A portfolio career
A dear friend I hadn't spoken with for a while asked me a month ago, 'So, what do you do now?'
Those of you who personally know me have probably already had the chance to see that I am a person who has many passions, and I am happy when I get to live them all.
Sometimes it can be full-on, but it's also gratifying and makes me feel alive.
The diversity I inject into my life allows me to have something to sing and write about constantly, and it feeds and inspires my artistry.
When someone - like my friend - asks me what I do, I always find it a bit hard to answer because I know that my answer isn't short.
The reason being is that I do many things, and sometimes it takes a bit to list them. Also, I wouldn't say I like labelling myself. But if I have to, I use the word creative and artist.
I love creating things, and sometimes that thing is art. Sometimes ideas, connections, communities. In other words, I love bringing things to life. And often, art is the way I make sense of the world.
Before answering my friend, I took some time to breathe, and then I answered with a list of the things I currently do:
I teach Yoga and meditation
I teach UX Design
I freelance as a UX/Service Design for change
I coach people (121 and groups)
I have a yoga studio
I write poems/content
I write songs
I facilitate sound baths
I sing
I am involved in some climate action projects
I have an online community for empowerment
I dream of having my sustainable tech startup at some point
I see her typing (we are chatting on WhatsApp)
She answers: 'Oh cool, you have a portfolio career!'
It's the first time I've heard this expression—a portfolio career. 'Cool' I tell myself! It's a short answer that offers the option to know more should someone want to learn more about it.
I think I knew about the term but hadn't thought about it when looking at my life. And I love it, and it works for me. I like it because it also helps me move away from 'being something like 'I am a ... doctor, singer, teacher' to ... 'I do these things in my life.'
I like the idea of life being a playground. With our different talents, we get - when we are lucky and have the opportunity to do that - to explore and experiment with other things, jobs, tasks, and passions.
I never liked the idea that there would be one thing only I'd do when I was old. I always hated the question, ‘So what do you want to do when you’re older?’ So limiting!
When I was a kid, I remember getting so anxious when people used to ask me. I never really knew what I wanted to do. I always thought it was a problem not knowing. I also thought I had to stick to my answer. I didn’t know I could have more than one thing. Or that I could change along the way.
I am now very happy with all my passions. I am also very grateful that they all come together in my music. And of course, life is a journey, and my goals evolve as I get older.
My goal for this year and upcoming ones is to make even more music and increase the percentage of time dedicated to it.
I am working towards creating more space and time to dedicate to my songwriting and production, so stay tuned to be part of this journey. New songs to be released soon!
My music and art are the final expressions of all the things I learn and experience through the different activities I do, and it feels good to be alive.
Btw, you might know that I am very passionate about climate action. Where I can, I try to talk, write and sing about it. My other jobs also rotate around sustainability.
One of the songs I released last year is WAKE UP. If you haven’t watched the video, I’d love to invite you to do it. If you feel inspired, subscribe to my channel.
