An Interview: – Mmmbop, Baking Soda As Shampoo, and The Courage To Say No

posted 24th January 2012    Written by: Ashley    CATEGORY: All Posts, Ashley, Quarterlife Crisis, Season 5

I can’t even wrap my mind around the fact that these five months writing for Stratejoy and sharing my story with you are almost over. It just doesn’t seem possible. I have loved every moment of it and have learned more about myself than I could have expected. But before we get all mushy-gushy, it’s time for the interview questions. I have loved reading these posts during the four previous seasons, so I hope you will enjoy it too!

What are you obsessed with at this exact moment?

Bloggers in Sin City, training for my half-marathon next month(!!!!!), Greek yogurt, The West Wing (how is it possible that I’ve never watched this show before?!), working toward my goals for 2012, and The Bachelor. Guilty pleasure.

You can time travel but only to the past! What time period/ historical event do you go and experience?

This is a really hard question to answer because I love history and would trade my pinky finger to actually be able to time travel. Just one time period? Okay, let’s go with the 1950′s. I know it wasn’t extremely progressive in terms of women’s rights and the world was recuperating from a devastating war, but idea of wearing a poodle skirt, spending my Friday nights at the local diner eating a hamburger and chocolate milkshake while listening to “Book of Love” on the jukebox sounds amazing.

If you could be any animal, which animal would you be and why?

A penguin, for no other reason than I think they are adorable with their tuxedo-like suits, their inability to fly, and their determination to migrate thousands of miles by waddling through the snow.

Any person dead or alive, who would you have dinner with?

My dad. Spending an evening with him, asking him all those questions I thought were “too boring” or “too personal”, letting him know what he’s missed over these past three years, and telling him how much I love him, just one more time.

What is on your life’s soundtrack?

“Mmmbop”- Hanson
“Slide”- Goo Goo Dolls
“Drops of Jupiter”- Train
“Somebody Loved” – The Weepies
“Waterfalls” – TLC
“Brand New Day” – Joshua Radin
“Fearless” – Taylor Swift
“Set Fire To The Rain” – Adele

If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you be?

Canada, with my boyfriend. Since we only get to see each other every other month, any extra time together would be priceless and so much appreciated! We would be curled up in bed together drinking coffee and watching The Breakfast Club. Ahhh, perfect.

Who has been your biggest inspiration throughout your QLC?

Of course Molly has been a huge, huge inspiration. But outside of Stratejoy, Brene Brown blows me away. I read her book, The Gifts of Imperfection, last fall and my life was changed. I love her view of courage, vulnerability, and learning to accept who you are. If you haven’t already, please go read this book immediately!

If money, education, time, or location were not an issue, what would you be doing for work in life?

Okay, this goes back to the post I wrote last week about my job vs. my career and I guess this is where I find my answer. I would still want to be a counselor, just in a different environment. I would love to own a private practice and work with teenagers and their families to help them understand that even though life is hard, you are not alone and it does get better. And my big (scary) dream is to somehow begin reaching out and counseling young women through the internet. I know it’s possible, I just have to find out how.

What was the biggest mental shift you’ve made from 5 months ago to now?

Accepting the idea that not everyone is going to like me. When I’m working toward something I believe in, something I’m passionate about, I will be faced with critics, and that’s okay.

What’s changed? List 10 little sweet things.

1. I moved out of my apartment and into a new apartment with my sister.
2. I began training for a half-marathon and after never having run more than two miles, I’m up to 10 miles! 10 miles!
3. Discovering the deliciousness that is whipped cream vodka.
4. On Friday nights, I’m not as worried about telling friends no. I’ve accepted my introvert self and the fact that I’d rather stay in, eat pizza, and watch movies by myself.
5. I fell in love with a little puppy named Louis.
6. Baking soda as shampoo. Yeah.
7. Apparently I’m really good at fantasy hockey… and I don’t even watch hockey.
8. I don’t put up with as much crap from people.
9. I finally know what I want my life to look like.
10. My self-confidence and excitement about life has grown. Hugely.

