I’m having similar issues at the moment just putting together my UX and graphic design portfolio. ‘Am I a UX designer? Can I be a graphic designer or artist? Should I drop everything and study cities?’
It’s really difficult to try to summarise yourself and your direction when you’ve always lived in flux.
Couldn’t help but wonder as I read that maybe part of your struggle with branding yourself is directly tied to your feelings of loss for the other selves that *are* part of you, but no longer part of your public work.
I bleakly feel no thoughts really, about being perceived only. Partly because I am only niche-prominent, and partly because there is so much stuff/people-as-brands now that i’m a drop in the web. Also, I feel comfortable (At long last, at 34) with reminding people I have *range*. And so do you! “Because I think at some level, if I say I am X, then it feels like I am closing the door to Y.” - you close one door to walk through the other, but that first door is still unlocked to you 😉
This really resonates for me, the whole idea of having to fit into one category and cutting off other possibilities...seems professional but kind of anti-creative! I alway anguished over which path to choose and ended up decided I would just follow my interests, the things I’m passionate about, and eventually (10 years later, in SpongeBob voice) they would come to fruition...which is sort of what’s happened for me. More like 20 years! But also there’s a beautiful cross-pollination between all those fields. They’re not side quests, more like ‘reading around your topic’. Which surely makes us more rounded people right? Love your substack, wassalaam
I love that it just worked, in the end. Alhamdulilah! I guess that is probably what I am also going to end up doing, not through any concerted effort or plan, but because anything else feels... stifling.
This is fascinating Yassmin! I have a lot of similar thoughts re not wanting to be perceived as one single thing. Also loved the insight into the gen z approach to perception. Love it!
Thank you for writing this. I loved how poetic ‘as I leaked my anxieties all over their shirt’ is such a beautiful picture of friendship.
I think you’ve articulated a deep struggle for the generation ahead. How do we come to terms with identify and perception? I look forward to more of your thoughts and am thrilled that your newsletter is back.
Thanks so much, Alexandria! It's so nice to share with folks again as well, and be in conversation. Thanks for noticing that line also, I was quietly pleased with it so this is quite gratifying!
Just wait, Yassmin, til you're 75 (3/4 of a century!!) and your selves are beginning to feel like a multitude! I kind of gave up on the personal branding, to marketing detriment for sure, but decided somewhere along the way the the multifaceted coalescing of selves suited me. A form of acceptance and a decision to enjoy the mystery, and hope a few others would too.
Hey - I remember your QLD Museum self... remember that Board? And it's lovely to see you these years later in full, joyful, beautiful bloom. Doreen x
I’m having similar issues at the moment just putting together my UX and graphic design portfolio. ‘Am I a UX designer? Can I be a graphic designer or artist? Should I drop everything and study cities?’
It’s really difficult to try to summarise yourself and your direction when you’ve always lived in flux.
Maybe in flux we shall remain... ;)
Couldn’t help but wonder as I read that maybe part of your struggle with branding yourself is directly tied to your feelings of loss for the other selves that *are* part of you, but no longer part of your public work.
I bleakly feel no thoughts really, about being perceived only. Partly because I am only niche-prominent, and partly because there is so much stuff/people-as-brands now that i’m a drop in the web. Also, I feel comfortable (At long last, at 34) with reminding people I have *range*. And so do you! “Because I think at some level, if I say I am X, then it feels like I am closing the door to Y.” - you close one door to walk through the other, but that first door is still unlocked to you 😉
I love that. The first door is still unlocked, to me! What a wonderful and generous reframe, thank you temi! Yx
*about being perceived online
This really resonates for me, the whole idea of having to fit into one category and cutting off other possibilities...seems professional but kind of anti-creative! I alway anguished over which path to choose and ended up decided I would just follow my interests, the things I’m passionate about, and eventually (10 years later, in SpongeBob voice) they would come to fruition...which is sort of what’s happened for me. More like 20 years! But also there’s a beautiful cross-pollination between all those fields. They’re not side quests, more like ‘reading around your topic’. Which surely makes us more rounded people right? Love your substack, wassalaam
I love that it just worked, in the end. Alhamdulilah! I guess that is probably what I am also going to end up doing, not through any concerted effort or plan, but because anything else feels... stifling.
Hurray for multifaceted creative lives!
This is fascinating Yassmin! I have a lot of similar thoughts re not wanting to be perceived as one single thing. Also loved the insight into the gen z approach to perception. Love it!
You sparked such a rich conversation on twitter about it Louie, thank you!
In terms of the pill, how about "a mix"? 💜 keeping yours and our interests eclectic and not "on brand". 😉
I feel like a mix is exactly what we are going to get, partly because that is how my brain works!
Thank you for writing this. I loved how poetic ‘as I leaked my anxieties all over their shirt’ is such a beautiful picture of friendship.
I think you’ve articulated a deep struggle for the generation ahead. How do we come to terms with identify and perception? I look forward to more of your thoughts and am thrilled that your newsletter is back.
Thanks so much, Alexandria! It's so nice to share with folks again as well, and be in conversation. Thanks for noticing that line also, I was quietly pleased with it so this is quite gratifying!
As to personal branding...
'Cause I try, and I try, and I try, and I try
I can't get no, I can't get no (satisfaction) ...
Just wait, Yassmin, til you're 75 (3/4 of a century!!) and your selves are beginning to feel like a multitude! I kind of gave up on the personal branding, to marketing detriment for sure, but decided somewhere along the way the the multifaceted coalescing of selves suited me. A form of acceptance and a decision to enjoy the mystery, and hope a few others would too.
Hey - I remember your QLD Museum self... remember that Board? And it's lovely to see you these years later in full, joyful, beautiful bloom. Doreen x
Poll. Not pill. Though today is a bit of a pill day...