On Intimidation

Intimidation is like dipping a flimsy cracker into a jar of peanut butter.

Once intimidation sets in, confidence is suddenly broken, words get stuck and moving forward seems impossible compared to what you are up against. Recently, I've been given feedback that I need to trust myself more, speak up and be more confident. Sometimes I can be very loud and outgoing and at other times I can be practically invisible. 

When it comes to intimidation, I think the solution is as follows: you have to have the mentality that you're just as smart, pretty, strong, ambitious, educated, motivated and powerful as whatever it is that makes you feel inferior. Even if it isn't the case, if you don't believe you are worthy, no one else will. 

Below is the latest (long overdue) Not A Model photo shoot with Stef. We did this shoot post-work on the way to dinner in the city.  In the end, vulnerability is what really cracks intimidation. If you can understand that everyone has a goofy side or gets spinach stuck in their teeth, suddenly there is nothing to be afraid of.  Underneath the PR high heels and pencil skirt, I'm just a girl trying to find a mix of tough, tenacious and twenty-something.

So here's to being strong & silly, it's the only way to survive.

Sunglasses: H&M
Wrap shirt: Topshop
Shoes: Jessica Simpson

My Father's Words

Last week, I received an e-mail from my father titled, "Some advice..."

I knew what was coming. Lately, I haven't been the easiest person to live with. I won't list all the things that have been raising my stress levels, but after my long days it is clear that my parents don't get the best version of me.

My father is a mentor and great friend to many people both professionally and personally. People gravitate towards him because of his bright personality, intelligence, humour and positive attitude towards life. After reading his simple e-mail, I was touched to say the least. I felt guilty for being a troll to the two people who will always stick by me, no matter what.

I won't share the entire e-mail as some of it is personal, but I'd like to share some things that I think are helpful to anyone who is trying to balance it all. Some of it is common sense, but when I lose perspective, or when I'm under a lot of stress, "sense" seems to be the first thing that goes.

The words:

Be yourself in your own skin and do what turns your crank... we all need to follow the "rules" in corporate life, or working at a coffee shop so money is a means to an end. It's better to be "broke" and happy than rich and sad or directionless. 

Find joy in the work you do every day. Soak up the learnings and adjust to any constructive feedback (those who take feedback as an opportunity to improve do the best in their careers and life)

Stress is a killer! Get centered and balanced. Laugh more. Walk more. Eat smart. Tame your schedule. Get good rest. Cut down your commuting. Go to church more often. Find inner peace.

BE INCREDIBLY POSITIVE by taking 2 minutes per day to tell yourself why you are grateful. 

Stop thinking about time passing you by and put more life in the time you have. 

"Nothing ventured, nothing gained" Seize the moment and get energized about change. SHOOT the PUCK!

Every great journey begins with but a single step forward.

So thanks Dad! If I end up like you in 25 years, I'd consider myself lucky.

Texty Tips

I love freshly painted nails before a long week ahead of pounding away at a keyboard. This O.P.I marvelous magenta nail polish,"Do You Think I'm Tex-y?" is the perfect shade to use while your tips are getting some button action.

I'll admit that I like the convenience of being in constant communication with people. I like tweeting and reading e-mails and doing everything on my phone. I remember when I got my first smartphone in my last year of university, my roommates used to tease me because of my "addiction."

However, there is some etiquette that comes with the new light speed of communication. Rules like: keep your phone off the restaurant table, return a phone call or message in a polite amount of time, try to turn your ringer off while in public places, call if you're going to be late or cancelling plans etc. Sure, I've broken some of these rules before but I'll admit I don't feel the greatest when someone else does the same to me.

My mother has a cell phone, but never uses it. Instead of text messaging, she leaves voicemails when she's trying to find me or my sister. They are always the same slightly annoying, but always endearing kind that start with, "Hey it's Mom..." as if we don't know who it is. I assure her that the only other person who leaves me voice messages is my dentist. She is always appalled when my sister and I text someone a "Happy Birthday" or if we tell her how someone has sent an apology via text message.

When she was younger she used to sit on the kitchen counter and wait for my Dad's phone calls after his restaurant night shifts. She would make sure to pick up on the first ring so she wouldn't wake up my grandparents. Somehow they managed to stay in a relationship without the 17 forms of communication that we have today.

I tease her constantly for her old fashioned communication ways, but I also think she's onto something. I'm all for the instantaneous messaging but we all need to remember that behind that screen is a real person who twirls their hair around their index fingers when nervous or whose eyes change colour in the sunlight.

You see I'd take the sound of throaty laughter over a chime in my pocket, because we all know LOL is just a nice way of declaring, "I have nothing else to say right now."

Thanks to LangtonPR for the polish!