“When I was a ten-year-old book worm and used to kiss the dust jacket pictures of authors as if they were icons, it used to amaze me that these remote people could provoke me to love.” Erica Jong



Carrie says: The peace sign and the Nike swoosh. Imagine if we all had internal peace and then went out to Just Do It!
 



Danielle says: Jesus Christ was one cool dude. Cleopatra (mostly for her style; the Asp-suicide doesn’t win over my respect). Sojourner Truth. Blondie. Oprah — all very intense, culture-rocking, iconic women to whom I’d happily genuflect.
 

“Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.” Dr. Seuss



Carrie says: A tropical holiday with my husband: rest, read and romp.
 



Danielle says: I’m turning 40 this coming May 25 (go ahead, feel free to mark your calendars, I loove brithdays). I plan to be in Paris, buzzed on vodka and high on the art. Vive la 40!
 

A Style Statement sums you up in two words, but today, we’re rolling the dice and doubling down…



Carrie says: Complicated (ask my husband), kind, curious, genuine.
 



Danielle says: Emphatic. Generous. Creative. Here.
 

Today’s question comes from Tina Su, who in August of this year, did what so many of us say we’d love to do, but so few of us actually do: quit a great job to pursue a greater dream. In Tina’s case, this dream includes running Think Simple Now, the website for which she is the self-described Chief Happiness Officer, and which is packed full of a unique kind of inspiration: practical advice you can start acting on today. For an example of Tina’s work, check out her recent piece on why our obsession with doing too much is often what stands in the way of achieving what we want.



Carrie says: At this moment in time not much. I work intensely, eat well, get enough sleep, exercise and give thanks.
 



Danielle says: FINALLY get to Zumba dance class to shake my booty.
 



Tina says: Cleaning up and removing the clutter from my living space.

I recently moved into a new living arrangement, and have just returned from a trip abroad. All my things are in a semi-unpacked state in boxes and suitcases. Clutter gathered on every surface.

The task seems so overwhelming that I’ve been making excuses not to tackle it. Meanwhile, it’s been affecting how I feel. My outer state is a reflection of my inner state, and right now, my inner state is quite cluttered.

The solution is so simple, yet I’ve managed to avoid it for several weeks… until now. I’ve just created a plan for organizing my new living space and have broken the job down into manageable chunks. I will start executing the first chunk tomorrow. By taking baby steps everyday, I know that success is just a matter of time.

 

For more from Tina, check out our Inspired Interview.

Tina Su recently left her corporate job to focus on her passions full-time. Tina writes weekly at Think Simple Now (which recently celebrated its first anniversary), focusing on personal happiness and wellbeing. If you haven’t done so already, we highly recommend subscribing to Tina’s site, not least for its combination of inspiring content with practical, real-world advice.

We caught up with Tina recently as part of our series of interviews on people who have successfully transitioned from thinking about their dream to actually living it every day.