Author, fashionista and now jewellery designer, New Zealand born Gala Darling shares her secret to happiness with editor Trudi Brewer.
What are your career values?
The most important thing to me is to have fun and be creative. I love to help people, to teach and inspire, but it all flows when I'm enjoying myself.
You are juggling so many business balls, author, teacher, speaker and now designer, what can we expect from your new book?
It's called Radical Self-Love: A Guide To Loving Yourself And Living Your Dreams, (on sale February 9) and it's a how-to guide on happiness and going after what you want, based on my personal experiences.
What inspired you to add jewellery to the mix?
I've always loved jewellery and believe that adorning yourself is a major part of radical self-love. To me, adorning yourself is about doing whatever makes you feel beautiful.
Does your jewellery range for The Mint Republic have a subliminal message?
I believe in daily magic. The jewels we choose to wear are meaningful, and we can charge up these objects with our intentions. The charms are designed to remind you of what you want to draw into your life: love, travel, prosperity, protection, etc. When you wear these charms and focus your intention, you can't help but bring those things to you.
Describe your personal style?
I call it eccentric pop. It's Sunday best with a twist, a psychedelic housewife on a beautiful rampage. I love colour and patterns and accessories that make me laugh (and spectators look twice), and I wear it all with an edge. I like my outfits to have an element of surprise. It's the most out-there elements of the 60's mixed with goth sensibilities.
What makes you feel beautiful?
Kisses on my shoulders; high heels; ferociously winged eyeliner; laughing; standing up straight; bright lipstick.
What does happiness mean to you?
It's as simple as feeling good. If you feel good, you're attracting positive things and experiences. The most important thing you can do in your daily life is to feel good, if you don't feel good, do something that picks up your mood.
You’re a role model for women, how does that affect your life?
It doesn't affect the way I live. I do my best to live in a way that makes me feel proud. We are all role models for somebody, but you have to do what works for you. Constantly thinking about how other people will react is a recipe for disaster, and it makes you the prisoner of an invisible crowd.
Where do you find your inspiration?
In everything I see: colour, people, and their stories and adventures. I'm in love with life in a big way.
What achievements are you most proud of?
I'm delighted that my little blog that I started in 2006 has grown into such a robust business. And not just that. I'm proud of the fact that I still enjoy it, that my readers come back, and that other people find value in it too (Hay House, publishers for example). It's a miracle to me, and it brings me so much joy.
What do you do to keep well in both mind and body?
I love to exercise and meditate. I practice gratitude every day (in fact, I'm on Periscope every Monday-Friday at 12.30pm Eastern talking about it!). I don't eat sugar. And I practice telling the truth and feeling my feelings every day.
What do you love most about living in New York?
Everything! It's still my favourite city on the planet. If I'm having a rough day going for a walk around the city makes me feel so good.
What do you miss most about not living in New Zealand?
I miss a hot, summery Christmas! I miss my parents and friends too, but thankfully, modern technology means we never feel too far apart.
Darling's self-published her first book, Radical Self Love: A Guide To Loving Yourself And Living Your Dream, became a #1 Amazon bestseller. It is a manual for getting the most out of life. "It has the tools and techniques to help you manifest a life bursting with magic, miracles, bliss, and adventure. Featuring fun homework exercises, and cool illustrations, this book will take you from learning to fall madly in love with yourself, to loving others."
The Hay House edition will be released in February 2016, pre-order now.
