We recently had the chance to connect with Marlene Lee and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Marlene , thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
I am being called to be a creator. I grew up in the arts, surrounded by fellow dancers, musicians and artists of all kinds. My family is full of unborn artists whose lives or careers took them elsewhere. For a long time, I felt i needed to choose the “right path” or the path that would lead me to a stable living, whatever that means. The truth is, I am a creator, I am a sensitive soul who needs music, art, movies, and collaboration with other artists. I am finally prioritizing this time over my job and what others may say. This time around, I refuse to allow other people’s feelings and comments about my life to deter me from being exactly who I am.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hello Readers,
My name is Lana, and I am a 27 year old creator. You could say I am a passion project; I grew up as a studio baby in my mother’s ballet classes. I basically lived in studios from the time I could keep my head up until I was about 15 years old. There’s nothing to make you feel more fabulous than putting on an exaggerated cat eye under the light of glow bulbs an hour before a show. If I could describe myself in any way, I would say I am creative collaborator at my core. I do my best work when I can bounce off of other’s energies and ideas. Right now, I am really into my camera. I prefer to take my camera with me more than I do my phone. I am trying my best to live in every moment and capture people in their best element.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
The part of me that has served its purpose is the impulse to constantly say yes to being of service. If you would of told me a year ago that I am a complete “people pleaser” I would have never listened. I genuinely was blind to my behaviors and impulses of ALWAYS saying yes and constantly agreeing to things I didn’t want to agree to. I then would find myself cancelling plans or last minute changes due to the feeling of being overwhelmed. I come from a long line of people pleasers, just like most of us do. People pleasing is something that creeps up quietly and subtly. It’s as simple as participating in an activity or interaction that you really have no business participating in.
When you were sad or scared as a child, what helped?
MUSIC.
MUSIC.
MUSIC.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a belief you used to hold tightly but now think was naive or wrong?
A belief that I used to hold tightly was that if you give 100% of yourself to a job, you will be valued. Like many of us, we were taught this by previous generations. I don’t have a cynical view on this, nor do I think that every place of work is horrible. I have worked for great people and not-so-great people. There was a long time that I put almost all of my value on my workload, instead of myself outside of who I am at my job. Do I put my best foot forward? always, but what I won’t do anymore is sell my soul for a cause that couldn’t care less about me.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What are you doing today that won’t pay off for 7–10 years?
Investing in my future as a creator. I know this will pay off sooner than I think, but I know that it’ll take time to build the foundation I really want to build. If anyone can learn anything from me, it’s to stop being impulsive. To stop giving up when the results aren’t instant, or you get discouraged due to someone else’s opinions.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lanerloo_/?hl=en
Image Credits
Please credit The Village Night club in Lancaster PA, and HighFever.
