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- [00:00]
Alyssa
Welcome to Sustain this, a podcast where we discuss mindful consumption, personal style, and the quest for living a more intentional life. I'm Alyssa, a sustainable stylist.
- [00:10]
Christina
And I'm Christina, a shopaholic turned minimalist. Ish.
- [00:13]
Sina
And I'm Sina, a color consultant and slow fashion style coach.
- [00:16]
Alyssa
Together we will unpack the nuances of what it really means to be a conscious consumer and find more joy in what we have right now. So grab your tea, your coffee, or whatever floats your boat and join us in the conversation. Let's go.
- [00:29]
Sina
Yay.
- [00:31]
Alyssa
Welcome back. I seen. I'm sorry, did you hear the horn?
- [00:35]
Christina
Yeah, that's okay. We'll keep it in.
- [00:38]
Alyssa
Sorry. This is. This is Italy. Welcome to Italy, particularly the south of Italy. This is my life. Car horns all the time. Welcome. Xena. Thanks for being here.
- [00:54]
Christina
Welcome back.
- [00:55]
Sina
It's so weird being back. I was just saying yesterday that we had, like, the last time we met up was like, November.
- [01:04]
Christina
It was like. Yeah. When was the baby born?
- [01:08]
Sina
December.
- [01:09]
Christina
December. So it was like. Yeah, it must have been. Yeah, November. December. Wow.
- [01:14]
Alyssa
Okay. Time flies now.
- [01:16]
Christina
She's six months old.
- [01:17]
Alyssa
She's big.
- [01:18]
Sina
Yes.
- [01:21]
Alyssa
You're in mom mode.
- [01:23]
Christina
Yeah.
- [01:23]
Sina
Full on mom mode. Yeah. If I'm having trouble, like, putting proper sentences together today, then I apologize in advance.
- [01:33]
Alyssa
It's all good. Tell us about being a mom and tell us you made a big announcement on Instagram today.
- [01:38]
Sina
Yes. Well, I don't even know where to start. Like, it's all such a blur, I think.
- [01:47]
Alyssa
Well, you decided to step away from YouTube.
- [01:51]
Sina
Yes, I took a break by the end of last year. I made, like, kind of a little quote, unquote, goodbye for now video. And then I've had some time to just think about, you know, where I'm heading with my both, like, content creation, but also just my job and, like, my career generally. And I think anyone who's ever been like. I think especially being on a leave like this will really allow you to reconsider your. Your life. So, yeah, I actually decided to. I'm still on a break from YouTube and I decided to keep it that way for a while. I don't know when I'll be back or how or if even. I don't want to shut any doors. But right now I'm just taking a break and seeing where. Where I want to go, basically. And I've actually also decided to step back from content creating, like, content creation as my main job, if you will. And I think it's been a long time coming for me. It Just. Yeah, I don't know, it just. It just feels like the right time to kind of step back and reconsider everything. I think, to put it short, I just want something a little bit more stable, I guess. I want more stability, and I miss being part of a team and not being on my own all the time. And. Yeah, there's a lot of things to it, actually. Sadly, that also means that I've had to cut some ties. I'm closing down my color and styling services, too. And then this will actually also be my final. My final. I don't want to say my final appearance on the podcast. It will be my final episode as a co host anyway. You know, you never know. Maybe I'll. I'll do a guest episode or.
- [03:45]
Christina
Yes.
- [03:45]
Sina
You know, but Christina and Alyssa is going to carry on the. The podcast without me moving forward, which I'm sure you'll do. You'll do amazing. And you have a lot of learning.
- [04:02]
Christina
Well, first of all, I mean, congrats. I think that is. It's very. I think it's a really difficult decision, like, a brave decision to make, because I think there's so much tied up in that. Does it feel like failing or does it feel like relief, you know, or excitement? Like, how are you feeling?
- [04:19]
Sina
I'm very relieved, actually. And I think it's. It's weird because I've been. I think I've. I've actually. Ever since becoming a mom, first time in 2020, I've been very back and forth and very, you know, like, what am I going to do? And that's also why then I build on this whole styling and color analysis universe on top of my, like, my career, if you will, as a content creator, because I wanted something. I wanted something else to rely on than just like, consecration and sponsorships and stuff. And it definitely gave me the. It felt less isolating and it felt less lonely that way because I worked with a lot of clients, which I'm super thankful for. It definitely made the whole thing worth it that I had, you know, so many. That I met so many different people. But I feel very, very relieved because, like you said, Christina, it just takes up a lot of mental capacity running a business, you know, in general, it takes up a lot of mental capacity, especially if you're, like, doing it completely on your own. There's so many things like admin stuff that you need to think about and the, you know, the financial instability, and it's just. It's just a lot. Yeah. Then when we had our second child, it was like the. It just kind of. Yeah, I'm. I'm. I have a Danish phrase in my head right now. It's like the cup was just full. Yeah.
- [05:49]
Christina
Like it overflowed. Almost exactly.
