We recently connected with Vanessa Orlando and have shared our conversation below.
Vanessa, appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?
Most, if not all of my creativity comes from listening to music. As simple as it sounds, finding admiration and inspiration from those who found success from the simple pleasures in life makes it almost effortless. Whether it is lyrical content or how the sound makes me feel, I always find music to be the best cure for anything, really. For me, assoicating music with certain memories or emotions is the easiest way to trigger creative flow as it helps the story not just form but also give it substance. The more I began to listen, the more the ideas grew, and the more writing found its way to paper.
When it came to my creative writing while getting my bachelor’s, I focused purely on music. Every week, I aimed to cover music in some way or another. Even if that meant interviewing classmates and professor’s on their favorite tunes, it was the way I found best to understand people. Music was my gateway to creativity and it strived me to learn more about not just myself, but everyone I was surrounded with.
To me, creativity strives to the sound of music as it triggers every emotion I’ve ever felt which I later applied in my writing one way or another. I owe most of the creativity to music as it’s motivated my writing, self growth and finding something worthwhile.
As I begin to paint the bigger picture, about 8 years ago, I discovered the sound of early Pink Floyd. Talking prior to the David Gilmour days during the summer of 2018 when I was about fifteen years old. That’s all it took for me and classic rock took over my life in the best way possible. As the love for the genre got me into the passion of radio broadcasting and newspaper writing once I entered college. From becoming a shy DJ in late 2023 to the music director of WXAV 88.3FM, that trigger in creativity changed my life for the better and continues to do so every day.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
Hi!
I’m Vanessa Orlando and I recently graduated from Saint Xavier University in Chicago, IL with a B.A. in Communications. I spent my college years focusing on interpersonal communication skills surrounding leadership, management, and public speaking. Outside of the classroom, I spent almost all four years in student media serving as music director of WXAV 88.3FM for over a year while maintaining a radio show personality. I also contributed to the student newspaper, The Xaveirite. So, it’s safe to say it was a busy but worthwhile four years. It was rewarding to grow relationships with my peers while focusing on self growth.
Now post-grad, I have found myself in a position I never saw coming which was entering the professional world of banking which was completely not on my radar in the best way possible as it was a route I did not think about taking. Yet, I find myself finding new goals and ideas for myself that I didn’t think was possible. It’s been a joyous ride and it’s just the beginning!
However, I still find myself writing for FanSided outside of that. I apply my writing for their section on Audiophix as a music contributor to still fuel that love music gives me daily. It’s nice knowing I’ve found balance between professional and hobbies as it’s the drive of happiness that gets me up every day.
I hope to grow in the professional world every day as there is always something new to take away. Often times, I learn from my managers and listen to their stories and see how we all start somewhere and naturally grow where we want to see ourselves. That’s all it is at the end of the day since no one can push you to your goals, only you can.
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?
It wasn’t an easy ride, it took plenty of nights wanting to give up and quit. The best advice is that you don’t no matter how much it doesn’t seem real, you’re always closer than you think. To be fair, I was intimidated by the idea of college with the fear that I was not going to finish. As a first generation to earn a degree, the pressure was definitely on every day I got up no matter how much I wanted to press snooze. The biggest reward at the time was seeing hardwork pay off and seeing the people you love the most. Never forget about all the support you have, but most of all the biggest support should come from within. Though it can be hard at times, find something you can find a simple pleasure in. Even if it means joining the newspaper or radio, find something that motivates you every day to succeed at what you do best.
For me, although I loved my academics, music was always on my mind 24/7 whether it was a song stuck in my head or simply looking forward to listening to The Doors as I drive home that was my staple. So, why not do something with it? That is what I did and it was so worth it in the end.
The advice I have for anyone and everyone for starters is to find what speaks to you and do whatever you want with it. If that means writing daily, practicing an instrument you’re afraid to pick up or perform on a stage for the first time, always go for it. What is meant for you will never leave your mind or your inclination. Never be afriad to explore a hobby or perhaps even learn a new one.
Another is to never lose yourself. Don’t let temporary things ever consume you or your time. Find balance in what matters to you and disregard what doesn’t. Often times, I found myself caring too much about things that did not matter and less on what did. It’s best to focus on yourself first always and never put your own boundaries to the side. It’s okay to put yourself first and to not worry about what no longer serves you as better things will always come. Positive mindsets bring positive outcomes and optimism will always be the key to moving forward.
Lastly, never forget to love. Never forget to love yourself, others, and what surrounds your life. As simple as it sounds, it’s true and will always be. Try to not be hateful and respectfully move on with love and compassion. I’ve found it brings more peace to life as opposed to anger or confusion. As it comes to growth, love was one of the few things that brings security and hope for what’s to come!
Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?
Over the past 12 months, I encountered the loss of my grandfather on Chirstmas morning. Just a few days short of his one year, it was grief that I had never experienced in my life. As a major figure, the person I idolized and found comfort in was gone. I did not know what to do or even how to feel besides heartbreak. Possibly the most major time of my life regarding senior year of college, I was left navigating the loss of someone who I believed would’ve been there to see it.
It was difficult, trying to find myself again and go back to school two weeks later. It was the passions of writing and broadcasting that gave me hope to keep pushing forward. I could see the finish line, my degree that he saw me work so hard towards. I always put in the back of my mind that he was watching over me, knowing I could do it. Not only did I keep moving forward for myself, I did it for my grandpa.
I reflected on the type of person he was. He was the type of person to never quit and always did above the bare minimum. Something he not only instilled in himself, but his children and grandchildren as well. It was his voice that played in my mind in times of uncertainty and it pushed me to keep going.
As the biggest and most significant obstacle to overcome, it was an emotional time to grow as a person. To having really great days being able to have open conversations, to other days wishing he was still with me, it’s part of the process and will always continue to be. As one year approaches, it was a true time to find myself again while achieving a goal he was always there for and will continue to be.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://audiophix.com/author/vanessaorlando
- Instagram: @nes.orlando
