Danica Gim

Occupation: Flight attendant by day, writer by night (or the other way around depending on the time zone I’m currently in ;) )

Website: www.danicagim.com

Instagram: danica.gim

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

Right now I’m in a very fortunate situation where I have a job that I love. I’m currently a flight attendant and in order to pay the bills I get to travel around the world! Of course that’s one of the main perks, but at the same time people forget it is incredibly hard work. Flying so much in and out of different time zones takes a definite toll on your body and even though I love my job, to say that serving people in the air my absolute passion I can’t say. That’s where the writing comes in. I have loved this ever since I was a little girl. I always kept diaries or wrote little poems. I have been so lucky that I have been able to build an audience on Instagram of people that actually love reading my work. The moment my poetry debut ‘Morningstar Musings’  launched that passion was finally rewarded.

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

Can I just say that I really admire Emma Watson? From a young girl growing up in one of the toughest entertainment industries that isn’t always kind to woman she grew into this incredible woman that stands up for women all over the world, by setting up foundations, spreading awareness and encouraging women to read. I just absolutely love that.

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

I love the hashtag initiative that’s there to celebrate small and big victories for ourselves! I think so much is expected of women, we are always supposed to keep it together, no matter if we are in pain, if we are emotional or even when we are going through trauma society will give us a slap on the wrist to not draw any attention to ourselves. When receiving compliments we are expected to respond modest and surprised. No way! Let’s scream from the top of our lungs that we are proud of our achievements! Let’s keep making people aware of the struggles we are going through! And giving yourself a pat on the back for all your hard work should definitely be done more often!

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

Isn’t it crazy that I have to think about this way longer than I should? But definitely after my poetry debut ‘ Morningstar Musings’ came out. I am incredibly proud of that achievement and saying it out loud only made me prouder.

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

Like I mentioned earlier, a lot is expected of us. So we are not quick to believe we deserve praise for something. And when we do receive praise we are expected to receive it modestly or you might be labeled as someone who is arrogant. Sometimes it can also simply be your character to a bit shy or you can be raised in a culture where giving and receiving compliments isn’t as common.

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

I force myself to say ‘thank you’ instead of trying to discredit the compliment I’m giving. We are always hard on ourselves and getting compliments can sometimes be uncomfortable because of it. But just assume when someone pays you a compliment, it’s because you deserved it!

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

The idea that women are a little less capable then men is reinforced in a lot of parts of our society and I think religion is a big root of that. We have come a long way from not being allowed to vote, from being expected to be obedient wives and mothers that couldn’t work to where we are now. But unfortunately that’s still not the case for every woman. We should use our privilege to keep speaking up for those that can’t.  As long as not all of us are free to choose, none of us are. So we can take that power back by speaking up. That’s what I try to do through my writing, but everyone can have their own way of doing so.

WHY IS THE TRIBE MOVEMENT IMPORTANT?

Believing in your own strength and believing that you deserve praise for your achievements is an important first step for women to feel encouraged. I’m sure the Tribe movement can really help with that!