Stranger #18

stranger18How to say ‘No’
It’s ok to say “No’. As part of being raised to be polite and helpful, I was always hesitant to ever say ‘No’ as I never wanted to disappoint other people. I have found it is better to politely decline than to give more than you can or want to.

Finding adventure in New York
I was lucky enough to find the source of adventure on my first trip to NYC at the Oak Bar at the Iconic Plaza Hotel. I found a local New Yorker that has opened the city and taken me under his wing, to the Lower East Side. Americans love to small talk and are much better at talking to strangers than what I have experienced living in Sydney, I believe if you treat New York with virgin eyes and an open explorative heart the adventure finds you.

Raising a confident child
Give them the love and support to feel good about who they are in their own skin, when they are funny tell them their funny, when they do good, rejoice with them. But to lead by example is my best advice. If you show them that you are confident and strong they won’t know any different.

Creating an alter ego
In the tradition of Clark Kent and Superman it is our alter ego that gets to do all the things we can only dream about. I have an issue with how society has difficulty not seeing women who are mothers as autonomous people. The role we play as mothers is expected to fit a behavioural mould that I find creating an alter ego smashes.

Best advice received
BRING IT!!

Life experience
36 years

Location
Sydney, Australia