Earlier this summer I recorded an episode of "La Vie Creative" with American photographer based in Paris, Krystal Kenney (aka Miss Paris Photo). We'd never met each other when we recorded the episode, and I wasn't familiar with the podcast until she reached out. Part of the reason was the podcast didn't exist before lockdown. (Pretty impressive that she now as more than 40 episodes.)
Last week I officially met Krystal for the first time and it felt like we'd known each other forever. We sat on a local terrace—we happen to be neighbors—and as we sat there we knew everyone who passed by.
It was fascinating to hear how Krystal had pivoted her work as a photographer (primarily shooting events and weddings) to other creative endeavors during Covid-times. She launched the podcast, has been working on a new video series, and helps out her Italian husband who offers weekly live cooking classes on Zoom.
During our conversation I realized how contagious her enthusiasm was. Enthusiasm tends to be one of the first things we dial down when we are being "professional." It's such a shame because it's wayyyyyy more fun to chat with someone with a zest for life. It's one of the things I've been striving to turn up—not down—in my own work.
It's always a joy to encounter people who are given a lemon and make it lemonade. Krystal definitely brings enthusiasm to life and knows how to have fun. Which brings us to the episode of her podcast where we talk about my creative life which launched this week!
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Listen.
On episode #43 of "La Vie Creative" Paris podcast I chat with Krystal Kenney about my path to Paris and how the constraints I encountered living in France actually led me to be more creative in the work I do. I get so lost in my own story sometimes I said I arrived in Paris in 2011, but I actually arrived in 2009! Whoops. We're all human :) It's wonderful to listen to the stories of so many others in Paris as well. (Read on for the next workshop date + the community I hinted about at the end of the episode.)
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Watch.
In the podcast I chatted about a social media break I'd recently taken. After watching "The Social Dilemma" on Netflix I know there are many more social media breaks in my future. The documentary centers around ethical tech, sharing the voices of many former high ups of social platforms. One of the most prominent voices is Tristan Harris who is the co-founder of the Center for Humane Technology. I'm so glad these conversations are coming to the forefront more and more. These platforms have fooled people for far too long.
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Read.
I sent in my absentee ballot this week. Every time I vote for the state of Virginia I think about ballot design and how unnecessarily confusing it is. But as many people on social media pointed out, it's also designed to be that way. Despite having voted this way many times, it always takes me over an hour to make sense of the directions. (I really want a how to video to show me what to do and help me feel better that I'm not doing it wrong.). Thanks to Danielle on social media who sent me this article on "The History of Ballot Design" in AIGA's Eye on Design. It also reminded me of this Washington Post piece a couple years ago from the Civic Design Center: "How a badly designed ballot might have swayed the election in Florida."
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Client spotlight 🔦
Throughout the year I work with 1:1 coaching clients who are working on a range of endeavors. These are just a few who have launched new projects after we started working together.
Find them all on Instagram for more inspiration!
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Write Your Own Rules is less than a week away!! Join me next Saturday, October 3rd from 6-8pm CET. Past participants have used their rules to help them land dream jobs, find clarity in what's next, and carve more exciting path to retirement. Every age and stage is welcome!
I'll walk you through exercises that will help you distill your own guiding principles that are unique to you. You'll walk away from the workshop with your very own rulebook [zine] that you can fit in your pocket. The 2-hours flies by and you'll be AMAZED with what you can come up with in that time.
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On "La Vie Creative" I hinted about something else I've been cooking up. I'll announce it officially in next week's newsletter, but I can tell you it's a 3-month program with yours truly that includes live workshops each month, creative exercises, and community. I'm SOOOOOO excited for this next chapter of my work, and I hope many of you will be a part of the journey. Stay tuned....
Have a wonderful week! 🌈
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Anne S. Ditmeyer is a creative coach + consultant who helps people think creatively in their work and life to push past those pesky standards society has put on us. Sign up for a curiosity call to learn more.
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