- [05:51]
Sina
Yeah. So I just. I feel so relieved, and I'm like, there's no doubt in my mind that this is the right decision.
- [05:57]
Christina
Yeah.
- [05:59]
Sina
It's very bittersweet, of course, because I have enjoyed what I've been doing, but I'm super excited for, you know, what's. What's going to happen next.
- [06:08]
Christina
I feel like it takes the pressure off. Like, we were talking about this offline before, about how when you do have. Especially if content is part of your livelihood, it almost puts. Like, every post feels like there's so much pressure where at the beginning, you might have started doing it for fun as a creative outlet. And then it can transform into something that, you know, you have to think more strategically about or more. There's just, like, different angles and different perspectives that sometimes what you put out has to kind of adhere to. And I think now it's almost like you can find, like, the fun in it again and the making it a hobby and something that's purely creative and that's like, energizing instead of something that can. It can take the. It can take your energy away, you know, in a way.
- [07:00]
Sina
Definitely. Yeah, I definitely feel, like, liberated in that sense that it. Because that's how it started anyway. I'm sure it probably for you as well, for both of you, that you created a place to just share something and, you know, be creative and have, like, a positive impact and, you know, in some way. So to me, it definitely feels nice to kind of step back into that, you know, just. Just being something that I do whenever I have the time and whenever I have the energy and whenever I feel like I have something I want to share, because it's something that I feel very passionate about. And I feel like that obviously that's for all of us. I think that's how we create content anyway. But it definitely. When it. You know, there's no doubt that when it becomes your main income, you just have some. It puts more pressure on it. Yeah, that's. That's the right. The right way to put it.
- [07:57]
Alyssa
Can you talk a little bit about. Was it difficult? I mean, obviously it was a very difficult decision, but can you talk more about the part about letting go? Have you entirely, like, were you able to just sort of let this, Your business go? Is it still sitting in the back of your mind, like, oh, maybe one day. Because I think when we as creators, you know, you birth this thing and it's really hard.
- [08:27]
Christina
Yeah.
- [08:28]
Alyssa
To, to, to let it go and put it to bed. So what was the process like for you of letting go?
- [08:36]
Sina
I mean, I'm still in the middle of letting go, I think. And like, there's all of the admin stuff of like closing down my business, like officially, which it has been. Then now comes all of the, you know, putting in to my website and making sure that everyone knows because I still get emails from potential clients who want to book with me and are like, well, when are you coming back from maternity leave? Because I really want to book with you. Which it really hurts my heart that I have to like turn them down and say, well, I'm not going to be doing this anymore. So that's really hard. But all of the admin stuff, I think that's my, the least favorite part for me of running a business is all of that, like financial. And it's so important, you know, like all of the taxes and all that, that has already been put to bed. And it feels amazing to not have to deal with that anymore. And then, you know, I'm still. I've just taken a long break from probably the longest break from Instagram, which I know to some people it doesn't sound like a long break, but a month for me is a long time when I've been doing this non stop for almost 10 years. So I am posting a little bit more sporadically. And then some days I don't really feel like posting at all. And then other days I feel full of inspiration. So it's kind of like a weird transition right now where I'm just kind of trying to figure out how to move forward because I still, I. I still have this urge to share, but I just need to figure out how and how much, you know, and also because I think it still makes a difference, you know, talking about slow fashion, I know that we're a lot of people who do, and I think maybe we could talk a little bit about that too. Like generally how we all feel about the whole slow fashion minimalist universe now versus when we started. Because some days I have felt like, does it even make a difference what I have to say? Because so many people are talking about it and there are so many people who probably do it better than me. And like, you can really start.
- [10:38]
Christina
Yeah, you question.
- [10:39]
Sina
Yeah, question.
- [10:43]
Christina
It's like we felt that before. Yeah, I know.
- [10:49]
Sina
Yeah. So I'm just trying to figure out like how and how much and all that. I'm still active on my Instagram and I probably. I start. Actually started a substack and I'm really eager to still write. I think I'm like, super into star signs and like, Geminis, they just. We want to communicate.
- [11:06]
Christina
Oh, are you both Geminis?
- [11:07]
Alyssa
Yes.
- [11:08]
Christina
Oh. Oh, yeah. Your birthday was last week, right? Or two weeks ago?
- [11:12]
Sina
Two weeks ago, yeah. Yeah.
- [11:14]
Christina
And then yours is this next week?
- [11:16]
Sina
Next week, yeah.
- [11:18]
Alyssa
Oh, there you go.
- [11:19]
Sina
So it's. I can't quite, like, put that away completely. That's probably also why I like, my dream job going back to corporate is like, marketing, something where I can write and like, maybe and still be creative. Yeah, exactly. Um, so I can't really bring myself to stop entirely, I. I guess. Yeah.
- [11:38]
Christina
Yeah. And I mean, I don't think there's any. I don't even know if there, like. Yeah, it doesn't seem like there's like an expectation too. Right. It's almost. It's kind of just like this is a new chapter, a new transition. And I think it's very pragmatic and realistic and probably like a natural course of. Of things, you know? But it is hard. It is hard because it's. I mean, if it. I. I would struggle, definitely.
