i'll probably take this to the grave (but which one?)

There are no skeletons in my closet.

There's an entire cemetery.

There’s the Hobby Mausoleum. Entombed here are the remains of quilling supplies, beads, embroidery floss, jewelry paraphernalia, partially completed projects--along with all the craft flotsam I’ve accumulated from my many “this would be so cool to try!!!” project ideas.

Below that is the Crypt of Journals and Planners. Here rest the remains of planners I’ve tried...

With dates, without dates, page-a-day, line-a-day, goal-based, quest-based, conventional style, and “planners for the people who hate planners” style. All so promising in their beginnings but weakening so fast.

Tragic.

Just outside the closet grounds is the Book Shrine. This tower is a monument to past obsessions: Behavioral Economics, Neuroscience, Blockchain, Linguistics, Self-Improvement.

Some experienced the joy of being read before retiring here. Most live in limbo, wondering if living eyes will ever gaze upon their pages.

🌺🌺🌺

Not everything I take up is destined for an early grave. I’ve stuck with rock climbing and knitting and word puzzles.

One of my latest interests is birdwatching.

I’ve got my Sibley’s Guide to Birds on my desk (along with a condensed Sibley’s Guide to Birds of the Mid-Atlantic Pamphlet for speedier reference).

There are birdhouses all over the yard. I have yard feeders and window feeders. And I’m considering creating my own seed blend based on what I’ve seen the birds eat and ignore.

So, naturally, I’ve been thinking about this tweet I read a while ago.

I’m not sure why that tweet stuck with me. I wasn’t into birds at the time. (I was into learning about trees. Still am. Because there’s a lot to know. I also have that Sibley’s guide.)

I guess because the sentiment was the same…

Firstly, I am getting old.

Secondly, things aren’t interesting until they are. And you never know what will stick.

🌺🌺🌺

Growing up, I thought my flitting interests meant I had no grit. No willpower. I gave up too easily.

Now I know it’s a common trait of ADHD and other neurodivergences.

That’s helped me tremendously.

It doesn’t eliminate all the shame I feel when I see the closet clutter. Or think about the money I spent on projects that went nowhere.

But it’s let me be easier on myself. I don’t lack tenacity. I’m not weak-willed.

In fact, I can be incredibly intense---for periods even overly tenacious. I also just know when I’m done. I’m not sure why that’s considered wrong.

Because when we explore multiple interests, we still gain the experience of getting to know all of those sepulchral souls of fascinations gone by.

Which means…

🐦 You can see similarities between seemingly completely different things

🐦 You can relate to anyone who's ever been interested in anything you’ve ever been interested in

🐦 Your curiosity and excitement about working with someone on something they’re excited about is infectious

In short, you’re you.

You’re exactly the person the people you want to work, want to work with. Skeletons and all.

Which makes YOU the most valuable asset in your business.

(I share an example of how this works in practice in Bell Bottoms and Business, Episode 2 of the Weirdly Wired Women Podcast. It’s about 13 minutes.)

And even if you don’t have your own business, you’re still the most valuable asset in your career.

So what is it about you that makes you amazingly you? I’d love to hear! 

Off to watch the birds,
Kristen