Time…So Precious, So Scarce
“Imagine there is a bank account that credits your account each morning with $86,400. It carries over no balance from day to day. Every evening the bank deletes whatever part of the balance you failed to use during the day. What would you do? Draw out every cent, of course? Each of us has such a bank. Its name is time. Every morning, it credits you with 86,400 seconds. Every night it writes off as lost, whatever of this you have failed to invest to a good purpose. It carries over no balance. It allows no over draft. Each day it opens a new account for you. Each night it burns the remains of the day. If you fail to use the day’s deposits, the loss is yours. There is no drawing against “tomorrow”. You must live in the present on today’s deposits. Invest it so as to get from it the utmost in health, happiness and success. The clock is running. Make the most of today.”
Time…the most scarce and precious asset we own, and most of us don’t even realize and appreciate it. I don’t know who wrote the above, but I think it’s a beautiful way of making you realise the value of time.
My goal was to write a new post at least once a week. For now, I’ve failed at doing so, because of the simple concept of not having enough time in a day (or having slightly more important things to do that I had to prioritize).
Last night I said to my partner before I fell a sleep ”I wish I could have a little bit of time that so many people are wasting everyday; the things I would be able to do”.
With all the (great) things that have been happening the past few weeks, I’ve become increasingly more conscious and I’ve been wishing for more time every day.
I still cannot tell you guys about most of the projects we’ve been working on, until they are final. But I can give you guys some hints.
– First big thing and it’s no secret: the new Wulterkens Fall/Winter sportscollection is coming very soon! (Most items will be available for pre-ordering next week already). Still a photo and video shoot in the planning, so still lots to do before. You can shop our summer collection on Sale now: www.wulterkensclothing.com (Stock is low, so hurry!)
– We have a new member in the Wulterkens team who advices us on our production & marketing, which is great, because 3 minds always achieve more than 2 and he is a major asset to us with his brilliant mind and experience.
– We are currently designing a seperate sports collection for a big chain of stores (So excited!)
– We are working on a project with an upcoming DJ, which also involves us into some lights, camera and action. Unfortunately I cannot tell you guys any more than this yet.
– One of the Netherlands’ topmodels will be spotted in Wulterkens sportswear, more info soon!
– IFBB Pro Athlete Ramona Valerie from Germany is rocking our Sportswear, introducing us into the German market, which we are very grateful for.
So yes a lot of exciting and big (international) projects/opportunities! I am also starting with a part-time Master program in Marketing at the VU University in Amsterdam! Not because I have so much time on my hands (as is pretty clear), but because I believe you always have to keep on learning, keep on growing as a person.
By now I don’t have any social life. I barely see my own brother, let alone friends or other family. I am so happy when I get home before 10 p.m., because that means I can get a good nights’ sleep (we usually leave home at 8 a.m. and come home at 11-12 p.m., making 14-16 hour workdays). However I am not complaining at all! I might be tired and not have a social life, but we are getting so much back in return. The growth of our brand is becoming exponential, which is our dream and life, so it is worth it. It’s an investment in our future, in the life that not everybody gets to live (because they are not willing to give up the things that we are giving up). People always tend to see the success and the growth, but not the sleepless nights and countless hours, blood, sweat and tears we’ve put in.
I think you guys understand now why I’ve become very conscious of my time. It is so extremely precious to me. I don’t intend on wasting it anymore on anything that doesn’t make me grow into a better version of myself, or anybody who isn’t worth it. It may sound selfish and rude, but it’s what I choose, because I know that life is exactly what you make of it. What you spend your time on now, will result in what your life will look like tomorrow. Nobody will do it for you. So start planting those seeds and water them everyday, work hard, believe in yourself, never give up! Your hard work will be rewarded.
