Graffiti artist Banksy said it best: “Think from outside the box, collapse it, and take a f—g knife to it.” That’s the ethos we need as multipotentialites—because if there’s one thing we know for sure, it’s that the box was never meant for us in the first place. We’re box cutters, fueled by the need to break free from societal confines, tear apart expectations, and carve out lives defined by creativity, curiosity, and a refusal to fit into someone else’s mold.
For years, I wrestled with the discomfort of not being “just one thing.” Society loves a good label: doctor, artist, engineer, teacher. But what happens when you want to be all of them? Or when you’re simply wired to follow your interests wherever they lead? If you’re someone who thrives on exploring multiple passions, you’ve probably felt this, too—the sense of freedom, but also the judgment. The world doesn’t know what to do with people like us, so they try to shove us into boxes.
But here’s the thing: multipotentialites don’t belong in boxes. We collapse them.
I recently revisited an old project of mine, a blog I created years ago called The Boxcutters. It was a site that aimed to honor people who refused to abide by societal definitions, choosing instead to live unapologetically, without fear or regret. I created it for the people who provoke the greater consciousness, those society dismisses as “rabble-rousers,” “punks,” or “hopeless dreamers.” I asked my friend Jayvee del Rosario—the lead singer and drummer of The Sleepyheads, the folk-punk band I managed—to write the first post, which was dedicated to Lester Bangs. I even signed off with a line that feels a bit much now: “Welcome to the...outside.”
Absolute cringe, as the Gen-Zers might say. But then again, maybe not.
As writers and creators, we often feel a mix of embarrassment and pride when reflecting on our earlier work. Yet looking back, I see a clear throughline: I’ve always sought to create spaces where marginalized or overlooked voices could be elevated. As a visual and media anthropologist, writer, festival founder, and story scout, I’ve worked to help others embrace their histories, identities, and individuality in a world that prizes conformity. And this is something I've observed in other multipotentialites too—diverse endeavors and passions, but all borne out of a singular core value. The key is discovering what that value is within ourselves. That’s the essence of being a box cutter.
In recognizing that our diverse projects and passions stem from a core value, we can see how, as multipotentialites, we have the power to define our own paths. Instead of feeling confined by predefined labels, we can embrace the freedom to explore and create across different fields, guided by that central value.
Here’s how we can use that understanding as a tool—taking the knife to carve out our own space, free from the constraints of societal expectations:
1. The “Jack-of-All-Trades” Stereotype
They love calling us that, don’t they? It’s always meant as a backhanded compliment, implying breadth without depth. But here’s the truth: being a “Jack-of-all-trades” doesn’t make you shallow—it makes you nimble.
We are the connectors, the innovators, the ones who weave together seemingly unrelated threads into something entirely new.
When we rip apart the notion that mastery requires a singular focus, we see the beauty of our range. As Steve Jobs once said, we’re “the round pegs in the square holes.”
Instead of apologizing for not fitting, remember that it’s people like us who can reshape the system itself.
2. Imposter Syndrome: Living in the In-Between
Every multipotentialite has been there—stepping into a new field and hearing that nagging voice: What makes you think you belong here? Society loves a specialist, but we thrive in the spaces between. Embracing a beginner’s mindset, rather than faking authority, is our edge. The courage to be curious is often mistaken for insecurity—but in reality, it’s what makes us fearless.
Banksy’s knife? That’s us cutting through the BS of perfectionism.
3. The Time and Energy Tug-of-War
Passion isn’t a steady stream—it’s more like a flood. For multipotentialites, the challenge isn’t finding something we love; it’s figuring out how to do it all without burnout. I’ve found salvation in seasonal focus: diving into one or two pursuits deeply for a few months while letting the others simmer on the back burner.
This doesn’t mean ignoring your other interests—it’s about honoring your bandwidth while keeping momentum alive. We don’t need to force ourselves into linear progressions; our growth is beautifully nonlinear.
4. Explaining Ourselves to a Boxed-In World
“So… what do you do?” Few questions strike fear into the heart of a multipotentialite like that one. But here’s the hack: you don’t need to list every role or project.
Instead, craft a narrative. Explain how your varied skills converge into something powerful.
Maybe you’re a designer who also writes, bringing storytelling into visual branding. Or a data analyst who paints, using creativity to visualize patterns others miss.
We don’t need to fit into someone else’s box. We cut the damn box apart and turn it into something no one has seen before.
5. Multipotentialites: Finding Work That Fits
The traditional 9-to-5 often isn’t always built for people like us. That’s why multipotentialites flourish in hybrid roles, freelancing, or portfolio careers where adaptability and cross-pollination are valued. When these opportunities don’t exist? We create them.
Boxcutters—whether artists, writers, or revolutionaries—are the ones who refuse to abide by the status quo. We live life unapologetically, and we find ways to make our place in the world rather than conforming to it.
We Are the Box Cutters
Multipotentialites are not just breaking out of boxes—we’re dismantling the system that builds them. As the cringey-dreamer version of me once wrote many moons ago (still cringey, but perhaps a bit wiser), it’s about embracing the fact that we challenge norms, reject limits, and live on our own terms—without apology, without fear, and without regret.
So, if you’re a multipotentialite wondering if it’s okay to be “too much,” let me tell you this:
Being too much is your power. Embrace it. Provoke the greater consciousness. Collapse the box and take a knife to it.
Now tell me—what boxes are you cutting through today? Let’s sharpen each other’s blades.
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