Finding Inner Truth in my Career

With guidance from Human Design

MY REFLECTION

I was introduced to human design in August 2020 and it’s a tool that I continue to utilize to learn and embrace more of who I am. The easiest definition of human design that I’ve heard is from Jenna Zoe.

At the time, I was trying to figure out what to do next in my career, more transparently, how I was going to make money. Before Noon had just launched as a self-funded DTC wellness brand and wasn’t in the position to pay me a salary. I was consulting with a few clients and in conversations with Auberge Resorts about a retail gig at Solage in Calistoga, interviewing for traditional merchandising roles at retail companies, and networking for other roles at consulting firms, fitness tech companies, and wellness brands.

My mind, which is ruled by logic, told me to put all my eggs in one basket and stick to merchandising.

“It’s what you know.”

“It’s what you have experience in.”

“You need to go back into corporate to find something steady.”

These were some of the thoughts that were going though my head. My gut, however, knew that being a merchant in a traditional corporate retail setting wasn’t what I wanted. I wasn’t excited nor did I light up the way I used to when I first started my career.

I took an intro class to human design via zoom and the first thing I learned was that it starts with knowing your energy type. I’m a Manifesting Generator and what that means is that I’m a multi-hyphenate, multi-passionate person who is meant to do many varied things in one lifetime, as long as I’m inspired and give myself the freedom to pursue new ideas. I had known this about myself, but in that moment of feeling fear and stress, human design gave me permission to choose a different career path and release the need to weave everything that I do into one cohesive story.

After closing our store, I felt the pressure to build back my savings and contribute financially to the new life I was building with Zac. I saw that I was conditioned to think that the only way to do that was to follow a linear path in corporate. Human design pushed me to ask myself some difficult questions:

“What am I fearful of?”

“What are the non-negotiables in my next role?”

“What gifts of mine do I want to be utilizing on the daily?”

“What stories from my past corporate experience do I need to let go of?”

Answering these questions truthfully allowed me to dismantle my fear so that I could trust my intuition and pursue what was energetically aligned with me. I ended up moving forward with the consulting gig with Auberge which led me to the role I’m currently in and I continue to lead creative & experience as a Co-founder with Before Noon. (More on how I balance two jobs in a future reflection!)

So if you're looking into a career change or contemplating starting something of your own, you may also be a Manifesting Generator. And once you align your energy with your purpose, you’ll begin to see the opportunities in front of you and you'll feel more ease.

I’m not human design trained, but I’d love to continue to share bits and pieces of how I practice it in my daily life so drop me a comment below or send me a DM here if this resonates. I also hopes it inspires you to look up your human design chart. Here’s a link to a free app.

Closing with the quote that sparked this reflection.

"Fear is a natural reaction to moving closer to the truth."

―Pema Chödrön

xx Tash

---

MY CHECKLIST

Trying something new this month - It’s the same checklist of 22 products/brands, but just done a little differently to keep things fun. I asked on IG what you were interested in and here's what you voted for: things for your home, your closet, and your skin. My plan is to rotate one of the categories each month and go from there!

HOME

1. I don’t mind a wrinkled button-down but we prefer wrinkle-free table linens so when I found this for one for work, Zac and I had to get one too. You don’t need an ironing board which makes getting the chore done that much faster.

2. If you love mixing & matching your dinnerware and want that hand-thrown ceramics look but are looking for hospitality-grade (think dishwasher and microwave safe), here’s a few makers. Era Ceramics - their products sell fast but you can email them to order complete dining sets. Haand Ceramics - their Ripple Set is great to mix and match with whatever you already have at home. Hana Karim - You can choose your own colors and sizes and she currently has her classic dinner plate, lunch plate (love it in the blue for a pop of color!), salad bowl, and mini appetizer plate for ~50% off.

3. We take hydration very seriously in CO. Found this beautiful ceramic-like waterbottle with a wooden top that is easy to travel with or use just at home. It comes in two sizes and can be used for hot and cold liquids. Love to choose this all black with dark oak for a future work project.

4. If you don’t tongue scrape, you’ll never stop once you start! I prefer stainless steel over copper but both are effective. We use this one at home and travel with these since it comes with a case.

5. Always looking for the next best terry towels for work and here’s a brand I’m exploring. Large loop, 800 GSM, 100% organic Turkish spun cotton and produced using clean energy in earthy colors. Also excited to replace our dryer sheets with this scented wool dryer balls and have our laundry smell like Neroli & Basil.

