Introduce yourself! Who are you?
Hi! My name’s Ari Eastman and I’m a writer and poet living in Los Angeles.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
My father used to tell me to find just one thing I liked or enjoyed about the day. He meant it about going to school, but it’s a great thing to apply elsewhere too. It’s a hard one to remember, especially given the state of the world right now. And I’m definitely not someone who buys into forcing positivity (there’s importance in processing painful moments), but it can be a great survival technique to look for just ONE thing that brought you joy that day, even if it’s something super small.
What would you say to 16 year old you?
Facing your grief is not as terrifying as you think it will be.
What message do you think every woman should hear?
The patriarchy can feel so daunting and so much misogyny and sexism is so deeply woven into our society, but surrounding yourself in sisterhoods and women who understand you and what you go through can make all the difference. I cherish being around women and find a lot of strength within my community.
What do you love most about yourself?
I’d say my heart. I’m an empath, which is a blessing and a curse. But I’m glad I have an easy time connecting to others.
What motivates you most?
To be completely honest, I actually really struggle with motivation. I suffer from depression and anxiety and sometimes I get so overwhelmed with those things that fatigue takes over and it becomes easier to just watch Netflix all day. In those moments, I try to take walks or talk to my mom or read an incredible book. I’d say a lot of my motivation comes out of wanting to NOT be in that low place anymore, in wanting to find healthy and productive ways to be better in all aspects.