You can learn a lot about someone based on who they admire, and why. Whether it’s the celebrities you admire, the fictional characters you love, or even something as simple as the accounts you follow on social media…take a minute and think about what you admire most about those people. What do you want to emulate from their lives?
I’ve heard it said that you become the average of the five people you surround yourself with. In faith, in finances, in profession, in personality, in humor and passion and resilience—the people you admire influence your life more than you realize. In reverse, you can also learn a lot about who you want to be someday by looking at the people you admire. I like to think of my inspirations as a constellation; a map of stars guiding me in the direction I want to go.
One little note before I go on…obviously there are a lot of other people in my life who inspire me, and this list is in no way comprehensive. Allow me an especial disclaimer with my dear friends and my family (hi, Mom!) who are also super awesome but probably don’t want to be featured on the internet. Ya’ll are awesome too. Also: if you’re interested in some more fabulous heroic fictional characters or historical figures, check out my “Live Like Heroes” series. For the sake of this post, I stuck with modern celebrities and influencers who I think are cool. [End disclaimer].
Emma Watson
Who better to start a list of inspiring role models than Emma Watson? I’ve always thought of her as something of a modern Audrey Hepburn; she lives with the same kindness, joie de vivre, and timeless elegance.
When she wrapped up her role as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter series, Emma Watson continued her education at Brown University, where she graduated with a B.A. in English literature, which is in itself a lovely thing. How many actors continue their education for the sheer love of it?! After graduation, she became one of the youngest Goodwill Ambassadors for the United Nations, and uses her platform to promote feminism and equality. She currently acts in beautiful movies with important messages that she believes in, like the live-action adaption of Beauty and the Beast and the upcoming Little Women film (which I’m stoked about, by the way).
And if all that isn’t enough, she also promotes sustainable fashion, runs a public book club over her Instagram account, is an avid journalist and lover of books. She treats everyone with kindness and respect, and displays what it looks like to be both soft and strong at once.
Kalyn Nicholson
Okay, so this gal is easily my biggest lifestyle inspiration. She runs two YouTube channels—her main channel and a separate one for her company called Koze. She also hosts a podcast (Kalyn’s Coffee Talk) where she sits and chats with you about getting your life together and travel and planning and other cozy things. Not to mention the fact that she’s a social media queen.
I love that Kalyn has created a corner of the internet that is cozy and welcoming. She’s like a chill older sister who sits down with you for coffee and talks to you like you’re her best friend. Her videos cover everything from travel vlogs, coffee talks, fitness routines, goal-setting, living your daily life with intention and purpose, and creating a cozy space at home.
Taylor Swift
So this one is probably no secret, but Taylor Swift is one of my heroes. Despite the skyrocketing success of her career in music, she has remained the most down-to-earth, kind human who simply loves cats and writes pretty songs about the most complex human emotion in order to explore it more fully. She’s had to put up with a stupid amount of hating and gossip over the years, yet she responds maturely and never allows anyone else to take control of her narrative.
With every new album she releases, she explores her evolving taste and interest. She writes most of her own songs, and has proven herself capable of writing a wide range of music, from catchy pop tunes to vulnerable heartfelt ballads, and everything in between. She stands up for what she believes in—and even though she’s one of the most powerful musicians in the pop industry, she’s created a personable relationship with her fanbase and has a lot of inside jokes (five holes in the fence, anyone?). At every show and performance, she thanks her fans for supporting her. Her new album is coming out next month, and I can’t wait to hear it.
Joy Clarkson
I first learned about Joy Clarkson when she began her podcast, Speaking with Joy, and have since followed her blog at joynessthebrave.com. We are exposed to so much bad news and tragedy in the world, Joy decided that she wanted to create a space to remind women of all the ways God expresses himself through art and literature and beauty. Every week she shares thought-provoking messages supported with pieces of art—rather like an espresso shot of intellectual loveliness. This summer, she’s begun a book club on G.K. Chesterton’s book Orthodoxy (which I admit I’m woefully behind on. Yikes).
She recently wrapped up a yearlong Fellowship at Oxford University, and is currently finishing her PhD at St. Andrews, studying theology in arts and the imagination. Even though she works hard in her education, she also finds little pockets of beauty with which to fill her day: a walk through the streets, a cappuccino, red lipstick, time spent with family and friends. She’s composed and thoughtful, but also has a hilarious sense of humor. All that to say, Joy Clarkson is a composed and lovely soul who always has educated thoughts to share and is always seeking to discover more deeply the ways that God expresses himself through beauty.
Now that I come to the end of ranting about all these amazing people, I realize that usually constellations are made up of more than four stars. Oh, well. Just roll with the metaphor.
That being said, I’m really proud of my circle of inspiration. When I look at all these collectively, I see ladies who are killing it at what they do in life, seeking to make a difference in the world, all the while living gracefully and creating meaningful art to express themselves.
Now it’s your turn—who do you admire the most, and why?
<3 Olivia Grace
