Episode 42: You Don’t Have To Make Yourself Make Sense
In this episode I explore the ways in which I’ve limited myself. I share my desire to allow my multi-passionate creative soul to shine as I contemplate what’s next for me in career and in life.
Episode Details
Summary
In this episode, I’m reflecting on the pressure to make myself understandable to other people. As someone who is creative, multi-passionate, and moving through a fluid season of work and identity, I’ve noticed how uncomfortable it can feel when someone asks a simple question like, “What do you do?”
There was a time when the answer felt easy. I had a jewelry company, and that identity fit neatly into a box. Now, my life holds many different pieces. The Shoreline, private coaching, writing, creativity, spirituality, YouTube, marketing, and the many intuitive nudges I’m following along the way.
This episode explores what it means to outgrow the labels that once made us feel safe. I’m learning that my career is only one part of who I am and that my creativity does not need to become a product or a job in order to have value. I create because expression is part of who I am.
I also share how stepping more fully into our individuality can actually create deeper connection. We do not have to flatten ourselves into something more palatable in order to belong. The more honestly we allow our complexity to be seen, the more opportunity we create to connect with others beyond the surface.
As I move through another intense in-between season, I’m noticing sparks of creativity returning even alongside difficulty. I’m learning to look for the glimmers, the stars, the small moments of joy, and the reminders that darkness can also be fertile ground for something new.
This is an invitation to release the need to make yourself make sense. To let old versions of you go with gratitude, to trust the shape you are becoming, and to remember that you do not need to have a final form yet.
This episode is for you if…
You’re in a season of growth and are looking for support as you try to move forward
You’re ready to share more of yourself and express your unique spirit
You’re feeling unsure about the changing of the seasons and want tips on how to cultivate joy and creativity
You’re a multi-passionate creative who’s ready to break out of the boxes you’ve created for yourself
You feel stuck and overwhelmed and want to know how to move forward
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Welcome to The Shoreline, where we explore the tender in-between seasons of the human experience. My name is Kim, and I'm here to support you as you navigate your next becoming. Here, we don't fix, we listen. We don't rush, we allow. Hello and welcome. If you're new here, I'm so happy you've made your way to The Shoreline. And if you're returning, welcome back. I'm so glad that you're here. So friends, it's been pretty wavy times over here for me. I've been kind of launched into a new in between space, and it's really just been quite difficult. I've been out of my routine, and yeah, I've just been going through a lot of learning, a lot of growth, a lot of obstacles. And to be honest with you, there's a lot that's just kind of swirling around in my head. I've been thinking a lot about intuition, spirituality, creativity, and I had planned to do an episode that was kind of more along the lines of just exploring creativity. But I think as I'm kind of going through my own growth and navigating these waves and as I think about all of these topics, I think what really is at the core of everything and a core kind of wound of mine is just this idea that I need to make myself make sense for other people. And it started with being a creative, being a multi-passionate, and having kind of a pretty fluid career. It used to be so easy for me to explain what I did when I had a jewelry company. That was it. I made jewelry, I sold it, I built a company, the end. And it was really easy to wrap everything up and tie it in a little bow. And it was something that was pretty widely accepted. And then when I left that, I did some freelance marketing, and then I shifted into kind of more of the coaching space. And now I feel like there's all of these little pieces. To me, it all makes sense, but I find it really hard to answer the question. When I meet someone new and they ask me, what do you do for work? It just kind of, I freeze, and it gives me this feeling inside of just like, I don't know how to explain myself, or I kind of dread the question now because I don't know how to make myself make sense, or make myself palatable. And as I sat with that feeling of dread, I really wanted to get to the bottom of why I was feeling this way. And really, I think that in my growth and on my journey, it's more that I've kind of outgrown the typical job titles that we find in kind of modern society. And I'm just wondering if there are others out there like me, maybe you're like me. And I do find that there has been a rise of people who identify as being a multi-passionate creative. And I think it's so beautiful. And really, I don't want to have to just be one thing. I think that we all have many facets. We're all very complex individuals, and it's layered, and I would never want someone to feel like they have to make themselves make sense for me. And so I know that that's really just kind of my own insecurity, my own thing, but I do feel like it's worth really diving into because as I go down this path and as I get deeper into the in-between space, I find it harder and harder to kind of relate to others in that superficial way. And especially when you live in the United States, it is such a what you do for work and how you make money and how you support yourself. It's such a core focus. And I care about my career. I feel like it's an important aspect of who I am, and it's not all of who I am, and it's not this core defining piece. And I think that earlier in my work and on my healing journey, I really confused the two of wanting all of this healing to be for something, and I wanted it to be put into my career so that I could make it worth something. And the further I get down this path, it's really not about how can I create this transformation and build it into something. It's really just I'm curious and I'm learning about myself, and I'm on this journey of growing and evolving and transforming and experiencing life and that's beautiful. And yes, work and career is part of it, but it's not all of it. And I don't create only to sell something, right? Like I create because that's who I am, and I feel like I need to express myself in that way. And it's so much bigger than just a job title. And so yeah, I've just been thinking about that. I feel like I'm going through these really intense waves right now, where every day is feeling really hard, and I'm being pushed in a lot of new ways. And yes, at times it's painful, and there's struggle, and it feels like there are breakthroughs happening. And I don't know quite how it'll all turn out yet. I don't really know how I'm being shaped. All I know is I'm being called to really step into my next version and to really let go of a lot of these identifiers that felt comfortable. And I think that part of that is really just letting go of making sense to others. And what I do doesn't really make sense. There's all these little pieces, right? I share here, and