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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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photography by: Emma of Bloomzy
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January’s lovely sponsors: Adventures of an Anglophile | Yellow Icing