Story & Lesson Highlights with Tamara Thomas of Rochester, MI

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Tamara Thomas. Check out our conversation below.

Good morning Tamara, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
I definitely value integrity above most other traits. I am very deliberate about surrounding myself with people who have integrity. Intelligence and energy are clearly needed when working in a professional setting, but if your behavior doesn’t match your stated values, it will be difficult for others to trust in your ability to finish projects in a fair and honest way. If I have learned anything in the last 10 years, it is that I don’t have room in my life for people who don’t have integrity or empathy. If I consider you a friend or professional associate, you can be assured I must think highly of you. I’m sending hugs, friends and associates; thank you for having the qualities I admire most.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am an interior decorator in the Rochester, MI area. I am currently working exclusively with furniture, home decor & beauty brands to create ads for their social media use. I have several projects in the works including collaborations with a drapery company, a rug company and a facial rejuvenation company. It is my goal to showcase these companies’ products in an artful, unique and aesthetically pleasing way. I only take on projects with brands who’s products I truly believe in the quality and value of, because I want to be as environmentally friendly as you can be while working in this industry. I already have plenty of stuff, oh my, so I need to be discriminating when it comes to taking on jobs and gifts.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
When I was a child, I had a dream of working in a bustling office environment. I thought I would take a lot of joy from that type of chaotic environment. However, my current preferences couldn’t be further from that vision. I am a people person one day and a loaner the next, so working at home on individual projects is the very best fit I can think of for me now. I currently make time for social interactions and activities, like organizing a walking group, in my personal life rather than in my professional life. Home is where the heart is, right?

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
I think coming from a family that never simply handed me the things I wanted, taught me to appreciate the little things in life, like food on the table and a roof over my head. Today, anytime I hear someone say something like, “Poor people are lazy and need to get a job”, it makes me incredibly angry. Nothing in life is easy when you come from the bottom of the social hierarchy, and the trickle down affect is a complete fantasy that rich people can’t possibly understand, unless they have been there. I am grateful that I experienced the school of hard knocks when I was young, because I think it opened my eyes to the struggles of people who weren’t born into privilege, and made me a more aware and compassionate person.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
I love to say, “I’m not perfect, but I play someone who is on Instagram.” Honestly though, I put the truth out there on a regular basis. If I am frustrated with the world, I say so. If I fail to do something I wanted to do, I admit it. I think my worst trait as a human being is that I am excessively honest. I might lean a little ADHD to be honest, so it all checks out. 🙂 I think everyone who knows me, knows I try not to take life too seriously though. I laugh a lot, and don’t let other people bring me down. I think those things come across loud and clear in the public domain of my life.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
If I knew I only had 10 years left, I would try to stop worrying so much. I have always tried to enjoy every day, but at the same time, I tend to obsess over things I can’t change. Even though I know logically it’s a waste of my time to be bothered by things outside my control, I still have to make a conscious effort daily to practice breathing and relaxing. If you worry like I do, I would recommend deep breathing exercises. They are very effective at lowering your heart rate within a few rounds of inhaling and exhaling. One more thing I would stop doing if I knew my time was limited, is reacting to triggering information without breathing first. It can save you from embarrassing situations like being a “Karen,” which I think most of us do at least once in a while. 🙂

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.prettypeacockcurations.com
• Instagram: miss.tammy70
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tammy.vandykethomas
• Other: https://www.shopltk.com/explore/Pretty_Peacock_Curations

Image Credits
Photos by Tamara Thomas