SISTERSHIP Nurturing relationships among women based on shared experiences, creativity, and encouragement.
Volume I Galentine’s 2016
Dedication This zine is dedicated to the most inspiring women in my life; my sister and my mother. Thank you Momma for encouraging my creativity and loving me. Thank you Sissy for listening to me as I processed, providing feedback, and being the best twin-two-years-apart that a gal could ever wish for. I love you both.
Appreciation I would like to thank Nadia, Chelsea, JoAnna, Jessica, Liz, and Katie for helping this long held creative dream become a tangible reality.
Sistership zine is the intellectual property of Sarah Reckling. Sistership Volume I also contains personal photos and interview responses which were contributed by Nadia Fuad, Liz Morrow, Jessica Nichols, JoAnna Johnson, Chelsea Laine Francis, and Katie McCauley. Please do not redistribute any portion of this publication, in part or in whole, without prior written permission from Sarah Reckling. February 2016
SISTERSHIP Volume I Galentine’s 2016
Table of Contents: Introduction
The Lovely Ladies Nadia Chelsea JoAnna Jessica Liz Katie
Continued Inspiration Bookshelf Corner Music Playlist
Introduction
Dear Reader, Welcome to Sistership! I am so thankful that you have chosen to take time to explore these pages. For over a year I had a desire to create a small digital zine about women who inspire me. I wanted it to be a space for women to share parts of their stories and a publication that readers could be encouraged and inspired by. Most of all, I wanted it to be a space with the theme of encouragement. Just before the New Year I decided it was time to make the creative project a reality. To create this project I reached out to a few of the many women that inspire me. Some I know in person, some I have “met” through social media, and others I had never personally corresponded with prior to this project. I asked if they would be interested in participating in a mini-interview via email. It was honestly incredibly nerve racking to reach out to each individual and ask them to participate, but I am so glad that I stepped outside of my comfort zone. The responses that I received were each inspiring and provided such unique perspectives. Within these pages you will find six interviews with different women that inspire me in some way. At the end of the zine you can also browse the Bookshelf Corner and the Music Playlist where each of the women I interviewed shared some of their favorite books and music. I hope that this project will encourage you and that you will also be inspired by the wonderful women who participated in this project. I decided to release this into the world on Galentine’s Day. (February 13th.) It seemed like the perfect day to publish a zine all about inspiring women. It is my hope that this will be the first of many Sistership volumes to come. Happy reading! Sincerely, Sarah Reckling Creator and Editor of Sistership Nadia
-What are you passionate about and how are you continuing to cultivate that passion this year? I am passionate about crochet. I enjoy using my skill to give back in ways that benefit others. I am cultivating that passion by continuing to grow my craft, build my brand and name YARNutopia, and use my platform in crochet to build more awareness for Crohn’s disease.
struggle through this disease has been a challenge for nearly eight years. I often have to navigate obstacles that illness has placed in my life. During one of the lowest times of my life, I turned to crochet as a form of therapy. A hobby grew into a passion and that passion has helped me reach out to others who follow my website. Many YARNutopia followers are not always familiar with Crohn’s disease. Sharing my
-Could you share a little about your journey with Crohn's disease and any awareness information you would like to share?
story and being open about my battles helps
I have been personally impacted by severe
YARNutopians has shown help in a
Crohn’s disease. As it states in my bio, my
multitude of ways.
to raise more awareness in a different arena. The incredible support and outreach [of] my
It opens doors for others to feel comfortable to share their own personal stories. We have
-What is something that you love about being a woman?
an amazing community, and outside of my
The things I love are not gender specific. I
friends and family, they have lifted me up so
love that I have a gift of empathy for others
much during many of the toughest days. For
who also face health challenges or any
me it has been the best way to get my
adversity. I like that I have the ability to
message out to the masses.
move people or raise awareness by sharing my story. I like that I have a strong
-How has creativity and crochet impacted your life?
conviction to never give up and have been
Crochet and being creative are ways to feel
have a foot in two cultures which has helped
productive when my body won’t cooperate.
open my mind for that reason. These are just
They are forms of therapy for me. It is often
parts of being a human but if my journey and
during crochet that I can lose myself and not
my craft inspires other women then that is
think about the detours that life has put in
empowering to me as a woman to help be a
my path or feel unproductive while lying in a
positive influence. I love the idea that one
hospital bed. It truly has given me purpose
day I could possibly carry a child and create
and drive. I am able to reach goals and feel
life despite what I have gone through and
like I am accomplishing something even
help influence the life of my child.
able to fight through so much. I like that I
when I am unable to leave the house at times. -What are you proud of yourself for? I am very proud of my ability to have taken a very negative situation and have turned it into something incredibly positive and given myself a purpose and a mission to fulfill. I feel so proud that I can teach others and share my craft. It is the most humbling experience to share the gifts that God has given me.
