We recently connected with Sophia Louisa Lee and have shared our conversation below.
Sophia Louisa, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
I hear all the time, “what is your purpose?” and even to myself, I all too often ask, “what is my purpose?” I’ve come to realize my purpose is being my most authentic self, and that changes frequently as I am constantly learning more and more about who I am — not just on a physical level, but on an emotional and spiritual level as well.
Discovering this didn’t happen over night either. For many years I was caught up in the “I have to do this” or “I have to do that.” What I wasn’t doing was just allowing myself to be, and when I allowed that to happen, ideas began to come my way. Ideas I was able to act upon with ease and grace, and an inner sense of joy.
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?
It always feels strange to share what I do since I do so many different things. Right now, for example, I have a short film in post-production that I’m overseeing; a first draft script I wrote is making the rounds for notes with the production team; a short horror film I wrote is in pre-production; and I am co-writing a book with a woman about her memoirs. We are also working on a documentary, which is still in production. Adding to that, I have a children’s book that will be coming out soon, and a movie I was in will be coming out later this year. It is all very exciting. I like to call it, “being in the creative flow.”
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?
Skills and knowledge can always be developed. More than anything, you have to have the desire to want to do something — no matter what it is. It’s amazing how limiting beliefs stop people from doing things that they would absolutely love to do. The main question is — what is it you want to do? We get caught up in things that we feel we have to do – but never prioritize the thing(s) that we truly want to do. I believe there is a way to do both. It starts with figuring out what you want,, and asking yourself: what do you like? What makes you feel joy? What inspires you? What do you see yourself doing?
No matter what it is, you carve the time out. (Just like when you like someone, or someone likes you — you carve out the time to be with that person.)
At times I wish I knew what I know now years ago, but at the same time, I’m grateful for the journey I’ve been on (it makes for great writing material).
Three points: 1. make the time to do the work. 2. have fun doing the work – if there is a block, allow yourself to work through it (the more time you spend complaining about the block only builds it up bigger – acknowledge it, and figure out a way to work through it). 3. be open to always learn something new — when you hold on to something too tightly, it constricts your talents and ultimately your flow.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
When you do a lot of different things, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed, especially when there is an emotional aspect to it to (separation, death, being sick, someone you love going through something horrible, watching the news and feeling helpless, etc.). Question is, how do you recognize it? That is probably the hardest thing. Truly knowing yourself is not exactly taught in schools.
Our bodies give us so many indications of being out of balance. Yet we don’t really pay attention to them. For me, it was weight gain. I focused on so many other things other than my own body. Yet, ironically it was my body that got me through everything I had to get done, for which I am grateful. Now I know I need (and must) carve out time to take care — for me that means scheduling time to get back into the routine of yoga, daily walks, and a focus on healthier foods and more water. Instead of freaking out about the extra weight, which could have been really easy to do, I allowed myself to know I can do something about it, and am doing something about it. Just like anything, it’s about making a choice as to how you want to feel, which is much more empowering.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sophialouisalee.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/sophialouisalee
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/sophialouisalee
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/ln/sophialouisalee
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/sophialouisalee
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/sophialouisassozoomin
- Other: www.imdb.me/sophialouisalee
