Gillian, 32
What would your 30 something self tell your 20 something self if you could?
There is magic in the seemingly mundane, everyday stuff. All you have to do is look for it. Stop thinking about your life, and start living it. Show up. Be where you are. Keep an open mind, and look for the good in yourself and others. Let each situation be what it is instead of what you think it should be .The answers to your questions are far less complicated than you think.
What do you wish you took more seriously in your 20’s?
Cultivating self-love and self-respect. Looking inward instead of outside myself for validation and praise.
What do you wish you took less seriously in your 20’s?
What others thought about me. Or rather, what I thought others thought about me.
Favorite memory from your 20’s?
The first memory that comes to mind is the afternoon my younger brother, Jake, told me and my two other younger brothers, Luke and Henry, that he was going to propose to his long time girlfriend, Vanessa. It was a gorgeous day, and we were sitting in the grass outside of LACMA. I remember feeling so happy that Jake had found such a wonderful woman to share his life with, excited to finally have a sister on the way, inspired by how much Jake and Vanessa loved and respected each other, and grateful for the special bond I share with my brothers. Their joy is my joy.
In your early 20’s where did you think you would be (work, live etc) by 30?
I thought I would be living in either Boston or New York building my practice as a Psychologist or Social Worker, after having earned a graduate degree in either field.
And where were you by 30? What did your life look like?
Well, it looked nothing like I’d thought it would. Thirty was actually a pretty tough year. I was working as a pilates instructor and taking classes to finish up earning my BA in Psychology so I could apply to grad school. I felt pretty uninspired during this time. I wasn’t living a life I loved, but I also didn’t know what changes to make or how to make them. I didn’t know it at the time, but acknowledging that changes needed to be made was the first step that set the wheels of change in motion.
I lived in a pretty uncomfortable state of “not-knowing” for a few months until one day in February of 2014 I agreed to help out on a low-bugdet short film that a family friend was directing. The director, Greg LaVoi, was (and is) a very talented and successful Costume Designer, who was spreading his wings and directing a film for the first time. A month later, Greg hired me as a costume assistant on a pilot he was designing. I fell in love with the work almost immediately and Greg became and still is a true mentor. Over the past year, I have worked as a costume assistant on 2 short films, a feature film, a commercial, styled four photoshoots featuring local designers, and I have been the head wardrobe stylist on 2 music videos. It’s been a truly amazing year and I’m so grateful for it.
Were you ever worried that it wouldn’t all fall into place?
I was more worried about getting in my own way, staying stuck. I found that once I opened myself up to having a new experience, opportunities started to present themselves. Once I realized that I wanted to be a wardrobe stylist, I promised myself that I would say yes to every job no matter how small or how daunting.
What is the greatest gift about being a woman in your 30’s?
For me, the greatest gift has been the shift in my perspective. These days, I’m much more focused on being a positive presence in my relationships and in my work. I want to contribute, and I’m willing to make mistakes. First and foremost, I want to continue to learn and grow.
When you look out onto the horizon. What do you hope your life looks like at 40?
I hope to be in a healthy, loving relationship, have a successful career as a wardrobe stylist, and maybe a couple kiddos.
What’s a quote/ saying you try to live your life by?
“It’s as true today as it ever was, he who seeks beauty will find it”– Bill Cunningham
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Connect with the lovely Gillian / website / instagram @gillianfield
365til30.com 
Yay! I love Gillian’s humility. Funny how many of us struggled with getting in the way of our own happiness. Maybe that is what being in your 20s is all about, learning that your biggest asset and your biggest obstacle is actually yourself. xx
I. Could. Not. Agree. More. I loved her humility as well. She really made me feel and think. xx
She has so much that is amazing ahead of her. Humility will make realizing it a lot easier!
This is so lovely to read. I’m seventeen at the moment, so not yet in my twenties, but it’s still really beautiful to be able to read about the lessons people have learnt and hopefully learn from them as well. Thanks for this!
Skye, I am so grateful for your sweet words and that you enjoy these q&a’s. I’m 32 and I always learn something from these lovely women! Thank you for reading!
You’re more than welcome, I love it!