-Is there a woman that inspires you? What about her inspires and encourages you? I am loved and encouraged by the most amazing women in my family first and foremost - my mom, my aunts, my sister-inlaw, my cousins, and a host of dear friends. There are so many women who inspire and encourage me. I am also motivated and inspired by women who have written to me and shared their stories.
I have found that opening myself up has been
with illness that has left my body completely
a catalyst to allow others to share their
scarred and functioning differently than
stories with me. So many women have found
most. None of that diminishes my value or
crochet to help them as much as it has me.
worth as a woman. I have been on the
They have shared stories of struggle,
receiving end of racist comments, comments
substance abuse, health crises, loss,
that have deemed me disgusting for having
loneliness, and escape from a bad situation
an ostomy, and critics that put my work
where crochet and finding my blog has
down. I just use that to empower myself and
helped them cope. THEY are my heroes.
let my “haters be my motivators!” I won’t lie
They motivate me. They encourage me and
and say that I don’t have “those” days, but
keep me going when I myself struggle.
most days I feel intelligent, I feel empowered, I am thankful people want my
-What encouragement would you like to share with other women?
instruction in crochet, and I can share my
Be you! Do you! Be different! There is a lot of
I cover my hair and my body, an act which
pressure on women today. Media has created
has never diminished my ability to feel
an image of what they deem as perfection
beautiful or make me feel less. Acceptance of
and I feel women have to take charge of
one’s self is a journey and we are all a work
changing that perception. You can be anyone
in progress-keep working on being the best
you want to be and feel powerful and
you!
beautiful. I crochet, I write a blog, I struggle
knowledge and skills. I am a modest woman;
More about Nadia’s Health Journey: God never gives us more than we can handle. I am a firm believer in what path my life has taken, I was meant to be on this journey. I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease 8 years ago. My disease was so progressive; I had to undergo a hand-assisted laproscopic total proctocolectomy with a temporary ileostomy and a J-pouch in 2008. I lived with an ileostomy for some time while my J-pouch healed and had my takedown surgery in February 2009. However, my J-pouch failed, and in November 2010, I underwent another surgery to have a temporary ileostomy for a year in hopes that my J-pouch would heal, but that never happened. I had to have another surgery in September 2011 to make my ileostomy permanent and remove my J-pouch and affected intestine. I now live with a permanent ileostomy. In May 2015, I had to have another surgery to remove approximately 30 centimeters of small intestine in a resection surgery along with a relocation of my ostomy due to a prolapse. Severe complications set in with an internal infection, a subQ leak from my stoma and other issues which nearly cost me my life. More recently, I underwent another surgery to remove the anal
area because an abscess had formed internally causing a very critical situation. The doctors felt that removing this area, it would prevent further complications down the line. Crochet Life I began crocheting to pass the time during all the numerous hospital stays I had endured through my journey with Crohn’s disease. Soon this hobby took on a life of its own and I began to crochet as a form of therapy. I love to pick up a hook and start creating. Creating things helps me feel accomplished. I started a mini shop, called YARNutopia, to sell some of my crocheted creations in 2012. A portion of each sale is donated to research to find a cure for inflammatory bowel diseases, a disease that has affected me personally. Everyone has to deal with the hand they have been dealt. I am no exception to that rule. I just feel that out of something negative, it was vital for me to turn it into something positive, and for me to not allow this disease to take from me more than it already has. I really wish I could do more in my life, but hospital stays and surgeries have stalled some of the progress that I would see my life taking. Being able to crochet and build awareness through my craft is the detour my life took when this disease tried to put some roadblocks in my way. I am extremely thankful that I found this outlet, and I feel better that I am able to give back in this way. To learn more about YARNutopia and Nadia Fuad’s crochet work, visit YARNutopia.com.
