A conversation I keep having over and over again is the importance of the energy around you. I feel like I’m an absolute sponge when it comes to energy. I soak up whatever is circling around me. Now, this is incredible when I’m surrounded by great energy. And totally detrimental when I’m surrounded by bad energy.
Whoa my goodness… it’s powerful. (In both directions.)
This month has been insane for me. So insane, in fact, that I am pretty convinced that I am insane. I don’t know if you can tell from my recent posts (and/or Twitter) or not, but this is a very weird point in my life. I’m adjusting to a completely new schedule. I’m building out a potentially new vertical of the business. And I’m trying to deepen what I’ve already built. (And squeezing in more “life” too!)
My anxiety is kind of all over the place. I try to remind myself that it’s all good anxiety every night as I’m tossing and turning while trying to fall asleep. I’m truly, truly living my dreams right now and that’s the best thing I can imagine… I’m just in the weeds of things.
What’s so important for me, as I have begun to realize, is being much more selective with the people who I spend a lot of my time with. A meeting with someone or a little get together has the potential to make or break my energy levels for the day.
I have a lot of these amazing people in my life already and I’m beyond thankful. Mackenzie is one of them. We’re both entrepreneurs in similar spaces so we’re both experiencing a lot of the same things. Working with her two or three afternoons a week is the best. We overlap on a lot of emails, so we crank through those; hashing out details and contracts and keeping communication very streamlined. We bounce ideas off of each other all afternoon long, which is something that I value so so so much. Plus, we can vent to each other about the frustrations we’re both facing… and we get it.
The other day, Mackenzie and I met up with Katie Armour (from Matchbook Magazine & Neo-Traditionalist). It made my day. I had already had an amazing coffee with an old friend that morning so I was totally on a Hustler High. (The good kind of #Hustle, of course.) Katie and I have crossed paths a million times but we never really sat down to get to know each other. It was amazing. We hit it off right away and I absolutely have a girl crush on her. The three of us had an amazing lunch and the conversation was even better. I can’t think of something more energizing than being around two amazing women who totally know what I’m going through. We were all exchanging ideas and our passions and offering whatever advice we might have.
That afternoon, it was so much easier to get through the pile of emails and work that had already built up for the week. I was inspired. And encouraged. And reminded that I have some pretty amazing people in my life.
Something I’ve been trying to incorporate into my week is taking real lunches. Where I go someplace or at least move away from my computer in my apartment. I’ve been doing some reading or just eating and doing nothing… but I have been trying to grab lunch with new people! The inspiration and energy I get from that is exhilarating. I love hearing what other people are up to– true motivation right there!
Need more energy in your life? Reach out to your friends who are crushing it and surround yourself with that. (It rubs off.) Pull together a group of fellow students and form an informal dinner to just exchange ideas and get to know each other better. Reach out to someone in your community who you admire and set up a coffee date.
Who do you surround yourself with for energy?
xoxo
That Colin Powell quotation reminds me of one of my favorites from Mark Twain:
"Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great."
I agree. The company you keep totally feeds into your happiness and overall growth every day, and it takes a brave and mature person to recognize that. Thanks so much for sharing your stories!
XOXO
Casey
Caseypantz.blogspot.com
Such a spot on quote, thanks for sharing!
Lauren,
http://www.atouchofsoutherngrace.com/
Great article, I've felt pretty insane lately too. What a great quote! 🙂
daughterofasonofasailor.com
I like that quote! Also, not only to I have to surround myself with the right people, but I sometimes have to keep my own energy in check and make sure I'm the type of person people would want to surround themselves with! (It's too easy to be a grump if you're not having a good day!)
I relate with you so much on this! If one person is negative, then I always get directly affected by the negativity. However, I have a really good friend who is always so positive and she always makes my day so much better!
Hunter
http://www.preponabudget.com
Carly! I love your posts! Especially the ones where you reflect on deep thoughts. I am obsessed with your blog and always find myself getting excited about reading a new post of yours! I totally understand what you explained in this one. I find energy to be very contagious and it really does go both ways! One thing I have been noticing, is that I get a lot of my inspiration and motivation from people who I look up to. In this case I think it's safe to say I admire you and think you're a great role model! I love writing and have recently realized that I plan on keeping it a hobby throughout my life. It would mean the world to me if you just passed by my blog for a minute or two. I know you're really busy, so it's fine either way. I would just love to get your blessing! Thanks for the constant source of inspiration! 😀
– Adrienne.
http://www.thechiccomedienne.blogspot.mx
Love this post, it really grounds you and forces you to take a minute to reflect on things (which is hard in our busy day to day lives). I surround myself with my puppy and boyfriend as much as I can and then connect with my family and friends daily…makes every day that much better!
Kendall
styledsnapshots.blogspot.com
I have found surrounding myself with positive people to have such an influence on how I feel, especially about myself as well! Starting college this past fall, I've learned to be picky about who I spend most of my time with so I am the happiest and most productive.Love knowing I'm not the only one!
Tia
http://www.bigcitytyro.com
Sometimes who you surround yourself with can change everything about a situation. I always try to surround myself with positive people because I am sometimes a not so positive person. I guess I'm hoping their positivity will rub off on me 😉
rachelisedwards.blogspot.com
I love that quote. I think it's so important that you don't take yourself too seriously. One of the best traits, in my opinion, is to be humble. You can be motivated and follow your dreams without being a jerk. Great post!
-Alex
http://www.monstermisa.blogspot.com/
Carly-
Great post! Everything you said was so true! Just know that you are not the only one dealing with lots of anxiety. I think, especially in New York, it is easy to feel like such a small person with so many things going on, that no one seems to notice or feel for you. However, I know that you have such a good support group, so hopefully that helps! I think it is hard for you to deal with this stress because of the amount of potential you know you have. You want to do so many things, but you can only do so much with your time. I learned that lesson the hard way!
Enjoy this weekend! Hopefully, it can be used as a little break!
xoxo Abigail
Love you. 🙂
I've been trying to reach out and make more friends here in town, because I want that good positive energy. It's hard to be optimistic if you sit at home like I do all evening doing nothing!
<3
carelessly graceful
Haha! I totally love this! And I was definitely feeling that way when you and I met up for coffee last week. Fully motivated after being near your energy! 🙂
One of the things that has been frustrating me lately is surrounding myself with people who are brighter and more intelligent than I am. As my dad always said, success is something you attract by the person you become. I've been looking for good outlets to find genuinely good people, since I am trying to start writing and blogging myself.
I feel like your life right now is the turning point of every good movie, or some romantic comedy that takes place in NYC. Have fun, girl! Let's see where life takes us.
Your Friend, Jess
When you're ambitious, it's difficult to figure out who to surround yourself with. I only have one or two friends who are very ambitious & in a similar space as you & Mackenzie. They should be supportive, understanding, ambitious, and helpful.
I've definitely had to cut a few people as I've achieved more, but I know it's for the best and those were just seasonal relationships. Energy is everythingggg.
I have to say that I'm loving these posts. A lot of people and bloggers are always trying to separate their work life from their social media life, which I think is important to an extent, but when who you are is so ingrained into your career, there's no way to do so. Carly, you're my favorite blogger because you tell it like it is, but not in a bad way. You're willing to share all of your high points and weak points and not glamorize your life into a few highlight reels, which I appreciate so much.
I'm only a high school student, but I feel as if we were the same age, we would've been good friends. I dream of having the career dreams you do and I love hearing about your progress and knowing that it's not always going to be so smooth. Thanks for being so personal with all of us; I hope that everything you want will work out!
Meredith
LOVE. That. Quote.