What’s one thing that you’ve learned – in general or about yourself - over the past five months?

Sometimes people are wrong. Even people who know you really well and who want the best for you, sometimes they’re wrong.

What would you have done differently on your Stratejoy journey if you were starting today?

I would have written more introspective posts and focused on what was happening in the moment. I feel like I spent a lot of time reminiscing and reflecting on the past when I could have used that time to look forward and create my brilliant, bold life.

What song(s) will remind you of the past five months?

“Sweeter” – Gavin DeGraw, “Shake It Out” – Florence and the Machine, and “The Broken Ones”- Dia Frampton

What is your favorite thing about YOU?

My empathy. I love that I genuinely care about people and want to understand them. I love that I can put myself in their shoes, feel what they are feeling, and give them some love.

Name 3 things you absolutely love about yourself.

1. I am not ashamed that I have “bad” taste in music, that I go to bed before 10pm, or that I really hate wearing high heels.
2. When I want something, I make it happen.
3. Even though I’m “shy” and would never say this to your face, I really do want to be friends with everyone.

How are you living life on your own terms?

Standing up for myself and having the courage to say no when how I’m being treated is not okay. Buying that gorgeous new grey nail polish and spending the evening taking a bubble bath. Saying YES! to a weekend in Vegas with 60 of my favorite bloggers. Doing the research to learn how to consolidate my loans so that I am not financially imprisoned. Accepting the idea of wanting to be a counselor, but also exploring other options. Letting myself live freedom, embrace vulnerability, and practice self-love.

[photo credit: Me. Whipped cream vodka, sprite, and raspberries; AKA- you're new favorite drink]

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Comments (13)

13 Responses to “An Interview: – Mmmbop, Baking Soda As Shampoo, and The Courage To Say No”

  • Linda Says:
    January 24th, 2012 at 11:59 am

    You've grown so much in the last 5 months and it was an inspiration to witness.

  • Gina Says:
    January 24th, 2012 at 5:29 pm

    I love penguins, too! :D

    Thank you for sharing your journey with us. <3

  • KristenCF Says:
    January 24th, 2012 at 5:47 pm

    So is it just baking soda and water, lather it up for the hair?
    Your Stratejoy journey has been super awesome my dear, just like you xoxo

  • Ashley Says:
    January 24th, 2012 at 7:32 pm

    Yes to whipped cream vodka. And all the rest!

  • Ameena Says:
    January 24th, 2012 at 8:57 pm

    aw, i love this! also, ridiculously happy that TLC made your life playlist. your taste in music = the best.

  • superawesomeashley Says:
    January 25th, 2012 at 5:04 am

    Yes! Maybe we should add cake vodka to our repertoire too?

  • superawesomeashley Says:
    January 25th, 2012 at 5:05 am

    Thank you! That's so nice to hear. Something when you're in the thick of it, you don't actually realize how much you've changed, so it's helpful to know that other people can see it from the outside. Can't wait for our girls night!

  • superawesomeashley Says:
    January 25th, 2012 at 5:05 am

    You're welcome! I wish I could keep sharing forever. :)

  • superawesomeashley Says:
    January 25th, 2012 at 5:06 am

    Yes! I forsee a TLC dance party in Vegas…

  • Becky Says:
    January 25th, 2012 at 6:30 am

    I love this post – each of these answers had me thinking but also laughing! So glad I got to know you better through here!

  • laurenne_s Says:
    January 25th, 2012 at 5:31 pm

    Friends forever! Ashley, you are amazing. I hope to meet you in person one day.

  • laurenne_s Says:
    January 25th, 2012 at 5:38 pm

    Oh, and I said my dad too!

  • Kyria Says:
    January 26th, 2012 at 7:56 pm

    I still haven't tried the baking soda as shampoo bit! It's great finding out more about you! PS I totally go to bed at 10 too!

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