Chelsea
-What are you passionate about and how are you continuing to cultivate that passion this year? I am passionate about creative people, and in particular women, doing the things they
Tomorrow it's waking up to shoot photos of a creative boss lady for another creative boss lady's blog. Sunday it's going to a goal setting workshop.
endeavor. Whether that's a business, a non-
-Could you share about your journey with photography and creating your own business?
profit, a family or a hobby-- I just love seeing
I've always been interested in snapping
people get empowered to go for their dreams.
photos. In high school I was on yearbook
That's why I take photos.
staff. In college I filled up scrapbooks and
need to do to succeed in starting their own
-What does creativity mean to you? It means that every day at my job looks completely different. Today it's answering a pile of emails, watching some videos for an online class & then going on a Target run.
Facebook albums and I desperately wanted to pursue photography, but everyone I knew was doing it and I wanted to be different.
After college I was trying to figure out what
wasn't really afraid of failing, I was afraid
was next, and at the suggestion of my
of succeeding and they were 100% right! I'm
incredible husband I picked up a professional
planning on this being the year I stare that
camera and gave it a real shot. For an entire
fear in the face.
year I tried it out. That year I made almost no money whatsoever. I built a portfolio that I'm still proud of to this day, and I got to be a part of so many small businesses stories! I moved to Austin, in January of last year and while I was looking for and actively applying for open positions in marketing departments, I was shooting around town. It accidentally became my job because I began
-What is something that you love about being a woman? I love the camaraderie I have with other women as a woman. Does that make sense at all? I just love all of my female friendships so much. If I was a guy, they'd be totally different I think.
any time to apply for jobs. It would have
-Is there a woman that inspires you? What about her inspires and encourages you?
been great to have had a plan, but there's no
Yes. SO MANY. My best friend Stephanie
reason to wish the past is any different. This
(Hinrichs) inspires me. She's not afraid to try
will be my first year in an intentional
new things. She hasn't always been that way
photography business! I'm so excited about
either, which is actually more inspiring. I've
that! I have a lot of goals that I'm hoping I
gotten to watch her morph into this strong
can meet.
and confident woman who isn't afraid of
booking paying work, until I no longer had
starting a new business, or fulfilling a new -What are you proud of yourself for?
role at work that she's never done before, or
I'm really proud of the planning I've put into
going Texas two stepping just because she
this year. I have massive spreadsheets full of
wants to. I think I'm most inspired by her
plans and trajectories. I have budgets. I have
ability to grow and adapt.
hypothetical budgets. My budgets have budgets. I've been reading a lot about setting goals intentionally, and I think I've done that for 2016. I'm really proud of myself for going after this thing. Someone once told me that I
-What encouragement would you like to share with other women? Oh my goodness, what a question. I think I want you to know that you're enough.
You are well equipped to conquer today, and
Surround yourself with people who want you
tomorrow & this whole entire year of your
to succeed and then push yourself until you
life. You have everything inside of you to
see it. That's the advice that I'm trying to
succeed.
take this year, at least.
Chelsea Laine Francis is a photographer & blogger in Austin, Texas. She loves telling stories visually, meeting people for coffee or cocktails, and both sleeping late and getting up early. Breakfast is her favorite meal, #hankfromaustin is her favorite dog, and her husband Tucker makes the best cup of coffee she's ever tasted. You can learn more about her photography and creative expression at chelsealainefrancis.com
JoAnna
-What are you passionate about and how are you continuing to cultivate that passion this year? I am passionate about females achieving more in life, and not settling for a life of comfort. I am working with a youth ministry, where I get to work with urban girls.
-What are you proud of yourself for? Most recently I graduated and it took forever but I am still very proud to have my degree. However looking over my family’s traditional curses, I am really proud that I am the one woman in three generations of my family that doesn’t have children before I am married.
-What does creativity mean to you? Seeing the beauty in life, and whatever you make or do displaying that beauty.
-What is something that you love about being a woman? The fact that we have the ability [to] create life, lead companies, wipe snotty noses, all with heels on is pretty amazing.
-Is there a woman that inspires you? What about her inspires and encourages you? My Mom, she raised me to make my own decisions and be a women with extreme conviction. She always encouraged me to chase dreams, even though they are extremely different from her dreams.
-What encouragement would you like to share with other women? BE YOU, no matter what society tells you to be, no matter what your family tells you to be, no matter what your friends tell you to be. As women we get so wrapped up with being what other people tell us to be, when you become yourself you become someone that will truly make a difference, you become one of the different ones.