- [12:03]
Sina
Yeah. Because you've put so much effort and time into it before. Like.
- [12:08]
Christina
Yeah. And it's hard not. It's hard to separate yourself personally from that versus from what you create because, like, you do put so much of yourself and your time into it and you care so much about it. And even though when you. It is something that became part of you or become. Can become part of your livelihood, it's like really hard to, like, if a video doesn't perform well or if, like, it doesn't resonate, then it's like, oh, it's like a. It turned. It's really hard to separate that as like, maybe this was like a content thing or a strategic thing versus something that's like a personal failing, you know?
- [12:44]
Sina
Yeah.
- [12:45]
Christina
So it's.
- [12:45]
Sina
That's.
- [12:46]
Christina
And I can. That's a mind like mental health wise. And, you know, a lot of people say, like, oh, being a content creator is like, it's such an easy job. Like, it's whatever. Like, I'm not saying that it's hard, but it's hard in it. In. It's. In different ways. Right. So it is.
- [13:01]
Sina
Yeah. Also because, like, let's say you work in a corporation, you have like, the human relation. What is. What's it called? Like, the Human ohr.
- [13:10]
Christina
Yeah, yeah, human. Human resources.
- [13:12]
Sina
Yeah. To take care of you if you're struggling or you always have someone you can turn to if you're struggling, like in this, with this job, you don't. It's not, I guess you could seek out someone like, you know, a therapist or something to talk about or talk about these things with, but it's just, it's a little bit more tricky. You don't just, I guess you don't just do that if you're struggling. You have, you're left alone a lot of the time with your own thoughts and. Yeah, yeah.
- [13:46]
Christina
I mean, I think that's why we all connected to begin with so that it didn't feel like such a, like it was less isolating. We could help like bounce ideas off each other, share struggles, share wins, share, share like ideas and stuff, but also just to relate, kind of relate. Yeah. Because you do. Yeah. You are in your own bubble in many ways. So it's hard to. Yeah, yeah.
- [14:09]
Sina
And if you do find a good therapist, I think it's hard to find someone who understands 100% how it feels.
- [14:17]
Christina
Yeah.
- [14:17]
Sina
To be in this space somehow.
- [14:19]
Christina
Yes.
- [14:21]
Sina
It's just always nice to, you know, meet with like minded people like that.
- [14:26]
Alyssa
How much of your decision to, to exit was because of your growing family and how much of the decision was like, I've had enough, like this is I'm over this or. Or was it the industry and like you said, like, it's very saturated. It's not the way it was when you started 10 years ago. Like how. What plate. What was the biggest factor in your, in your final decision? Because you said you've been thinking about this since.
- [14:52]
Sina
Yeah, I think probably my growing family, like pushing me off the. Or over the edge. But I think it's been happening kind of simultaneously because it's. I don't know, I've always, I've always struggled a little bit with the. Just the term influencer. And through the years I've tried to, especially when I meet people in real life, like sometimes I've been really anxious when I have to go to like physical events with other people because I didn't want them to ask me what I was doing. Like, I, I've had like periods where I was not, you know, I didn't want to talk about it because I, I felt like people were gonna like judge me or you know, think that I was a certain way or because I think sometimes it's almost like a witch hunt, you know, on influencers that all Influencers are the same, and they're all just, like, wanting to have freebies and they're all just fake. And, you know, and I feel like right now it's. I mean, at least in Denmark, we've had like, some. Some cases up in the media where I feel like, okay, can we talk about something else about them? You know, influencers screwing up, Please? I mean.
- [16:02]
Christina
Oh, wow. Okay. Yeah, yeah.
- [16:04]
Sina
I'm just over it. It's. It's. And I. And I get that we all have. It's changed and I get the discussion to a certain degree, but I also feel like it's. Sometimes it just turns into this witch hunt. I think it's. I don't know. And then I think, like, I get really paranoid because I'm like, okay, if this can happen to this person, then maybe it could happen to me as well. Like, we build people up and then we tear them down. Like that whole thing.
- [16:33]
Christina
Oh, yeah, Yeah.
- [16:35]
Sina
I don't know.
- [16:37]
Alyssa
I think it's almost like the more people. Well, I don't know. No, I don't know. I was gonna say, like, the more someone feels like they know you, the more disappointed they are in you when you do make a mistake or something like that. So it's like, maybe the vitriol is, like, more intense.
- [16:55]
Sina
Yeah, I guess.
- [16:56]
Alyssa
Because it feels like a betrayal. Right? Like you're not just a stranger, you're someone who they've trusted and.
- [17:03]
Sina
Exactly. Yeah.
- [17:05]
Alyssa
All those things.
- [17:05]
Sina
It's a lot.
