconnects me with nature and grounds me, but the tranquility was soon replaced by the day’s bustling routine.
After some household chores and a quick breakfast, I immersed myself in a scholarly article about emotional eating, followed by a refreshing Green Tea Lemonade from Starbucks. The mid-morning was spent helping my best friend plan an exciting summer event for queer authors—a project close to my heart.
Returning home for lunch, I tackled my emails and some scheduling tasks. But post-lunch, a familiar restlessness settled in. I pondered creating a course on acceptance and commitment therapy, but it didn’t feel right. Then, I considered writing about healing grief through art, recalling a transformative session I had last year with an art therapist. However, as I searched for the exact steps we used, my search turned up empty, leading me to sift through old books and courses on art and mandalas.
This scattered yet rich variety of interests—from journaling, art, and body positivity to mindfulness, spirituality, and gardening—always leaves me feeling like a summer butterfly flitting from one bloom to the next. They are all engaging, yet no single one seems sufficient to sustain my passions indefinitely.
Frustration often sets in as I berate myself with thoughts like, “You’ll never be an expert if you keep jumping ship. Just pick one thing and stick to it!” But the truth is, I can’t. I worry sometimes that this means I lack passion. Yet, I know that’s not true; my challenge is not a lack of passion, but a passion for too much.
Can you relate to this feeling?
When the overwhelm of multiple passions starts to feel like a freak-out, I’ve learned to ground myself with these steps:
- BREATHE – Close your eyes and take three big, cleansing breaths. If that doesn’t help, step outside. Look up at the vast sky. Breathe in the fresh air, absorb the colors, textures, and sounds around you. This simple act can work wonders.Photo by Guilherme Garcia on Unsplash
- ACCEPT YOUR FEELINGS: Remember, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed. You don’t have to act on these feelings. Just sit with them, recognize them, and let them pass without judgment. Say to yourself, “I see you, anxiety. You’re telling me I’m not okay, but I am. Thank you for trying to protect me.”
- WRITE DOWN YOUR PASSIONS: Jot down everything that excites you, without censorship or judgment.
- ORGANIZE YOUR PASSIONS: Group related passions together. For example, gardening and spirituality might combine into a category like ‘Nature and Nurture’. (see my example below)Dana’s passions list
- PRIORITIZE YOUR PASSIONS: Ask yourself which of these passions brings you the most joy or satisfaction. Which of these do you see yourself engaging in daily without feeling overwhelmed or disinterested? Rank your passions from the most to least compelling. This prioritization will help you focus more on what truly fulfills you.
- EXPERIMENT WITH INTEGRATION: Start small by combining two or three related passions into a single project or service. For example, create a series of blog posts that incorporate mindfulness, gardening, and art. Each post could focus on how these activities promote mental health and physical well-being. This allows you to gauge interest from your audience and refine your approach based on feedback.
- DEVELOP A PILOT PROJECT: Once you have an idea of how you might combine your passions, try launching a pilot project. This could be a workshop, an online course, or a local event. For example, host a day retreat that combines meditation, journaling, and art therapy focused on healing and personal growth. This project will be a tangible expression of your integrated interests and provide valuable insight into the viability and impact of your ideas.
- SEEK FEEDBACK AND ADJUST: After conducting your pilot project, gather feedback from participants and self-reflect on the experience. What worked well? What could be improved? Use this feedback to adjust your approach, refine your focus, or even discover new ways to integrate your passions more effectively.
- BUILD A COMMUNITY: As you start to establish a niche that integrates your multiple interests, begin building a community around it. Utilize social media, blogs, workshops, and local events to connect with people who share similar interests. This community will not only support your ventures but also provide continuous inspiration and feedback.
- BE KIND TO YOURSELF: Remember, it’s perfectly okay to have a multitude of interests. The key is to navigate them in a way that doesn’t overwhelm you but instead enriches your life and the lives of others. Be patient with yourself as you explore and refine your passions. Sometimes, the journey is just as rewarding as the destination.
By following these steps, you can create a cohesive and fulfilling career path that allows you to explore multiple interests without feeling scattered or unfocused. This approach will not only help you feel more grounded but also allow you to offer unique and impactful contributions to your community.
Our life is a journey. Some people know what they are best at and go for that thing. Some folks, like me and perhaps like you, if you have continued to read up to this point, are good at a lot of things, which makes it more challenging for us to see what’s possible.
Don’t worry, rainbow personality.
Your path is the correct one, even if it doesn’t always feel that way.
Need help sifting through your passions and figuring out where you’d like to go next? That’s exactly what a Life Coach like me can help you with. If you’d like to do an introductory Zoom or phone call, you can sign up for free here: https://tidycal.com/healingwithdana