JoAnna Johnson recently graduated with her Bachelor of Arts in Strategic Communications. She is passionate about actively investing in the lives of other women and working with urban youth in her community.
Jessica
What are you passionate about and how are you continuing to cultivate that passion this year? I’m passionate about being the healthiest version of me that I can be, and that means physically with taking care of my body with exercise and nutrition; emotionally with strong relationships and psychologically with creative expression and meditation. I’m
What does creativity mean to you? To me, creativity means opening space to let your soul shine through. It means loosening expectations on outcomes, being playful, being in motion, being flexible and being grounded in a self-loving place to see what happens next.
my PT exercises, remembering to take all
Painting and photography seem to be deeply rooted in your creative expression. Could you share a little bit about what these two art forms mean to you and how you continue to explore them?
my prescriptions (thyroid and hormones
Painting is a way for me to connect with my
make a big difference in my life), drink more
playful side, which got pushed aside even
water, paint daily, etc.
during my childhood.
using an app called Streaks to track some daily habits I’m trying to cement like doing
It is a very grounding practice for me as it’s not digital. I experiment with colors, marks,
What is something that you love about being a woman?
shapes while listening to music and smelling
I love how my female brain works, and how
palo santo or sacred sage. It’s a multi-
it’s attentive to details, environment and
sensory experience, which is quite opposite
mood.
from photography. My photography is most often a self-care practice. I see in photos
Is there a woman that inspires you? What about her inspires and encourages you?
automatically, I’m constantly scanning my
Yes, another Jessica is one of my favorite
environment and composing images. When
Instagrammers, @jessaspen, and she has
I’m tired or blue or overwhelmed, taking my
inspired me for years to simplify, stay
camera out to find something pretty lifts me
connected to what’s important (love! family!
right up. I like to say I’m photographing the
friends! nature!) and to surround myself with
magic of the ordinary.
a beautiful environment.
What are you proud of yourself for?
What encouragement would you like to share with other women?
I’m most proud of how I mother my son, I’ve made it a huge focus to raise him in an
I’d like to encourage other women to be
emotionally intelligent way with an emphasis
gentle with themselves and lower their
on honest communication, sincere apologies
expectations of what can be reasonably done
and forgiveness. The more I teach him, the
in one day. Trust me, I’m the one who needs
more he teaches me. I’m also quite proud of
to learn this the most. I want to encourage
myself for being a lifelong learner. I’ve
women to allow room in their schedules to
learned a lot about nutrition, the human
breathe, to proactively build in time so you
body and how to advocate for myself through
aren’t stressed and frantic and cranky. Use
my five experiences with lymphoma. I’ve
that built in time to feed yourself, stretch,
learned all about photography and how to
exercise, be still, or to connect with the
run my small business. Now I’m learning
people you love regularly. Take care of
about painting. I have taught myself a lot but
yourself so you can give of yourself. An
I have so much to learn still! I love learning.
empty cup quenches no one’s thirst is the wise advice I was given years ago and try to remember every day.
Jessica Nichols Sweet Eventide Photography www.sweeteventide.com Do you want to nurture yourself? I believe surrounding ourselves with beauty is an act of self care. Sign up for my email list and get beautiful stories and photos twice a month. http://eepurl.com/bERNxf Follow along on Instagram: @sweeteventide for my photography @jessicanicholsartist for my paintings
Liz
-What are you passionate about and how are you continuing to cultivate that passion this year?
super excited to lead my first set of
I'm really passionate about encouraging
womanhood through escaping the rat race of
women and girls to live brave lives. I am
regular life and by doing a raw, authentic
such a believer that a full life exists beyond
Wildbride photo shoot with me!
Wildbride retreats for women this year focused on celebrating wild, sacred
the comfort zone and that means tapping into the deep well of bravery that is sometimes hidden very far inside. Sometimes it can be scary to live a brave life but it's the
-What does creativity mean to you? How does creative expression continue to evolve in your life?
life I feel like is most worth living.
