Age: 31
Relationship Status: Married
Occupation: Freelance marketing + family photographer.
Income: It varies month to month.
Astrological Sign: Gemini
What is the most important part of your daily routine?
Every evening, after dinner, we walk our dog as a family. We chat, laugh, and sometimes run. It has quickly become my favorite part of the day.
What is your current happiness most dependent on?
Our financial situation. Being self-employed, our finances ebb and flow. When we are comfortable financially, I feel so relaxed and able to do little things that make me happy.
When finances are tight (which, fortunately, isn’t often), I overwork myself and stress. I try to cram in as much work as humanly possible, leaving little time for fun.
Also, I realized that a lot of the things in life that make me happy cost money. For example, going out to eat, taking my toddler to fun places, shopping for home decor, etc.
What do you wish you were less reliant on?
Spending money on happiness. I really love shopping, going out to eat, and every adventure that costs money.
When do you question yourself?
When I realize that I’m spewing a talking point, rather than deeply thinking about and forming an opinion on an issue or topic. I ask myself, “Is this something I fundamentally believe in, or is this something that I was programmed to believe?”
What is something that has positively impacted how you perceive your self-worth?
I can’t control what someone else thinks of me or how they perceive me. I used to do things just because other people were doing them or to make other people feel comfortable, and it made me feel bad about myself.
At some point, I started doing the things I liked and making decisions based on my beliefs. I’m so much more confident knowing I’m living for myself and my family.
I’ve taken my worth into my own hands.
What is something you have forgiven yourself for?
For the time wasted maintaining the status quo. I don’t know if I’ve really forgiven myself for this yet, but I have accepted that growth is good. I wish I was mentally stronger as a teenager and young adult, but I am glad that I’ve gotten there.
What is something you have forgiven someone else for?
I’d like to think that I’m super forgiving across the board. Sitting here now, I can’t think of one grudge that I’ve held on to.
In general, I understand that people's actions and decisions have nothing to do with me. Getting mad at a person for not acting how I want them to act seems like a never-ending cycle of anger and disappointment.
We’re all humans living for the first time. Some people are meant to stay in our lives, and some aren’t.
How do you ground/center yourself?
Belly laughs in bed with my husband after a long day.
Go to the gym and get a good lift in.
Walk my dog.
Cook something delicious from scratch.
Play or dance with my toddler.
What is one thing that helped you through your most difficult time?
Knowing that the plan for my life is already written and that everything has always worked out and will always work out exactly how it’s supposed to.
Have you ever felt like the best version of yourself? When?
Yes. When I quit my job and started working for myself and my husband, it allowed me time to really be who I want to be—a wife, mom, creative, want-to-be chef, reader, etc.
What is something you fundamentally disagree with?
People who complain so much about being a mom online. I get that they’re trying to be relatable, but I can’t get on board with it. Being a mom is the biggest blessing of my life, and I’d never want to monetize by complaining about my children.
What is something you know for sure?
That people are actually way more racist in New England than we’re led on to believe. And people living in New England are convinced that they’re not.
Up north, there has been a consistent “better than” attitude or “we aren’t the messed-up ones,” so people have stayed in their ways without trying to grow or change. Leading to deep, institutionalized racism.
What are three of your non-negotiables in romantic relationships?
Open dialogue
Genuinely loving being around one another
Respect
When do you feel most comfortable in your own skin?
In the summer, right after the beach or a pool day, sun kissed skin, fresh out of the shower, putting on a cute outfit and minimal makeup.
Have you ever been in awe of something/someone? When?
Yes, my 2-year-old. Every single day. I will never get over how beautiful she is inside and out. She gets so excited to see sunsets, dogs, flowers, and friends. She loves to dance. She is so in touch with how people are feeling.
She cheers people on when they’re doing something hard – whether they’re playing a sport, practicing reading, or doing something silly like grabbing something off the top shelf. She’ll say, “You can do it. I believe in you. I promise, you got it.”
And she is so forgiving. I think we can all learn a lot from toddlers.
What is the best (physical/material) gift you have ever received?
My engagement ring. It sounds cheesy, but I love it, what it represents, and my husband so much.
What is one thing you will always say ‘no’ to in the future?
Drinking to get drunk.
I spent my late teens and early twenties binge drinking with my friends every weekend. At the time, that seemed like the only way to have “fun.” I was so wrong.
I’m glad that I’m out of that stage, but I can’t help but think I wasted so many years of my life getting drunk in a shitty town instead of exploring the world and learning about myself.
What do you believe is your most attractive quality?
I’m nice. Being nice is so underrated! A pleasant interaction can brighten a person’s day and make you feel good, too!
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