then I have my website, and I do the Shoreline private coaching sessions, and I started a YouTube where I'm talking about knitting, and I'm writing a book, and I do a little bit of marketing, and I'm just following all of these nudges from my intuition, and just trying to find those bits of joy. And I think that if I were to zoom out, it probably does all make sense. And yet, it doesn't really matter anymore if it does make sense or it doesn't make sense. And I think that what I do for a living is probably one of the least interesting parts of who I am as a person. And when I meet other people, I really am just wanting to know more about them, and it doesn't matter as much. And I think that we are as a collective shifting out of that, out of those superficial connective moments, because we're connecting on such a deeper level. And the more we step into our own individuality, our own uniqueness, the more we find deeper connection. And actually to really express yourself as a special, unique individual that you are, is what will bring about a deeper sense of connection. It's not meant to be isolating. It's meant to be connective. And I think that's so beautiful. And it's really easy to forget that, especially when you're in an in-between space, when things feel really foggy, when you're out to sea, just like riding the waves and going through your stuff, it can feel really lonely. And I totally get that. I've been there. I am there right now. But truly, you're not alone. And you'll find that connection. And I think I'm saying that as much for you as I am myself of just remembering that even in the hardest of times, even when life feels really dark and difficult, there are glimmers of light. There are always stars in the sky. There are always flowers out in nature there. The birds will still chirp. And it's about finding those moments of joy, about finding those little glimmers, even when you're struggling, even when you're riding the waves. There's still little treasures, little magical moments to be found. And I've noticed in myself as well as I've been struggling, as I've just been riding these waves, I can feel sparks of creativity inside myself, and I can feel that desire to really write and to express and to get it all out, like that's bubbling up to the surface. And so I feel the, not the why, but I just feel the support from the universe and the knowing that I am on my path and I'm honoring my path and I have to respect it and just move through the obstacles as quickly as possible and to remember to come back to joy, to connection, to love, and to not get stuck in the difficulty. And I think that that is something that can happen to all of us. I don't necessarily know what you're going through, but I do want you to know that there's joy out there. There are glimmers out there. And I want to remind you to look up at the sky every once in a while and maybe step outside in the night and look at the stars. It's that time of year, especially where I live. We had our last 7 p.m. sunset a week or two ago, and the evenings are getting darker for longer. You know, there's grief in that and there's magic in it. And I think it's really important to just embrace where you're at. And this time of year, I'm reminded of how magical and how fruitful the dark can be. And there's so much creativity there. And yeah, so that's where I'm at. Just in life and with creativity, I think that there's those little sparks bubbling up. And I'm just trying to see where they go and really take care of myself and rest when I can. And know that the waves won't always be this treacherous. And, you know, the storm will pass eventually. And then it might come back. I don't know. But everything truly is temporary. And I'm trying just to remain as present as possible. I'm really focused on releasing and letting go. I feel like there's little bits of past versions that are coming up. And the revisiting has been really special. Sometimes it feels... There's grief there. It feels sad. But then it feels so wonderful to just say, like, I'm so grateful that I got to be that version. And I'm sending her on her way and welcoming what's new. So I've been doing a lot of reflection as well during this time. And I'm just kind of like a cleansing and a releasing, if you will. I think that's a really special part of being in the in-between spaces. Like, you can review and reflect, and everything is really malleable and moldable and flexible. And so I just feel like right now I'm kind of clay being molded and drafted, and I may not be my final form yet, but it's starting to take shape. And so, yeah, I'll keep you posted on new discoveries and new revelations. Again, I'm just really focused on the present moment. I'm getting back to the basics of just trying to take care of myself and really allow myself to rest when needed, because growth and transformation is hard work, and that means that it's really important to take care of your body and to rest when you can. And I don't know about you, but my sleep has been a little bit more disruptive, which tends to happen during periods of big growth. And so this is just a reminder to me as well that maybe I take a nap if I can, or just get a quick rest through meditation. I think that just not even napping during the day, but even just taking like 10 or 15 minutes to just close my eyes and go to my peaceful place, or just listen to my intuition, or just clear my mind completely. That can be more relaxing and more rejuvenating than a full night's sleep, especially because for me, my dreams and my sleep life, or what happens when I'm sleeping can feel very active. So just taking time to rest during the day, and getting out into nature, and just really nourishing myself in the best way that I can. And so that's what I have for you today. If you're going through a lot of waves, and you would like some support, I offer guidance through the Shoreline private coaching sessions. So that is a time that is completely tailored to you. We meet once a week for six months. With support available in between, we can explore intuition, somatic practices, writing, creativity. I really like to use my intuition to be a guide and a support for you, and to also connect you to your intuition and your inner wisdom as well. If that is something that you're curious about or interested in, you can find more information on my website, and all of that will be in the show notes for you. And so, friend, I hope that you take good care while the waves carry you closer and know that your next version is already waiting on the shore.
If you’re feeling stuck in the foggy middle and exhausted from having to always “figure it out” alone, I want to invite you to…
Explore The Shoreline Private Sessions to find aligned support as you navigate a significant life transition
Use this FREE intention setting worksheet to help you find your north star and get clear about your path forward
Read this blog post to discover the easiest way to make your day better when life feels overwhelming
Listen to this visualization when you want to invite more peace and calm into your life and use a somatic practice to come back to your body and the present moment
Kim Kogane is a writer and intuitive guide helping you navigate the tender in-between seasons. She lives in Seattle, Washington with her dog, Cauchy, and three cats. Learn more about Kim
