Johannes factotum

In the digital world, people like to define themselves simply and, generally, as a specialist. You see this on Twitter feeds, blogs and podcasts. The ones which I stumble across most are:  
- foodie - chef - journalist - broadcaster - classical singer - jazz pianist - mum - wife - PR - CEO - artist - beautiful person - fitness fanatic - feminist - photographer - woman - man - celebrity -

Being clear about what you are gives a digital presence focus and marketability: a brand identity. People sometimes add a second or third string to their bow, and become 'mum & foodie', 'broadcaster & journalist', 'feminist & quite hot with it'. Those who claim to be many things often still unify their identity with something else, something perhaps a little less obvious or tangible: 
 - influencer - lifestyle guru - witty writer - well-connected - 

This way of working gives people like me an identity crisis. What AM I? What should I be focussing on? Where is my direction? What subject should my blog be about? What would people want to read? What would be scalable? But I don't have a single thing and I don't want a single thing. Where is the space for that? 

Young people generally don't know what their 'thing' is yet, even if they are to become a specialist. It's no wonder social media is causing anxiety. Quite apart from the fact that it is a constant noise, a bright screen, highly judgmental, and leaves people open and vulnerable, it puts pressure on your inner self to stop exploring, be an expert already and start reacting.

As soon as we stop learning, stop exploring and start reacting we have put a restriction on our ability, on our life choices, on the joy we can discover and the beauty we can see. To become a polymath is a wonderful thing. To be a Jack of All Trades is highly useful in a society which is moving so fast that those who can adapt and cope with the change will be those who are highly sought after. Where is the space for that, and are we encouraging it?