Creativity means everything to me. At my
This year I'm cultivating that passion by
core I am a creator. Making art and living a
living a brave life myself and getting myself
life infused with creativity is one of my
out of my own comfort zone, and also I'm
biggest goals in life. Creative expression for
a lot of my past 5 years has channeled into blogging and now that I'm no longer blogging as my full time (or even part time)
-Is there a woman that inspires you? What about her inspires and encourages you?
job I'm going back to my roots when it
My mom is definitely someone who taught
comes to artistic endeavors. I'm focusing a
me so much about being a healthy and strong
ton this year on getting back to those roots
woman. Despite not always feeling brave I've
in drawing and painting and photography.
always seen her as one of the bravest women I know. She always is trying new things,
-What are you proud of yourself for? I'm super proud of putting together these Wildbride retreats and just deciding to go for it even though I've never done anything like it before and had no guarantee that anyone would come. I'm so excited to see how these retreats grow and shift and
whether it's belly dancing or ballet classes after turning 50, picking up a new career after decades as a stay at home mom, driving cross country in a 35 ft RV alone with 3 kids. -What encouragement would you like to share with other women?
become more than what they started out as. Live Brave! You were meant to live a full and -What is something that you love about being a woman? I feel like being a woman is a deeply spiritual experience that is only accessible through having lived as a woman. It feels like the most sacred and exclusive club and I love being a part of that sisterhood.
beautiful life, and it's out there beyond your comfort zone, waiting for you!
Liz Morrow is a photographer, writer, adventurer, dog mom, and vintage Winnebago enthusiast. She started blogging in 2008 on her lifestyle blog, Delightfully Tacky, where you'll find everything from personal style, cocktail recipes, and travel to feminist essays and thoughtful ramblings. She's a tomboy who believes that empowering women will change the world, that creativity makes souls come alive, and that life was meant to be lived bravely. You can read more of Liz’s writing, learn about her travel adventure, and learn more about her Wildbride photography at delightfully-tacky.com
Katie
-What are you passionate about and how are you continuing to cultivate that passion this year? I'm passionate about relationships. I think love is the greatest currency we have to give,
conclusions: 1) therapy is downright a necessity for me to be able to love people well, because my self care and prioritization has been a little broken. We take our cars in
as cheesy as that sounds. I believe that when
for maintenance, so why not our minds? 2)
it's all said and done, we don't take anything
We give love the way we want to receive it,
with us, so we should focus on giving the
and I'm grateful that in times when I do
best intangible gift we can. To me, that's
become a bit of a recluse, my friends come
rooted in relationships, making others feel
after me. They've seen me love them that
heard & valued, and having a posture of
way, and they know that's what I need. So, I
unity. And to be real honest, the demands of
guess have hope & confidence that the work
life make relationships the hardest thing for
and intention you put into relationships is
me to maintain. When I get overwhelmed or
always worth it, because it does get returned.
busy, I tend to become a bit of a recluse. As
(Although if it isn't, that's a clue you should
I've reflected on that, I've come to a couple of
listen to).
So, the things that help me cultivate a passion for relationship are a mixture of self care (so my tank is full to pour into others in a sincere way), putting time on the calendar so I make sure I see my people (otherwise I'll fill it with all the things I think I'm supposed
There's an Anne Lamott quote I go back to when that happens: “You own everything that happened to you. Tell your stories. If people wanted you to write warmly about them, they should have behaved better.�
I think that's the perfect cocktail to keeping a
-I've noticed that you describe yourself as a connector. Could you share a bit about what being a connector means to you and ways you desire to live that out?
passion alive. Self care so you don't get
To me, being a connector means really
burned out & it stays a passion, carving out
seeing people. It means being the person who
concrete time for it so you actually get to do
looks you in the eye when you're speaking
what you love, and FUN so you know to not
instead of scanning the room to see if there is
take it so seriously and remember why you
someone more interesting, or someone I can
love it.
just gain something from. It's knowing that
to be doing), and some straight-up fun.
-What does creativity mean to you? Creativity means two things for me: trust & courage. Trust that I'm capable, I have something inside me that deserves to see the
there's something to gain just by relating to someone, or just listening to their story even if I don't relate. Again, it goes back to my value of love being the greatest currency.
light of day, and that the creative process
And I know how fluffy that can sound, but I
will indeed help it escape even if it feels like
do try to translate that in practical ways for
it's taking forever. Courage that even if I put
people. Sometimes it really is just plain ol'
something out there that doesn't get a
eye contact and giving someone your full
response or attention, it wasn't for the
attention. And other times, it's making the
purpose of attention - it was for me. And I
effort to remember someone, their passions,
guess courage to have the vulnerability to
their current pursuits. And then when I meet
put an extension of myself out in the world.
someone else who I think they should get to
My creativity is more rooted in writing and
know because they'd relate, help one another,
words, and right now I'm wrestling with all
or hit it off - taking the time to connect them
the things I want to be really honest about in
with one another.
my writing, but I'm scared.
