Q & A with Natalie from Writcomm
Today's Q&A is with the very down-to-earth and witty wordsmith, Natalie!
I came across Nat many years ago when I needed some help with some words for Mustud and was stoked to find such a sunny and positive human at the other end of line. We share a love of all things vulnerable and real, business and leading with purpose and passion so read on folks, and enjoy!
Name: Natalie Scanlon
Age: 34
Where can we find you? @natalieescanlon or over on LinkedIn
Tell us in a sentence or two who Natalie is? This is really hard to answer, thank you for asking this! Natalie is a passionate person who loves food and family wholeheartedly. She’d do anything for most people, striving to make a distinctive difference in the world.
What is a quirky facet of your personality? I love RAP and can RAP at the drop of a hat… haha
What is a cause close to your heart? I’ll always support the development of women. Especially those who are impacted by homelessness, domestic violence or other factors beyond their control. I’m with them; I support them!
What is something you wish you had learnt in school? Taxes and money and more about the specifics of the female body. I’ve had two kids, and I still am not 110% over the anatomy of the female and its uses, where everything is, how it all works. It blows my mind it wasn’t intricately taught at school.
Did you always know you wanted to be a writer? I absolutely did. I always thought it would be linked to the law, or technical writing as a lawyer. I always knew writing would be involved. It’s my passion.
How would you describe your teenage years? My teenage years were not standard. They were a bit of a juxtaposition. They were the best and worst years of my life for many different reasons. I feel like I learnt a lot about my own identity during those years, but I also had to navigate bullying, family troubles and homelessness.
What is something you know now that would have helped you in your early 20s that you would love to share with us? Your ENTER score, or high school score, doesn’t mean much. Stop putting pressure on yourself to have it figured out.
What’s your deepest fear? That I could have lived life better than what I did. I don’t want to live with regret.
What do you love about yourself? I love how passionate I am, even if it’s detrimental in certain ways. I also love how hard I work, and how I don’t take no for an answer when it’s appropriate.
Got a quote you live by? 'Leave Life Better Than When You Found It'
Favourite book? ‘The Boy, The Mole, The Fox, and The Horse’ Charlie Macksey.
What do you like to cook? I LOVE making a full spread of food for my family. The goal is to make so much that the guests have to take some home with them. I love that. It’s my favourite thing.
Do you have a hobby? Writing.
What is your last google search? Cheap flights to Noosa.
What is your go-to karaoke song? Eminem – Lose Yourself
How would your friends describe you? I’m hoping helpful, and probably a bit too motherly. I’m also very honest and direct, and sometimes this is intimidating. I need to work on this haha!
If you didn’t have to sleep, what would you do with the extra time? Cuddle my babies, hug my mum, work.
What is something you don’t like doing, but you do it because you have to? Cleaning the shower and cleaning the oven.
What qualities do you value in the people you spend time with? People who listen. Genuinely listen and ask questions without judgement. Have proper conversations and engage. It’s so powerful. It’s hard to find. I only know a handful of people who genuinely do this.
I’m not here for judgemental people, so if I see you throwing stones… it’s highly likely I won’t spend time with you.
What values guide you in your life? Kindness first and foremost without judgement. And community. I feel like people do really wonderful things when they sense they belong. Community fosters this.
What’s your view of money? It’s useful! Continue to educate yourself on its value and how it can better your life. Manage it well. It’s not something to be frightened of. It’s a tool you can use. Use it!
What’s one thing you would like to get better at? That my expectations will ruin me. I need to stop expecting things from people, and understand that the way that someone is or how they treat me is a reflection on them. I need to stop taking a lot of things so personally.
How would you describe your friendship circle? I know lots of people, and I’m friendly with lots of people. I have one or two close friends. But not a best friend that you could call and speak to on the phone, or see every day. Sometimes it’s lonely. I think this has a lot to do with running my business and working.
What is something most people don’t know about you? I struggle with depression and self-esteem issues.
What's something you're working on yourself right now? My self-esteem. It’s taken me 34 years to be able to look in the mirror… and I’m still struggling to like what I see. I’d love to be able to genuinely love myself. It’s been hard.
Biggest life lesson? Sometimes the people who are ‘meant’ to be your biggest supporters won’t support you. And, you’re going to have to saddle up and get on with things anyway. Don’t wait until others are clapping for you. Just get on and do it.
Who do you like to surround yourself with? I am at my most motivated around business people who are focused on moving mountains and doing big things with heart. No gossip, no nasty vibes, just a particular focus for something and not stopping until they get it. I like that! It gets me up and about, and forces me to level up and work harder.
These people should also be supportive, and not competitive.
What would you love to share with young women today? There’s no rules. There may be barriers and things that you feel stop you from achieving what you want to achieve… but break the rules and follow your own truth. Your own truth is the only thing that matters. It’s YOUR life. No-one else’s.
Advice on doing things even when you’re scared? It’s the only way. Close your eyes. Leap!
Advice on believing in yourself? I’m still working on this. It’s a big thing for me and I’m hoping to be able to increase my own self-esteem so that my view on myself is kind.
Advice on building a business and networking? Networking is one of the most important aspects of life. Your ability to communicate with others will impact the success of your business. It will also impact your own personal and professional relationships. Learn to listen, and I mean really listen, and be kind. You never know who you are speaking to, or where those conversations will lead in the future. Just be a good human, business or otherwise. And give generously.