Devon Carrow

Occupation: Healthcare

Website: www.devoncarrow.com

Instagram: thelovespreader

HOW DID YOU IDENTIFY YOUR PASSION AND THE WORK THAT SATISFIED YOU VERSUS WORK THAT JUST PAID THE BILLS?

I first started “The Love Spreader,” when I was 16. It was the middle of the night and I couldn’t sleep. I was in the midst of a deep bout of depression and anxiety, due to months of hair loss and bullying. Little did I know, it would turn into the organization it is today. I know it’s my passion because I can spend hours working on it without stopping. I can spend hours brainstorming ideas, thinking of ways to turn it into something better in the future. Work that pays the bills are the things I do because I feel obligated to do so, there isn’t always that dream of what it could be.

WHO WILL ETERNALLY BE A WOMAN YOU ADMIRE AND RESPECT, AND WHY?

There are a group of women in my life whom I am so fortunate to know and love. My mother, Heidi, is always by my side and on my team cheering me on. She was a “stay at home mom” for my sister and I while we were growing up. As a child I always found so much comfort knowing she was there for me to welcome me home every day with a snack and a hug, which may seem simple on paper, but this continuous comfort and consistency made my childhood so wonderful. I also dealt with health issues growing up, and my mom would ALWAYS come to doctors appointments with me, research as much as she could about my conditions, and do whatever possible to make sure I was okay. To this day, she still offers to join me to appointments. Both of my grandmothers, Thelma and Lani, whom always supported my extracurricular activities – buying me all the books my heart desired, funded my ice skating lessons, came to all my ballet and piano recitals, and cheered me on as I made my acting debut in school plays. I spent countless summer nights sleeping over at both of their homes, making memories I still reminisce with them today. My sister, Chloe, for always keeping humor in my life, reminding me that I can still laugh at silly things. My mother in law, Anwaar, for welcoming me as her daughter despite cultural differences we have, and for sacrificing her home for the sake of her family, for coming to a new country and creating a new home and welcoming a new family.

IN LIGHT OF YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF OUR HASHTAG #WHYITRIBE, WHY DO YOU THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO CELEBRATE WHO WE ALREADY ARE TODAY?

Even if you aren’t exactly where you want to be in life, you have to give yourself credit for where you are in the very moment. Life is hard. You will face difficult moments, but good times will come along with it. I think if you fall, but get up, celebrate. If you fail, but then pass, celebrate. Every time you stand up again, every time you refuse defeat, you are bit by bit shaping into the ideal version of yourself.

NAME A TIME RECENTLY WHEN YOU SAID SOMETHING GOOD ABOUT YOURSELF/HOW DID THAT MAKE YOU FEEL?

Honestly, today was the first time I have said something good about myself in a long time. For the past 6 months to a year, I’ve been in the midst of a career change, trying to find my place in the working world, the place that will actually pay my bills. I’ve been failing more than I’ve been succeeding, and it was honestly pushing me deeper and deeper into a dark place I didn’t know how to get out of. Today, for some odd reason, I feel like I snapped out of it. Whatever “it” was. I felt a sudden release of tension and anxiety. I decided to not force something that wasn’t working. I decided to pursue a path I know I can succeed in, rather than continuously chasing after something that I wasn’t destined to do. I decided that I can achieve all of my life goals by leaning on my strengths rather than punish myself for my weaknesses. While I’m just starting on this newly found journey, I am so excited. I am truly very excited. I have so much hope for myself.

WHY DO YOU THINK WOMEN SHY AWAY FROM CELEBRATING OR PRAISING THEMSELVES SO MUCH?

I sometimes think women are afraid to appear TOO confident. It’s almost taboo. Women who are confident or comfortable in their own skin are often called “snobby” or “stuck up.”

HOW DO YOU OVERCOME THE TENDENCY TO DISCREDIT COMPLIMENTS YOU ARE GIVEN?

I had to start telling myself “just say thank you!” instead of the usual “oh you don’t have to say that.” It’s so easy to not believe someone when they compliment or praise you, but then I realized that people say it for a reason, people don’t usually go out of their way to say they like something unless they truly mean it.

HOW DOES SOCIETY REINFORCE THE IDEA THAT WE, AS WOMEN, ARE NOT ENOUGH AND HOW CAN WE TAKE THAT POWER BACK?

As mentioned above, women shy away from embracing who they are, fearing they will be called names or insulted. It’s time to knock that off! Embrace who you are, flaws and all, and work to become better each and every day.

WHY IS THE TRIBE MOVEMENT IMPORTANT?

Three words: women supporting women. This world needs more love and sisterhood.