This is my 6th Steemit post
I've been a member for almost a month
I think it's great
I'm excited to continue learning and growing
But,
I've realised something
...
Steemit isn't for me
The first thing I did after creating a Steemit account was to familiarise myself with the Quick Start Guide and FAQ section. I also read multiple posts and articles that explained how the whole thing works.
Having grasped an understanding of the mechanics, I then found myself reading post after post of how to be successful on Steemit - how to build a following, how to write posts that get traction, etc.
I found reading all these posts and articles a super helpful way of learning how to, well, Steemit.
*
However, there was one tip that made me very, very nervous: **the importance of finding a niche**
I would cringe as memories raced through my mind...
"What do you want to be when you grow up?" asked a well-meaning relative when they couldn't think of anything else to say to the 6 year-old sitting across from them
"So, what are your plans for next year?" asked my friend as we sipped ice coffees and enjoyed the freedom of finishing Year 12
"You're so good at {xyz}, you should really consider using your gifts to {abc}" said basically every teacher of any subject I liked. As if to not do so would be wasteful, ungrateful, and a real crying shame.
"What career will your {generic undergraduate degree} lead to?" asked the lady at the checkout, as I regretted my decision to wear my uni jumper to the shops
"Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?" asked every motivational speaker, self-help book, and getting-to-know-you activity
"What are your goals, dreams, passions?"
...For each of these questions, the same embarrassing answer would come to mind:
I don't know
But I never said that. Instead I latched onto my most recent/employable/interesting/noble interest and convinced myself and those around me that that was the answer to all these questions. I hoped it would be. I hoped that the next time they asked, I would be able to say the same thing.
I couldn't.
I thought there was something wrong with me (apart from my indecisiveness). I felt like I was non-committal, not driven or passionate or goal-oriented. I felt irresponsible, flitting from one thing to another in the vain hope that this would be that one 'calling'. I felt like I had my fingers in all the pies, that nothing I devoted time to was worth it. I was a jack-of-all-trades in an increasingly specialised world.
Turns out that it has a name. Yep, of course it does. There's a name for everything. Does that justify it though?
Multipotentiality
This is why I can't find a niche. Because I have sooo many interests, but my knowledge of each is shallow compared to those who devote their whole lives to a single topic. In a world where everyone has something to say, and yet everything I have to say has already been said, I am a fish out of water.
Steemit isn't for people like me.
This education system isn't for people like me.
This society isn't for people like me.
This world isn't for people like me.
But still, I try
If you want to learn more about this topic, I recommend the TED talk below by Emilie Wapnick
