The old one-dimensional female archetypes -- the soccer mom, the starving artist, the successful-but-lonely boss lady -- are dead. Women are creating new, multidimensional archetypes and defying stereotypes.
The most fulfilled women are constantly creating in multiple areas of their lives, whereas burnout often happens when we feel like the routine of our day job is all we have time for. The Archetypal Woman Series is a tribute to inspiring women who rearrange time and space to explore and excel in a range of activities. May their stories encourage you to expand into your own uniqueness for the benefit of you and everyone in your orbit.
Can you tell us a little bit about the work you do?
I am a Visual Director and Founder working with brands in hospitality, fashion and wellness spaces. I create photography and video content, as well as strategize their visual brand and culture to harness and evoke a certain "energetic identity". I moonlight as a wellness enthusiast, leading free movement sessions, and practicing meditation, and kundalini yoga.
We are in a time of rapid change! What encouraging trends are you seeing in your industry?
Accessibility! It is beyond cool to see my industry taking content creation (out of necessity) into their own hands and bringing a bit of an "unpolished" picture to their audiences. It's not as edited, and therefore, it's more relatable and honest. There's also way more accessibility in terms of experimental content coming out of these brands to online platforms that audiences can consume easily. The level of realness and access that I'm seeing emerge is incredible, and I hope that the structure that is falling into place right now stays put to some extent.
What are some practical tools you use to help manage your time and energy?
Grounding into the earth with bare feet, free movement, and meditation/activities that deepen my connection to my spirit family. Organizing my day with a bulleted to-do list is super helpful for my vata mind.
I tend to have lofty day dreams and moments where I get lost in my long-term goals, so having a structured day helps me stay focused. I am also learning to take time to rest. It sounds simple, but I realized that I wasn't taking enough time in my day to step away from my screen, and my work. I make an effort to start my day without my phone or emails, and ease into my morning with a cup of coffee and a world-music playlist.
I take time to listen to what my body needs daily, and adhere to its requests--sometimes it's free movement to a few songs, other times it's laying on the couch mid-day with a cookie and an episode of Seinfeld. No matter what, we have to respect and listen to what our bodies need, and I'm learning how to pay attention to mine more and more each day.
This is the Archetypal Woman Series, where we shine a spotlight on women who are bringing forth new, multidimensional ways of living and working. How would you describe the archetype you’re bringing onto the planet?
I strongly believe that I am here to reconnect us to our souls, reminding us of our truest essence, stripping away the build-up of societal expectations. I encourage us to live lives that fulfill the most simple iteration of ourselves. I would describe my archetype as a curious guide in this re-connection work, and through the modalities of community, free movement, and my visual work with brands, I help us all remember our purest voice.
Can you tell us about a woman who has had a significant impact on the trajectory of your career? What lessons did she impart?
This is a difficult thing to narrow down. I have so many women that I look up to in my life, and many women have had a hand in helping me find my path. My mum has truly been a guiding light of sensibility, structure, and simplicity as I navigate the waters of developing my brand and values. She has always held space for my dreams, but helps me to determine immediate next steps when the goals are lofty. She is a solid sounding board, and inspires me with her artistic talents and steadfast connection to spirituality.
What's next for you? Do you have any projects in the pipeline you'd like us to know about? How can we support you and your work?
Yes! Amongst the massive rebirth we are experiencing here on the planet currently, I am feeling a pull toward healing modalities and have been expanding on my free movement offering. I will be launching guided free movement and moving meditation gatherings to lift the collective consciousness and vibration. You can follow along on Instagram (@mojalvo) for updates!
What message do you want to share with the world?
It is our daily duty to fill this earth with unconditional love and joy, and is imperative at this time. I ask that we all hold space for love, and not love from the definition we understand of the word, but the essence of it. What is the essence of love? Embody this feeling, and let it radiate out through you to others. Feel joy every single day, feel grateful, live simply. We are resilient. I love you.
You can stay tuned for Maya's latest offerings on Instagram @mojalvo and see the full range of her work at www.mojalvo.com
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