#1: From "Jack of All Trades" to Joyful Multihyphenate: Unmasking My Passions Beyond Expectations

Why I gave up on my dream to be just an artist!

Have you ever felt like a "Jack of all trades, master of none"? Especially coming from a culture where passions are relegated to mere "hobbies"? This was my reality, growing up in an Indian upper-middle-class family. Art and writing were seen as distractions, not paths. But Emma Gannon's "The Multi-Hyphen Life" ignited a spark. Could I embrace my many facets and build a life beyond societal expectations?

Breaking Free from External Validation:

My childhood success was measured in trophies and parental approval. This translated into a corporate career in my 20s, which felt soulless despite its "success" on paper. The chase for extrinsic validation left me burnt out and yearning for something more.

Rediscovering My Inner Child:

A year of therapy, a tonne of self-help books and skill share classes, nudged me to reconnect with my childhood self. I was always obsessed with being famous. Reflecting I think it has to do with feeling heard, sharing my big emotions and making someone feeling the same, less alone. It was about using my voice to make an impact. My mom reminded me of my natural inclination towards storytelling, mimicking characters, and playing teacher. Suddenly, my love for teaching and nurturing young minds, mimicking book characters for my students to tease their imagination, and playing with art supplies in the classroom to make them realise life is not monochromatic all started making sense.

The "Multi-Hyphenate Honeymoon":

I embraced the "Jack of all trades" spirit, teaching art, and yoga, alongside my university teaching gig. The variety thrilled me, but the lack of income stability triggered my old anxieties. Moving to Hong Kong, I attempted to focus on one thing—selling my art. Exhibitions garnered praise, but the pressure to succeed financially kept the anxiety bubbling. So I fell back to what I do best, teaching. Today I have the financial stability that I always felt would make me feel successful through my full-time job, but my heart still wanders beyond the structure of a school life. The routine suffocates me and throttles my mental health. So the big salary with perks is a fix for my financial anxiety but not the cure for my quest for success.

Redefining Success and Embracing the Journey:

My journey taught me that "success" isn't a fixed destination, but a personal tapestry woven with passion, purpose, and joy. Today, I'm still figuring it out, navigating the exhilarating chaos of a multifaceted life. I write, teach, create art, and explore new avenues, all while learning to listen to my inner child's whispers. I aim to create a life beyond the boxes created for us. Most of all I need to accept that I will never be contained or content in a box and that’s ok. Success to me now is financial freedom with ownership of my time and tasks. It is still an evolving definition.

Invitation to the Adventure:

Are you struggling with societal expectations or your definition of success? Join me on this adventure of embracing our multifaceted selves. Let's explore, learn, and celebrate the beauty of the "and"—the teacher who writes, the artist who teaches, the dreamer who meditates. Mind you, this is not a cue for the hustle shuffle, far from that. Let's redefine success together, one vibrant passion at a time.

If you are a visual person like me, click here to enjoy this reel on the same topic!

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I have a tip for you to try. Make a success jar, each time you feel successful. Be it, when you helped someone or you had a personal victory or you just had time to enjoy a good breakfast. At the end of the month, I want you to rethink your definition of success. Do try it for the month of Feb. I am eager to hear back your reinvented version of S.U.C.C.E.S.S!