Caroline Donahue: Creative Refined
Life and Career Coach, Artist, Blogger
Caroline’s coaching work revolves around helping people find careers and lifestyles that express their deepest selves. An artist as well as coach, Caroline’s photography and writing tell stories about people’s impressions on each other and the world. She is most interested in how we tell ourselves the story of what is possible – or what isn’t- in the lives that we live.
How did you you arrive at your Style Statement?
I gave myself the gift of a Style Statement for my thirtieth birthday last summer. My session was with Danielle. I felt a strong connection with her and was completely comfortable sharing my answers to her questions. When she called back with her result, it felt perfect.
What does your Style Statement mean to you? How do you interpret your first and second words?
My Style Statement functions like a reality check on authenticity. I use it like a compass to make sure I am arriving at choices for the right reason.
Creative: Able to generate, in touch with my source. Strong enough to bring dreams into reality, the bridge between the possible and the actual. Able to see more than just what is there. Open, rich, curious, dreaming, playing and expansive. Creative to me means being able to see the possibility and not just what is there already. Creative is the ability to tell a new story with old materials. It is rich, textural and full of passion, emotion and sensual connection. For me, it’s the ability to make a mess and learn from it.
Refined: Clarity, sharp and focused vision. The ability to see the necessary steps between here and there. Distilling. This is the part that can take a big dream and break it into small steps. And it is the part of me that’s impressed by old-world manners and beautiful objects. This is a crisper, cooler energy; one that brings things into focus, even if they start out messy.
How has your Style Statement been useful to you?
I assess choices- whether they be between one thing and another or just when I feel stuck. Sort of a “what would Creative Refined do right now?” It also helps me to feel stronger and legitimate in an unconventional lifestyle and set of priorities.
Where in the world have you, or do you, feel most at home – and why? What kinds of things do you collect/surround yourself with – and why?
I feel most at home in Big Sur, and other parts of the Northern California landscape. I love that it is both wild and spare. And I love the thin strip of space between mountains and cliffs dropping into the ocean that we get to span while there. I love it because it is the thin scary ledges that offer the most beautiful views. Just like my life.
I collect and surround myself with books, art, and clothing. I love the old and inefficient: typewriters, and books especially. I love to read and often forget to watch the television even though I have one. I love to collect art and clothing that I bought from the person who made them. I just bought a painting from an artist who painted San Francisco’s Twin Peaks tower: it reminds me of SF, which still feels like home. I also love clothing I’ve bought over the years from a tiny designer in Paris who makes me coffee while I am there. She has fitted my pants to perfection for the same cost of decent clothes here. I love that this clothing is also my memory of afternoon that I spent with her.
What inspires you? How do you know when you’re inspired?
I am inspired by artists. I love studio tours and seeing people’s individual idiosyncrasies. Their unique methods for accomplishing their goals reminds me that we all have our own genius that we need to nurture and respect. When I am inspired, I feel open, almost like I am floating, and I greet everything that shows up as a gift. When I am grumpy and scared, I know that I am not in an inspired place.
I am also inspired by Buddhism. I believe that it shows us how we create stories for ourselves of how the world is. Also, that just a small amount of refinement can often be the key to freedom.
If you could only wear one outfit for the rest of your life, what would it be?
It would have to be this olive-green evening gown that I saw in a shop in Sunset Junction. It might have been Diane von Furstenburg- fluttery shoulders, floor length, elegant, possibly backless. I would wear it with flip flops or sandals and no one would notice. I’d add a shawl or a light coat and my pearl cocktail ring I had made out of my grandmother’s necklace. I’d be ready for anything. As long as my lingerie was also perfect…
What do you like to be noticed and appreciated for? What kind of friend are you?
I like to be noticed for intelligence and sensitivity. I am a concerned friend, and one who is able to cheer-lead and motivate, but also give support and just listen when things are hard. I like to be appreciated for seeing to the heart of the matter and for being truthful.
How do you play?
I read, see lots and lots of films, knit and enjoy being out of doors in a relaxed way. I am far more likely to wade at a beach and lay around with a picnic and a book than to take a long and difficult hike- although I have done both. I love to laze and stare at clouds rather than move too quickly. A late morning in bed, or a bath with tea and a good book feels like play, as does an indulgent meal out.
Five Books That Have Inspired You?:
Creating a Life Worth Living by Carol Lloyd: I found this book when I was very stuck in my life and didn’t know what to do- it gave me possibilities and to this day I use it all the time with clients.
The Guerrilla Art Kit by Keri Smith – Beautiful ideas about how to insert art and inspiration into the world around you.
The Five Things You Cannot Change – David Richo Buddhist Therapist on how struggling with reality is always a losing battle and how accepting what is brings freedom and possibility.
Apartment Therapy presents: Real Homes, Real People, Real Solutions – I love design books and I love this site. I am a shameless voyeur and getting to see how people have created homes they love is always inspiring.
Freddy and Fredericka by Mark Halperin – The only book that has ever made me laugh out of control in public as well as make me cry. A testament to beauty, love and the power to change your life. Incredible.
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Read more at Carrie and Danielle: Daily
December 1st, 2008 at 3:35 am
Style Statement functions like a reality check on authenticity for her at a very good state