Meet Michelle Paradis, a writer, actress, and all-around creative passionate about wellness and sustainability. She shares with us the steps she takes to embrace her most authentic self. Hear her thoughts on life, mindful living, and personal style.
What about your profession lights you up? Writing and acting lights up my life! The process of writing is truly magical. Being able to bring to life characters that I dreamed of myself is an incredible joy. I’m currently in the pre-production stages of a script I have been working on for a couple of years that features an Asian American woman as the main character.
Where do you find inspiration Inspiration can come from anywhere. It can be in the sights I see, the people I connect with, film, or music. But, the most profound things that strike me are the beautiful, tender, or messy things in life that stir up empathy in me.
What interests are a large part of your identity?Writing, of course, reading, and spending time with my animal friend, Ottoline.
Where can we find you on the weekend?
I’m probably taking a long walk and pondering the universe.
How do you slow down after a long week?
Practicing meditation and taking long, long breaths help me recenter.
What slow moments do you savor the most? There is nothing quite like a warm mug of delicious tea with foamy oat milk and watching the sunsetWhat moments bring you the most joy? Moments when I feel understood and invited to belong, just as I am, truly resonate with me.
What does mindful living look like to you?Conscious living begins as an inside-out thing for me. Any kind of change that is healing for the long run starts on the inside.What steps do you take to show up authentically?Tuning in to the things that feel uncomfortable helps me silence, or at least not be controlled by the noise that isn't the most authentic me. These things are usually fear old traumas or old stories of smallness.Do you have any rituals that help keep your mind clear?Yes, once I have taken notice of the noise that isn't the most authentic me, I accept it as it is and focus on affirming and nurturing the parts of myself that are.What does consuming thoughtfully mean to you?For me, it's about wearing things that have honored the Earth and the people who have made it. And in turn, I’m wearing something that holds true to my style.
How did you learn to dress for yourself?Learning to dress for myself has been a slow process. However, I have begun to find my style in the last few years by tuning in with what makes me feel good. Comfort is everything these days. When I wear something that feels like me, I feel a sense of ease and happiness.
What are you wearing when you feel the most like yourself?Usually, a longer dress with feminine details that moves with my body and with the wind.