Life isn’t an Excel spreadsheet

We live in a world that loves boxes. It’s easier, right? Black or white, right or left, single or in a relationship, employee or freelancer.. As if life were meant to fit neatly into an Excel grid. But honestly, isn’t that a bit limiting?

What if we looked at life more like a Pantone color chart? Thousands of shades that don’t fit into predefined boxes but together create something truly unique.

Allowing ourselves to step outside the boxes means recognizing that we are so much more than our roles or labels. It’s embracing the fact that we are both whole and complex. It’s also giving ourselves permission to change our minds, to pivot, to listen to ourselves. Because life isn’t a straight line - it’s a journey, sometimes filled with detours, trials, and errors, but always evolving.

And yet, it’s not always easy in a world that values productivity above all else. How many times have you been asked, “So, what do you do?” - as if your worth depended only on your job, not on who you truly are.

So here’s an invitation: what if we pushed the walls of these boxes a little? What if we questioned our identity beyond the neat labels? What if we allowed ourselves to be all that we are - fluid, evolving, alive?

Which shade outside the boxes do you want to embrace this month?

With warmth and lots of colors,

5 QUESTIONS TO IRÈNE

I have immense admiration for those brave people who dare to embrace change, challenge the norms, and carve their own path. Irène is one of them, and interviewing her on this topic felt like an obvious choice after reading her article. She is the founder of Paul.e Magazine, whose latest edition - one I had the chance to contribute to - is fittingly titled BOLD.

How do you define your identity beyond your work or personal relationships? Are there any words or aspects of yourself that come to mind spontaneously?

I think of myself as a deeply sensitive soul, creative and curious, with a true desire for freedom and that little touch of nonconformity that comes with being an Aquarius!

How do you respond to questions like "What do you do for a living?" or "Are you single or in a relationship?" when you don’t want to feel reduced to those labels?

Personally, I’m quite comfortable with these questions because I tend to be confident and very honest in my answers. However, I’m aware that they can make some people uncomfortable, as they are ultimately quite intrusive. I try not to be the one asking them, or only when it truly feels appropriate in the context. I rarely feel uneasy about not fitting into predefined boxes. When it does happen, I immediately recognize the inner voice speaking (whether it's my ego or a wounded inner child) and I welcome the feeling, reminding myself that it’s temporary and doesn’t define me. On the contrary, I think it’s important to show that it’s absolutely possible to be fulfilled, even when you’re not following the so-called traditional path. I’m lucky to have been raised without feeling pressure from my parents on these topics.

In your opinion, what are better questions than those focused on what we do or our relationship status to truly get to know someone?

Genuinely showing interest in the person and truly listening. I love deep questions, but I also try not to be too intrusive. It’s important to first gauge whether the person feels comfortable, as we are so used to staying on the surface that, for some, truly opening up can be challenging. 

Here some ideas: what has moved you recently? What is inspiring you at the moment? Is there something you dream of accomplishing? What are your best life memories so far, and why? Who are the people you love the most and why? If you could talk to your 15-year-old self, what would you say?

What advice would you give to someone who struggles to embrace their uniqueness in a world that values conformity?

I know that multiple layers of conditioning (family, education, societal norms) make it hard to break free, and it’s anything but easy because it has been ingrained in us since childhood. I would say to start with small steps, small victories, to show yourself that it’s possible to do things your own way, because it feels right for you, sincerely. Guilt and the fear of being seen as selfish for listening to ourselves push us to follow the collective path, because naturally, we don’t want to be alone or rejected for our choices. It’s understandable, but it’s also an illusion. There is so much to unlearn in order to fully embrace who we truly are. Therapeutic and mindfulness practices (meditation, yoga, breathwork...) help reconnect with the voice of intuition, which comes from the body rather than the mind. Surrounding yourself with bold people who dare to be themselves also makes a huge difference. We are the sum of the people we spend time with, so if we want to break free, being around those who are already on that path will only be beneficial.

What is inspiring you today?

Right now, I’m in Turkey, in Istanbul, one of my two home countries. I’m deeply inspired by the city and its culture, which resonates with me a lot. It’s rich in history and traditions while being incredibly modern at the same time. I love this balance between rootedness, family values, generosity, and openness to the world and modernity. It inspires me to keep embracing all aspects of myself, to cultivate the freedom to be who I am, to go wherever I feel called, without forgetting where I come from. There’s also a very romantic vibe in this city, which is making me want to fall in love again, but hey, that’s not something you can control, haha!

BITS AND BOBS TO GET INSPIRED THIS MONTH

• Discover this little exercise from The School of Life that will help you better listen to YOUR intuition

• And if you're curious to play with nuances, explore the color palettes on the Pantone website 

• Your mantra of the month: "I am a work in progress, and that's perfectly okay."

• 🎶 🎶🎶 Warning: this song guarantees an instant smile (and a few hip moves)!

OLI-REFLECTION

And you, if you had to define yourself without mentioning what you do, what would you say?

Grab a piece of paper and a pen.