Hello, my beautiful sisters.
Does it ever feel like people expect you to be just one thing in life? As though the sum of your identity, talents, and dreams can fit into a single label?
Society loves to put us in boxes: “You’re a teacher, so you can’t also be an entrepreneur.” “You’re a lawyer, so why would you also be a writer?”
But I’m here to remind you that you are a beautiful, multi-faceted creation of God, and your multi-hyphenate self is a gift, not a burden.
Empathy: The Struggle of Feeling Boxed In
Too often, we’re made to feel like we have to choose just one career, interest, or passion. You might hear things like:
- “You’re spreading yourself too thin.”
- “You need to focus on one thing if you want to be successful.”
- “You can’t be serious about both of those things.”
And you start to believe them. You worry that you’re doing too much, that your interests aren’t valid, or worse, that following all of them means you’ll fail.
But the truth is, being multi-hyphenate isn’t a weakness—it’s your strength.
Reframing the Focus: God Designed You to Be Complex
God didn’t create you to live a one-dimensional life.
The Bible reminds us in 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 that there are “different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit.” You can be a teacher and a poet, an engineer and a fashion designer, a corporate professional and a community organizer.
Your multiple interests and talents reflect the creativity of God Himself. By embracing your multi-hyphenate self, you honor the fullness of what God placed in you.
Encouragement: Practical Steps to Thrive as a Multi-Hyphenate
- Embrace Every Part of You: Write down your talents, interests, and skills. Don’t leave anything out—whether it’s your love of music, your knack for coding, or your dream of owning a bakery.
- Integrate, Don’t Separate: Look for ways your passions intersect. For example, if you’re an artist who loves teaching, consider offering online art courses.
- Prioritize, But Don’t Eliminate: It’s okay to focus on one or two things at a time while keeping others on the back burner. Just because you’re not doing it now doesn’t mean it’s not part of your story.
- Set Boundaries: Being multi-hyphenate doesn’t mean you have to do everything all at once. Protect your time and energy.
- Celebrate Your Journey: Each step you take—whether it’s big or small—is part of living your full, authentic self.
Uplifting Call to Action: Live in Your Wholeness
Beautiful sister, the world needs all of you. Not just the career-focused you, not just the hobby-loving you, but the entire, multi-hyphenate masterpiece that God designed.
So, this week, take a bold step: Claim your multi-hyphenate identity. When someone asks, “What do you do?” give them the full answer—every hyphen included. And don’t apologize for it.
Remember, you don’t have to fit into their box. You are a world changer, a light bearer, and a living testament to the creativity of God. Keep shining in every lane you’re called to walk.
With love and faith,
Black Girl Heal 💖
