We had the good fortune of connecting with Acacia Harris and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Acacia, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
Achieving a work life balance has proven to be difficult for me lately. As you mature you try to manage your time better, but also realize that there isn’t much of it. I have realized how hard it can be juggling your passion with everyday life to achieve your dreams. Everyday life obstacles can delay the realization of those dreams. I myself have felt the weight of the obstacles increasing in my life recently, but I’m learning that focusing and maintaining strong mental health will aid in achieving that balance. I have tried my best to create routines and schedules to manage a demanding full-time job, my personal endeavors, and healthy meaningful relationships. But, to be honest, we live in a time where demand is high and things move at such a fast pace it almost feels like there is never enough. Feeling the pressure to keep up has helped me realize that it’s important to take breaks and refocus. I want to stay true to my authentic self and be intentional about the things I do and the moves I make. As a result, I slow down to be sure that I’m receptive and allow my creative juices to flow. Being scattered is not ideal or effective for me. I can definitely feel when my life has a sense of peace and I’m able to accomplish more. I think having balance in life is key to not getting burnt out and provides the ability for everything to have its place.

What sets you a part from others? What are you most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally? Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you learned along the way? What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
My ideas and creativity is what sets me apart from others. When I have a good idea….watch out!! I have a few good ideas on my list as I speak. I’m just trying to figure out how to get them successfully executed. I’m the most excited about the possibilities of opportunities that the future holds. Everyday is like Christmas for the anticipation for something amazingly unbelievable to happen. I hold onto that idea as motivation to keep persevering and pushing through obstacles and disappointments. I have gotten to where I am today professionally by a lot of prayer, life lessons, and a good family and friend support system. My support system is always available to cheer me on and give me words of encouragement every time I feel like giving up. It’s not easy trying to create your own path and find your way to realize your dreams or ideals of success. I am still working on overcoming challenges of defeat and exhaustion from constantly trying to grow my brand. I have learned that it is important to pace myself and not give up. I want the world to know that my brand Crafting with Cass derives from my urban city culture. My brand is a reflection of me! My brand’s design and creative direction all come from the things I like or exposure from the urban community. My brand is “Crafting for the Streets” and showcasing affordable DIY craft projects that I hope people are excited to incorporate into their home decor, wardrobe, outdoor decor and everywhere else.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
There are so many places and surprising pockets that exist in Atlanta and new ones are always popping up. The city is rich in history and legacy. Picking the right spot all depends on the vibe that’s trying to be achieved. My new go to place that I would take my best friend visiting the city has a variety of activities, food, and drinks all in one spot. The newly renovated Braves Stadium has all of these things that you can take advantage of even if your’e not able to catch one of the games. The area offers many different options for food and drinks. One of the spots called Punch Bowl has lots of different free table games, bowling, and other activities to keep you entertained during the day and even into the night. The next day we definitely have to get an early start and make are way to brunch. All Atlanta brunch spots have a wait and my favorite is no exception. If I’m talking brunch then I’m reaching for my go to spot for delicious brunch food called Milk and Honey on the west side. I usually get the Salmon hash with the honey waffle that will give you a few reasons to come back. One of the many day parties in the city is the next go to destination after all that food is digested. There is always a party during the day to choose from that is full of crowded people with good music and a vibrant atmosphere. The last stop would be to get some fresh air and take a walk on the belt line. This renovated green space connects and intersects major downtown neighborhoods. This is an excellent way to stretch your legs and get some more views of the city. The path also includes trendy restaurants, drink spots, and retail shopping.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are so many people along my journey that have inspired me and encouraged me to keep pushing forward. From the motivational videos that I have to watch to keep me going, to my close friends and family that listen to me cry and whine from time to time. I sometimes have to pull from different sources in order to keep the momentum. The top person that I can dedicate this shout out to is my mom. My mom has always believed in me before I have been able to believe in myself sometimes. I remember when I was young and thought I could be a singer, but couldn’t sing to save my life. My mom would say “you can be a singer you just need some singing lessons” and I was like yea right! I realized as I got older, that she really did believe I could do anything and it was me limiting myself thinking I wasn’t worthy. Til this day my mom is my constant go to person when It comes to my struggles with making my dreams happen. I can count on her to listen to the same complaints over and over again and be ready to give me the advice I need to tackle another obstacle. I know I can count on her when it’s time to put out a fire and I need some encouragement. I am grateful and thankful to have her in my life and happy that she knows how to push me spiritually and physically.

Website: https://www.craftingwithcass.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/craftingwithcass/?hl=en
Twitter: https://twitter.com/craftinwithcass
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/craftingwithcass/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3jne5qxRhzagi10b7lq8gg

Image Credits
Crafting with Cass