I’ve learned a lot since moving to New York City. A lot about relationships (both friendships and otherwise). A lot about myself. A lot about life. I’m obviously still learning a lot, especially about how to balance having a life and finding success at work. If I had to write a book about my life at this exact moment it would literally be titled Finding Work-Life Balance. I am like a 23 year old walking cliche.
The best part is that I’m working at a company that is all about this. So I learn a lot along the way. Seriously just sitting in the office is a huge dose of education. I’m super lucky to work with the some of the smartest young women. Every day I watch and I listen and I learn. Besides the fact that I’m inspired by everyone in the actual office, I learn an insane amount from Office Hours. (Even though I work at Levo League, I promise this isn’t a plug.)
Technically, I have to watch every single Office Hours that goes on because of my job. But truthfully I look forward to the online chats every Tuesday and Thursday. It’s impossible to watch the thirty minute chat and not come away feeling inspired. I tend to hit a wall in the middle of the afternoon (I call it my midafternoon quarterlife crisis and Meredith hits the wall too). The inspiring videos always gives me that extra burst I need to get through the day.
Not only do I feel inspired watching them, but I learn a lot. Part of it is that these women (and men) have been there before and they tell you things that they wish they had known. (This is obviously something that I would enjoy.) The other aspect is that it’s nice to know that everyone has had lots of ups and downs. Everyone has overcome challenges. Everyone has made mistakes. Everyone has felt insecure. Everyone struggles to find great balance. Knowing this and seeing that they’ve “made it” is beyond reassuring.
Working at Levo League means that everyone who walks through the doors is awesome. Really, you never know who is going to be standing in our kitchen. Every day brings someone new.
Kate White and Christine Hassler have both visited our offices and they gave us the best advice ever. Two of the things they said have seriously stuck with me:
Christine Hassler: The way people treat others is often how they treat themselves. That is, if someone is being unnecessarily harsh to you, imagine how they talk to and treat themselves.
Kate White: When you’re really ready for something right to come along, it will. But you have to be ready and willing and open for the new thing. That is, if you want a new job or a new boyfriend or a new anything, when you’re truly ready it will happen.
Yes, I’ve been super homesick lately and part of that is missing my mom. But, I feel like I have a whole slew of “moms” out there at work and because of work.
Where do you find inspiration and support from?
xoxo
PS We also had a ton of dogs in our office last week. LOVE.
I guess I find inspiration and support from my parents, my brother, and my two best friends. Also, just the fact that I am alive and well is inspiration enough.
I love that Christine Hassler quote!! We have a white board at my work in our break room where I write inspirational quotes on there. I'm definitely writing that one up there! It's perfect!
You have such an amazing job. Levo League is great, I check there website and twitter feed religiously, no joke. It's funny how you receive inspiration from everyone at Levo League while I, MYSELF, get inspiration and motivation from your blog post everyday. I am so glad that I came across your blog in the Fall of last year. I haven't seemed to get enough of what you have had to say. It is always something new and refreshing everyday. Keep Being Great Like You ARE!!!
I know what you mean. I work in awesome environment where I am constantly inspired to achieve more. Sheryl Sandberg, Micky Drexler, Gabby Giffords are all people who have stopped by my office to give us talks. Definitely read Sheryl's book Lean In if you haven't already.
This and yap 🤍 Don’t forget to create holiday magic for yourself too! I can’t tell you how nice it was to do some gingerbread decorating without having to follow a three year old’s vision (or fight the sugar battle)! It’s fun to do it with kids, too, but sometimes you just need coffee, baked goods, and little bit of kid-free catch up time with your mom friends! Thank you for hosting @blueskyehouse!!
I wrote down a list of things I wanted to do for fun in 2024. I crossed off exactly zero of them (having a baby will do that to ya) and my only hope of accomplishing one would be to host a cookie exchange! I wanted to SO bad but I was also feeling exhausted after a long year (losing a dog, having a baby, running a business, etc.) and I didn’t know if I had hosting a party in me. I sent out the invitations and told myself I’d figure it out. There was no going back! It was SO FUN though and I will be doing this again. I feel like so much of the holidays as a mom is spent making the magic for kids. It’s Santa meet and greets, Christmas shopping, holiday pageants…. And then seeing Santa again (and again and again). THIS party was for us! 🥂
🎧 Five 5-Star Audiobooks I Listened to This Year ✨
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This year, I listened to some incredible audiobooks, but these five stood out as absolute favorites:
📚 A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith: A beautifully written coming-of-age classic. I didn’t want it to end and could absolutely see myself re-listening in a few years.
📚 None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell: A psychological thriller with unreliable narrators that kept me guessing the whole way through.
📚 Such a Bad Influence by Olivia Muenter: Part mystery, part family drama—flawed characters, a gripping storyline, and a chef’s kiss ending.
📚 All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker: A masterpiece of storytelling that starts as a serial killer mystery and evolves into something much bigger.
📚 Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors: A stunning exploration of sisterhood, grief, and imperfect people. The ending left me in tears (happy ones!).
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Holding on for dear life this December ❤️ I have had SO MANY conversations this week with my friends near and far and we are *all* struggling. I have to say, just knowing it’s not just me feeling the pressure of “end of year-holiday magic- cold/flu/stomach bug season-darkest days of the year,” has made it a little easier to handle. Don’t forget to take care of yourself, too 😮💨 (Telling myself this because I could use the reminder too!)
If I hadn’t already mailed our Christmas cards*, I would be ordering a reprint because this first photo is IT. ⭐️💂🏻♀️
*Actually only half because for some reason, I didn’t order enough? Our list must have grown over the past year or I just underestimated how many people were on it! I had to order more so the second half will be going out later whoops!!
The litttle brown dog is adorable!! What type of dog is it?
I guess I find inspiration and support from my parents, my brother, and my two best friends. Also, just the fact that I am alive and well is inspiration enough.
I absolutely love your blog. 🙂
I love that Christine Hassler quote!! We have a white board at my work in our break room where I write inspirational quotes on there. I'm definitely writing that one up there! It's perfect!
-Rachel
sparkleshinebeauty11.blogspot.com
It's so cool to hear how much you like your job and how much you get out of it. Who wouldn't want to work at Levo? 🙂 I'd be in dog heaven!!
You have such an amazing job. Levo League is great, I check there website and twitter feed religiously, no joke. It's funny how you receive inspiration from everyone at Levo League while I, MYSELF, get inspiration and motivation from your blog post everyday. I am so glad that I came across your blog in the Fall of last year. I haven't seemed to get enough of what you have had to say. It is always something new and refreshing everyday. Keep Being Great Like You ARE!!!
xoxo
Definitely my family, friends, and role models in the field I plan to enter! Wishing you continued success & cute pics! <3
I love this Carly! You are so fantastic and I feel so lucky to get to work with you every single day.
I know what you mean. I work in awesome environment where I am constantly inspired to achieve more. Sheryl Sandberg, Micky Drexler, Gabby Giffords are all people who have stopped by my office to give us talks. Definitely read Sheryl's book Lean In if you haven't already.
Wow. I definitely needed that piece of wisdom from Christine Hassler right now.