Another flower arranging therapy Reel, this time w Another flower arranging therapy Reel, this time with roses and a little Stevie Wonder. I could do this all day! 🌹 #traderjoes #flowers #roses #therapy #selfcare
Mimosas, beignets, and Benedicts, oh my! Brunch is Mimosas, beignets, and Benedicts, oh my! Brunch is my absolute favorite meal and @louieswinedive in Clayton treated us so well! I will definitely be back. 

#brunch #stl #stlouis #food #stlfoodie #hosted
Brunch vibes. #latergram #brunch #stl #stlouis Brunch vibes. #latergram #brunch #stl #stlouis
A generous heart is always open, always ready to r A generous heart is always open, always ready to receive our going and coming. In the midst of such love, we need never fear abandonment. This is the most precious gift true love offers – the experience of knowing we always belong.” — bell hooks
One more week before she goes back to school for h One more week before she goes back to school for her second semester. Reppin #stl and @seriessixcompany. 

#stlouis #collegekid #stlmade #mykid
Flower arranging has become the self-care I didn’t know I needed. It’s a tranquil and relaxing experience for me. Get into it. 💐 #traderjoes #flowers #therapy #selfcare
It was about a mellow mood & self-care for me toda It was about a mellow mood & self-care for me today as I spent the first day of the year taking care of my mind, body, and soul. It went something like this…. #newyear #selfcare #overforty #fortyish
We made it a family night at @stlouiswheelpark. A We made it a family night at @stlouiswheelpark. A time was had and memories were made. Grateful that I got some extra days with these guys (thanks Southwest—now run my son back his reimbursement 😂).
My family gifted me $250 worth of Sephora gift car My family gifted me $250 worth of Sephora gift cards as one of my Christmas surprises. Take a look at my haul which includes makeup for oily skin and a some faves! #sephora #haul #skin #oilyskin #beautyproducts #overforty #midlifewomen
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Boob Tube, Career, Featured, Work Life Balance, Work Life Management, Working Moms · July 28, 2014

Five Work/Life Lessons from Kerry Washington’s #BlogHer14 Keynote


Lunch Keynote BlogHer Kerry Washington.jpg

Kerry Washington was one of the reasons why I looked forward to attending BlogHer this year. As a fangirl of hers since Save the Last Dance, I’ve come to think of Kerry as a bestie in my head. A chick from the Bronx who made it in Hollywood and didn’t forget where she came from. A highly acclaimed actress who has transitioned into so many characters while allowing herself to shine through even though she was playing a role. Kerry has accomplished so much, but still remains humble and real. When I heard she would be giving a lunch keynote discussion during the conference, I gave my coins willingly so I could be in San Jose to see her.

Demetria Lucas and Kerry Washington BlogHer14And see her I did.

On Saturday, I was able to be in the same room with Kerry as she shared herself with us. Author Demetria Lucas, better known as A Belle in Brooklyn, sat down with Kerry and asked her questions about everything from her life to her career to her new mommyhood, to Scandal (of course). It was a sister-girl type of conversation that seemed intimate, even amongst the thousands of attendees who graced the room. Kerry was casual, poignant, honest, and, as cliche as it sounds, inspiring. If I loved Kerry before, I adore her now.

Kerry is a lot like us. She has a career. She’s wife. She’s a mom. She’s a storyteller through her work. She is the everywoman that we can relate to, despite her IMDb list of roles. She faces the same issues of trying to balance everything on her plate while remaining sane. And during her keynote, I was able to see that we had more in common that I thought. Career and Work/Life balance are items that she deals with daily.

She shared some gems.

1. Put Your Mask on First

Kerry dropped a nice analogy during her keynote that offered me an A-ha moment. She said that much like when you are flying and the airline flight attendant instructs you to put on your oxygen mask first, then put one on your child in case of an inflight emergency. Much is true in life. We have to take care of ourselves before we can take care of others. We must make sure that we are healthy, getting enough sleep, getting enough exercise, etc. As I always say, “If mama ain’t happy, no one is happy”. When it comes to Work/Life Balance, we must put on our oxygen masks on first before we can do so for others. We must address our needs first, which may sound counterproductive, but makes us better “givers”. Self care is our friend.

2. Who Cares If They Don’t Like You?

Kerry has to deal with a lot of naysayers and negative comments regarding her role on Scandal. Her character, Olivia Pope, has an ongoing affair with the POTUS, who happens to also be Caucasian. There are plenty of folk out there who tweet horrible things to her or write paragraphs on how she is giving the “side chick” hope by helping to destroy the institution of marriage. In our daily lives, we have those who may also feel the need to negatively enforce their peanut gallery opinions even when they aren’t warranted. Kerry is #Team PayItNoMind and I can totally cosign that. We can’t worry ourselves with the opinions and thoughts of others. Placing our energy where it belongs and not on things we cannot control is where we can then create and master our secret sauce.

it’s none of my business what you think of me. @kerrywashington #blogher14

— Krystal Tingle (@KrystalTingle) July 26, 2014

3. A Woman Boss is the Best Boss to Have

More than ever, women bosses, CEO’s, executives, and entrepreneurs are running the show. Shonda Rhimes, the creator and executive producer of Scandal and the boss of things on the set and in the office, has given Kerry a different perspective and appreciation for having a female who’s in charge. Most women bosses understand what it’s like to have a child the urge to want to parent even while on the job, the importance of scheduling work around activities, the need on-site childcare facilities at work, etc. They know what it’s like being a woman, and not in an empathetic or “reasonable” way. Having a woman boss is an awesome thing, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Having one can also help keep your Work/Life in check.

