We recently connected with Caroline Hofmann and have shared our conversation below.
Caroline , so great to have you with us and thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts with the community. So, let’s jump into something that stops so many people from going after their dreams – haters, nay-sayers, etc. We’d love to hear about how you dealt with that and persisted on your path.
I focus on me. I take the time to make sure I am taking care of myself. In the past, I have been bad about this as I was forced to focus on others important to me. Sometimes even focusing a bit on doubters too. In my experience, people like to judge based on the things they see without realizing that they are only looking at 20% of a person’s life.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I grew up in Colorado and I am partially deaf and hard of hearing. I have been born with hearing loss in both ears, where I am able to hear more in one ear versus the other. I work full time working with clients with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. I started in January of 2020 and continue to work in this field because I love it. I also work seasonally as a Teacher’s Assistant with Japanese Ensemble.
Outside of those, I am a creator and cosplayer. I started originally as Crazy Lady Cosplay as I was mostly a cosplayer and have been doing so for a long time. I started competing in Cosplay and Costume Competitions since 2010. I have been a craftsmanship judge and was invited to judge at Colorado Anime Fest 3 years in a row. Occasionally, I will also host a panel at conventions. My most popular panel to date is my presentation about The Importance of the Cosplay Is Not Consent Movement. This panel goes into its history, why it is relevant, and how important it is coming back to conventions after a pandemic.
I moved to Crazy Lady Creations during the pandemic because I started dabbling in other areas of creativity while trapped at home. I still cosplay, just not as much as I’d like to currently. I fell back into other hobbies of mine like writing, drawing, crocheting, reading books, and practicing/working on improving my skills. I also picked up new skills and learned about voice-over work and voice over acting.
I have a few things I am working on behind the scenes and I am hoping to debut them within the next year or so both online and in person.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
My grandma taught me how to sew, can, and craft. Crafting and sewing have been constants and my grandma is a inspiration and is my biggest fan and supporter.
In terms of creativity or cosplay, I have a few things for advice:
1. Take care of you and yourself, both physically and mentally.
2. Do the things that make you uncomfortable within your comfort level.
3. Its okay to fail. It’s a First Attempt In Learning.
These 3 things can also apply to life. Sometimes, I remember to do these things and sometimes I forget. A quote from my family says “Learn Something New Everyday.” and I try to apply that to everyday life. With my jobs, my business, my creative pursuits, anything!
All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?
Coming out of the pandemic, my biggest obstacle is overcoming burnout, especially around cosplay. While a lot of people I know were continuing to cosplay during the pandemic despite there being no conventions, I was busy working. I was considered an essential employee during the pandemic and Public Health Emergency. I felt burnout then and it’s kinda evolved and changed with me over the years. In 2022, my mother lost her battle with cancer and she was the health nut. We didn’t have the best relationship and that’s okay. I am still grieving.
Life is always going to throw curve balls or deal you shitty hands in cards. At the end of the day, it’s up to us to decide what to do with them and what we learn from it. My burnout is still present but I try to set time every week to work on something creative wise and it’s somewhat helpful.
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Image Credits
Yang Xiao Long from RWBY, photo by Photos by Skelecade. Alice Angel from Bendy and the Ink Machine, photo by DMG Ice Photography, Edited by me with permission from photographer. Genderbent 707 from Mystic Messenger Morrighan Ferus from Exandria Unlimited: Kymal photos by Double Take Photography. Marie Mjolnir from Soul Eater photo by Cory Newman Photography.