6. I took about 6 months off from heat styling to work on my hair health, and I just recently started curling it again. Zac gifted me this curling iron for my birthday a couple of years ago, and because of it, I can curl my hair in <10 minutes. Efficient and ALL BLACK. 🖤

7. A vase that is the perfect size to style on it’s own or with other simple glass vases. I worked with Monica of Salamat Ceramics for Stanly Ranch and in this past year, I’ve gotten to witness her expansion into lamps and tables.

8. Ceramic mixing bowls in this beautiful indigo color to match our kitchen.

CLOSET

9. I’m on the fence about velour, but I recently saw it on one of my favorite style icons so I’m trying the flare and the harem pant in an easy oatmeal heather. Will report back on the style and fabric.

10. Zac’s love for New Balance is rubbing off on me. First the 550 and now the 327. The 327’s are unisex - Zac’s into the crinkled vintage and I love the color blocking.

11. A men’s brand we used to carry at Seldom Seen, where I found some of their styles to be unisex. For size comparison, I wear the size 0. Here’s some of my favorites from their winter sale. For me - Mohair stripe sweater and wool coat with shearling For Zac - mockneck sweater in a beautiful pine color, Mac coat that I own but it now comes with a removable sherpa vest, cotton twill elastic trousers in navy or in this dark brown. And of course some ball caps for him -corduroy navy ball cap and velvet ball cap in that same pine color. We had the highest sell-thru in their natural dyed fleece/jersey and they are still styles that Zac wears today.

12. Playing with colored socks - for sandals and loafers, I love this set of lavender mixed with the caramel brown. Wanting to pick up their Everyday Sock as well but waiting for a fun color set.

13. Found a pair of pleated cropped pants that style well with boots, sneakers, and even birk clogs. I like Issey Miyake’s women’s pants too (I prefer the slim over the wide leg - here in black and navy) but thought the pockets were interesting in the men’s fit and the size 1 fit perfectly.

14. Zac got inspired after seeing this outfit and chased down his size in this fleece vest. It’s almost sold out in the purple color, but here’s a link to the other colors and a link to Patagonia just in case they restock.

15. Having fun with statement earrings and got excited when I saw Completedworks’s color palette and love for pearls. These mix & match strand earrings for a night out and also these green resin hoops and their smaller folded gold scrunch earrings for more casual everyday outfits.

16. Shoutout to one of my favorite Swedish unisex brands, HOPE. Because of their classic styling and craftsmanship, I have pieces of theirs that I’ve owned for 5 years that I still wear today. Their winter sale is on now and I picked up their Double Breasted Puffer Coat (I wear size 34 - perfectly oversized). Here’s a few sale items that could easily create a few looks: Merino Wool Mittens, Quilted Liner Coat that can easily transition into Spring, Boxy Roll-Neck Sweater in Beige, Oversized Cardigan in Caramel, and Off-white Slim High Rise Jeans.

SKINCARE

17. I’ve been using The Ordinary’s serums for years. Not only are they easy to test because of their <$20 price point, but I continue to buy them because they really work for me. Here’s the three serums I buy consistently for my combination skin. I use this for hydration, this for smooth texture, and this for uneven skin tone.

18. Never used an eye mask regularly until this one came into my life - it’s reusable, holds my eye cream, and travels easily. The brand, Dieux is the real deal and I can honestly say that because my gf Joyce is the Co-founder and Chief of Product and is my go-to source for all things skincare.

19. Experimenting with sunscreen and currently trying Plumscreen SPF31 by Le Prunier. It’s light in texture, free of white residue that makes it easy to rub in, and made of clean ingredients (non-nano zinc oxide). Gives my skin a glow for those days I don’t wear makeup.

20. These COSRX Acne Patches speed up the healing process and help prevent scarring. And a pack of 24 is $6.

21. I received a sample of this Resurfacing Mask and quickly bought it. I love how it made my skin feel and saw how it reduced the appearance of my pores and improved my skin texture.

22. After reading how soap bubbles strip the skin of its natural oils, I started cleansing with oil. I double cleanse at night but use just this cleansing oil in the morning and a little bit goes a long way. It also comes in a beautiful handblown glass bottle that you can reuse.