Meet Ally Pawlowski

We recently connected with Ally Pawlowski and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Ally , so great to have you on the platform. There’s so much we want to ask you, but let’s start with the topic of self-care. Do you do anything for self-care and if so, do you think it’s had a meaningful impact on your effectiveness?

I have been meditating for about a year and a half now. It is a self care tool that I have always looked away from in the past because of the immense focus it takes to get past the thoughts that roll in. I started using the Open app (highly recommended) and it has changed my life for the better. Meditating isn’t easy, but that’s why I need it. It has helped me overcome challenges in my day to day work routine, approach others in a more thoughtful way, and most importantly helped me to take a breath before immediately responding to a challenging situation. I can see a difference in myself since I started meditating and have had others express how much lighter my presence is in a room. Meditating really helps me to surrender to the ups and downs of life. I’ve learned so much about myself through meditating and it has made me a better person in work & social environments.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I feel very grateful for the opportunities I have been given. I’ve been working for Free People for the past ten years- what started as a part time job in college became a full time passion. I always struggled with how much passion I had for my dance career AND my job at Free People. It feels too good to be true that in 2020, I was on the opening team for the first ever Free People Movement store. I was able to teach zoom classes through the brand website throughout the pandemic. Since then, I’ve helped to open multiple new stores, lead monthly hikes, visual merchandise spaces, and foster a culture of team work and community. I teach weekly T-spheres classes- T-spheres are aromatherapy infused massage balls that focus on myofascial release and breath work. Teaching this class has opened up a new interest in continuing to learn about the body and all it has to offer. I’m lucky to be able to travel back home to teach at my mother’s dance studio, Steppin’ Out Dance Academy. She just celebrated year 36 and I am forever grateful for all she and the studio atmosphere has taught me. Teaching is my greatest passion and I love to share with the community whenever I have the chance to- if it is to choreograph a competition routine or create an evening length work with professionals. I’m currently most excited for the dance film I am choreographing alongside another creative friend. Hope to share that with you all soon! I have such a deep passion for dance and fashion- I hope to someday have my own space to share both with the world!

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

PATIENCE! Easier said than done… We live in a society that makes it feel like we have to have instant gratification with everything we do. I am a firm believer in the process. I always have been and even in the lowest of the lows, I knew that it was all a part of the process. It is so important to be patient with yourself on your journey.

Kindness is important. It sounds cliche, but you really never know what someone is going through behind closed doors. A simple compliment can change someone’s entire day. My parents taught me that from a young age. They taught it to me by leading by example- as I get older, I look back on how they treated others. No matter what our job is, how much money we make, how old we are… the list goes on and on- we are all human at the end of the day. I think that is something that so easily gets forgotten. You can be kind to others while also standing up for yourself and what you believe in.

“If you’re not gonna do it right, don’t do it at all!” My gram said this to me and everyone else in her life A LOT. It’s always stuck with me. Work ethic is such a powerful gift to have and I can also thank my parents for my work ethic. If you’re gonna be lazy at a simple task or job, then you’re probably also gonna be lazy at your “big girl” job.

Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?

“A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose” by Eckhart Tolle….. I think everyone should read this book at least once in their life. I have some wonderful friends who recommended it me during a challenging and confusing part of my life. I thought they were over reacting in how much they loved it, but they weren’t. This book really changes the way you react, reflect, accept, and acknowledge the human experience. It emphasizes the importance of just being without material possessions. Our ego so easily gets in the way of the human experience and this book gives you tools on how to move past the ego.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @allypaws
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ally-pawlowski-a853a32b2/

Image Credits

Marissa Mooney
Alyssa Park