Conscious Living Interviews is a series which takes a closer look at living a life full of thoughtful choices and conscious decision making in order to live a life full of meaning, self-love, and respect for ourselves and the world around us through interviews with LFB’s favorite bloggers and creatvies.

Hey guys! I just wanted to introduce you to a new conscious living series, the Conscious Living Interviews. In each interview, one of LFB’s favorite bloggers or creatives will sit down and chat about what conscious living means to them.

Emma Self of bloomzy.co.uk for lovefromberlin.net

For the very first interview of this series, I have sat down to have a chat with my dear friend and fellow blogger, Emma of Bloomzy, a British girl living and working in London who just so happens to have a heart of gold and an incredible photographic eye for minimalism.

Emma Self of bloomzy.co.uk for lovefromberlin.net

LFB: In the blogging world, many bloggers feel the pressure to stay on top of trends, purchase new things for reviews, accept gifts etc. How do you balance the mass consumption and “product selling” side of blogging with living consciously?

Emma: It certainly isn’t easy, and I’ll be the first to admit that I succumbed to the pressure when I first started blogging. I found myself buying excessive amounts of beauty products “for the blog”, and writing about everything and anything, just to keep up with people and “the trends”. Pretty soon I realised that this wasn’t any way to continue. I try to live consciously, and I think my recent lifestyle change has really helped with this. Finding my own blog voice, and feeling confident in myself are big contributing factors.

LFB: In today’s day and age with the rise of social media, it is very easy for us to get swept up in our own lives and careers and forget about our social commitments to both our friends and family as well as those less fortunate than us within our society. What do you do personally to ensure that this does not happen?

Emma: Family and friends have always been my number one priority, so this isn’t particularly difficult for me. However it can often be tempting to hide myself away after a long day at work. I like to stay busy though, and surround myself with those I love. So when I am feeling a little solitary, I make plans with a friend. It may seem tasking at the time, but I never regret it.

Emma Self of bloomzy.co.uk for lovefromberlin.net

LFB: You and I have talked a little bit about the lack of empathy exists today. What is your definition of empathy?

Emma: Empathy is about putting yourself in somebody else shoes – thinking about their situation and how they feel. Too many people react before they consider others.

LFB:
Do you think our apparent lack of empathy is a unique aspect of our generation, or the times we live in? Does social media and the age of the selfie play a role too?

Emma: I don’t think it’s as big a problem with our generation, compared to previous ones at least. If anything I think our generation is more empathetic. A lot of it is down to society, and I do believe this is slowly changing. Hopefully people will become even more empathetic in future generations.

Emma Self of bloomzy.co.uk for lovefromberlin.net

LFB: What suggestions would you give to others who may be lacking empathy?

Emma: Read a book on a topic you don’t fully understand. Join a cause you feel strongly about. But most importantly, take a moment to think before you act.

LFB: What are you doing in your life personally to ensure that you remain a person who is empathetic to others?

Emma: I try to stay up to date on political issues, and I spend a lot of time online reading articles about political and social issues. Ignorance is empathy’s biggest enemy.

Emma Self of bloomzy.co.uk for lovefromberlin.net

LFB: What does conscious living mean to you both in general and for you personally? What is the most important aspect of conscious living for you personally? How do you practice conscious living?

Emma: Recently I have been trying to take more control of my career and future goals. I believe that having goals and actively working to achieve them is very important. Having a sound mind helps a lot towards this, and whereas there are many ways to accomplish this I really do boast the benefits of meditation. It is a wonderful tool to help clear your mind.

LFB: What websites, books, documentaries, or stores do you support that place a strong emphasis on conscious living?

Emma: Actually I first learnt about conscious living through my Sociology tutor when I was around 15. He introduced me to a lifestyle that seemed quite alien – he influenced my current thinking a lot. Since then I have been lucky enough to surround myself with some wonderful likeminded people. I am inspired by so many of my friends and family.

Liked the interview? Keep up with Emma:
Twitter | Instagram | Blog

photography by: Emma of Bloomzy


Don’t forget to check out LFB’s podcasts & sign up for LFB’s conscious living challenge.



Stay conscious, Rae

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January’s lovely sponsors: Adventures of an Anglophile | Yellow Icing

Rae Tilly

Rae the EIC of LFB and YEOJA Magazine. She is also a photographer and social media influencer.

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  • Morgan Miller

    What a thoughtful post!
    -Morgs x
    http://justmorgs.blogspot.co.uk

    • rae

      Glad you enjoyed it, Morgs!

  • Katie Jane Mabey

    I love this idea. I try to live consciously and it makes me so upset to see a world so lacking in empathy. I was just having a lengthy chat to a friend about it the other day, so this post was a really good read for me!

    • I’m so glad you agree Katie. It’s always reassuring when you find people with a similar outlook.

    • rae

      So glad you enjoyed this read! I think it really is unfortuante that so many people these days are so consumed with their own things that they forget to think of others and put themselves in other people’s shoes. It is great to know that people like you and Emma are out there! The world can never have too much compassion!

  • Fabulous interview – thank you for sharing your thoughts, Emma, and Rae; I am so excited for this series!

    • Thank you so much Katia, it was really lovely to do this interview with Rae.