- [17:06]
Christina
But I also, like, one thing I find is I have a hard time because I feel the same thing too. Like, people ask me what I do. I'm like. I still say I'm a pharmacist, but even though that's now and it's been. I've worked so hard to make pharmacy my part time and creation more of my full time. And I'm very. For, like, I'll speak for myself. I'm very proud of that work. But I still. But kind of going back to, like, these, you know, these assumptions that we make about creators and influencers. I feel like I have in the back of my mind or like, in my gut, I'm like, oh, I need to, like, I need to defend that I do this. I need to be like, oh, but it's legit. And like, I. You know what I mean? Like, it's a real job. Yeah, yeah, it's a real job. And it is. Like, we had Alex from Alex on a budget on recently, and she has some great attitudes and mindsets about it. And it is a real job because you are. You are an entertainer, you're an educator, you are a script writer, you're a videographer, you're a photographer, you're an editor, you are a strategist, you're a business person, you're an entrepreneur. Like, you wear all these different hats that. And it's, like, all these different skill sets, and there's, like, a lot of learning and a lot of things that, you know, go on behind the scenes. So it's not just about, like, you know, I had such a busy day because I went and got a facial and had my nails done, even though that is a stereotype. You know, I think there's a lot of great creators out there, and I don't want to. I don't want to discount the work.
- [18:33]
Sina
Watching people go get a facial and have their nails done.
- [18:37]
Christina
A little bit of escapism. Yeah, exactly.
- [18:39]
Sina
I live my life vicariously. Leave. Because that's so far away from what I get to do right now. So.
- [18:46]
Christina
Yeah, yeah. So there's a role for that, I think. Right.
- [18:49]
Sina
Yeah.
- [18:50]
Christina
But, yeah, but I agree, like, it does. It can get. It can get lonely. And the idea that there is that. That stigma of, like, oh, I'm a content creator, like, yeah, yeah. You know, it's just. Yeah, yeah, I get it.
- [19:05]
Sina
How do you feel, Alyssa?
- [19:06]
Alyssa
Go ahead.
- [19:07]
Sina
No, I can see you. I can see you thinking about something.
- [19:09]
Alyssa
I'm, like, thinking of things. It's funny that we're having this conversation, because the other day I was. Why is the term influencer? I mean. No, we know why. So negative. Like, I don't understand. And even the whole D influenced quote unquote. I'm sorry, but I am an influencer. I'm influencing people for good. So I don't understand why, like, why can't we just reframe the term? Like, you know what? I don't. Yeah. This is what I do. And. Yeah, Yeah, I. I just. It just occurred to me the other day, I was like, why can't. Why can we change the connotation around influencer? You could, like. Yeah, the majority of influencers are convincing you to buy stuff you don't need. And that's.
- [19:53]
Christina
I wouldn't even say the majority. Like, just, like, even the.
- [19:56]
Alyssa
But yeah, you're maybe not even.
- [19:58]
Sina
Yeah, the old school.
- [19:59]
Alyssa
That was, like, the old model, I think. Right. Like, now it's like, you're right. Like, on TikTok half the time, I just. It's people making me laugh, which is great.
- [20:11]
Christina
Yeah.
- [20:13]
Alyssa
So I. Yeah, so I think that that's a bit of a. That I was thinking about that the other day. So. Yeah, I feel like we should, we should start just reframing.
- [20:26]
Christina
Yeah.
- [20:27]
Alyssa
Framing the term if possible.
- [20:29]
Christina
I think just own. Like, I think we all, we've all. Yeah. Like, we've all worked really hard and I think we should be proud of what we've done and anybody who wants to do it, I think, you know, it's, it's possible. But as. As Sina was like, you know, I think even with all of us, the journey's not linear. Right. Like, and it's, it's very up and down.
- [20:49]
Alyssa
And you know, I think also it's funny because I got there, there is still this connotation that it's not a real job quote unquote. And. But I think also it's not even about, you know, for ex. Example, I'll tell people what I do and then I follow it with like, and I'm living in Italy for six months because I can afford to and this is my life. And they off. They ask the question, they're like, oh, so what else do you do? And it's like, no, no, that's. This is my job.
- [21:16]
Sina
This is my main game.
- [21:17]
Alyssa
So that's, it's also kind of like let them ask the questions too sometimes. And I like doing. I find that spy me. Who knows? Who knows? Maybe I'm going to go back to the corporate too. You know what I mean? Like, I thought about going back to banking for the. The other day. I was like, oh, I just, I can't do it.
- [21:31]
Sina
I'm going to be an underwriter again.
- [21:32]
Alyssa
But the but thing. Then I got a comment because we were talking about getting comments earlier and, and this also struck me. Someone was very angry at something that I posted and they were like, I, I can't believe you. I. You were talking about. I didn't even post a brand. It was on a story where I spoke about like how like extreme, like extreme minimalism and extreme decluttering is, is not great for the environment or like it's, it's just not a good mindset. And they were, they got really angry about it. They were like, you know, you used to, you used to convince people to shop less and da da, da. And I. Now I understand that you just want to use this as filler content and you just want to keep this gig going as long as possible. And I was like, yes, because don't. Doesn't everyone want to keep their job in Order to live. Like.
