We were lucky to catch up with Quinn Storm recently and have shared our conversation below.
Quinn, we are so happy that our community is going to have a chance to learn more about you, your story and hopefully even take in some of the lessons you’ve learned along the way. Let’s start with self-care – what do you do for self-care and has it had any impact on your effectiveness?
I believe that effectiveness cannot exist without self-care. Many of us think of self-care as a social media buzzword, or simply getting in a bubble bath and pouring a glass of wine. In fact, it is so much more than that. Self care is prioritizing your emotional, mental and physical health. Sometimes this does look like taking a few moments for luxury, but more often than not it looks like eating nutritious meals, taking your vitamins, exercising, and pushing yourself out of your comfort zone (even slightly) so that you can grow as a human. For my own self-care, I love to meditate, do yoga, cook new recipes, and try new holistic ways of healing (red light therapy, castor oil packs, etc). I find that when I use my private time to enhance my quality of life I become a happier, healthier person. That’s not to say that sometimes I don’t pour a glass of wine and veg out on Netflix- because I certainly do that too! It’s all about finding that right balance. We have to take care of ourselves and take a break; if we don’t take a conscious break our bodies will take a break for us and oftentimes that looks like a vicious cold that keeps us bedridden, an anxiety attack, or just plain old burnout. My body is my friend and partner-in-crime in this lifetime and I have to treat her well so she does the same for me.
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?
Although I started off in the industry as a stylist, I am now a full time educator. This path is one that I’ve always wanted to be on- I have always had a teaching heart. It’s fabulous to be able to pursue my passions in such a creative and fun field.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
The three qualities that have been most impactful on my journey have been faith, drive, and empathy. Education and experience are fabulous qualities and areas of expertise to bring to this field, but we are such a people oriented industry that without faith, drive, and empathy we would be nothing. When you connect with people every day it is so important to be able to not only protect your own energy, but fill theirs. I love when a client or student leaves my chair or classroom feeling like their cup has been filled, but I never want that to happen at the expense of my own happiness. At this point in my career I can lovingly say that every day I have beautiful opportunities to create happiness. I believe that these are qualities that everyone can develop, even if you truly think you cannot. I practice this by meditating and setting my intention for the day every morning, clearing my energy after a heavy interaction by taking 30 seconds to sit and breathe and come back to my body, and by surrounding myself with other likeminded people.
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
The most impactful thing my parents ever taught me was to always be kind. When I was in 3rd grade I moved to a new school and I was so scared and nervous. A few months into the school year another new girl was transferring into my class from a different school. I distinctly remember the car ride with my dad that morning. He said to me, “Remember how you felt on your first day of school? That is exactly how this girl is feeling. It might even be scarier for her since you’re a few weeks in and everyone already has made friends. You walk right up to her, give her a big smile, introduce yourself and be her friend. You don’t have to commit to a friendship forever, not every relationship works out that way. But you can certainly do your best to make her feel welcome.” That sentiment is something that I have always remembered and cherished. To this day, that is what I think of every time I meet someone new.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: instagram.com/quinn_douglasj
