Connection is the number one feeling that everyone is longing for. Being able to find that someone or something to connect to and give meaning to your life, your passions and your adventures. We spoke to Lellian aka @lellian_ a millennial currently on the journey looking to explore these connections. Read her full interview below!
Who is Lellian?
LC: I am a proud Laotian-American millennial currently on an every day journey to uncovering who I am and what my passions are in life. I am also a blogger for With Meraki, and I run this site with my best friend. We write about love, relationships, travel, and personal stories. We love being able to connect with others through storytelling and words.
How did you develop an interest in fashion, food, and travel respectively?
LC: As I grew older, I feel like my tastes have gotten more refined. I definitely have my own type of “style” now when it comes to fashion – I like to wear comfortable, cute, and casual clothes, but I also love to dress up on occasion. I have always loved eating food – you can find me grabbing a bite to eat at restaurants (both old and new). I also have been venturing out to new places I have yet to travel to. It’s a lot easier now that I’m older and can afford a plane ticket.
How would you describe your philosophy on health and fitness?
LC: Being fit and active calls for a healthier lifestyle. I think any type of movement throughout the day goes a long way. For example, if you work in office job like I do, I like to take walks whenever I need a break or if I get a chance to do so. It’s always great to get up and move around – and it’s definitely not good to sit around all day. I also an a strong believer in eating everything in moderation. You don’t always need to stay away from sugary foods or unhealthy foods. It’s okay to eat some every now and then. But in moderation.
Being part of an industry whose only emphasis is on the outside characteristics of a person, how have you stayed grounded?
LC: Social media is everywhere. When you see someone’s Instagram feed or pictures and notice someone’s hair, makeup and style is on point all around, it can be hard not to compare yourself. But I stay grounded by reminding myself that we tend to share what we want to share on social media. Usually, people post their best pictures on Instagram or Facebook. There is always more beyond a single post or picture than meets the eye. When I find myself comparing my looks or who I am to others, I try to also stay off social media for a bit and practice self-care. I remind myself of all my good qualities and how I am unique compared to everyone else.
Of all the places you’ve lived and visited, is there anywhere in particular that has the most appeal to you?
LC: So far, I have really loved visiting Oahu, Hawaii. I’ve been there three times now, and each time makes me appreciate the island a lot more. There’s just something about the blue-green waves, the cool breeze of the ocean (that always cures my colds somehow), and sparkly sandy beaches. I also love the touristy area of Waikiki but also the secluded mermaid caves or parts where there’s less traffic of people. It reminds me of how beautiful nature is. I hope to explore some of Hawaii’s other islands in the future.
Your Instagram feed is flawless and aesthetically pleasing. Do you like to curate your feed or keep it as close as possible to your authentic self?
LC: With each picture I post to Instagram, I try and make sure that it resonates with who I am or what I value. You’ll see on my feed that I love to post pictures of friends, family and my boyfriend. These are all very important people in my life and they play a big role. I also post pictures where I feel confident in the outfits that I wear. My captions also resonate with who I am, too.
General words of wisdom you live by….
LC: There’s this Lao word called, “sabai.” This means to be easy going, to go with the flow, and basically live your life.
What’s your favorite thing to do in your down time?
LC: When I’m not writing for my blog, you can find me at the mall on the weekends, drinking bottomless mimosas during brunch, or catching a movie in theaters. I love going out – though on occasion I like staying in ordering pizza and watching Netflix. I also love to plan the most extra parties and events and I love spending time with friends and family.
What is your stance on influencers being paid to post about brands? Should influencers be transparent regarding payment for posts?
LC: I think it depends on the brand contract. It’s always good to follow what a brand is asking, and if they state they want payment information to be private, then it’s best to stick by it. After all, we look at the contract before agreeing to it, right?
How do you stay full of energy throughout the day?
LC: I take short breaks when I need to by taking walks, watching videos, or interacting with others. Taking breaks allows me to feel energized and motivated to continue with whatever task it is I’m trying to complete.
Best moment/memory of 2019?
LC: When I traveled to Hawaii with some of my closest girlfriends, we hiked the (illegal) Stairway to Heaven. We took the wrong trail up, got lost, and found our way back down. Then, we ran into a couple who was planning on going back up and knew the way. For some reason we decided to try hiking again (despite going for three hours already). We ended up separating from the couple, climbed a 90 degree muddy wall with the help of one slippery rope, and managed to get down the wet and slippery Haiku stairs safely. It took us about 12 hours. I remember crying at the top of that wall with my friends – it was an eye-opener as we literally almost saw Heaven doing the hike in crazy weather conditions. I probably wouldn’t ever hike it again, but I will never forget that moment when I was so thankful and appreciative to be alive.
If your best friend could tell us something embarrassing about you, what would it be?
LC: One time when I was on a road trip with a few friends, we were playing a game where one person would play an instrumental song on their phone and everyone else had to guess what it was. My friend played the Lion King instrumental that goes on when Mufasa dies during the movie, and in the very beginning when the song started playing, I started crying and I had no idea why. I always cried during that scene with that song when I was a baby, and here I was, in my mid-20s, crying to the Lion King song when I didn’t even realize it yet. It was embarrassing, but I also have no shame. The Lion King is everything.
