"What do you do for work?" When we first meet someone, so often this is our first question. And it really too bad because we are so much more than what we do for income. For this reason, I will leave that detail till last.
First fact about me: nothing makes me happier than hosting dinner parties for my friends, family, coworkers and well, sometimes complete strangers who tag along. Some say a party without cake is just a meeting. I say, a party without a colourful, vegan charcuterie board and assortment of fine gins is just...sad.
Speaking of consumables, my diet consists of plants and more plants, which to be frank, often polarizes people. Despite working at an upscale steakhouse throughout university, I traded meat and cheese to support my mom with her plan to overtake some pesky cancer cells. Let's just say, it wasn't a tough choice and the only side effects have been doing a little good for my health, the earth and the world's living creatures. Humans have an emotional connection to food and I promise to not ask you to break up with your cheeseburger.
Let me be bold here. I believe you have not fully and truly known love until you have had a pet. I am an animal lover who... well... only chooses to keep house plants as pets. I tried but I am not yet ready to bring another animal into my family. In the first month of my career and amidst 70 hour work weeks, I had to put my dog down. It still makes me tear up from time to time. With a fox-like resemblance, she was also resourceful, playful and thoroughly enjoyed snuggling. While I would not object to a fox being my spirit animal, I would guess that some twisted combination of red wine and caffeine are the more likely candidates to describe my true personality.
My closet is lined with 47 dresses and yes I count them. Some call it an obsession. Others would call it an addiction. Whatever you might call it, there is nothing quite like the nirvana of knowing I will never have to deal with un-tucked shirts or pants with baggy bums. Also, I never have to feel guilty about saying "Sorry, I can't bike to work because my outfit does not permit that sort of physical activity." The only drawback is the persistent proposition posed to me by Hudson's Bay department store clerks to sign up for their store credit card. I repeat, I do not want a bunch of IOU's hanging over my head in return for discounts on my dress acquisitions.
In this moment, I am 25 years old. I regularly practice mindfulness, gratefulness and the Ryan Holiday mantra of clearing the path for others when and where I can. I am fortunate to have unbelievably fun and thoughtful friends, a kind [and sort of zany but] supportive family and last but not least, the most down-to-earth, loving boyfriend I could ever have asked for.
I read books. To clarify, it is solely for self-improvement and never for fun, although I openly admit that I hunger for the satisfaction of finishing one. I laugh more than anyone I have ever met, I am visibly stressed more than anyone I have met and happen to have stumbled upon my personal purpose relatively early in life. At risk of sounding like a line out of a bland business ad, it is to help people build stronger, more productive relationships so that start-ups, governments and all organizations in between can do more powerful, positive things for the world.
At the front of every introduction, my identify is distilled to just two words: "Management Consultant." In most cases, it comes off as dirty words, especially in the corporate world. We take your money, leave your company with expensive paper assessments and strategies with no measurable improvements.
Fortunately, I view this as an opportunity to elevate that perception of consultants into something more honest and genuine based on my real experiences working at a Big Four firm. Did you like Netflix's portrayal of the consulting industry in the House of Lies series? Regardless, this is just a place for her.thoughts.