I'd much rather be the bridge between
social good sector. I was asked to be an
relationships than be the person working a
official blogger for SXSW Interactive,
room shaking hands and kissing babies.
covering their Startup Village and elevating the conversation of diversity that is present
-What are you proud of yourself for?
this year. Two years ago, I was fired from
I'm proud of my honesty & vulnerability.
my job. I was a sucky employee at that time,
This past year has been a year where I've
not dealing with some of my personal issues
lived that out way more than any other time
that absolutely bled into my work. And now
in my life and I feel like a much purer, clearer
I've seen how I've worked really hard to
version of myself. It hasn't always been
right that in my own life, and I'm so dang
pretty, and I've definitely messed up a bit
proud of myself.
while trying to practice that honesty & vulnerability. And there are some
-What is something that you love about being a woman?
relationships that I'm still working on and
I love that I can still be soft, gentle, and
some that I need to give a little more love,
vulnerable while I go conquer my dreams. I
but I find that in those situations I'm a little
think the idea that women have to adopt
rooted in fear, so I can practice my honesty
masculine qualities to be taken seriously is
& vulnerability to make them right.
ANNOYING. I've avoided that practice in
I'm really proud of the professional milestones I've hit recently. Again, by no
my own life this year and I've seen it rewarded.
means perfect, but what progress is? In my
I love my emotion as a woman. Most days,
job as Community Manager at Noonday
the people closest to me would probably say
Collection, I've really been able to shine in
I told them I hated how sensitive I am
my strength as a connector, and really been
(which I do say regularly and I'm trying to
able to identify what I'm just not good at.
stop - ha!) But my sensitivity, no matter how
I've sat with a strategic planner from a
messy it's been sometimes, has started some
reputable New York ad agency to share my
of the most meaningful and milestone-
thoughts on how big corporations & big
worthy conversations of my life and I'm
banks can incorporate community
thankful my emotions have served me that
development and make progress in the
way.
And I also just love the female form and that I get to have curves, be physically soft, and I can play with that in my style, wardrobe, and makeup. I haven't really appreciated that for most of my life, but recently I've come to a really loving place with my body and I actually have fun with style & makeup now.
and getting help from professional resources. She's intentional in her goals and it's inspired me to put pen to paper on the things I want to accomplish. Something she does that I love is "small goals", which are exactly what they sound like. You don't have to do this big grand things to accomplish happiness, and she's shown me that! From what I've seen,
-Is there a woman that inspires you? What about her inspires and encourages you?
she's also intentional in her relationship with
Oh this is such a HUGE question for me.
individuals - I see so many couples default to
My life is rooted in loving women and being
the strictly "we" mentality and they inspire
inspired by them, so that's tough. I'll just
me to cultivate myself within my
pick one.
relationship. And lastly, Nicole is so
her boyfriend/partner Dago, and I love that the both of them value one another as
intentional about celebrating diversity, My friend Nicole Seligman of Writes Like A
advocating for marginalized people, and
Girl is one of the most inspiring women I
using her platform to elevate important
know in my real life. If you look on her blog,
issues. To me, she goes above and beyond
you'll see her say "sisterhood is my religion"
the innate responsibility we have as humans
and that is the perfect summary for her. She
to help others, and she makes it look easy.
is one of the most genuine women I know, and she is so holistically intentional. In her relationships, she makes time for others and
-What encouragement would you like to share with other women?
she always follows up with people on things -
You don't have to have it figured out, and
their passions, life events, hard moments. It
better yet, you don't have to PRETEND that
really amazes me. She's intentional about her
you have it figured out. I've adopted that
self care and she's helped me (and so many
practice this past year and 1) the world
other women) see that there is nothing
hasn't ended, 2) no one important has walked
wrong with prioritizing yourself. She also
away from me, and 3) I've gotten WAY more
does a lot of work to de-stigmatize therapy
"me too's" than I ever expected.
It serves you so much better to quiet the
Put yourself out there in communities of
noise around you and listen to what is
likeminded people - they were all new at one
actually important to you, not what's
point. And go to therapy. It's the best gift
expected. And if you don't have many people
you can give yourself and you'll find life
around you that will understand, I promise
won't be so exhausting.
you will find them. Trust the process.
