We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sloane Adler. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sloane below.
Sloane, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?
Working brings fourth results. Working on yourself, working at your job, working on your relationships. You put in the work to get the results. I feel a sense of fulfillment from working, but I also work at making it enjoyable.
This doesn’t mean it’s always easy, or that it’s always fun. But we give it our best to make it happen.
My mom always advised me to work “smart”, not “hard”. And that is one of many pieces of advice, I will carry with me for the rest of my life.
I can also say I’ve had a number of role models that have paved the way.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I like to do it all. Okay, maybe not it “all”, but I am proud to practice a variety of trades. Aside from getting to photograph incredible memories & moments, I have a heart for self care which actually derives through self accountability, & being honest with ourselves.
Taking care of ourself is a full-time job in it of itself that so many of us tend to put on the back burner. I’ve seen this (and experienced it myself) physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. It’s not necessarily because we are lazy, or are intentionally neglectful. I think it is quite the opposite. I think we have been programed to prioritize other “things”. So many of the “things” we are working on (ex: relationships & careers) end up being the priority before taking care of ourself.
At some point in all of our lives, it was someone else’s job to take care of us because we didn’t know how. This makes sense when you are helpless baby, but now as blossoming adults, if we rely on someone else to care for each & every one of our needs, you may find yourself mixed up in a combination of disappointment & sickness.
The good news is that we all have the ability to start listening to our bodies, learn to identify our needs, & develop a tool belt of self care practices. One that I often go to, & have a certification in is called “Rapid Eye Technology”. A simplified description of this practice is re-creating the REM part of the sleep cycle while fully conscious/awake.
During REM our brains are processing all of the information that we’ve taken in. When we encounter stress or trauma, it interrupts that process, leaving us stressed, depressed, traumatized, addicted, etc. RET allows us to take back our lives, & mold them into something better that we get to choose.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
A few qualities I would say that have impacted this journey thus far would be curiosity, faith, & observation.
Be curious, ask questions. This has been very intimidating to me previously, but the more often you ask, the more answers you receive. Most questions are in fact answerable & after you get one answer, maybe ask again somewhere else. Collect data through questions & answers.
Have faith that there is an answer somewhere. Have faith that things will improve & have faith that you can be a part of it as it does.
Be observant. Get to know your environment. Be observant of yourself, your feelings, your needs. Be observant of others whether it’s to tend to their needs, or to protect yourself.
Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
Currently, there are a few ways I tackle that feeling of being overwhelmed.
I make lists & piles (and remind myself it’s OK not to have everything crossed off in one day, or that even just moving the pile still contributes to the cleanup process).
I practice EFT (Emotional Freedom Tapping) on particular points of the face & body.
I will talk to myself as if I was talking to a friend.
I will cry. It really helps sometimes to allow that emotional release.
I also reach out to my circle of friends that I can go to during these times of anxiety. But you have to remember that they can’t solve your problems for you. They can be a listening ear & might be able to offer advice when asked.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Sva_qc
- Other: Check out our podcast! It’s called “Develop through the lens” It is available on just about any platform that you can listen to podcasts on
Image Credits
Rain’s World Photography Judah Townsend Photography Sloane Adler of Vanessa Group LLC