- [22:32]
Christina
Yeah, I.
- [22:33]
Alyssa
Why. What do you. Why is it so wrong that I also want to maintain my employment? Ah. So I didn't answer it. But it's still your, both of you, to both of your points, there is still this weird idea that it is not a valid job.
- [22:57]
Christina
Yeah.
- [22:57]
Alyssa
And that's weird. Yeah, to me.
- [22:59]
Christina
No, I, I agree. I, Yeah, I don't know.
- [23:04]
Sina
I think it's because people have these like. Is it called like, perceptions about like.
- [23:11]
Christina
Yeah.
- [23:11]
Sina
Or like they, you know, they, they just make up your mind. Their minds before you even get to explain what it is your job actually is. And it's, it's just. Yeah. It sucks when people do that. You know, when they make up their mind about even like just you as a person before you even get to like say anything or do anything. It's.
- [23:34]
Christina
Yeah, yeah, yeah. And that's a really. Like I said, it's because you, you're either sharing your opinion or telling a story or finding a lesson and something that you learned or maybe a mindset shift about something. And because you're putting it out there on a public forum, I, you know, some people would argue that it's like, oh, you know, you, because you do that, you open yourself up to like whatever people want to say to you. But that, that's challenging too. And I'm not, and I'm not saying that, you know, if it's like way out of line, then sure, call, call somebody out. But you can do that constructively. You can do it kindly. But the, what I'm kind of getting at is like, this is something that I feel, I thought or something that I'm just simply sharing and it's, it's not going to hit with everybody or it can be misinterpreted and, but because you're, you're on like a public forum or as an influencer, I think a lot of people feel like they have license to just attack, project on you in certain ways. And that is also. That's difficult like that conference, especially if you're not a confrontational person, you know, or just even the way like, you know, if you're creating something like that's, that's your art and that's your expression and that's something that you've worked really hard on. It's hard to get that type of response sometimes. And that's so like, what I'm saying is like the kind of mental health aspect and again, separating the, what the content from you personally or like your ethics and morals and who you know, you are as a person. It's very. That can, that, that line can be very fine sometimes. And that's hard to like. Yeah, the mental health vibe can be up and down.
- [25:17]
Sina
I think that's, for me, it's a. It's probably because I felt for a long time that I would bring that stuff with me into my everyday life and into, like when I was spending time with my family, I would get really like, mentally absent or like I would, you know, I would just not be there because I was thinking about this one stupid comment or this one video that I wasn't satisfied with or whatever. And I'm not saying that you never feel that way when you have a corporate job, because of course you do. Like, it's not. There's no glorified, like, you know, there's not one thing that's better than the other. But I feel like it's. When I think back at what. Because I've had free, like, freelance jobs and it was easier for me to like, when, you know, okay, at the end of the day I would leave my stuff and I would go home and I would be with my family. It's kind of easier to make that separation when it's a quote unquote corporate job than when you have a job which is so intertwined with your person, you know?
- [26:18]
Christina
Yep.
- [26:19]
Sina
And you can work on that for sure. I've definitely, I feel like I've tried to really, because I'm a very non confrontational person. I'm very sensitive and, you know, that's just how I. And I feel like, you know, you can definitely work on being more hardcore with things if you really want to, but it also, it takes up a lot of mental capacity to work with yourself in that sense. And I think for me right now, I don't have that mental capacity. Like I want to put all of my energy into my family and our home and, and then the rest can come, you know, along the way if it, you know, if I want to or whatever.
- [26:59]
Christina
Yeah, definitely.
- [27:01]
Alyssa
There was a really good quote, or maybe it was on a podcast I heard and it said, as content creators, you. It's like it's the equivalent of having a bakery. I think I've said this on the podcast before.
- [27:17]
Christina
Really?
- [27:17]
Alyssa
Maybe not.
- [27:18]
Christina
I don't remember the bakery.
- [27:19]
Sina
I loved.
- [27:20]
Alyssa
I loved this analogy. This is how I explain things to people when I start to go crazy. It's like you have a bakery and you are the owner of the bakery. You're the manager of the bakery, you're the baker, but also you're the bread. And I think most jobs, you're never the bread. You're. You're like any of those other things, but when you're the. When you are the product, it's a little different.
- [27:43]
Sina
Yeah. Yeah. That's a really great way to put it. Yeah, that's what I thought. Yeah.
- [27:48]
Alyssa
Like, oh, I feel so seen. What are you gonna. What are you gonna miss most about content creation on a more. Like, in a more structured format? Because you're still going to create content.
- [28:02]
Sina
Yes, and I love creating content. Like, that was when I. My favorite day of the week used to be Mondays, because that was my creation day. Like, I would spring out of bed because I was so excited to film.
- [28:13]
Christina
Yeah.
