We had the good fortune of connecting with Chantel Adams and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Chantel, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
I was never able to get balance right. Either my family suffered or my work suffered or I suffered. Now I think about work and life in terms of work life FULLNESS. How can I live a full life? A full life is fundamentally different than one that’s just filled-up. It’s life-giving and welcomes margin. My work is a stewardship, and my family is a responsibility. It’s all temporary. And one day I’ll be accountable. I don’t want to have any regrets.
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I started Mission Driven Woman in 2018, as a response to how I was seeing women wrestle with the concept of work. At every age and during every season, women have to make hard choices. For example, when I was 25 I deferred medical school to stay home and raise my daughter. I never went back to school, but I did discover other gifts, ultimately finding fulfillment in a string of odd jobs, volunteer opportunities, and even the founding of a nonprofit. I believe that no experience is ever wasted. Choices require us to access our values, so that it’s possible to find purpose wherever we are. Feelings of loneliness, apathy, and insignificance are universal, but there are ways to redirect those feelings of inadequacy into actions that make a difference. Mission Driven Woman is a community that validates women where they are. It’s a transformative process that evokes belonging, wonder, and creativity.
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?
I’m lucky to live within walking distance of all my favorite spots! I live in downtown Woodstock, and if my best friend were visiting the area, we could have so much fun in this gem of a city! We’d spend a sunny afternoon with a walk on the Noonday Trail and then grab a coffee at Copper Coin. There’s a little brewery called Reformation, and it’s surrounded by this amazing outdoor space–lots of comfy chairs and shady oaks. We’d sit there sipping our drinks and watching the kids play at the nearby Elm Street Arts Village playground. We would catch a show at Mad Life (such a great spot for cover bands!) or in the summer grab a spot on the green at the amphitheatre, and then get affogatos for dessert at Vingenzo’s. Seriously–the best Italian coffee and homemade gelato in the city! Downtown Woodstock also has a great local maker’s market and one of the most renowned indie book shops in the Southeast. I love everything about this place.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Special thanks to Plywood People for showing me more than a decade ago that creativity can express itself in many different ways; thank you for introducing me to an entire network of encouragers, challengers, and most importantly–friends.
Website: www.chanteladams.com
Instagram: /missiondrivenwoman
Linkedin: /in/chanteladams
Youtube: /chanteladams
Image Credits
Sara Stewart