All the things with Corinne from the Feminist Feline

Some friends you meet in school, some you meet at work and some you meet at a Grandfathered screening while you’re both gushing over Josh Peck. I met this amazing young woman at the #Blogher15 conference a few weeks ago and have not been able to stop bugging her since. She is working to empower women (and cats), protect our reproductive rights, this wonder woman enthusiast is someone I’m so happy I got to meet and can’t wait to introduce to my readers!

I’m a huge fan of inspirational sayings and quotes. What is your favorite quote, saying or life motto? 
As someone who has dealt with anxiety for most of my life, this quote by Andrew Soloman in his book The Noonday Demon: An Atlas of Depression really speaks to me:

“Listen to the people who love you. Believe that they are worth living for even when you don’t believe it. Seek out the memories depression takes away and project them into the future. Be brave; be strong; take your pills. Exercise because it’s good for you even if every step weighs a thousand pounds. Eat when food itself disgusts you. Reason with yourself when you have lost your reason.”

• Andrew Solomon

Taking pills for mental health is very much stigmatized in our culture, but the truth is that many people need to take pills in order to carry out their daily lives. Soloman’s quote reminds me that it’s ok to be me – an anxious, crazy cat lady and all!

You really know what you believe in, which is important for young women.  You have an amazing spirit and personality. Have you always been outgoing?

Thank you! I actually was kind of shy in middle school in high school. I’m from a fairly small town in New England with a lot of preps and jocks. I had my group of friends but I never really talked to anyone outside of my group because I thought I was weird. Once I went to college though and met people of diverse backgrounds, I really came out of my shell. I like to joke that I wasn’t shy in high school, I just hated the people I went to high school with. Lol I swear I’m a nice person! 😛

What is one thing you wish you had learned sooner about life? 

I wish I had learned stress-relieving tips before I was diagnosed with anxiety in high school. I attribute most of the shyness and self-doubt I had in my youth to anxiety. I think that primary and secondary schools should add stress relief into their curriculum. It’s talked about a lot more once you reach college, but by then I think it’s often too late.
I know you love your cats and you’re very passionate about women’s rights and equality but how do you unwind or what puts you at ease?

 Candy crush! I’m that Facebook friend who is never going to stop asking you for lives haha #sorrynotsorrry.
Of all the things you do, what is something you couldn’t go a day without?

 Reading the news. I’m one of those people who always has 10+ tabs of news articles and blog posts open in her Google Chrome browser. I once saw a post on Tumblr that said “True life: I haven’t closed Google Chrome in 3 years.” That is my life.
Do it yourself is everywhere! But at allthingthethingsido.com DIY is about more than crafts. It’s about ways you can make positive changes in your life emotionally, physically and financially. What is the best thing readers can start doing for themselves that you do?
Take time for yourself. No one knows you better than yourself. I met a girl a few months ago who told me that Friday is her “self-care day.” I love that! We all need to take a night off every once in a while to relax and self-reflect. Don’t let fomo take over your life!

Special thanks to Corinne for being this week’s special guest.

Check out her blog: The Feminist Feline