Meet Lauren A.

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

Hi Lauren, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
Often times, when people think of work-life balance and self care, they think of remote work with short hours and the freedom to enjoy the remainder of the day indulging in whatever vice that can assuage the troubles that burden them. While that may sound ideal, it isn’t the only illustration of what balance can look like. Real balance to me allows for adjustment. I’d like to think of it as a pie chart. Regardless of your career, some weeks you may have to dedicate more time to the mundane tasks, while other weeks you may need to focus on filling your cup with personal hobbies or creative endeavors. It won’t always be the same. However, making time to develop my interests, learning my boundaries, and finding a community that practices the same helps keep me accountable in maintaining that balance.

My full-time career calls for me to make serious decisions based on data and interpretation. That can be both mentally and physically exhausting and left brain focused. Allowing myself the freedom to explore my creative side through photography, content creation, and podcasting fills my cup to sustain me through the more difficult times. To me, balance is essential.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
At the center of whatever I do both creatively and professionally, I strive to help others. I serve as a content creator, podcaster, and photographer for my brands Leux Lens Media and Pretty Suited. Within these roles, I try to champion personal development and capture iconic moments through digital media and thought-provoking conversations. We can all grow into our best selves starting with just a simple conversation and believing in the possibilities. That’s what I want to promote. That is the kind of community that I want to cultivate.

I believe that no one is just one thing. We are capable of having many gifts throughout our lifetime. Working in corporate gave me the motivation to seek out the other areas in my life that bring me joy and help others in a meaningful way. It was not always easy to create such a balance, as humble beginnings can often have you make decisions based on survival instead of purpose. However, I had to practice what I preached and do what made sense to my bigger picture (no pun intended). I want my brands to be known for telling creative, yet meaningful stories that uplift and educate those in my community.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Here in Atlanta, there is something for everyone. My friends and I love to do things that keep us engaged. It’s summer, so being outside is an absolute must to soak in some sun and boost our moods. Therefore, any rooftop spot for brunch or lunch, coupled with a nice music playlist, is always a vibe for us foodies. There is nothing like a cool breeze and beautiful skyline to pair with your meal and cocktail! To further enjoy the outdoors, we also like to go walking in the park for some exercise or take a nature trail to a waterfall for some grounding. Detaching from the fast paced city life can be quite refreshing and restoring to your mental health. Lastly, activities that can spark up some conversation within the group are always fun, such as escape rooms, paint and sips, bowling, market shopping, or live music!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to first give thanks to God for allowing me cultivate my dreams. Everything that I am able to do now, I’ve prayed for at some point. As I continue to grow and develop myself, I can then continue to pour into others with my gifts. I would also like to thank my community of friends and family that have poured into me the motivation to always go after my dreams. I come from a very large family with huge personalities and have friends that I’ve had since high school. Even if they may not completely understand the details, they’ve always trusted me to pursue what was in my best interest and prayed for my continued success (with jokes included).

Website: https://www.prettysuited.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelaurena

Twitter: https://www.x.com/thelaurena_

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@thelaurena

Image Credits
Photography by: Lauren A. of Leux Lens Media