Welcome to my newest series, This Is Me! These posts will come out every other Saturday, and I’m so excited to welcome awesome people that I know from real life or the internet in general. To read other posts in this series, click here. If you want to be involved, please email me for more details!
Today you can learn more about Alex Kizima, someone I used to work with at Spotlight Media. She’s such a funny and lovely person, and I was honored that she wanted to be involved with this interview series. Check her out on Twitter!
This Is Me: Alex Kizima
Share a little about yourself, your background and what you’re doing now.
I am a plant obsessed, pet mom who loves warm weather, marketing, and nonprofits. I am currently the Development Coordinator for Ronald McDonald House. Every day I encourage donors to help us keep families together while they go through trivial times with their critically ill child.
Have you discovered your purpose, or what keeps you focused on potentially discovering it?
I don’t think anyone ever finds out their purpose. We all find things we’re passionate about and good at and we like to stay in the realm. I’m good at making people feel appreciated and raising money for causes I believe in. This is why RMHC really appealed to me as I was job hunting. I don’t think we should tie ourselves to our jobs though. Outside of work, I enjoy collecting a tiny forest of house plants, taking long vacations, and just enjoying life. There are so many fun things going on in the world that I’m inspired to keep striving towards them every day.
Thinking about your life now, is it what you always imagined you’d be doing? Why or why not, and what have you learned because of that?
My life recently took a turn. After college, I landed what I thought was my dream job. It turned out it was shiny on the inside and rotten on the inside. I was eventually let go and very lost. Through my time in college, I’ve worked with multiple nonprofits for fun so when I saw a nonprofit was hiring, I toggled applying. When in college, I had an idea of the type of job and person I’d like to have and be but life is funny and it never works out the way we want it to – which I’m happy for! I know that even when everything sucks, it’ll be okay in the end.
What’s something you desperately want other people to know or realize that may help them in their lives?
This year, one of my close friends told me her New Year’s resolution: make more time for my friends. I thought it was such an easy goal, but as I’ve helped her achieve it and implement it in my own life, I’m finding it more difficult. We schedule time a month in advance every single month.
I think this is vital for people who want to maintain a strong and steady support system. My friends & family make me stronger. I need to work to maintain that bond.
When we encounter challenges in our lives, we can choose to run from them or to them. What have you learned from either of those ways of thinking in your own life?
It takes courage to face your fears. I’m still learning.
What do belonging and connection mean to you, and how do you incorporate that into your life and/or business?
I believe everyone wants to belong in some shape or form. Whether it be to a community of similar people, a club, or in your own family. Whether you connect with one person or one hundred people, do what makes you feel good and keep striving to find where you’re appreciated.
How have self-care and self-love played a part in your journey so far?
I am the only one who knows myself more than anyone else, therefore, I have to be the one to ensure my success. I know I thrive on the joy from others which is why I prioritize making time for my friends and family. I also know how I burn out from people time and that there is nothing wrong with hanging out with my dog for a day.
Make sure you check in with yourself & you express how you’re feeling from time to time. I sometimes bottle things up but when talking about what’s going on inside, it usually helps me.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
Jessica’s blog is amazing. There are topics I never thought of or questions I’ve never asked myself. If you, reader, want to connect with Jessica or me, don’t be afraid to reach out. She is amazing and I’m pretty close to it.
Photo courtesy of Alex Kizima
