Hey Puttylike readers, we’re trying something new this month—and we want to invite you to do the same!
As multipotentialites, our interests branch far and wide, and it’s not uncommon to discover something new that we’re excited about exploring. Sometimes we jump in, completely unafraid. But other times, in the face of a new interest, we get nervous or intimidated. We might decide to ignore the excitement we have about it, until it fades, rather than try something that might make us look silly.
This April, we’re celebrating and exploring all of those feelings. Yes, we’re even celebrating the nervousness (sometimes fear is just an indicator that we’re pursuing something important to us).
We’re calling it Newbie Month! And throughout April, we’re going to bring you a series of articles that have stories and advice for when you’re trying new things: new skills, new fields, new projects. It’s the perfect time to finally try that new thing that’s been tugging on you recently… You know the one. 😉
Yes You May
Then, in May, we’re going to continue the celebration of “newbie-ness” over in the Puttytribe with Yes You May: a month-long challenge to let yourself fail, try new things, be curious and embrace all of YOU! There will be weekly video check-in huddles with your fellow multipotentialites, on-going support in the forum, and even a show and tell at the end of the month!
Your Turn
For now, we want to kick off Newbie Month by asking you to share:
Do you have a story about a time you tried something new that scared you, and how you dealt with it? Got any tips or ideas for beginners in general, or specifically for beginners in a certain field? Comment below!
At the end of the month, we’ll be highlighting some of your stories on the blog and we hope to see some of you over in the Puttytribe for Yes You May, too.
Let’s jump in and be newbies together! Look out for our first article of Newbie Month next Wednesday. Until then, share your newbie stories and tips with us in the comments below!
I’m a classically trained bassoonist and took a few years hiatus from performing to pursue other work and projects. I decided I didn’t want my livelihood to be playing the bassoon, so I assumed that it didn’t have a place in my life. I sold my bassoon and disconnected from that part of my identity for a while. I found myself missing the creative outlet and decided to come back to playing after about 6 years, so while this venture wasn’t entirely new, I was coming back to it a totally different person, and I wasn’t sure what role it would play in my life. I was scared. Instead of seeing all of the barriers to performing (where would I get an instrument? What would I practice? Will I perform solo, with people, will I take paid gigs, what will people think if I’m not as good as I used to be etc?) I decided not to place any expectations on this venture. I thought of it as a “first date” with the bassoon! I also took a lean start-up approach and instead of running out to buy an expensive instrument right away, I borrowed one through my network. At first I was afraid my colleagues would be judgmental, but of course they were thrilled to help me in any way that they could, I just had to ask (another key strategy – remembering that most people want to see you succeed). To deal with my fear of failure and fear of reconnecting with a past identity, I kept my goals REALLY simple. If the first date went well, I would go on a second date, and so on. I stared seeking out different projects than I did before, ones that tapped more into my creativity. Now, nearly 3 years later,
I’m on the market to buy an instrument again and I can’t stop thinking of project ideas. Im excited for the ways that this may continue to happen unfold, and I’m remaining patient, authentic and open to lots of possibilities. Hope this helps others considering a new project!
Rachel this is AWESOME! Love the “first date” idea! What a great way to give something a try. 🙂
Rachel, thanks for sharing this. I’m a classically trained pianist going through a similar thing. I didn’t stop playing but I haven’t played for anyone other than the dog and immediate family for over 20 yrs. Nor have had lessons, and am contemplating going back to studying again and pursuing low pressure opportunities to play with and for others. So far just mulling ideas over and thinking about other musicians I know who are advanced enough but not full-blown pros that I’d be intimidated by. It’s been in the idea stage for a long time… Thanks for the date analogy – that’s really good! Good luck to you!
