PhotoCredit: Henny
If you didn't watch at least three seasons of Ru Paul's Drag Race in the last two years, well, I think you wasted the pandemic. Nuff said.
Ru Paul came into my life in 1994 when she was the face for the very first Mac Cosmetics' Viva Glam. Anyone that knows me well knows that makeup has been a long time passion and Mac was the beating heart of that passion. Note to anyone in need of a Iippy, all the Viva Glam's are brilliant colors and 100% of the sale proceeds go to the Viva Glam Foundation.
Mac were pioneers in, well everything. From their charitable work. recycling program, digital presence and marketing more broadly. Oh, yeah, and the fact they used a Drag Queen as their "face" - long before most of us knew what a Drag Queen was.
And what a Drag Queen Ru Paul is. She is also a pioneer and has made household names of many young boys who dreamed of slaying. Many of whom struggled with identity and now can proudly be who they are. It makes my heart happy just thinking about it.
The biggest lesson one learns - from watching more Ru Paul episodes than they care to admit (ahem, all of them) - is to silence the inner critic and get out there and do your thing. She has a remarkable presence which exudes can-do and a beautiful "leave it all on the dance floor" spirit.
The second lesson that is never far behind is to WERK like you never werked before. She is the ultimate hustler, never misses a beat for self-promotion or to earn a dollar. When you spend as long at the bottom, and on the outskirts, as she did - you better bet you don't miss a payday.
I love and admire her hustle and her commercial acumen. I tend towards never missing a day in the office myself. I love to work, I love to be in the game and I find it hard to turn that off. I have KPI's and to-do lists for my holiday for goodness sake. I organize cupboards for relaxation. Quiet moment, what's the point?
Well, you and I both know there is a point. As we head into the hustle of 2022, my encouragement is for you to start thinking about how you can actively cultivate rest. Sleeping well is a great start. Planning quarterly 3-4 day mini breaks (triathlons are not mini-breaks). A day a week off screens is a brilliant practice. A daily walk, a weekly adventure, a morning dance party, a Friday picnic dinner. Apparently forest bathing is also a thing (I think it always was TBH). Anything that jerks you from the grind that can be the day.
Truly, if there was one goal or resolution I could put on your list, this would be it. You'll be amazed by the clarity it gives you. It will make you a better person and I'll put money on it making you better at your day-job. Or night job, as the case may be.