Katie McCauley believes every woman has a compelling story to tell. She is the Community Manager for Noonday Collection, where she encourages & equips a community of 1,000 women to build their own businesses through social entrepreneurship. Natural light seeker, vinyl record hoarder, DIY attempter. She considers the kitchen her living room and all animals her best friends, whether they like it or not. Trying to bridge the gap between the aspirational life & the nitty gritty. You can learn more about Katie at her About Me page.
Books
BOOKSHELF CORNER Chelsea
Nadia
I LOVE Anne of Green Gables. I didn't read it
This can’t go by without me answering The
until I was a Junior in College and I think it
Quran.
really (really really) impacted me as a person. I think everyone feels that way about Anne! I
Liz
also love Yes, Please by Amy Poehler just
I read some really amazing books in 2015,
because it's funny and she's an incredible
but one I read long ago and suggest for any
comedian! The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
human to read is The Road Less Traveled by
is the book I notoriously buy and then give
M. Scott Peck. But more recently I read
away immediately to people. It's a favorite.
Women Who Run With The Wolves, The Art of
JoAnna It’s a really random book, but it is Kate Cutrone’s If You Have to Cry, Go Outside. It
Asking, and Big Magic. All so good. Especially for creative women.
Katie
taught me to shoot for the stars as cheesy as
I find myself drawn to books written by
that sounds.
strong women with little filter, and I find
Jessica
myself adopting a bit of that courage in my own life. The first author to do this for me
— Brave Intuitive Painting by Flora Bowley
was Anne Lammott, and I think it's because
started my love affair with paint.
faith will always be the central question of
— Creative Block by Danielle Krysa (The
my life.
Jealous Curator) helps me when I’m stuck with my creative work. — Clean by Dr. Alejandro Junger really taught me a huge amount about nutrition and my body.
I've flip flopped on either side of belief/non belief and I continue to do so, and her writing has show me that's okay and sometimes necessary.
At this season in my life I've made a choice to
And as for an all time favorite "escape" read,
not identify, and her writing helps me still
The Time Traveler's Wife is at the top of my
feel close and a part of the community I was
list. I read that book when I traveled on my
a part of for most of my life; you could say
first big international trip - Germany &
she's like a comforting, stiff glass of whiskey
Austria during the Christmas holiday. It was
for me. Familiar, but has a kick. Brene Brown
such a magical trip for me, so reading a
is a newer author for me, and I'm currently
really romantic and magical book while
reading Daring Greatly. I can already tell that
having that experience made it all the more
this book will be one of the most impactful
better. Every time I read it, it takes me back
reads of my life. It probably also relates back
to that feeling. And, I love that even though
that I'm going to therapy for the first time in
the book's premise is a little magical (time
my life, too. I've discovered so much about
travel), I loved that the most magical thing
myself, my strengths, and the things I no
about their story was in the ordinary - their
longer have to carry because they're not
love for each other. It reminds me to
serving me.
cultivate that magic in my own relationship.
Music
MUSIC PLAYLIST Nadia
Katie
As someone who uses music for motivation
When We Were Young - Brett Dennen
every day, I am often inspired by songs that
Compliment Your Soul - Can Croll
have a great message. Lupe Fiasco, Frank
How Loud Your Heart Gets - Lucius
Ocean, Alicia Keys, and Andra Day are
If You Didn't See Me [Then You Weren't on the
among my favorite artists. Presently, I am
Dancefloor] - Jr Jr
listening to a lot of Adele and The Weeknd. I am also a big fan of old school rap and classic rock music. Songs that make me want to break it down and dance, however, are songs from my favorite Bollywood movies Devdas, Veer Zaara, and Kal Ho Na Ho.
Liz
Jessica — I Can’t Wait by NuShooz always makes me dance. — Twirl Me by Wildlight gets me into my painting zone. — Hold On by Wilson Phillips empowers me when I need it. (It’s best to be alone in the
Beyoncé. Basic, maybe, but she knows how to pump a girl up.
Chelsea I really love Perfect Situation by Weezer, Send my Love to Your New Lover by Adele, The Middle by Jimmy Eat World, and Chandelier by Sia!
JoAnna Right now, Thomas Rhett’s I Feel Good.
car and sing along as loud as possible.)