I dance, but not in front of people. So one day in my dance class at school my teacher told us that we had to choreograph and perform a dance in front of the whole class in a week. Obviously, I wasn’t going to do the performing but I did do the choreographing. For a week I created this contemporary to the song Waves By Dean Lewis. When the day came for us to present our work, I sat and watched everyone else perform their dances and when it came to my turn I told her I had nothing. She looked at me for a long time then finally said that I had to perform or I was getting a zero. I started to get really nervous as I walked towards the speaker to put on my song, but when I walked to the middle of the gym I closed my eyes and let the music take over me. I got over my fear of performing in front of people, I just closed my eyes and danced my heart out. When I finished I sat back down with the other girls and my teacher smiled at me . I got a 99 for that project, the only reason why I didn’t get the full one hundred is because my eyes were closed. I didn’t care about that one point all I cared about was that now I am able to dance in front of other people. If you have a fear like stage fright, face it in your own way and good will come out of it. I know its scary trust me, but you will be proud of yourself for the things you will be able to do once your fear is conquered.
Emma thanks for sharing this! Stage fright is so real and can be so tough. So glad you conquered it! 🙂
Before being aware of my multipotentialite nature I was annoyed that I cannot stick with one path.
One time me and a friend started to learn some drawing techniques from a book he had. I observed that I understand the drawing techniques very quick and I have a big potential in this field. I got scared and I thought that I do not need any additional skill, to complicate my life even more. I already have had too many skills. So I quit learning.
Now that I am aware of my multipotentiality, I want one day to start learning to draw.
Wow! I also stopped learning in fields that were very important to me. Beautifully written. Thank you so much for sharing <3
Camelia– so glad you’re finding your way back toward drawing through embracing your multipotentiality. Good luck!!
I’ve tried many new things in the past. Many quite “successfully” and many others… letting fear win. My definition of success has changed over the years, I remember wanting to play tennis once and quitting after a couple of classes because I wasn’t instantly good at it. I was scared of failure and wasn’t ready to put all the effort this new interest required. Motivation is important, some things we just want to have fun with (that’s ok), some things we want to make money with (that’s ok) and some things we try just because we want to try something new whatever happens in the end. (That’s ok also). In the end… finding that one thing we love enough to keep trying with inspiration and confidence (even while we’re scared) is key. I think and feel there’s always hope as long as we’re willing to try <3
Thanks for sharing Solange! That fear of failure is so relatable. I hear you.
Trying something new (especially as it relates to my career) is like stepping into an ice bath. I’ve learned I have to do it one inch at a time, so I don’t overwhelm or shock my system. Admitting that a career you thought you’d be doing “forever” is no longer bringing you joy is scary. Thinking about what else you can do instead of the thing you’ve been doing for your whole adult life, while still making enough money to pay your bills, is absolutely terrifying. But, I’ve learned to lean into the discomfort, prioritize my mental and emotional health, embrace change with open arms, and trust that the universe has my back. Over the past year, I closed my art therapy private practice and transitioned into being a kayak tour guide full-time.
The biggest things I did to manage the endless fear about this transition were to take things slowly and give myself permission to change my mind at any point along the way. I took a realistic look at my finances, timelines, and mental blocks to change to choose the right time to let things go. While there was a part of me that desperately wanted to blow up my career and start over from scratch, another part of me recognized that the safer and healthier thing for me to do was to make a gradual transition.
Wow, so awesome Michelle! Love this advice to take it slowly!! So glad you were able to transition your career to something totally new, that’s hopefully working out better for you! 🙂
This is not a story in the context of the blog request. It is more a question, which has always been at the basis of my many interests. My questions at this time have to do with retirement: what is it, what can I make of it, etc. My sense of this blog and website is that most of the people participating are still well within their working/employment years. But what comes after…playing golf, or your equivalent sport? volunteering? traveling? These are the models that are out in the world. However, as a multipotentialite (MP), they do not resonate with me. I’m dying on the vine, so to speak, attempting to explore a successful retirement model for us MP folks. Comments?????
Hi Mary,
What an awesome idea! I bet there’s some other retirees reading this, or over in the Puttytribe… we’d love to create and feature some content on Puttylike for multipod retirees!
Mary, for you specifically, what are the main challenges for you as you design your retirement? Is it that you don’t want to stop working, or that you can’t find the right “for-fun” projects to scratch your multipotenial-ed itch?
