Olivia was born and raised in Tucson, but has just recently landed back here by way of Portland, OR where she studied psychology, ceramics and art history at Lewis and Clark College.
In honor of National Wellness Month, we asked her some questions about wellness and self-care—an important topic when it comes to our relationship to our careers and mental health.
What brought you to the Community Ambassador role at COMMON?
Well, I’d been working with kids for 10+ years, and had been wanting something different for quite a while. I heard about this position through a friend, and it appealed to me because I love being around creative, innovative people, which is the type of person COMMON seems to attract. I also really enjoy helping and supporting others, so it felt like a good position for me.
What do you like to do when you’re not at COMMON?
See friends, make pottery, drink coffee, hang out at my favorite Tucson spots, watch or go to movies, and be outdoors, either on a walk/ride or just out on my porch with my plants.
What does wellness mean to you?
To me, everything is a balance, and wellness is all about finding yours. Between each set of dualities, there’s a sweet spot that feels right; but everyone’s sweet spot is different, and it takes trial and error to find. My observation of life so far is that as soon as you find your balance in something, it shifts, so it’s worth prioritizing and paying attention to your needs. We subtly change all the time, so it’s important to be gentle with yourself and give yourself space to be a little off balance, while also learning what helps you come back to center.
How do you think people can practice wellness and self care in their workspace?
It’s tricky in the work place, but you have to give yourself some “me” time. Something I do when I’m hitting a wall or feeling burnout is just get up and walk around for a few minutes. That movement and change of scenery goes a long way. If you can squeeze in a little meditation (even just 3-5 minutes), that too is super helpful for resetting. Even just taking like 5 deep breaths is really grounding. If you don’t know about the square breathing technique, look it up! Your heart rate drops almost immediately and you feel really refreshed after.
Where is your favorite place to be?
As much as I love being active, my favorite place is my bed. Resting and recovering is so so important. And my bed is full of fluffy pillows and blankets that just feel so good to sink into.
What’s something new you learned this past week?
I’m constantly learning this, but you just can’t force things. Life happens how it’s going to happen. Certain things are in your control, and it’s always worth it to do your best moving towards the life you want, but in the end, everything is just going to take the time it takes. I have a hard time letting things just move as they will rather than getting attached, but that ultimately creates unnecessary tension and amplifies the original strain felt. I’m pretty sure I’ll be learning this for the rest of my life.
Lightning round!
- Favorite song right now:
‘Oh no’ by Biig Piig, but a David Byrne tune is always in my rotation. - Watching: Ted Lasso
- Reading: I always keep a fiction, non fiction, and book of poetry in rotation. Right now it’s ‘The Namesake’, ‘Tao De Ching’, and Marcus Aurelius’ ‘Meditations’
- What are three words you’d use to describe COMMON Workspace?
Inclusive, friendly, and productive
Thanks, Olivia! If you see her around the office, be sure and say hi!
Follow Olivia on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellotuller/s