To Enter and Exit Every Color

Have you ever dreamed of becoming an astronaut one day and then decided to become a chef the next? Or perhaps you started playing basketball and suddenly developed a passion for playing the guitar? Sometimes in life we need to try different things to discover what we love most. In our language, there is a vivid idiom that perfectly captures this idea—trying out various jobs: Her boyaya girip çıkmak.

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According to its literal meaning, the idiom "her boyaya girip çıkmak" refers to having worked briefly in various occupations. Think of it like a large paint palette: just as a painter tries many different colors—red, blue, yellow—to create a magnificent painting on canvas, some people try many different jobs in life. We use this idiom to describe individuals who have worked briefly in many different roles and gained diverse experiences. For example, someone might have worked in a grocery store, practiced gardening, and learned tailoring during their youth. This idiom highlights how much they have learned through these varied experiences.

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Idioms are among the most enjoyable ways to express our feelings and thoughts. We typically use this idiom when talking about people who are experienced and knowledgeable in many different areas, and who possess diverse talents. For instance, if you ask your grandfather, "Grandpa, how are you able to fix this broken bicycle?" he might smile and say, "I was someone who tried every kind of work, so I can handle this too!" This means he once tried many different jobs and as a result can manage any task.

In the past, people learned new trades by working as apprentices under masters for short periods. A young apprentice might spend time with a carpenter, then a blacksmith, and later a painter, experiencing the challenges and beauty of each craft separately. Our ancestors may have imagined this journey of experience as "painting oneself with different colors," giving rise to this beautiful idiom.

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Trying out different paints—meaning exploring various jobs and hobbies—is an excellent way to grow. Perhaps you think you will love playing the violin, but after trying it you may realize you are more naturally drawn to the piano. Every new job, game, or task you try gives you a brand-new skill. Just as your notebook becomes more colorful and patterned with every color you touch, your knowledge and experience become richly varied.

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