meet lauren willson
How do you make your health a priority?
One thing about being an entrepreneur is that you really see yourself and can’t hide from yourself because whatever’s going on reflects what’s happening in the business. So I realized I need to prioritize my mental health. If I don’t, then my business starts to do poorly. I had periods where I’ve been super depressed and burnt out. But I am grateful for those experiences because they made me who I am today.
“Also, I always meditate every day for at least 10 minutes.”
I have been doing these 2-hour-long guided meditations once a week, which really grounds me. It’s been amazing to come together with other people and meditate and that definitely helps with my ability to stay in it and stay focused.
How does cooking and food factor into your mental health?
Something that I do everyday is cook for myself. Food has been such a big part of my mental health journey. But it’s not necessarily eating a certain diet; it’s more about nourishment. I feel like I’m cooking things that are good for me or what my body is craving at the moment. It makes me really happy to cook. I did it professionally for a year in New York, which was also the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but one of the most rewarding.
When I lived in New York, after I first started my business, I wouldn’t take a break for lunch, and I realized that wasn’t a healthy practice. Ever since I started eating my lunch and taking time for myself and stepping outside. It makes my life feel more full and keeps both feet on the ground. I’m able to produce better work, have a moment to myself, and feel like I deserve it.
Is there anything that you hide or tuck away that impacts your mental health?
My house is pretty messy most of the time and it’s not something that I show people. It’s messy because I used to think that everything had to be perfect, but that really doesn’t support my mental health. So this shows that I’m okay with having things be out of place and that came with being comfortable with myself and being okay with the way that I am. Growing up, I always felt that there was something wrong with me, which led to having very low self-esteem.
When I was cooking professionally in New York, I wasn’t treated well, but something clicked and I realized this isn’t what I deserve. I was so disconnected from my body and how I felt. And so, using my Lauren’s All-Purpose Balm, which I created when I was getting burnt in the kitchen, I was able to calm down because I was touching myself. This is something that my mom used to do when I was younger, she would scratch my arm and it would relax all my senses.
next story — pia baroncini