So you identify as both an introvert & multi-passionate. It can be absolutely draining, and you probably have no idea how to balance both. I feel you. It can be a little difficult but not impossible to manage.
We know the stereotypes that come with being an introvert, and we also know that being multi-passionate is not for the faint of heart.
So how do we balance both? At a glance, it can seem like a daunting task, but it’s not actually that complicated.
It just requires a little time, self-awareness, and some out-of-the-box thinking to get you headed in the right direction.
Being multi-passionate is a gift, not a burden.
Being a multi-passionate creative can be challenging to balance on its own, especially if you’re new to being multi-passionate and haven’t entirely found your groove yet. But if you throw being an introvert into the mix, it can be an entirely different ball game.
Balancing being a multi-passionate introvert can be a juggling act, and I think it’s important to really sit down and take a minute to self-coach your way to creating a solid foundation for managing both so that you don’t fall into a cycle of feeling overwhelmed and stressed out from the expectations of it all.
I’ve always known I was an introvert, and identifying as multi-passionate didn’t come until later on. I spent years attempting to stuff myself into a box and align my core values and beliefs with societal norms.
But after spending years out of touch with who I truly was and what I desired to do the most, I finally broke free and stepped into understanding who I was as both a multi-passionate introvert. In the beginning, this was no easy feat.
I struggled with balancing both while still accomplishing goals and maintaining a social life. While it was difficult at first, I eventually found a way to manage it all without losing my sanity.
Here’s a quick guide to take you from constantly stressed & overwhelmed to handling life, business & passion projects like a pro:
Balance is subjective
First, I’d like to mention that the term “balance” is subjective, and in reality, it is less balancing and more of being in tune with yourself and your energy. Likely, things will never be a 50/50 split. Instead, you will prioritize based on needs, goals, deadlines, etc. The key is setting yourself up to be able to manage these ebbs and flows as they happen.
The multi-passionate
As a multi-passionate individual, it can be easy to fall victim to the shiny-object syndrome, procrastination, imposter syndrome, etc. These things can make it harder to manage your projects and business effectively. You tend to overthink everything that you do, which ends up causing uncertainty and doubt. Overplanning and inaction become the norm, and your goals seem to be continuously set on the back burner.
The introverted
As an introvert personally, I know that we need time to do, think, feel, process without the pressure or expectations of others. We need space to manage our lives in a way that makes us feel comfortable and in control to an extent. We can easily become unfocused or overwhelmed by people, events, or tasks. And we usually like to work independently from others.
Learn how to manage it all
So how do you make it all work together? By creating habits, routines, systems, and structure! I know you’re like, “Wait a darn minute! You’re asking a lot of me!”
I know that it may seem like a lot now, but taking the time to find balance as both an introvert and a multi-passionate person can really be a long-term gain and a long-term game. Like sure, you could not do the work now.
And then, when you become overwhelmed with everything, you’ll retreat and do all the self-care things while simultaneously ignoring the necessary stuff that will still require your attention later. Or you could create a solid foundation now so that you can easily manage it all while minimizing the overwhelm and burnout.
Three tips to help you get started
1. Have clarity around your goals
The best way to go about this is to take some time to look at the bigger picture. For it to all work together, it all needs to be set up with a common goal in mind. Getting crystal clear on what you’re trying to achieve will make everything else so much easier.
2. Supporting habits & routines are key
Evaluate the habits & routines you currently have that support your life and the systems and structures needed to manage your passions effectively. You may need to implement habits and routines that make the flow of your day more fitting to your introverted tendencies, such as scheduling time for yourself to either do something that recharges you or eliminates stress from your day.
You also may need to get rid of those habits and routines that aren’t adding to your ideal quality of life. For example, if you have a habit of committing to plans, you don’t have the emotional energy for. Things like this will only drain you and cause you to need more time to recharge, which will likely take away from the time you need to work on your passion projects or business.
3. Processes and workflows are gold
When it comes to your passion projects and business, you want to look at how you can streamline your processes so that you spend less time starting from the very beginning every time you go to work on your projects.
The best thing you can do for yourself is taking the time to set up workflows and systems within your passion projects and business. Workflows and systems will allow you to complete the things you need to achieve without the overwhelming feeling of always trying to figure out what’s next.
Creating processes and workflows can free up time with repetitive tasks and give you a better idea of what needs to be completed next. It keeps things organized, improves productivity & reduces rework and errors.
While creating that “balance” that you seek may take time, things become much easier to manage once you find it.
Remember to be consistent with whatever action steps you choose to take and give yourself grace when needed. There are no rules when it comes to being both introverted and multi-passionate. You get to set the standard for your life.