- [28:14]
Sina
Like, and I still love creating content. So that's also why, like, when I'm looking for jobs right now, I want to, like, go back to. I have a degree in marketing and communication, like, media strategy, and I definitely want to go back to that world. But I. The ideal thing would be to find a position where I can still create content of some sort, because I. I just love that, you know, creating and the whole creative process, down to finding the perfect location and then, you know, gather it all up and you're so excited to find the perfect music and, you know, the whole process is just. That's something I'm gonna miss having so much time to just do. So that's. That's probably number one. I'm really gonna miss doing styling and color analysis, too. But it was a bit more of a. I wouldn't say difficult, but. Yeah, it was a bit more of a difficult part of the business. They're more admin, and, you know, it was. Yeah. Again, not that I didn't love that, but I think, yeah, creating content is what I've loved the most. And again, that's where the whole thing started. I just picked up a camera and, you know, started filming, and I still love that.
- [29:31]
Christina
Yeah, I think it's just like. It's just a season. Season of life, you know, I like.
- [29:36]
Alyssa
How you said it was a new chapter. That's a great description. What does your family think? What does. What does your husband think? Was he. What was he like? What side of the fence was he on when you were humming and hawing over the decision?
- [29:47]
Sina
I think he would have probably, like, he would have supported me either way, like, if I was to say, okay, I'm gonna get. Get some, you know, support from someone to keep running my business, or, you know, whether that being a Therapist to help me, like, mentally or whatever, or, you know, getting someone to help me with some of the assignments in the. In the business, or if I just wanted to say, okay, you know, crash and burn, I'm just gonna do it anymore, and I'm gonna do something. I think he would have been supportive either way, but I think he's. He's probably as relieved as I am, because obviously, when you live together, he's felt it too, that it's been taking up a lot of space for me mentally, because I just sometimes haven't really felt like myself, and I haven't had, like, the. I've not been as present as I usually would be. So I think he's excited for me to try something else.
- [30:46]
Christina
Sometimes that's what you need to do too, right? Like, you want something to work so bad that you just, like, almost double down on it and work harder. And then I think you almost just, in a way, paradoxically, that burns you out even more. So I think trying something new, and it's like, nothing is. Nothing is forever, and nothing has to be right. There's no pressure for that. So I think, yeah, no shut doors.
- [31:06]
Sina
Like, I'm not saying I'll never do YouTube anymore. I'll never write a blog post anymore, but right now, I just don't have the time. Like, I was just telling you guys that, you know, we. Our daughter, she's the second or second first baby. She's great during the night, but she doesn't sleep much throughout the day. So, you know, right now I'm like, going, like, how. How people manage to do this and work? Like, I can. How. Like, I cannot. How do people do that? But it's. Yeah. So I just. I wish I had the time, but I just don't have the time right now. And then if I do get back to the corporate world, I don't know how much time I'll have either. But, you know, I'm hoping I'll get to. I'll just not put everything into such a tight schedule. I just thought to myself the other day, there was a period where I posted videos every Wednesday and every Sunday. Like, how. How did I have the time to do that? But that was before reels and, you know, all of the show that, you know. Yes, I think that's. That's probably why.
- [32:07]
Christina
Yeah, Yeah, I was thinking that too. I'm like, when I was working full time and then I was posting, like, two videos a week sometimes on YouTube, and I'm like, how the hell. Wow.
- [32:18]
Sina
I think it's like short form.
- [32:20]
Christina
Yeah. Before that. Yeah. But I'm like, is this just getting older? Like, I just don't know how come I can't do it all anymore? Yeah. Yeah, yeah. Oh, I'm excited for you. I think it's like, thank you. Yeah. But we're gonna miss you around here, for sure.
- [32:37]
Alyssa
Yeah, we're gonna miss you.
- [32:39]
Christina
Yeah.
- [32:40]
Alyssa
Yes.
- [32:41]
Sina
I feel. It feels like. It kind of feels like the end of an era almost. Yeah. Because it's what, like, two. Is it two years or is it three years?
- [32:50]
Alyssa
End of 20. 23. Okay, so it's almost 20, 23. Almost three years.
- [32:56]
Christina
But 100 episodes.
- [32:57]
Alyssa
Yeah. 100 episodes.
- [32:59]
Sina
Oh, yeah.
- [33:00]
Christina
Yep. Crazy. Wow.
- [33:03]
Sina
Yeah. And then our trip, like, I think about our trip, like, well, you know.
- [33:08]
Christina
We should do it again anyways. 100% when the babies are a bit older.
- [33:12]
Alyssa
Yes, exactly.
- [33:13]
Sina
Yeah.
- [33:14]
Christina
Yeah.
- [33:14]
Sina
It's funny that. And I remember feeling that way with our first daughter as well. Like, you're. You're like in this state of mind where you. You're like, okay, this is just going to be the rest of my life. I will never get to do this anymore. I will never get to do that. And then all of a sudden, it's like, hey, I actually get to go to the gym again. Or. Yeah, you start collecting little pieces of yourself right now. I can't really see, feel it or see it, but I know that time will come at some point, like, out of nowhere. You'll be like, hey, actually, maybe I can go to Canada. Or maybe I can. You know, it's. Yeah.
