My problem with niches

    Hello, fellow enthusiasts of EVERYTHING! 

    Today I want to share a personal struggle that might resonate with many of you – the problem with sticking to a niche, especially when your brain operates like a pinball machine, bouncing from one interest to another. As someone with ADHD, my passions are as varied as the colors on an artist's palette.

    In a world where specialization is often seen as the key to success, the pressure to pick a niche and stick to it can be overwhelming. "Find your specialty!", "Be an expert!", but what if your mind doesn't work that way? What if your creativity and curiosity cannot be contained within the boundaries of a single niche?

    For those of us with ADHD, focus is a B*TCH. Our brains thrive on novelty and stimulation, making it an impossible task to confine ourselves to one path. The notion of a niche feels like a straightjacket, restraining the dynamic energy that comes from exploring multiple disciplines.

    Let's take a look at art, sewing, crafting, jewelry making and fashion – disciplines that are about expression and aesthetics. These areas allow for boundless creativity, and yet, they are often considered separate niches. Why not blend them? The skills I develop in one enhance my abilities in another, leading to a unique fusion of styles and ideas. And yes, the styles ALSO vary A LOT. I like to wear LITERALLY a different style everyday. For instance, yesterday I wore Lolita and today I'm wearing tech.

    Languages and gymnastics are something I'm also passionate about, and they might seem worlds apart, but at heart, they're both about communication. Languages use words to connect people, while gymnastics uses movement to express emotions and tell stories without saying a word.

Margarita Mamun, my favourite gymnast

   Lastly (and I'm probably forgetting something) music, videogames and cartoons are the storytellers of the auditive and visual worlds. Music moves us, evokes emotions, and resonates with the soul. Cartoons bring stories to life, often teaching us lessons in a way both entertaining and deep.

    As a "multiniched", I've discovered that my varied interests are not a hindrance but a superpower. They allow me to draw connections between seemingly unrelated fields and to approach problems with a multidimensional perspective.

    There is an undeniable joy in the pursuit of knowledge and skill across different domains. It keeps the mind sharp and the spirit invigorated. Yes, it's unconventional, and it goes against the grain of the niche narrative, but it's authentic to who I am.

    To my niche-resistant fellows, I say this: Embrace your complexity. Your diverse interests are not a problem; they are a testament to your rich inner world. We should not feel pressured to limit ourselves but rather celebrate the vastness of our curiosity. Let's redefine success on our own terms, as a mosaic of passions that makes us who we are.

Let's start a conversation about breaking the niche barrier. Share your experiences and how you manage to blend your interests in the comments below. Here's to living a life colored outside the lines!