“You will never find time for anything. If you want time, you must make it.” Charles Buxton was right about this. Everybody is complaining about not having enough time, but be honest with yourself. We all waste so much time watching television, series, playing videogames, on our phones on social media etc. It’s fine, but make sure you prioritize, because tomorrow, your time can be up. Make sure that whatever you spend your time on, you are enjoying it. If you choose to sleep, spend it with a loved one, invest in yourself (work, study, exercise), party…whatever it is you do, make sure that when your clock has run out, you can say you’ve lived and enjoyed it to the fullest. Don’t be a slave to the system, or to others. Stay away from all the drama that lots of people put themselves in and waste their time on. Choose to do whatever it is you love to do, everyday. Try to spend it with whoever you love. You always have a choice. Choose wisely.
And to the people who know me personally…If I give you my time, I give you a piece of me/my life I will never get back, I can never spend it in any other way. I am very conscious of this, so if I give you my time, I value you a lot.
Love,
Nadira
Outfitdetails: Mixing lace with leather for a lunch date.
Skirt from H&M (old collection). Shoes from Colin Stuart (Old). Top (Basic) from Zara. Lace Cardigan from a boutique in Rome, Italy. Bracelet from Hermes (Collier de Chien). Clutch from New Look.
Don’t Be Like The Rest Of Them, Darling
I’ve always been different compared to the people in my surroundings, and I have this feeling I always will. Not because I desperately want to be different, but just because I am the way I am.
From the age of 6, I was bullied (not in a severe way though), called teacher’s pet, made fun of etc. In my teenage years, I wasn’t bullied, but I think very misunderstood. I wasn’t a typical teenage girl. I’ve always been more mature for my age.
I used to feel awkward and out of place, though I had many friends. I was the kid with all the different groups of friends. In high school I was friends with the nerds, but also with the beauty queens, the punkers and the rockers, and also with the basketball team. It was because these ‘’groups’’, all had something that I had within me, they all represented a certain side of me.
I remember at my 16th birthday party, I invited all the groups, and I was running around from group to group to give them my attention, because, they didn’t seem to get along as one. It was a great party though, I think it was called the party of the year at school. I come from Paramaribo, Suriname in South America, with only 500,000 people, so it’s small community where news travels fast.
My closest relationships are with people older than me and my boyfriends always have been a lot older than me as well. Somehow, I seem to be able to communicate and connect with them better on a certain level. No, I’m not superior to anyone else of my age, I’m just different. Some people say I have an old soul. All I know is, my focus, attention and priorities have always been more serious/mature, ambitious and there was a lot less playing around, ever since I can remember really. I’ve always been searching for more real, deeper connections.
Although I remember my mom telling me to be myself and that I didn’t have to act a certain way, because the rest was acting that way, I always thought there was something wrong with me. And I’ve really hated it, until the past few years.
Even today, I’m in a place in my life at age of 24, being an entrepreneur, owner of my own successful brand, while others are still playing around, focusing on completely different things.
For the first time in my life, I am at a point where I am embracing this ‘’being different’’. I see it as a gift. Coco Chanel said ‘’In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different’’ and I completely agree with her. Nobody can be Nadira, the way I walk, talk, think, smile, my energy, my vibe, my grace. Same goes for you. There is a lot that can be copied, but if it’s not genuine, it will never leave an impression.
I believe everyone is unique, but not everyone is or wants to be aware of it, they rather hide behind others and blend in the mass. In my opinion this is fine too, because it automatically gives the spotlight to those who dare to be and express themselves in whatever way that may be. I think it’s the most beautiful thing, to embrace your unique self and share it proudly with the world.
I am ready, to take over the world with Wulterkens, that is shaped by me and my partner’s unique selves, beliefs and visions, with which we want to inspire others to share theirs. When we had to come up with a slogan for our brand, we started with what Wulterkens stands for. We wanted to create clothing for those who really want to set a statement, distinct themselves from the grey mass and were tired of the mass clothing that was available in all the stores. We came up with the slogan ’’Lead When Others Follow’’.
But what is a leader? The only thing that makes a leader, is the followers. Being a leader has nothing to do with rank, intelligence or superiority. If people are willing to follow you, you are a leader. What is a follower? Someone who chooses to follow you, your style or message. If your style or thoughts happen to be unique, that makes you the leader and everyone else thereafter the follower.
