Female? Male? Gay? Divorced? Animal lover? Teacher?
Unemployed? Tech-guy? Athlete? Other?
Companies do it to understand their customers better. Hospitals do it understand their patients better. Banks do it, to understand who are they lending money for. We all do it, to understand each other. We box people.
Even though it is very natural way for humankind to understand the world, it still seems to bring hatred in many people’s minds - me included.
When I find myself from a conversation of my career and education, I want to escape. When I get a ‘’aah you are a horse rider’’ look or ‘’are you going to be yoga teacher now’’ question, it really gives me shivers. Not to even mention those questions about my education. ‘’Which uni did you go to? What did you study?’’ Even after explaining them that, I have been to Uni, but decided not to continue my studies, they still manage to put me in some type of box. ‘’So you did study Geography, didn’t you? You look like a geography student indeed.’’
When I find myself from a conversation of my career and education, I want to escape. When I get a ‘’aah you are a horse rider’’ look or ‘’are you going to be yoga teacher now’’ question, it really gives me shivers. Not to even mention those questions about my education. ‘’Which uni did you go to? What did you study?’’ Even after explaining them that, I have been to Uni, but decided not to continue my studies, they still manage to put me in some type of box. ‘’So you did study Geography, didn’t you? You look like a geography student indeed.’’
I am a woman with many passions, careers, schools and hobbies, and to be honest, that is what I continue to be. There is no number one choice or career option since now, so how can I be sure there is one in the future? I may keep trying things out for the rest of my life or I may find that passion tomorrow. I cannot know, and so can’t you, so stop boxing me, please.
I have struggled a fair deal in my life, trying to figure out who the hell am I? What am I good at? What do I enjoy doing? And I know, I am not the only one. The answer has never been easy as I cannot name one thing only. I do get bored, I lose inspiration or I freak out as someone tries to understand my goals. I have to admit, there is a hint of fear of commitment in the mixture as well. It is scary, I have to say. Everyone has a limited time on the earth and if I cannot even decide what am I going to do with it, how can I ever find peace and happiness?
Do you feel me? Have you ever heard of Multipotentiality.
Do you start someting and often struggle to finish it? Do you often find ''the thing'' and get fully immersed in it, only to be let down later?
Does quitting make you feel quilty?
Do you struggle to stick to one thing?
Do you have many passions or interest?
If you answered yes, to one or more of those questions, I recommened you to watch this ted-talk!
And please, I am not trying to box you! On purpose at least.
www.ted.com/talks/emilie_wapnick_why_some_of_us_don_t_have_one_true_calling
''Embrace your many passions, follow your curiosity down those rabbit holes, explore your intersections.''
-Emilie Wapnick