Thoughts On Resilience & Bravery From Seven Fold Women

As we head into a season of gratitude, we thought we'd also highlight what it means to be resilient and brave—and perhaps that alone is what we are grateful for right now. 

Below are seven Fold women in their infinite wisdom, their stores and anecdotes are ones we often turn to to remind us to keep moving forward. (And for even more advice, find thoughts on change and circumstance from six fearless Fold women here.)

"For the longest time I stood in my own way. It's sort of boring story but mostly I was in fear, in a total panic that there would be no way I could be a film director and be self-supporting. Most recently, now that I am a director, it’s about fine tuning the vision—it's so easy to self abandon no matter how much you are standing in your truth. I often have to ask myself, Is this ok? Is this the vision?" Meet film director and screenwriter Rachel Fleit, and her Bohemian, beautiful Brooklyn apartment

"I get tired, I get hungry and I am still not unlike a lot of women. I will say at the intersection of being a woman and black, the amount of expectation and exceptionalism—we should not be burning ourselves out. Folks expect that, but we can reject that—we can say no and take care of ourselves better." Meet Kristen Harris-Talley, mother of two and local politician (State Representative of Seattle's 37th District) 

"I like to remind myself that in our behavior, actions, and the way we treat others, we are constantly telling people who we are and what we want." — Robin Reetz

"I do think this moment is different. I do believe that people are willing to engage on a deeper level while acknowledging that anti-racism is a lifelong journey. We are tasked at dismantling systems that have existed for centuries in this country. It is a marathon, not a sprint." Meet Michaela Ayers, activist and founder of Nourish, as she explains the necessity of diversity training, understanding, and inclusion 

"My main goal for myself is to keep in abundance. I think single mom-ing it is so fraught with scarcity—we live in a patriarchal society that doesn't value women at all, much less moms. But it is our choice whether we too subscribe to this thinking." Meet Jen Patterson, single mom to Kismet, and life and strategist and executive coach

"These days when I’m lost in my head and self doubt, I just have to start doing something with my hands—sewing, working on a pattern, cutting fabric—to draw me out of my head and into the moment. I see now I must create to remember who I am, to find my voice and express it in the world." Meet Juliette Sander, clothing designer, as she discusses finding her mid-life stride

"I like to remind myself that in our behavior, actions, and the way we treat others, we are constantly telling people who we are and what we want...I've worked hard to clear my own mental and emotional clutter, and I like to think my space now represents that same thing." Meet Robin Reetz, who is in charge of copy and editorial content for Club Monaco, and her charming Brooklyn space

"These diversions didn’t feel brave to me—they felt necessary. In my gut, I didn’t feel like I was making a true choice. I was compelled to explore the unknown of what’s next....But I felt like it was worth it. Taking those risks changed my life in huge ways for the better, but it hasn’t been easy." Meet Melanie Biehle, working artist, as she discusses living with financial uncertainty