What is the best thing that I love about my work? I love that I get to combine all parts of myself into something that is both deeply creative and highly impactful and inspirational. I run by business and do most parts of it, hiring talent when I need support with specific areas, so it keeps my mind which can easily grow bored, really enthusiastic and busy. I also love the freedom I have around how I work, when and where. I get to choose how my life unfolds and work is a huge part of life.
What is my idea of perfect happiness? Being fully present and absorbed in every moment.
What is my greatest fear? I feel like fear is always changing moving thing depending on what I’m moving through or working on. At a certain level, I suppose there is the fear that my dreams are bigger than what I can achieve or be supported by in some way, but really, I see fear as a sign, a doorway towards what I want so every time fear pops up I pay attention and start to move towards it.
What is the trait that I most deplore in myself? My impatience! I want everything NOW even though I know that’s not the way it works or the best way for things to fly, there’s a part of me that is so very impatient.
Which living persons in my profession do I most admire? There is an ever-evolving carousel of people that I admire. I tend to go through short, intense crush-like, phases where I am really into someone, and then as soon as I’ve learned enough from them, I move on. I like to call them “expanders” because they expand my vision and perspective of what is possible and how I can do things. I can’t really name anyone you would know off the top of my head right now!
What is my greatest extravagance? Travel. I invest a lot of money on adventures, travel and filling my senses with new experiences.
On what occasion would I lie? To save someone feelings. Though I try to be honest even if I might hurt someone. It’s always better that way in the long run.
What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work? I think the thing that I dislike the most about any work is having to keep a schedule. I have commitments and those commitments require me to set specific times to show up, and sometimes those times don’t entirely align with what my soul wants to do that moment. (Ha!) So that’s always a challenge: navigating commitments with my own personal moment-to-moment flow.
When and where was I the happiest, in my work? I think, right now, I am happiest in my work. I have found a really beautiful harmony between all the moving parts, my income is good, business growth is good, and it feels wonderful to have made it to this place.
If I could, what would I change about myself? Nothing. I mean, sometimes I want to change superficial things, but truly, nothing.
What is my greatest achievement in work? Making it this far!
Where would I most like to live? 6-8 of the warmer months in London and then a few months travelling.
What is my most treasured possession? My clothes. I love clothes. I like dressing up and taking on different vibes to share with the world.
What is my most marked characteristic? My ability to make every single thing fun and exciting, even if it’s supermundane. People don’t realise this about me but I have a really wild imagination and it never turns off!
What is my most inspirational location, in my city? My first instinct is to say, my bed!! I tend to do most of my creative work in, on and around my bed for some reason. But there are so many amazing places, including Hampstead Heath, which I love so much, the Tate, pretty much every corner in Camden.
What is my favourite place to eat and drink, in my city? Koya for the best udon, perhaps on the entire planet.
What books influenced my life and how? I just finished reading ‘Vagina” by Naomi Wolf and it’s completely changed my life. I also love ‘Big Leap” by Gay Hendricks, “The Leap” by Steve Taylor, “The Night Circus” by Erin Morgenstein and “Atlas Shrugged” by Ayn Rand, just to name a few. I love reading.
Who are my favourite writers? There are too many to name, but Mary Oliver is one of my favourite poets.
You only die once. What music would I listen on my last day? I have no idea. I fall in love with new music every single day! Who knows what I would want to listen to on the day that I die. If I died today, I’d want to listen to Tincture by Feral Fauna.
Which movie would I recommend to see once in a lifetime? The Budapest Hotel
What role plays art in my life and work? Art is everything. It influences me in so many ways and allows me to create my own kind of art, as well.
Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, or partner in crime? I have this incredible circle of women who are scattered all over the world who truly hold me up and give me the support to flourish and step into my own without question. I would say there are about 8 women who I know will catch me if I fall and cheer me on when I win. Every one needs one of these circles in their lives.
Whom would I like to work with, in 2018? I really want to run a workshop or event with FreePeople on manifestation and intuitive-living. That is my dream.
Where can you see me or my work in 2018? I mean, I’ll be in London mostly as well as some of Europe, so… that’s where!
What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me? To me, it means that when you do what you love that you never want to stop doing it. Which I think is a really good way to live. Why save up all the joy of life for some time in the future that might never arrive?
How can you contact me?
Connect with Vienda at ViendaMaria.com and Instagram: @viendam.