No one can be put together all the time, and you have to be okay with that. Everyday we have new challenges, so it is important to work through those and make each day count. In a world full of sugar-coated people, be raw and genuine. That is why we came up with our "Leading Ladies" series. We are profiling real women who are quietly and stylishly doing amazing things in their everyday life – whether its being an incredible mom, building a cool company or working for charity, or even going to school.
Molly Reeser is a mom, wife, and owner of Camp Casey. Kiwanis Camp Casey is a week long summer camp for children ages 6-17 with physical disabilities. For over 75 years, the North Central of Seattle Kiwanis Club has fully funded camp, making it free of charge to all campers. Camp takes place at the Camp Casey Conference Center, located next to Fort Casey State Park on Whidbey Island. She is and inspiration to the team at Styleshack and we hope she insipres each one of you. Read about how her struggles, triumphs, and her everyday life:
1. Tell us about your typical day.
I like to get the hardest part of my day over with as soon as possible so take a 6AM fitness class every day. I follow the hardest part of my day with the quietest part of my day as I tip-toe around my house trying to squeeze in as much home alone time as possible before my babies get up to raise hell.
Once breakfast is served, dishes are done, and I somehow make it out the door, I head to work where I'm surrounded by a passionate staff of young women who work to better the lives of local children with cancer at Camp Casey.
2. What is your biggest hurdle as a mom, a career woman, student or community organizer?
I try to be the best mom, professional and member of society as I can be but it's impossible to be everything to everyone at every time. While I'd like to give my all to everything I set out to do, I've learned that it serves no one to bite off more than I can chew. Saying no to things I wish I had the energy to do is both a hurdle and a blessing.
3. What do you do to mentally prepare yourself to overcome those hurdles/daily struggles?
Making sure to prioritize me everyday is something I do to keep both my mental and physical self healthy. It's never easy to see the number 5 on my alarm clock (especially after a teething-toddler's night) but committing to "me" time first thing every day allows me to put myself first which ultimately helps make everything a little bit easier.
4. What is the thing that you are awesome at – the thing that makes you happy and you know you are the best at it?
I think I'm awesome at engaging others. When I'm passionate about something, I like to share it and help others realize why they should be passionate about it too.
5. What do you do to make you feel beautiful, confident and ready to take on anything?
I recently found out that I've been wearing the incorrect bra size for over a decade. Now that my ta-tas are situated where they should be, I feel like I look entirely different and better. So, I'd say a good (and correct sized) bra.
6. What is your power song? (like above, the song that gets you pumped up)
I love the song "A Place in the Sun" by Stevie Wonder. It takes me to a very happy place and reminds me of basking in the sun on a hammock.
7. What is your power outfit or accessory (the thing you know you look and feel your best in, whether its for work, staying at home, playing, etc.)?
Every day, I wear my late grandma's ring on my right hand. It's not only sentimental but it's also beautiful and makes me think of her every day.
8. What would you like to tell yourself on the days where you feel like the hurdles are too high to get over? Or what is your favorite quote/motto?
Because I work with sick children, it's easy for me to reflect on a memory of one who has lost his/her life too soon and remember that my family and I are healthy and that's all that really matters.
9. Who inspires you and why?
I'm inspired by anyone who puts their mind to something and actually makes it happen. With enough confidence and determination, I believe anything is possible.
10. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? What would you like to have accomplished?
In 5 years, I hope to still be working at growing Camp Casey. I hope I'll be settled in a home I love and proud of the young men my boys are becoming. I hope that my husband and I have finally started saving some money toward our retirement and that we have a fun vacation planned. I also hope my 11-year old dog, Cowgirl, is somehow still around and still able to chase squirrels.
11. Is there anything else you want people to know about you?
I'd like everyone to get involved with Camp Casey and offer help where they can. It's a large part of me and I believe it should be a large part of others too: http://www.camp-casey.org