Leyla Kazim, a renowned blogger and creator of the Substack 'A Day Well Spent,' shares insights from her diverse career journey, transitioning from software engineering to award-winning food presentation. She discusses finding joy through creativity and navigating the pressures of social media. Leyla emphasizes the importance of personal fulfillment over virality, and how daily routines, like face yoga and gardening, can enhance well-being. Their chat reflects on building community and the power of creative expression in everyday life.
Integrating small creative practices into daily life enhances fulfillment and allows individuals to find joy in mundane activities.
Embracing personal passions can lead to transformative career shifts, highlighting the importance of pursuing what truly resonates with one's identity.
Deep dives
Embracing Creativity in Daily Life
A vital theme discussed is the integration of creativity into everyday experiences. Engaging in small creative practices can significantly enhance personal fulfillment and overall quality of life. For instance, the guest emphasizes the importance of crafting a day filled with mindful actions, where even mundane tasks are approached with a creative mindset. This approach fosters a sense of magic in the daily routine, encouraging listeners to find joy and inspiration in the simplest activities.
Navigating Existential Crises
The conversation highlights the transformative power of existential crises as pivotal moments for personal growth and reevaluation. The guest shares her experience of feeling unfulfilled in a corporate job, which led to a profound realization about the need to pursue a life aligned with her passions. By reflecting on her past choices, especially regarding her career in astrophysics, she recognizes the necessity of embracing creativity over practicality. This journey of self-discovery serves as a reminder that sometimes a wrong turn can lead to a fulfilling path.
The Power of Following Passions
Following one's passions and interests is framed as a crucial element in achieving fulfillment and creative expression. The guest recounts how she transitioned from a corporate role to a career in food writing and photography, highlighting the serendipitous opportunities that arose along the way. She emphasizes that initial small actions—such as creating a blog—can lead to unexpected avenues of success and professional identity. This reveals that passion-driven pursuits can organically develop into viable career paths when nurtured with commitment and authenticity.
Cultivating a Balanced Creative Life
The discussion also centers on the importance of maintaining balance in a creative career, especially amidst the pressures of social media. The guest shares her practices for grounding herself, such as having designated offline days to recharge and engage in chores, which helps prevent burnout. Furthermore, she underscores the significance of self-awareness in recognizing her creative limits and the value of creating content that resonates personally rather than succumbing to external expectations. Striving for balance allows for sustained creativity without compromising personal well-being.
I first met Leyla Kazim almost ten years ago, in 2015, at a ski resort of all places. I was working for Condé Nast at the time, she was a renowned blogger, and we were invited to review a new ski company (I was writing a piece for Glamour magazine.) I’m so glad our paths crossed. Since then, we’ve stayed friends and it’s been so fun to be on this new(ish) Substack adventure together.
In this chat, we discuss her Substack A Day Well Spent with Leyla Kazim and all the twists and turns of her creative career, from software engineer to award-winning food presenter and writer. I always learn a lot from Leyla: whether it’s how to do face yoga, how to avoid toxic chemicals in everyday products, or growing vegetables at home, she’s a very good egg — someone who creates a life she loves with intention and good vibes. Hope you enjoy our chat!