As we navigate this increasingly complex and interconnected world, there is something that becomes more and more apparent as I go along: we like boxes.
Unfortunately for the world of niches and specialities, I don’t fit boxes. I have too many interests- things I’m curious about and want to explore- to stay in my one lane and be content. Sure, writing is my thing. It’s the art I come back to time and time again, that I have been doing consistently since 2008, but the world of the written world encompasses so many areas, genres, forms. I love so many of them and I’ve become less and less interested in being known for only one of them. I want to delve deep into the world building of science fiction and fantasy, unearth the treasures of the past in my historical fiction, paint beautiful mental images with poetry, explore deeper topics in personal essays and posts like this. I even have the inkling of a memoir percolating in the back of my head.
But from social media algorithms and some areas of publishing, the general wisdom is that to grow your audience you need to hone in on one area and do that really well. I don’t disagree that people can be confused when they pop onto a scale media account a person and they can’t say easily This person does X.
I think that’s why I’ve always considered myself a creative, rather than just one narrowly defined label. Yes, I’m a writer, but within writing I explore widely. But I also love other areas of creativity. I paint, sew, garden, cook, bake. I love the idea of doing beautiful embroidery on handmade garments that fit my body perfectly. And so what I hope to always advocate for and explore here is the myriad of ways in which we our fully ourselves in our lives.
I myself am a person with different intersectionalities. Several of my identities don’t match the boxes expected of me and thus as I’ve gotten older and become more and more comfortable with myself, I’ve also accepted that the way I show up in the world will never satisfy the world of niches and algorithms. I’m good with that.
Be brave, be bold, be fully yourself, however that looks. Be boundless with your identity. All of it is beautiful.
Love this one! I have struggled with the I don’t fit in a box for many year’s. I am a little late in the game of be yourself and don’t give a hoot what other’s think of me. But I am finally there. It’s all good and as you say….beautiful!