When you have the opportunity to ask some of the most interesting people in the world about their lives, sometimes the most fascinating answers come from the simplest questions. The Thrive Questionnaire is an ongoing series that gives an intimate look inside the lives of some of the world’s most successful people.
Julia Broglie founded BroglieBox to create a new way to deliver mental health support and connection in today’s hectic, fast-paced and often impersonal world. BroglieBox is an all-inclusive seasonal subscription box that focuses on delivering items and resources for mental health and stress relief. In Julia’s Thrive Questionnaire, she opens up about how she recharges, deals with email, and learns from “mini failures.”
TG: What’s the first thing you do when you get out of bed?
JB: I am not a morning person at all. So…coffee is usually first. Once caffeinated, I write down an affirmation for the day and/or something I am grateful for that morning.
TG: What gives you energy?
JB: I love to be outside in nature to re-energize my body and mind. I consider myself to be an outgoing introvert. This means that I love socializing and being around people but in order to re-energize myself, I need time away from the buzz.
TG: What daily habit or practice helps you thrive?
JB: I move my body every day to help me thrive — sometimes this means going to a yoga class, sometimes I turn up my favorite tunes and have a dance party in my living room.
TG: Name a book that changed your life.
JB: You Are A Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life by Jen Sincero.
TG: Tell us about your relationship with your phone. Does it sleep with you?
JB: My relationship with my phone has been tricky and an issue that I actively manage. Right after my brother died, I panicked with every single incoming call or text message, convinced it would be more bad news. Thankfully after time and therapy, I am less afraid and find it very “freeing” to leave my phone in the other room and detach for the night.
TG: How do you deal with email?
JB: I try to unsubscribe from anything that is purely a distraction. I mark any emails that require follow-up as “unread” so that they stay at the top of my inbox. Honestly, I have a love/hate relationship with email — I’d rather meet up in person or talk on the phone.
TG: How do you prioritize when you have an overwhelming amount to do?
JB: Since the moment I decided to start my own business, it seems like there is always an overwhelming amount to do! My first instinct is to crawl under the covers and take a nap. But then I remember why I started the business in the first place, and it resets my motivation. From there, I categorize my to-do lists by topic and usually tackle them by time sensitivity.
TG: You unexpectedly find 15 minutes in your day, what do you do with it?
JB: Go for a walk outside! Breathing in some fresh air and looking around (rather than staring at a computer screen) is pure bliss.
TG: When was the last time you felt burned out and why?
JB: The last time I really felt burned out was in 2013, the year that I graduated from college. My mental health was in poor condition but rather than getting help I acted like nothing was wrong as I completed my bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering. I have made a real commitment to never let myself get to that fragile state again, and thankfully my passion for self-care has morphed into my career.
TG: When was the last time you felt you failed and how did you overcome it?
JB: With the BroglieBox brand being less than one-year old, little things happen every day that aren’t ideal. Most of these are normal start-up growing pains. Each of these mini “failures” is a learning experience for me and one that most often can be easily fixed. I try to keep perspective, radically forgive myself, and move on.
TG: What advice would you give your younger self?
JB: Try not to worry about the details and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Things will fall into place, even though life may get rocky there for a bit, just hang on.
TG: Share a quote that you love and that gives you strength or peace.
JB: “What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us” —Ralph Waldo Emerson
Read more about Julia’s experience founding BroglieBox here.
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