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Writer's pictureDevyn Penney

#112. talking to everyone, altruism & being your own advocate




Age: 25

Relationship Status: In a relationship

Occupation: Climate Change Policy Analyst

Income: $87,000

Astrological Sign: Scorpio

 

What is your first thought every morning?

Admittedly, it’s quite often, “Should I get up for the gym or just sleep in and go after work?”

 

What is something you do solely for you?

Listening to music. I used to be so self-conscious about my music taste and what I enjoy listening to. Now, I love listening to my favorite songs simply because they give me joy and peace, never mind what anyone else thinks.

 

What is something you dread?

Nothing comes to mind… which I guess is a good thing!

 

What is something you are looking forward to?

I am really looking forward to my late twenties and thirties. I have so much more growing up and so many life accomplishments to look forward to (building my career, being a mum, buying a house).

 

When do you feel most accomplished?

At work. I started my job straight out of university, when I was 23, and I’m so proud of how I’m doing. My job is in quite an important area so it’s a great feeling to know that I’m doing it well.

 

What is something you regret investing in financially?

I’m quite young and graduated university during a recession, so I haven’t really made any risky financial investments. I did instantly think of a Levi’s jacket that I spent quite a bit of money on in university but didn’t really wear much.

 

What is something you regret investing in emotionally?

Several of my previous relationships (both platonic and not). I moved cities for university when I was 18 and met a lot of new people with whom I tried to cultivate relationships. However, when you are only just learning how to be an adult, you can put a lot of effort into relationships that just aren’t worth it.

 

What are three things you think are absolutely worth the investment?

(financially, emotionally, or time/energy-wise)

  1. Travel! I finished university during the peak of COVID-19, so I never got to experience a true overseas experience until this year. It’s so important to make time for yourself and to have adventures, but it can be very expensive.

  2. Good clothes. I learned at an early age that it is so much more economical to invest in good-quality staple pieces rather than several cheaper items that won’t last as long.

  3. Relationships. Although I openly admitted that I regret some of mine, I think they are important. It sometimes takes a lot of work to cultivate and maintain relationships, but it is nearly always worth it.

 

When do you feel most creative?

When cooking or baking. I’m not the most creative person naturally (my sister got all of those genes from my Mum!), but I love experimenting with different flavors and combinations to see what the end result is.

 

How often do you compare yourself to others? When?

Too often. I try not to because I am very lucky in my life, but it's always going to be something I do.

 

What is one thing you’d like to thank your past self for?

My ability to talk to everyone and anyone. I moved around a lot as a kid and learned very quickly how to introduce myself to people. As an adult, I notice it every day, in that I always feel comfortable approaching people I find interesting and getting to know them. My partner once told me that my ability to make friends everywhere I go is one of his favorite things about me.

 

What is one thing you believe about your future self?

I like to think that as I grow, I’ll continue to be a sensitive soul. I used to think in my early twenties that I needed to grow a thicker skin to get far in my life and career. Thanks to some amazing female role models I now know that I can be smart and strong but still sensitive.

 

What is one thing you learned in childhood that you have now had to unlearn in adulthood?

My relationship with exercise, particularly running. It’s taking a lot of work for me to think of exercise as something positive that I want to do rather than something I’m being made to do.

 

Have you ever felt pure joy? When?

I am so fortunate that so many things come to mind. However, one very notable example from this year was when I attended the Eras Tour with my Mum. There is something just so joyful about being surrounded by likeminded people who are all experiencing some of the happiest memories they’ll ever have.

 

What is something that would feel really good to get off your chest?

It would feel really nice to remind some people I’ve met over the years that being ‘blunt’ is not an excuse to be blatantly rude and awful to people. You’re actually just a mean person.

 

When do you feel most in your feminine energy?

When I’m with my Mum, my sister and/or my girlfriends. There is something about being surrounded by amazing women who all care about each other so much that makes me feel so supported and happy.

 

What is one interaction that changed your life?

Weirdly, what popped into my head was when I was discussing an assignment with a professor who had given me a bad grade. I was trying to understand why I had received the grade I got when I realized partway through the conversation that he hadn’t even read my paper properly, something he admitted. He later re-graded my paper to a higher mark. I’m grateful I had the confidence to advocate for myself, and it’s something I have continued to do.

 

What is something you want to give up?

Overthinking. I’m trying to get better and not second guessing my words and actions when it isn’t warranted (which is the case a lot of the time!).

 

What is something you want to take up?

Sewing! My Nana and Mother-in-law are amazing at sewing, and I would love to have even a fraction of their skill.

 

What do you believe is a universal truth?

If everyone was even a little bit altruistic 100% of the time, the world would be a much nicer place.

 

BONUS: Tell me something good.

There is currently a project in Wellington, New Zealand, to restore a wild population of one of the endangered species – the adult North Island brown kiwi. It has been so successful that kiwi can be heard calling 10 minutes from Wellington’s CBD, and recently were spotted in people’s suburban backyards!

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