- [33:51]
Christina
Yeah.
- [33:52]
Sina
When you're in the middle of it all, it's. You just can't really.
- [33:54]
Christina
You're like, no. Yeah, I could see that. Yeah. I saw this class, though, that. I saw that at the gym the other day, though. They had, like, a class for moms and babies. So it was like in the middle of the day when all the moms are on maternity leave, and like, all their little baby, like, they're like little loaves of bread just, like, laying there. Or like, they're like squat. Like the squatting with them or, like, doing walking lunges with the babies and stuff. Oh, that's so cute.
- [34:17]
Sina
Yeah, I would love to do something like that, too, but my leave is almost already over, and I'm like, in this. I do, like, baby swim class every Tuesday, and then I have, like. We are a group of mothers who meet once a week and, like, amazing bunch of people, and we, like, we go to cafes, and I feel like all of My time is just spent and, you know, I've just spent time with them right now, so I don't really have the time for a lot of other things.
- [34:47]
Christina
But that sounds. That sounds nice. And it's just. It's nice to just, I don't know, like, just get off social media and just like be present and stuff. Like, there's often.
- [34:57]
Sina
Yeah, like, because for so many years it's been. Every time I took a picture, I've been thinking, okay, maybe I can post this or, you know, you're banking photos when you're out and about. And it's been so nice.
- [35:07]
Christina
Your phone eats first.
- [35:09]
Sina
Yeah, yeah, yeah. It's been so nice to just try how it feels to just take a picture and then it's just only for you.
- [35:17]
Christina
Yeah, totally.
- [35:18]
Alyssa
Do we have other questions for you? I feel like those are my questions.
- [35:22]
Christina
We had rapid fire questions.
- [35:23]
Alyssa
Oh, yes, that's right. I need some, like, a proper guest. Okay. Okay. What are you most excited about right now?
- [35:33]
Sina
What am I most excited? Like, my brain is so, like, I feel like I.
- [35:38]
Alyssa
Dinner.
- [35:40]
Sina
Oh, yeah. Okay. Little things. What am I most. I'm very excited to. I'm very excited that I actually get to, like, work out more regularly now. I get to. Because the baby's easier to put down for the night and then I have, like a little time for myself in the evening where I can just go to the home gym and move my body. That feels amazing. Yeah.
- [36:01]
Christina
Nice.
- [36:02]
Alyssa
Awesome. What platform do you enjoy engaging with the most right now?
- [36:07]
Sina
Pinterest.
- [36:08]
Alyssa
Oh.
- [36:10]
Christina
I haven't been on Pinterest in a while. Are you getting, like, a lot of, like, AI on Pinterest though?
- [36:18]
Sina
Advertisements, which. I think we've talked about that before. Right. That Pinterest is just not what it used to be.
- [36:25]
Christina
But you're finding a way to filter that or like, I think it's because.
- [36:28]
Sina
You know, when, like, I've always done, like, when this, the season shift, or if there's an item that I want to add to my wardrobe, I'm like, like pinning out, like, inspiration and just using it, like, the old school way. I think I use Pinterest more than I use any other platform. It feels like a little digital magazine.
- [36:46]
Christina
Yeah, it does. I've lost touch with Pinterest in the last little while. I should get back to it.
- [36:50]
Alyssa
It's always good. Yeah, always.
- [36:52]
Sina
Also for home inspiration, I'm always moving things around and trying to optimize space and. Yeah, I love Pinterest.
- [37:00]
Alyssa
Cool. Favorite place to vacation.
- [37:02]
Sina
Now I have a Family. So I probably want to do something that's all inclus mm, but probably Italy, actually, because of the food. Yeah, great answer.
- [37:13]
Alyssa
Yeah, great answer.
- [37:15]
Christina
Still on the bucket list. Gotta go, gotta go, gotta go.
- [37:17]
Sina
It's so good. Yeah.
- [37:19]
Alyssa
Oh, so good. What's the item you always pack for a summer vacation?
- [37:24]
Sina
I don't know. Sunglasses, maybe? Oh, yeah, yeah, Right.
- [37:28]
Alyssa
Very valid. Yeah. Best career advice you've ever been given.
- [37:33]
Sina
That's a hard question. I think, also because career, like, what lies in the word career? Like, for me, I think family will always come first. So that's solid.
- [37:45]
Christina
That's solid career advice.
- [37:47]
Alyssa
I think that's, like, really good.
- [37:48]
Sina
That's it. It's kind of.
- [37:50]
Christina
Don't let it take over. You know, it's kind of like a.
- [37:53]
Sina
Quote, like, happy wife, happy life. I feel like the same thing. Like, if you're happy, you'll probably also, you know, be happier. Like, it's all about balance.
- [38:03]
Alyssa
The most surprising part of being a.