“I benefit having a woman boss in ways I can’t even articulate” @kerrywashington regarding @shondarhimes #BlogHer14 #Gladiators

— Danyelle Little (@TheCubicleChick) July 26, 2014

P.S. New episodes of Scandal return starting September 25th at a new time: 9pm EST/8pm EST. Get ready, Gladiators!

4. Your Mentors Are Everything

Having a mentor is an important part of your success. Having people you can look up to, go to when you have question or need guidance is critical. You’d be surprised at how many women I talk to who don’t have a mentor in place. I loved when asked about who inspires her, she named off a badass list of chicks who are greatness personified.

Cicely Tyson, Barbra Streisand, Rita Moreno, Diahann Carrol, Jane Fonda are some of @kerrywashington‘s mentors. Awesome list! #BlogHer14

— Danyelle Little (@TheCubicleChick) July 26, 2014

5. Keep Some Things (the Best Things) To Yourself

Kerry is notoriously a private person, and she stated that this is on purpose. Even though she is wonderfully present on social media (and responsive too, I must say), she doesn’t let us in to her private things (her husband, her child, her everyday life, etc.). She says this is because she wants to have some things that are just hers. And also, since she is a character actress, she wants to be believable and true to the roles she plays. If she was too open and over-saturated, it may prove hard for her to be believable. Kerry teaches us in Work/Life, we don’t have to expose everything, and not everything needs to be exposed. It’s okay. We will all live without knowing every detail of your life. And we don’t have to be plugged in all the time. The world will deal and so will you.

Please, celebrities, be awesome like @kerrywashington and under-share your personal life. #BlogHer14

— Anne Parris (@notasupermom) July 26, 2014

I appreciate Kerry for taking the time to “lunch” with us and share her insight regarding so many issues that us women face. For a moment, this private person opened up to us, and I felt honored that she trusted us enough to do so. Kerry Washington is the real deal.

Bow down!


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In: Boob Tube, Career, Featured, Work Life Balance, Work Life Management, Working Moms · Tagged: #BlogHer14, BlogHer, Kerry Washington, Work Life Balance, Work Life Management

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Comments

  1. Joyce@MommyTalkShow says

    July 29, 2014 at 10:11 pm

    Love this. Thanks for sharing a dose of Kerry with those of us who weren’t at BlogHer.

    Reply
    • The Cubicle Chick says

      July 29, 2014 at 11:26 pm

      Joyce, no problem. I don’t mind sharing. And on a sidenote, you should make plans to attend BlogHer next year. It is truly a conference with a little bit of everything. It’s well worth the investment 🙂

      Reply
  2. Arelis Cintron says

    August 6, 2014 at 3:46 pm

    Wow, I’m really sad now that I didn’t get to Blogher … this is some good stuff right there! I hope I can go next year! I love Kerri and I loved save the last dance! I think people get too caught up in characters …acting is sometimes just that acting. She’s an entertainer and she’s good at her job. Thanks for sharing what you learned Danyelle!

    Reply

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Another flower arranging therapy Reel, this time w Another flower arranging therapy Reel, this time with roses and a little Stevie Wonder. I could do this all day! 🌹 #traderjoes #flowers #roses #therapy #selfcare
Mimosas, beignets, and Benedicts, oh my! Brunch is Mimosas, beignets, and Benedicts, oh my! Brunch is my absolute favorite meal and @louieswinedive in Clayton treated us so well! I will definitely be back. 

#brunch #stl #stlouis #food #stlfoodie #hosted
Brunch vibes. #latergram #brunch #stl #stlouis Brunch vibes. #latergram #brunch #stl #stlouis
A generous heart is always open, always ready to r A generous heart is always open, always ready to receive our going and coming. In the midst of such love, we need never fear abandonment. This is the most precious gift true love offers – the experience of knowing we always belong.” — bell hooks
One more week before she goes back to school for h One more week before she goes back to school for her second semester. Reppin #stl and @seriessixcompany. 

#stlouis #collegekid #stlmade #mykid
Flower arranging has become the self-care I didn’t know I needed. It’s a tranquil and relaxing experience for me. Get into it. 💐 #traderjoes #flowers #therapy #selfcare
It was about a mellow mood & self-care for me toda It was about a mellow mood & self-care for me today as I spent the first day of the year taking care of my mind, body, and soul. It went something like this…. #newyear #selfcare #overforty #fortyish
We made it a family night at @stlouiswheelpark. A We made it a family night at @stlouiswheelpark. A time was had and memories were made. Grateful that I got some extra days with these guys (thanks Southwest—now run my son back his reimbursement 😂).
My family gifted me $250 worth of Sephora gift car My family gifted me $250 worth of Sephora gift cards as one of my Christmas surprises. Take a look at my haul which includes makeup for oily skin and a some faves! #sephora #haul #skin #oilyskin #beautyproducts #overforty #midlifewomen
It’s #giveaway time! Enter to win 2 silk pillowc It’s #giveaway time! Enter to win 2 silk pillowcases from @celestialsilk made of 100% mulberry silk. Sleep better in the new year and take care of you! Entry detail link in bio. #selfcare #sleeping #newyear #review
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