Grow With: Amira Hasan
Three words to describe how you’re feeling right now:
Dazed, reflective and (nonetheless) determined.
How are you being mindful of your health in this season? Emotionally, mentally, physically...
Being confined to “four walls” as the saying goes, has really highlighted the importance of consistency as well as allocating time to do things for myself which make me feel good. When I say consistency I don’t mean a full on regimented routine, let’s be real, I don’t want my very own self induced version of ‘Groundhog Day’ going on. I mean maintaining a balance between structure and listening to your body's needs.
I struggle with a lack of concentration, locked indoors or not. When I find myself itching to get away from the creative cloud that is Adobe, I just get up and do anything else but stare at my computer screens. I listen to my various moods and give them the space they need, something I am not all too good at ordinarily, but this situation has forced me to be more respectful of both my mind and my body.
How have you and your circle been impacted by COVID-19?
The extent of uncertainty going on right now has disrupted everyone I know in some way, shape or form. So many creative projects are still finding ways to happen but have been forced to push back dates scheduled for the future to lord knows when, including our plans for HERES.
Where being social is concerned, this situation has established a commitment to communication; something we are all guilty of not doing from time to time. In a way, it’s given us a reason to value each other’s time more (or not, in some cases!).
How has your work-education-life been affected so far?
Literally every aspect of what myself and my team do requires face to face interaction. Without it, we aren’t able to make the content we want to share. It means stretching out what we do have, coming up with new ways to create content while we are all stuck at home and formulating strategies to keep things going once this is all over. It’s a stressful position and time to be making decisions, especially when there is no deadline for this virus in sight. Having said that, I am very lucky to work with people who are just as determined as I am to make this magazine happen!
When you’ve been outside, what’s your experience been like?
Stepping outside is beyond surreal. Every time I vacate my house to go for a walk or to the nearest grocery store, I find myself thinking, “this is going to be written about in textbooks for future generations to learn… and I’m living it.”
What’s keeping you in a positive state of mind in this uncertain time?
Focusing on the possibilities which will come from working hard at what I do, in spite of what COVID-19 will delay. When I conjure up the image of this magazine and how it could look like in the next few years, I am reminded to remain positive amidst all this uncertainty. Oh, and my Tibetan bowl. My friend is a sound healer and really got me into using sound as a meditative technique and a way quell my anxiety. It helps me feel rooted. Every morning, I sit in my garden accompanied by a coffee and my bowl. It definitely has a positive impact on my mood and overall well being.
How are you channelling your creativity in this season?
The other day I decided to get a bunch of my old nail polish colours and do some marbling - something I haven’t done since I was a kid. Just getting more “crafty” is one way I have been channelling my creativity.
I’ve also been using this time to cultivate our brand’s style. Starting a business isn’t easy, and honestly one of the things I have found difficult (amongst many) is establishing our brand identity. With the time to focus my creative energy, I am understanding better how to translate the visuals that live inside my head, into existence.
What are you grateful for in this season?
I am grateful for everything I have taken for granted. Living in London and complaining about a lot of things goes hand in hand. I think I will be more mindful of doing that after this season is over.
What world are you moving towards in this season?
Honestly, I am never really sure what world I am moving towards. Staying present and focussed on what is at hand allows me to realise the world which will come. Letting it unfold in whatever direction it needs to go. Put it this way, you can’t have the good without the bad and bad without the good. It’s cyclical, as is this world.
For people staying at home right now, any suggestions?
Rest! If, like me, you’ve been non stop since the beginning of this year then now is the time to reset. Also, I’d highly recommend getting on the Tibetan bowl flex.
Listen to: ‘Desert Days’ by Shadeemus, Adam Martin, Alex Allkins, Demigosh & Scott Xylo.
Watch: 'Undone’ on Amazon OR ‘Unorthodox’ on Netflix. Both are super insightful.
Read: ‘The Lost Estate’ by Henri Alain-Fournier. It’s the OG Great Gatsby; the book that influenced Fitzgerald’s work.