- [38:05]
Sina
Parent probably, like, you see yourself, the way you change as a person with all of the ups and downs. Like, you see some sides of yourself where you're like, wow, who was that? Like, where did that come from? Yeah, you just change a lot, I think.
- [38:21]
Alyssa
And last question. One piece of style advice. You want everyone to know.
- [38:26]
Christina
Ooh, I like that.
- [38:28]
Sina
I don't know, maybe based on where I'm at right now, I think just like, yeah, getting. I think we've talked about this before, but getting dressed, like, just getting up and getting dressed for real life and then finding pleasure in that and not overthinking every little thing. Yeah, I think that's been really liberating for me recently. And I actually got a question for some. I'm doing like, a little Q and A catch up on my Instagram, and someone asked me, have you been getting dressed for your own pleasure now that you've not been creating content? And actually, I feel like I've enjoyed dressing more recently, even though I don't go to a lot of, like, different events or anything. But I'll, you know, when I'm meeting up with the mother, the group of mothers, like, I will make an effort, or if I have a. Like a little day trip with. With my oldest daughter, I'll make an effort as well. And I. I'm actually enjoying it more now than I. That I have in a while, I think.
- [39:22]
Christina
Oh, that's awesome. There's something to be said about just getting, like, grabbing and going and just not fussing, not worrying about the details sometimes.
- [39:31]
Sina
Like, We.
- [39:32]
Christina
Because we talk about that a lot. Right? Like, oh, use texture, use accessories, use hair, Use your three words, use your color. But it's just like, just throw on and go sometimes can be the best fit, you know?
- [39:44]
Sina
Yes. Yeah.
- [39:46]
Alyssa
Wearing what you feel.
- [39:47]
Sina
Yeah. Huge, huge advocate for that. Yeah.
- [39:50]
Christina
Well, oh, my God, I don't want to say goodbye.
- [39:55]
Alyssa
We'll miss you.
- [39:57]
Sina
Yeah, no, I'm sure. I'll, you know, our roads will cross again.
- [40:02]
Christina
Oh, yeah, yeah. It's not goodbye. See you later.
- [40:06]
Sina
No. Yes, exactly.
- [40:08]
Alyssa
Yes.
- [40:09]
Sina
What's that movie where they're like, I'll be seeing you? Is it the Hulk?
- [40:15]
Alyssa
What movie is that?
- [40:18]
Christina
I don't know. Oh, the holiday. Yeah. Maybe.
- [40:20]
Sina
Oh, goodbye. Instead of saying goodbye, it's I'll be seeing you.
- [40:25]
Christina
I'll be seeing you. Well, I mean, thank you so much for everything, Sina, and it's been so much fun and I think we've had just, like a lot of great experiences that, you know, we're not going to forget. And excited what's in store for you? And like we said, she's. She'll be back as a guest, I guess, but I mean, yeah, whatever. Whatever you feel like. Whatever you want, you know, doors are open. So. Yes, yes.
- [40:51]
Sina
No. Shut doors.
- [40:53]
Alyssa
No.
- [40:54]
Sina
All right, thank you, thank you, and thank you. Thank both of you and thanks to all of the listeners as well for all the support. It's been. It's. It's really been a blast. It really has to. Yeah.
- [41:06]
Christina
Yes. Appreciate you guys.
- [41:08]
Alyssa
Yeah, thank you so much.
- [41:10]
Sina
Okay, bye.
- [41:11]
Alyssa
All right, bye.
- [41:12]
Sina
Take care. Bye.
- [41:14]
Christina
I'm such a millennial. Okay, how did the Gen Z do it?
- [41:17]
Sina
I don't know.
- [41:19]
Alyssa
What's this? No.
- [41:19]
Sina
Yeah. Yeah. That's so creepy.
- [41:21]
Christina
They do like. No, I'm doing it wrong. I don't know. I can't do it. Okay, bye.
- [41:27]
Alyssa
We forgot to tell you that this is our season closer. We're going to take a little break over the summer and we will be back in September with. With some fresh content and a new.
- [41:38]
Christina
Season for you if there's any requests. Any things you guys want to see from us, coming up on season four.
- [41:44]
Sina
Whoa.
- [41:45]
Christina
I know. It is crazy. Then leave us a comment down below on YouTube and have a great summer. Thank you for listening. Thanks for your support, everyone, and we'll see you. We'll see you real soon for a new season.
- [41:58]
Sina
Thank you so much for joining in our conversation this week. Like, if you're enjoying the show, we'd love it if you subscribe to the podcast on Spotify. And Apple and leave us a rating and review. It's one of the best ways to support the Sustain this Podcast at zero cost to you.
- [42:15]
Christina
We're also a community led podcast, so if you have any questions for us, topic requests, or even guests you want to hear from, please send us a DM on Instagram @ Sustain this Underscore Podcast. We read all of our comments and look forward to hearing from you.
- [42:28]
Alyssa
We hope you join us again next Tuesday where we'll talk about so much more than clothes.
- [42:32]
Sina
Ciao.