Q & A with Julia Gartland - The Sassy Gourmet

What really goes on in a woman's mind? As part of the WCC's mission, we hope through narrative and various forms of media to draw on women's connections with one another, creating a greater understanding, compassion, and utility within our relationships to build stronger selves and communities.

Julia Gartland, founder of Sassy Gourmet Bakery and creator of Sassy Kitchen--a blog and website sharing with her readers good food, good talk, and, as she likes to say, "a bit of sass"--shares with us her illuminating thoughts to our questions.  Thank you, Julia, for your fabulous and, as always, sassy contribution.  To learn more about Julia, her blog, and bakery, please visit her website.  To read an essay contributed to the WCC site by Julia, please visit Julia's post here. 

WCC - What have you learned about yourself in the past year?

JG - I learned that I really do have all the power in the world. I always had a feeling that I really could do anything if I really tried, but it was just a feeling. This year, I feel I really executed or overcame so many challenging endeavors for myself. I'm very proud of the risks I've taken, and in sharing more of myself than I previously have.

WCC - What do you see when you look in the mirror?

JG - I see a self-assured, put-together woman. I definitely think I have a presence, for whatever it's worth. I try to mirror my insides on the outsides, literally and figuratively.

WCC - What defines you as a woman?

JG - Fearlessness. I didn't always feel confident to defend my gender, or stand up for my opinion. Now, I'm not afraid to be who I am. I'm not afraid to say I'm a feminist, demand respect, and stay true to myself no matter what people could be thinking of me. It is more important for me to feel myself, and feel proud of what I am at the end of the day.

WCC - What motivates you to get up in the morning?

JG - What doesn't? I absolutely thrive on all of the dreams and ideas I plan on executing in my life. I almost worry I won't have enough time to do them all. I am similarly motivated by connections, family, love and all of my creative pursuits.

WCC - If you could share any piece of wisdom with a woman or girl of a younger generation, what would it be?

JG - All the things you've probably already heard; listen to your gut, stay true to yourself, etc. I think the problem is how abstract those phrases can be if you don't know who you are. I would suggest as much exploration as possible in your younger years. Finding out what isn't you, is just as important as finding out what is. It's all part of the process...