    • rae

      So glad you enjoyed getting to know Emma a bit more and are excited about this new series!

  • Really Great interview. :)

    http://www.kangkanrabha.com

    • rae

      Glad you enjoyed it, Kangkan!

  • WhatWouldVWear

    What a wonderful interview! Emma is a bright and intelligent woman! I loved her answers on empathy and I will be sure to check her out!!! Thanks for sharing!

    Such a great review! I love Lancome, and I really appreciate your honesty! Und ich kann es kaum erwarten Dich in Dland zu sehen! Nur noch 1 1/2 Wochen, yay!

    Happy Monday, love!

    xoxo, Vanessa

    http://www.WhatWouldVWear.net

    • Thank you so much for your comments Vanessa.

    • rae

      She really is! So glad you enjoyed this interview Vanessa! Not sure if the second half of that comment was meant for LFB?

  • Len Dela Peña Parent

    How gorgeous!!! Love this look babe! Have a great week!
    Much love, Len
    http://www.lenparent.com

  • Such an awesome interview. I love how honest it is! Definitely looking forward to more of these :)

    Enclothed Cognition/Bloglovin

    • rae

      So glad you enjoyed it! And yes, Emma is an amazing lady!

  • Elizabeth Hisle

    I agree that our generation is more empathetic! Not to put down our parents generations, but we don’t have as many opportunities or the same environment to create them. We have to work a lot harder and be poorer for longer and it has really helped us care about others. I know that since I have the typical “millennial” struggles, I have become a hell of a lot more thoughtful to those around me. Just stopping and thinking can really change your life and those around you.

    aroseisinbloom.blogspot.com

    • rae

      I think it is wonderful that you are a thoughtful person, Elizabeth! And yes, taking just a few moments to consider others is all it takes!

  • This is such a thought provoking article! When I don’t feel empathetic, I force myself to consider things from the other person’s point of view and sometimes we interpret their actions as a lack of empathy when shyness or some other factor might be coming in to play

    • rae

      So glad that you enjoyed this interview, Suze! And I think it is fantastic that you make it a point to try to see things from the perspectives of others!

  • sweetsimpleday

    Great interview!!! Thanks for sharing another awesome blogger!! Xo

    http://www.sweetsimpleday.com

    • rae

      No worries, glad you enjoyed it!

  • Love this new series! Thanks for sharing.

    xo Annie
    http://www.laircake.com

    • rae

      No worries, Annie!

  • Great share Rae :) Conscious living is something we in the 21st neglect and place little to no attention on. Your interview questions ware great, creative (pretty unexpected!) and offers much room for Emma to speak for herself. Agreeing with Emma that finding the blog voice and identity is really important in this blogging be-jeez. It’s easy to stray away from our vision therefore conscious living is much needed for improvement and personal betterment :)

    Real Life Nerd // http://www.vivienekok.com

    • rae

      So glad that you enjoyed this interview, Viviene! I also think that slowly people are starting to spend more time thinking about the consequences of our actions, because when you look at the changes in the weather and nature in general, it’s impossible to ignore. And yes, finding your own voice as a blogger is really important.

      Let me know if you would be interested in being interviewed for this new series, Viviene – just shoot me an email at: raetashman@gmail.com :)

  • I love reading your interviews, you always ask just the right questions to really bring an interesting discussion.

    Minimalism, as well as conscious living, has been having a huge moment – a bit paradoxical though considering fast fashion and “throw-away culture” have been rising as well. I hadn’t really done more than dipped my toe in the pond before, but reading your blog has helped me understand better what it is, and I love many of the ideas!

    I’d also actually read a piece on empathy a while ago. The author argued that the widening income gap (in the US) was due an “empathy gap” – jobs weren’t as readily available and healthcare was expensive because many saw lower-income families as “moochers”.

    Angelina Is | Bloglovin’

    • rae

      thanks so much Angelina! I am so happy that you enjoyed this interview! I definitely think that minimalism has blown up on the internet, both in the blogging world and on youtube which is awesome. I think that conscious living is going to get there as well :) And yes, it is a very sad reality that many people tend to just box those in a lower income bracket in some negative category based on a stereotype. I really hope this changes slowly.

  • This post is really helpful!

    thank you for sharing…

    Love Sirin

    http://www.sweetnessoffashion.com/outfits/2016/1/25/heels

    • rae

      Glad you enjoyed it, Sirin!

  • I love this series, as I’ve been inspired by your blog to live consciously and I’m trying to incorporate this in daily living and blogging :)

    Pop over to my blog!

    Sarah

    sarahinks.co.uk

  • I love these series. Your blog is a source of inspiration. Every single one of your always brings something unique and beautiful to the table. Anyway, I love the questions, I think it’s something you know how to work on. I mean, you always ask the right ones at the right times.

    Personally, I’d love to live more of a conscious life. It’s not something I’m able to do but it’s something I’m working on everyday so we’ll see how this goes. I think it’s honestly a way to be happy too.

    Ella Pinto xx

  • Fantastic Post and Blog. You are an inspiration to all of us. XOXO, Mimi
    theINSIDERblog
    +http://fashionlook4u.blogspot.com/