The Interview

posted 23rd January 2012    Written by: Hannah    CATEGORY: All Posts, Hannah, Quarterlife Crisis, Season 5, What I've Learned

What are you obsessed with at this exact moment?

Pinterest. Pinterest. Pinterest.  Coffee (always). Notebooks, pens, sticky notes.  My new chocolate brown flat boots.  Babies.  Snow days. The smell of books.  Couples photography.  Words With Friends.  Other photographers’ blogs.  House hunting.  Thinking about how to decorate a house.  Craft supplies.  Sleep.

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

To be totally honest, I don’t really have an interest in going back in time.  I’m happy to be moving forward.  If I had to choose, maybe I’d go back and meet the grandparents I never knew…

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

It is impossible for me to answer this question in a non-cheesy way.  I debated being a caterpillar because of the impending amazing change that would be in my future.  I debated being a bird so I could fly.  Or maybe a bear so I could sleep all winter. But my gut instinct was a dog…a lab or retriever.  I don’t know why…because they love so big?

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

I’ve always hated this question because under pressure I can never think of anyone!  I think it’s a tie between Mary Oliver, Dr. Seuss, Maya Angelou, and Oprah.  Maybe a dinner party.

What is on your life’s soundtrack?

Matt Nathanson, Amos Lee, Joshua Radin, Regina Spektor, Tori Amos, The Weepies, Ingrid Michaelson, Augustana, Damien Rice, Ray LaMontagne, Bright Eyes…oh and Counting Crows, Pearl Jam, Bush and always a little Alanis.

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

This is such a hard question.  The answer used to be Italy, but we finally did that on our honeymoon!!!  There are a million places I want to see and lots of places I’ve already seen and would like to go back to…maybe I would be on a real vacation with my family somewhere none of us have ever been…in the mountains somewhere by a lake…we’d play games, read, relax, cook really good food, drink wine, Dad would go fishing, we’d all go for a hike, go out on a boat…yes, that sounds good.

Who has been your biggest inspiration throughout your QLC?

Is it vain to say “myself”?  Every time I take another step towards getting through my QLC I amaze myself.  I’ve never had as much confidence, pride in what I’m working on, or urge to move forward and grow than I have this year.  Seeing what I can do makes me want to do more.  But also, Jasmine Star, who quit law school and pursued her passion for wedding photography (and is like crazy super successful now!)

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

Writing, photographing couples in love, designing events, and travelling…I’m halfway there I suppose!

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

I’ve realized that the feelings of needing to do more, be myself, and live life my way are not unique to me.  I guess I probably knew that before, but it is so inspiring to know that there are SO MANY women (and men) out there who aren’t willing to settle.  It makes me feel like I’m not a total freak for not wanting a 9-5 corporate job.  The solidarity of the Stratejoy tribe is so uplifting!

That and realizing that I can make my life what I want it to be.

What’s changed? List 10 little sweet things.

  1. I quit one of my nanny gigs and chose a date to give notice to the second.
  2. I talked Mister into helping me squeeze even more furniture into our tiny place and made myself a desk/workspace
  3. I started writing again (like all the time)
  4. I started listening to music again
  5. I take more time for myself to do the things that keep me sane
  6. I take more pride in the way I look – actually dress in real person clothes rather than “nanny clothes” more often
  7. I found a more productive to do list system
  8. I found my “niche” in photography
  9. I make more time for my girlfriends
  10. I’m more comfortable being me (and isn’t that the best thing we can wish for ourselves?!)

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

This sort of goes with my biggest mental shift, but beyond what I already said, I learned to trust myself, go with my gut, pour myself into the things that are important to me, and most importantly, to be unapologetically me.

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

I would’ve done it earlier!  You can’t imagine what it does to your perception to have to write about your QLC every week.  It has been that extra push I’ve been needing all along!

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

Adele (love her, but SO over played!).
Mason Jennings – Be here now
Rosi Golan – Hazy
Jason Walker – Down

What is your favorite thing about YOU?

I refuse to settle.

Name 3 things you absolutely love about yourself. 

I’m creative.  I have great intuition.  The color of my eyes.

How are you living life on your own terms?

I’m trying so hard to live life on my own terms.  Building a business that allows me to do what I love, trying to surround myself with the things and people that I love, being honest with myself about my needs, goals, and intentions…but mostly I’m trying to live with this in mind:

Express myself honestly and with compassion.
Do what I love.
Always seek knowledge and understanding.
Live with intention.
Treat my body with respect.
Trust myself.

[Photo Credit: Brenda Ulinski]

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Comments (10)

10 Responses to “The Interview”

  • deebuzzing Says:
    January 23rd, 2012 at 1:44 pm

    From one Stratejoy QLC blogger to another: I've loved reading along as you've evolved. Sad to see you go! Your writing is so strong; relatable and endearing. Keep keep keep writing! And, thanks for the Mason Jennings recommendation- I'm enjoying it right now :)

  • KristenCF Says:
    January 24th, 2012 at 5:49 pm

    Love the mantra/intention at the end. Wrote in my journal and day planner for inspiration of you, you fabulous female!

  • HannahD Says:
    January 24th, 2012 at 10:13 pm

    Thank you thank you! I miss your posts! It's hard to follow someone for 5/6 months and then just…not! I think we need a Stratejoy retreat! :)

  • HannahD Says:
    January 24th, 2012 at 10:14 pm

    Thanks, lady! On to planning our getaway……. :) Will miss my Friday Kristen fixes! (Glad you're going to keep blogging! :) )

  • superawesomeashley Says:
    January 25th, 2012 at 9:04 am

    Love that we both have The Weepies and Joshua Radin on our life soundtrack. :) I'm going to miss reading your posts each week!

  • laurenne_s Says:
    January 25th, 2012 at 5:36 pm

    I really love that ending mantra too. Might steal it. But will think of you every time I use it.

  • HannahD Says:
    January 29th, 2012 at 4:55 pm

    Aww yay! Music buddies! Send me new music when you find good stuff! I can't believe this is the end of this….so sad!

  • HannahD Says:
    January 29th, 2012 at 4:56 pm

    Oh, please do! I worked on it for MONTHS. (And please do think of me! I'm gonna miss this crew! Stratejoy retreat is going to be a MUST!)

  • Yoga Insurance Says:
    January 30th, 2012 at 3:37 am

    amazing thoughts you have: :) simply inspired

  • HannahD Says:
    February 2nd, 2012 at 6:01 pm

    Thank you for reading! And this sweet comment :)

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