19 Questions With Alessandra Olanow
Photo courtesy of Alessandra Olanow
by The Candidly Team
This article is part of our series called "People We Like," in which we highlight interesting women, across all walks of life.
Leaders, great cooks, doctors, parents, writers; people who inspire us.
Today, we’re highlighting Alessandra Olanow, an illustrator, author of I Used To Have A Plan, and creator of some of our favorite Instagram posts of all time.
The Candidly Questionnaire
1. What’s something you really like about yourself?
I give everyone a chance.
2. What is your biggest challenge?
I get distracted very easily. So much excites me and I have to remind myself to stay focused.
3. What kitchen or house tool do you use daily that’s changed your life?
My handheld lemon squeezer.
4. When do you feel most confident?
When I’m surrounded by my friends and family.
5. Are essential oils anything?
Yes. They are everything. In fact, I’m so obsessed, I’m in the process of creating a restorative body oil.
6. How do you create boundaries?
Over the years, through great trial and error, I’ve learned to communicate clearly and express my needs. It took me a while to figure out that it’s ok to create a little space for myself.
7. How do you dampen self-critical thoughts when they get too loud?
I find moving my body always helps. I’ll walk around the block, take a run, or my favorite— stretch with some yoga poses.
8. Describe the most “you” outfit of all time.
I love a sweatshirt, a pair of jeans, and sneaks. This is my uniform.
9. What meal can you make the hell out of?
I make a pretty spectacular vegetable soup. Lately, I’ve been hooked on a Thai carrot one. Yum.
10. What book has made the biggest impact on your life?
When Things Fall Apart by Pema Chödrön. I stumbled onto this during a really difficult period in my life and it helped me reframe things. Her words have a way of helping me identify exactly what I need to know to overcome unhappy and unhealthy patterns. Whenever I face challenges or obstacles in life, I find myself going back to Pema.
11. Apart from family, what woman do you deeply admire?
Patti Smith. A boundless creative force that never disappoints me.
12. Which Insta account is creating the greatest content and why?
Rachel Cargle, who uses her account as a platform for discussions on race and feminism. She inspires me daily with her commitment and passion to spread good information and has certainly helped me take a more honest look at the world around me.
13. What quote or phrase has really stayed with you?
Fall down 7 times, get up 8.
14. What’s your most effective form of therapy?
Drawing. I draw my feelings, it’s cathartic for me. Writing and illustrating my first book was like a master class in self-guided therapy. I hope reading it may feel the same way, but even easier.
15. What’s your approach to mending conflict with people you work with?
My work is pretty solitary, conflict doesn’t really show up unless you count the conflict in my head with myself.
16. How do you feel about cilantro?
I feel very good about cilantro.
17. Describe, in detail, your perfect bedtime routine.
I don’t really have a bedtime routine, but one of my last thoughts before I fall asleep is, “I can’t wait to wake up and have a cup of coffee.”
18. What’s your favorite thing you’ve ever read on the internet?
BIDEN/HARRIS predicted winners.
19. What’s your relationship with bangs?
I have the smallest forehead on the planet, so I have no relationship with bangs.
What is your single favorite:
Wellness product that *actually* works: CALM Magnesium.
Lip balm: Love + Sage.
Jeans brand: Levi’s.
Mascara: Chanel, Extreme Volume.
Robe: What robe?
Sex product: A cute bra and undies set.
Last-minute gift: A drawing.
Bra: Any French demi-cup.
Shampoo: Kevin Murphy.
Comfortable shoes: Reebok Club C 85.
Splurge skincare: Elemis cleansing balm.
Drugstore skincare: CeraVe facial moisturizer.
Everyday bag: Clare V fanny pack.
Guilty-pleasure TV show: Gilmore Girls.
Drink: La Croix.
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