What Wulterkens really praises is the idea of distinction, being different from the mass, being the leader in your own uniqueness, wearing our statement clothing. We do not mean to manipulate you in any ways, we want to inspire you. Inspire you to express yourself and your beliefs through wearing our clothing, making you Lead when others follow.
Don’t bother with all the followers and copycats after, they can never be YOU!
You’re unique, embrace it and LEAD!
Love,
Nadira
Outfit: T-shirt: Wulterkens: www.wulterkensclothing.com ; Pants: Zara, Jacket: Amisu; Shoes: Colin Stuart
- Published in Self-Discovery & Growth, Written Archives 2013-2018
Beauty is in the Eye of the Value-holder
Benjamin Franklin once said “It is the eye of other people that ruin us. If I were blind I would want neither fine clothes, fine houses or fine furniture’’.
This saying makes me think about what is really important in this life, about human behavior and necessities. Is that Celine bag really what you want and need or is it something that goes much deeper, for instance: recognition, approval or belonging?
If you look at Maslow’s ‘’Hierarchy of Needs’’, our materialistic needs are not even among the five (physiological, safety, love & belonging, esteem and self-actualization). Yet, on the surface, our entire society and economy thrives on it. Looking beautiful and having beautiful (and expensive) stuff has formed a basis of the world that is projected in many of the pictures of people around the world on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and other social media. The more expensive, the more show off. Why is our society so fashion and brand conscious? Have we always been like this?
Do you buy something to feel good? Or to hear others tell you, you look good? Or to feel good after others tell you, you look good? I still wonder what the exact sequence is and it might be different for everyone. In any case, my guess would be that, indeed, our materialistic needs, go much deeper and have to do very much with the 4th Need mentioned by Maslow: Esteem.
I can hear you thinking, where is she going with this…bear with me. Esteem refers to the need to feel respected, accepted and valued by others and yourself. Considering this, I wouldn’t go so far as Benjamin Franklin with the word ‘’ruin’’. However, I do think that most of our decisions regarding material goods that we wear or present as ours, has a lot to do with being accepted and valued by others. I believe that with ‘’ruin’’, he means losing the true meaning behind acceptance and value, which would have a lot to do with who you are as a person instead of your material possessions.
Yes of course, you want people to like you because you’re a kind, considerate and intelligent soul (at least, that’s what I want). But what is the first thing they see ? I think it is the statement you’re making with your presence/charisma AND clothing. “The clothes make the man’’, we’ve all heard that one before or ‘’Dress for Success’’. What does success really look like? Who determines this? One thing is for sure, it is because you want others to perceive you as successful, so it has everything to do with esteem (being valued and accepted by others).
As marketer and designer of my own brand Wulterkens, this is the basis for my work. We are proud to say that, people can really express themselves and make a statement with our t-shirts. They can boost their esteem by a certain projection of personality, thereby gaining certain acceptance by doing so, making them feel content and confident.
So is Benjamin Franklin right? Are we really buying the stuff we buy for the eye of others?
The point I want to make is that we should all ask ourselves when we buy something, whether it is to please or attract attention from others or (and) genuinely enjoy it ourselves. Most of the things that really nourish our souls are free. As much as I love fashion and sell fashion, I believe that we will appreciate it more if we realize which need it really fulfills. It gives us more ground. The awareness of there being a difference between the need for fashionable clothing and the need to be valued. As much as they are interrelated and often substituted, I believe true value comes from knowing and accepting the difference. This awareness will allow you to recognize true value that will distinct you from the mass, so you become more conscious of what you’re buying and why. This consciousness is what I think makes you Lead (when others follow).
I know this is quite a different scope on Fashion than one would expect, however, I’m not the average fashion blogger, I’d like to go beyond the obvious. There is of course so much more regarding this topic, much from psychological stand point, even physiological point, where neuroscientists have discovered extra brain activity in the hippocampus and mid brain when looking at a high fashion brand bag versus a regular no brand bag. Yes I’m a nerd and have a minor in Neuroscience. Feel free to comment if you like this scope and want me to write more about this and similar topics!
‘’Price is what you pay, Value is what you get’’ – Warren Buffet
Love,
Nadira
- Published in Self-Discovery & Growth, Written Archives 2013-2018