We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Andria Flores. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Andria below.
Hi Andria, so happy to have you on the platform and I think our readers are in for a treat because you’ve got such an interesting story and so much insight and wisdom. So, let’s start with a topic that is relevant to everyone, regardless of industry, etc. What do you do for self-care and how has it impacted you?
I have made a few trips around this mountain, so I can definitely tell you what does not work.
I once lived in a cycle of maxing myself out—frequently to the point of burnout, and often resulting in health issues—then having a glass of wine and a bubble bath. On repeat. This is not self-care. Neither is a nice dinner out. A massage. A long weekend. None of these things are self-care if the lifestyle in between is reckless and full throttle. At best, those treats are merely tiny speed bumps in the road that really feel more like interruptions.
I eventually learned that self-care is a lifestyle. Self-care is creating the life you want so you don’t need a breather from it. For me, that means creating margins daily for reading, reflection, and prayer. It means literally breathing deep, full breaths throughout the day. It means weekly incorporating activities I enjoy into my life like reading for pleasure, baking, having coffee with a friend, or getting a massage. Then when I plan a vacation, it is just an extension of self-care rather than a hard-break from a life in overdrive.
I am naturally a type A personality, an achiever, a self-motivated producer with a strong work ethic. So I don’t have to try hard to hustle. In fact, I have to try hard not to, but I learned that I don’t have to exhaust myself to have value. In fact, I am the only person who truly gets to choose how I spend my time, so if I feel burnt out, that’s on me. If I start feeling like I’ve slipped back into that rut, I ask myself a few key questions.
Immediately, I want to know: What can I delete off my calendar right now? How can I increase my sleep in the next 24-48 hours? From there I seek out more lasting shifts by asking thought-provoking questions like: Am I observing my daily quiet time? What is stealing my joy? Can I reduce my work hours? Am I making time for the things that bring me joy? If I could create an ideal week, what would it look like?
These questions lead me back to my core values. And when I live from that place, I am most creative, most thoughtful, and most engaged. As an editor and writer, I do my best work because I am fully present, invested, and open-minded. As a wife, mom, and friend, I smile and laugh more, and I listen better. When I am living from my core values, I find I am a human being more than a ‘human doing.’ And that is the best self-care.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am an author, editor, and recovering perfectionist. My book, type A plans B, tells my story of the most major shift in my life from racing in the proverbial hamster wheel trying to please and produce and perfect, to epic failure, to reinventing myself. . . or rather rediscovering myself.
Since that time, over a dozen years ago, I have successfully established myself as a freelance editor, working with both fiction and nonfiction authors, business owners, and individuals who need a second pair of eyes on their writing and an honest, encouraging voice in their ear.
I am quite passionate about what I do! I consider it an honor and a personal joy to help others achieve their dreams in publishing their book, a website, or launching a business endeavor. I prioritize preserving the author’s voice in any publication as I polish and improve upon their work.
In addition, I have published my own book, which just received a Notable 100 award from Shelf Unbound Best Indie Book Competition. I just updated my website this winter as well. It’s a great place to learn more about me and what I do for my clients. I’m at www.andriaflores.com.
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?
Belief. I choose to believe in myself and turn off the voices of doubt. If someone doesn’t like my work, I tell myself: “They must not be my target audience.” It’s not a cop-out. It’s turned out to be a powerful way to strengthen my belief in myself and keep my focus on producing authentic work.
Authenticity. No more BS. No more sugar-coated words to others or in my own head. I do not believe in “fake it til you make it”. My clients find me to be candid and real, as do my friends. It’s because failure inspired me to be authentic in every area of my life.
Balance. As I have shared here, I can easily slip into constant activity, non-stop thinking, and productivity. But I’ve learned from burn-out that I need balance. I need love and laughter and being.
Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?
I love working with authors. I frequently find myself working with first-time authors. I don’t take it for granted when they become repeat clients. . . and often friends.
An ideal client for me is someone who has written—a book usually, but other times an essay or business document—and desires honest feedback, even a collaborator at times. An ideal client is invested in their project and they want someone to come alongside them who will invest of themselves as well. They want a relationship that in the end produces their finest work and hopefully a bit of personal joy in the process.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.andriaflores.com
- Instagram: andria.flores
- Facebook: type A plans B
- Linkedin: Andria Flores
- Twitter: @andriaflores22
- Other: On Amazon: https://rb.gy/p0h47j
Image Credits
Christopher Cook PushingTheLens.com