If anyone has ideas, do share them here with Mary, but also feel free to get in contact with me if you’d like to write something for Puttylike!
My social anxiety was bad. I couldn’t make eye contact with people and I was always stressed about interacting with strangers. I was in a handbell choir in high school and I would turn pale and feel like vomiting before every performance. I discovered long form improv in my 30’s and from all the stuff I’ve read, watched, and listened; it is the single best thing for social anxiety. It would still take me 5 years to not feel like vomiting on stage and be out of my head (just last year!). The repetition and practice built the comfort. Now, when I’m in an improv scene and I have 2 ideas, I’ll choose the one that makes me more uncomfortable because that’s where I’ll have the most growth.
Al that’s awesome! Improv seems like the perfect thing to help you move through those fears… so inspiring! Congrats 🙂
Hello,
Well, this request to share newbie stories comes on a rather freakishly exciting day for me.
After a career of 20+ years in new technologies, today(!) I am selling my apartment here in Paris to start a new life. I designed and managed the renovation of this apartment myself 7 years ago, and discovered how much I loved the excitement and problem-solving of construction sites. I then spent a few years juggling freelance projects while living and working on a wine farm and in fruit orchards. After several other food-related projects, I realised that I need physical labour in my life, a closer connection to cultivating what we consume, and a new construction project. So, I’m off to find some farmland in Portugal, construct an eco-friendly, self-sustaining home, and cultivate to suit my nutritional needs and generate a modest income. I spent the past year reducing my financial needs, and selling my apartment is the last step. I will leave my friends and city life, and equip my new home to be able to rent rooms to tourists in the hopes of varying my soon-to-be-limited social interactions and fighting loneliness.
Gulp!
it’s a big day. Scaring, and exciting at the same time.
And part of this decision-making process was coming across this site and the concept of multipotentiality. I’d like to thank you for bringing this personality type to my attention, and helping me understand that multipotentiality is a quality and not a weakness of mine. This project will keep me busy and nourished learning all new sorts of construction and farming techniques and putting them to the test. And, naturally, I have started learning Portuguese. All of this will certainly tire me out enough physically and mentally to sleep well at night!
Voilà my newbie share. Hope to see you in Portugal!
Happy day to you all,
Susan
Susan, I love that learning to love your multipotentiality has helped you start this big adventure! I think it sounds absolutely awesome. Thank you for sharing, and best of luck to you!!
I’ve always been interested in many different things, such as gaming, video game creation, fiction story telling, agriculture and many, many others. I’m on the Autistic spectrum and still in high school (on the verge of graduation). I’ve wanted to try to become an animator before, but I never really got around to it as it took quite a while to master. I also thought about becoming a professional streamer one day, but looking on it, I begin to wonder how the other people who are at the top get so many more people then me. Now, I am thinking of being a professional gamer, but I need to take a lot of time out of my day just to get better.
I am preparing to move to Ontario next summer after I graduate and once I settle in, I will take a 1 year breather to relax. After that, I may consider college. I have so many ideas in my head that I can’t even decide. If I am able to do them all at once, then so be it! A professional farming gamer that streams and animates. I just need to remember to take it slow, and once I get a job (I am unemployed because I don’t want to get a job before I am done high-school), I will ask my employers to break big steps down for me so I can better understand what they want and where they need it most (I’m sorry if this had nothing to do with the blog).
Hey Andrew– this is great! I think the reminder to take it slow is a good one for newbies & beginners in particular. Best of luck with moving and figuring out how to be a farmer/ gamer/ animator (so awesome)!
I’m an archer among other things (artist, writer, wild west enthusiast, ghost nut, explorer, traveller, boater…) and, after recovering from 30yrs of depression and anxiety, I really, really wanted to return to it despie my social anxiety. I’m almost there because my fabulous soulmate Husband has accompanied me to the field each time I’ve practised shooting, but each time there was no-one there! I’m hoping to get over that social anxiety and attend events in due course but it’s going to take time. ?
Jo, UK
Creating My Odyssey – Liberating the Real Me After Thirty Years Of Depression and Anxiety http://www.jo-b-creative.blogspot.co.uk