It's in the Rub

I sometimes joke when something hurts me that I have to pull my shell on a little tighter; protection from the irritant, if you will.  I have come to realize I have some classic symptoms of being a highly sensitive person.  It's a thing!  You can read more about it here if you are so inclined, but basically, shall we say ~ a lot of things annoy me.  For me personally, it stems from sensory (over) stimulation.





I notice EVERYTHING ~ the good, the bad and the ugly.  So, it would make sense that I make my career (life) out of making things around me beautiful!

Like a little grain of sand irritating a clam, something beautiful can come from it.  It starts with awareness.

My friends know I need to pick a table away from loud people in a restaurant.  I have been known to move seats a time or two.  In any crowed environment, I hate being too close to someone.  I feel things deeply, and that is certainly a blessing and a curse!  I run from toxicity (if I can) and I cannot wrap my head around thoughtless people.  It makes me  CRAZY.  "People who FaceTime in public shouting into the air, I'm talking to you!"

BUT, because I know this about myself, I have compensated by "up-leveling" experiences.  In a restaurant, I make sure we get a nice, quieter table.  In a hotel I ask for a quiet room, preferably away from the elevator.  I look for places that are less crowded so as not to be on top of people.  I often sit in the quiet car traveling back and forth to New York if I am alone.  In other words, I manage my life  (to the best of my ability) in a way that keeps me emotionally healthy.  I work with dependable people, I surround myself with support.  My home is my sanctuary.  I try to minimize the things that hurt me and maximize the things that bring me joy.  That's just good common sense!

You don't need to be a highly sensitive person to make sure you maximize pleasant experiences and dial down the noise.  In our 24/7 noise polluted world, stepping into a quiet moment is good for your overall health!   Studies have shown that if you schedule 2 minutes a day of  "quiet time" you are giving yourself such a gift.  Our stress levels and blood pressure come down.  The chatter in your mind is quieted, clarity has an opportunity to come through.  In silence we can listen to our intuition, think creatively and tune into our emotions.

In silence, ponder what makes you happy~ do more of that.  What feels stressful, how can you limit it?  If you love flowers, send them to yourself weekly!  If someone is driving you crazy, don't engage them.  If your kids are driving you nuts, step away momentarily.  Make your home as beautiful and as functional as possible.  If you're not happy with something only you have the power to change it.

Make things that "rub you the wrong way" into opportunities for enhancement.  It's like stringing one magnificent pearl after another into a Chanel necklace.  You have made something positive from a negative.  That is what I mean by "up- leveling" experiences.  It is similar to the idea of making lemonade out of lemons, but waaay prettier!

and that's another example of Living beautiFULLY


#alifecoachlesson

The Class

If you haven't heard of The Class by Taryn Toomey you soon will.  There is a reason why Well and Good deems 2017 the year of Taryn Toomey.   With big expansion plans, a collaboration with Lululemon, campaigns with New Balance and J. Crew, retreats that consistently sell out, a high vibe jewelry line and I don't know what else, Taryn's devotee list is growing, and I am now one of them!

The class began organically.  Taryn started by teaching friends, which led to a rental space in the Flatiron district.  Now with a permanent space of her own since January, I was dying to see the new "energetically balanced" studio in TriBeCa.  It does not disappoint!

From the moment you walk in (after walking up 3 flights of stairs, which seems slightly cruel) a kind of calm washes over you.  The chic pinky-taupey gray neutral space with its fashion forward decor, famous crystal embedded floor, flickering candles, uber chic bathroom with luxury driven products is hard to completely classify, just like the workout.  The design was done by class regulars The Crystalline.  The girls wanted people to experience moments throughout the studio.  I can confirm they achieved their goal.  From the moment I walked in to the moment I entered the powder room before I left, I oohed and ahhed.

After falling in love with the sculptural quality of  Christoper Boots metal lighting and the pendants by Kelly Wearstler, everything fell into place.  Taryn wanted a warm space that people wanted to spend time in.

The space is so beautiful and I appreciate the attention to detail AND the intention in the design, BUT it is the icing on the cake because what you really come for is The Class.

The workout is an immersive mind, body, spirit experience.  It's been called cathartic, life changing, marriage saving, transformative, character building, an intense boot camp meets therapy session.  It is an exercise in space clearing.  With its slow build of moves like jumping jacks, leg kicks, burpees, planks, and lunges, these exercises are not unfamiliar.  You start slowly and the intensity builds.  As the music gets louder and louder, you are being tested (without judgement).  You are creating the fire within.  Can you go deeper, further, letting go of anything that is holding you back?  You get lost in the moment, in the music.  You breathe audibly, sometimes shouting "hut" in unison and it feels amazing!  It is difficult, but knowing you will come back to yourself momentarily helped me get  through it.  Each round of exercises begins and ends with you checking in with yourself, feeling centered.  Placing your hand on your heart reinforces, by touch, the intention of letting go to create the full mind, body connection.  By fatiguing yourself, doing a little free flow dance, then shaking it off as it were, you are shedding emotional baggage.  Working through the exercises is a metaphor for working through life's challenges and releasing what doesn't serve you.  You leave everything in that room and all that remains is a sweaty body and a clear mind.

Taryn is well on her way to becoming a lifestyle brand, one with a message similar to mine.  Holding space for transformation and healing is what a life coach strives to do.  We must always go inward.  It starts with our thoughts.  They can keep us from being our best selves, so if we shed negativity, self doubt, coulda shoulda's ~ we are clearing a path forward, one that is healthier and allows us to Live BeautiFULLY.

Through a very personal experience Taryn had in Peru she intends set up a 1:1 business model.  "For every class taken in New York, a child in Peru has access to toiletries, school supplies, or a similarly taught class to help them find a physical, emotional and mental release."  I ask you ~ what do you do for physical, emotional or mental release?






photos: Taryn via Jennifer Medina for RackedNY, crystal pendant via Jamie Baird, workout via Michael Sofronski for NYPost, CLI, The Class

Under Construction

Exciting things are coming to Carrie Leskowitz Interiors and Carrie's Design Musings.  Design From Within is a new website, a new look, a new message that not only encompasses great design, what's new and noteworthy, artisans that inspire, entertainment and travel, but also living more creatively and mindfully.  We will forge a path to "Live Beauti-FULLY."  This includes not only what your home looks like or what it says about you, but also the inner dialogue.  Limiting beliefs, or the thoughts and feelings that you hold onto, that hold you back from living your best life full of passion and promise often times are reflected in your home and vice versa.  You can manifest a peaceful retreat for your mind, body, and spirit by getting clear in the areas that might be causing you some dissatisfaction.   Think of it like a makeover for your Home, Head, and Heart.

Design From Within communicates ~ Our living space is mirrored by our inner space.

I am really excited!  Follow along and look for in the fall launch.