We’re looking forward to introducing you to Hannah Valentine. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Hannah, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: Are you walking a path—or wandering?
I am both walking a path and wandering. I find this to be the key to success that I has recently come to light. The reason I say this is because it is important to find a path, a subtle guide that can lead you to an overall goal. At least this is what works for me. However, I find it important to wander along the way with the subconscious knowledge that you are heading towards your larger goal. You cannot plan everything, and there are several things out of your control. The only way to follow a path is to allow yourself to wander wherever the world takes you, essentially trusting the process of life.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi! My name is Hannah Valentine. I am a strong, driven woman navigating her mid to late 20s. I see myself as a complex piece of a larger puzzle. I have little pieces of me all around the world that have shaped me into the person I am today. Growing up in Kansas City gave me strong morals while going to school in San Diego gave me the confidence I needed to see my place in this world. Traveling to South America and Europe gave me the ability to truly connect with others. Living in Chicago (currently), gave me the next level of growth I needed to start the path I am on now. In addition to my 9-5 and my job at a coffee/wine bar, I am working to grow through content creation. I started taking this passion seriously in April by finally posting on TikTok. I wanted to be conscious, consistent, and genuinely grow what I was working on. My hope of this is to not become an influencer, but to connect with brands and people that align with my passions, such as travel, wellness, beauty, sustainability, etc. I haven’t felt creative or seen myself as a creative person in years, so this is my outlet that allows me to finally reconnect with a side myself I’ve not acknowledged for so long!
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My friends always saw me for who I was before I could even see it myself. Sometimes this still rings to be true, but this is the constant battle I am always be working to improve. My self-esteem is something I have dealt with since I was a child, and I believe I would rely on my friends for affirmations because I knew they could see me better than I could see myself. It took me a very long time to finally understand all of the positive things I’d been hearing for many years. Therapy is a huge reason for this transformation in my life, and it is something I will continuously work on improving.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
Moving to San Diego for college was the first time I felt I truly stopped hiding my pain and used it as a way to reach my full potential. I’ve always been an open book, but I think moving to a new place and meeting new people allowed me to open the next layer of myself that I protected from people in my hometown due to fear of judgement or being disliked. This also goes into not allowing your pain to define who you are and what you succeed in life. I used my pain as a way to break free into my power. Sharing my pain with others was a huge mechanism in breaking free because I was able to connect with people of similar experiences, which made me realize I was worth more than what pain had caused me.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
Although sounding cliche, considering the direction society is headed, I am committed to my goals surrounding content creation. For the longest time, I was against this idea because there is a lot of negativity surrounding the subject. This could be said about most anything, but it’s all about how you decide to shift your perspective. Content creation has grown into a major industry, and I thought to myself why not just try it? I was over the stage of caring what others think about me, and I genuinely feel confident I could make an impact on others in one way or the other. I quickly realized there is a community of people out there who want to support one another and people who are interested in what I have to share. As of now, content creation is adding value to my life, and until that changes, I will continue growing and working!
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace when I am surrounded by nature. Time spent alone surrounded by trees, water, sunshine, animals, insects, and flowers is when I am truly happiest. My mind and body feel calm. I enjoy to solo travel, and I find on the days when I am in nature I never feel alone. There is so much our earth is doing behind the scenes, and I feel peace when I have the opportunity to take it all in. I have always known I’ve felt this connection to the outdoors, but this really came to light when I moved to Chicago. I realized the importance of nature in my life. Although it may hard to live in a city with little to no surrounding green space, it’s led me one step closer to where I will be going in the future.
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