Does Being Creatively Promiscuous Make You Flighty?
HUMAN FEELING: CURIOSITY when it comes to doing all the things I want to do.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve had some form of side hustle - even if I didn’t know that that’s what it was. I remember for awhile I had an Etsy shop where I’d sell digital prints that people could hang up. They weren’t very good, in hindsight, but it was my first taste of getting paid for something that I loved to do.
And I wanted more.
Growing up, entrepreneurship wasn’t anywhere on my mind. Like most women, I dreamed of a corner office, sky high heels that I could somehow walk around a big city in. I dreamed of meetings all day long, flawless hair and makeup, and an assistant that would get me a fresh coffee multiple times a day so that I could just. keep. going.
My life now in no way reflects that initial idea.
I live in a tiny town not even all that close to a big city. I haven’t worn heels (except to something formal) since Henry was born over nine years ago. We’re lucky if I change out of my gym clothes each day which also means that I generally do life without a speck of makeup on my face. And coffee? I hate coffee.
But even so, over eight years ago I started my own business. And the amount of pivots I’ve done since 2015 shocks even me when I think about it. I’ve had to constantly fight the voice in my head telling me that I needed to stop, that I needed to narrow in on one thing, that no one will ever buy from me because they don’t know what I do. And most of all: Get it together otherwise you’re going to look flighty.
I am creatively promiscuous.
I don’t know if that’s an actual term or one I just made up, but I think it fits. I like to have my hands in lots of different buckets. I thrive on finding the things that light me up, no matter how much money they put into my pocket.
Since 2015, here’s a list of things that I’ve tried, in no particular order:
I started my own magazine
I ran group programs on hard to talk about topics
I am a self worth and confidence coach
I am a writer’s coach
I ran a writing program
I have a bookish podcast
I’ve created courses
I’ve been a photographer
I’ve done graphic design
I’m a podcast producer
I’ve done writing
And I’m nearly certain that I’m forgetting a couple of things here. Right at this particular moment in time, the list of things I make money doing are: this newsletter, my own podcast, Reading Through Life, I’m a podcast producer for two other shows, I’m a photographer, and I do coaching.
And I’ve got to tell you - I’ve never been happier.
Each of these things fills up a different creative bucket for me. I get to write, I get to talk about books, I get to work with badass women, I get to take beautiful photos for families, I get to help women through things they’re struggling with.
And yet, if and when someone asks me what I do, I have no idea what to tell them because there is just SO MUCH. Is it because I’m trying to rake in millions of dollars? Nope. It’s because each of these things leaves me so fulfilled in my soul that I can’t imagine giving any of them up.
I’ve talked with my mom about this and we’re completely at odds on the topic. (Hi, mom!) Her goal had always been to have kids and make enough money at her job to support us. That’s what she wanted out of life, and she succeeded!
So trying to figure out her daughter who craves this extra-ness, who cares less about the money in her bank account than being happy in her job, that doesn’t make much sense. (And I’d like to fully acknowledge my privilege here: If I didn’t have a husband who makes good money, all that I’m doing may not be possible - or at least not in this way of doing it.)
But for me, this promiscuity is what makes me thrive. It makes my days fun. It keeps me on my toes. It makes me feel ALIVE. To pick just one feels impossible.
Every once in awhile though, that nagging voice comes back: Are you creative, or are you just flighty? What do other people think when they look at you? Will anyone ever take you seriously if you can’t stick to just one thing? How can I ever be an “expert” if I’m doing all the things? Do the people I love in my life get me, or do they wish I’d just be more traditional?
To tell you the truth, for the first time in a long time, none of it matters to me. It doesn’t matter to me if I can’t sum up succinctly what I do (though in total fairness, I was asked just this past weekend what I do and I said I’m a writer, podcaster, and photographer… close enough, right?). It doesn’t matter if anyone else “gets it.” Because I am happy. I am so, so happy.
And if that happiness makes me promiscuous, then so be it.
Because this amount of freedom and creativity to go after what I want, it’s not always an option. And I, for one, plan on taking complete advantage of it while I can.
Talk to me:
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this topic. Are you someone who likes to have their hands in lots of buckets? Do you prefer the stability of one avenue? What do you think when you see people doing ALL THE THINGS all at once?
I definitely consider myself a multi passionate creative. I do sometimes wonder how everything is received by others. I make so many different things and I wonder sometimes if they don’t all make sense together.
I’ve been trying to explore what threads might tie everything together so it’s interesting to hear others talking about this too.
And like others here, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I think doing multiple things helps me stay interested and keeps things feeling fresh. And it fills my cup!
We contain multitudes ❤️