Christine, 30 / Huckle & Goose
What would your 30 something self tell your 20 something self if you could?
Oh man. Many things. Ask lots of questions- don’t be afraid to look stupid. Meet lots of people from different walks of life, older, younger – there’s something to be learned from everyone. Don’t settle. Don’t compare. Not following trends is trendier. Decide what you want to be, keep asking those questions, and do a lot of soul-searching until you get there.
What do you wish you took more seriously in your 20’s?
Not slathering baby oil on myself while sun bathing?
What do you wish you took less seriously in your 20’s?
I always fall into the trap of taking things seriously. I suppose it’s just the way I am. But in my 20’s I felt like I had to stay on the early twenties path- graduate college, get a job, get married. But there is no defined path. Especially if you’re determined and have a vision for your future. I could’ve given myself permission to trek off the beaten path a bit.
What is your favorite memory from your 20’s?
I have three- marrying an amazing man and welcoming my two sweet gremlins into this world. I can’t imagine life without them.
In your early 20’s where did you think you would be (work, live etc) by 30?
I studied (and liked) finance in college, but quickly found that I was not fond of it in the working world. I felt stuck and discouraged at that point, convinced I made a grave mistake, and lost the vision for my future for a few years. At 24 I got married and we moved from Chicago to Washington DC. It was such a breath of fresh air and the change of scenery I needed. Though I was still working in finance, I began to search for other careers that would strike a chord, but nothing (except for briefly considering architecture school). It was around this time that I started blogging and began a small paper design business to sort through all of this and have a creative outlet. But it became pretty clear that if I ever wanted to experience professional fulfillment, I’d just have to do my own thing. So at 25, I began to envision being a 30- something in DC with a business I built from the ground up that would somehow make a difference.
And where were you by 30? What did your life look like?
First I’ll say my 30th birthday was a little over a month ago, so I’m a complete freshman in this league of experienced, wise 30-somethings. But honored to be in such company. Where am I now…well, that do-my-own thing dream that was really blurry at 25, is now a startup called Huckle & Goose that I launched (alongside my sister-in-law) with just months to spare before 30. It’s surreal typing that out.
Were you ever worried that it wouldn’t all fall into place?
I think I was more worried I’d find something I loved but never take the leap. I did though. And some days are incredible, some are not, but there’s nothing else I’d rather be doing.
What is the greatest gift about being a woman in your 30’s?
I’m just at the start of this new decade, but I can already sense there’s more freedom to be more of myself maybe, more honest.
When you look out onto the horizon, what do you hope your life looks like at 40?
I hope that I choose respond with grace and optimism to all the challenges that come with this new decade and by 40 I’ll be the best version of myself yet.
What’s a quote/saying that you live your life by?
Make your vision so clear that your fears become irrelevant.
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connect with Christine
Huckle & Goose / twitter / facebook / instagram @inklemonade @hucklegoose
365til30.com 