Jen Davis
Founder What I Loved, and other stuff
Los Angeles, CA
Where were you raised? Has the landscape of that place influenced your work in any way?
I was born and raised in The Hudson Valley, 90 miles north of New York City on the Hudson River. I feel outrageously grateful to have grown up in such a beautiful, magical place. I think the seasons and being in nature have influenced my work as a psychotherapist, a photographer, and all around seeker. There is so much beauty in the cycle of growth and death; so much strength and power in watching life be born again over and over and over. I believe that all the lessons we really need we can find in nature. I also think that this is where my love of light comes from. It also happens to be home to so many talented artists of every kind.
It was close enough to the city that I was able to be exposed to art, theater, fashion, momentum, excess and drive. The balance of the two has had a great impact on me, although I do not temperamentally lean toward balance, if we are being honest here.
How do you re-charge your creative battery?
Flowers. Shopping. Travel. Singing very emotional songs. Museums.
What book are you reading?
I am currently obsessed with any book by Serge Kahili King about Hawaiian Shamanism and The Huna Principle. The Dutch House by Ann Patchett. THREE WOMEN by Lisa Tadeo is AMAZING!! The list goes on; I am an insane person for books!!
What was the last thing that you fell in love with?
I could really go on and on here… The huge wild pink rose bush behind our house. The rainbow makers I bought at a swap meet on Maui. My Gabrielle Valenti Tourmaline rings. Shanti Kai Hawaiian Essences (TRIPPING!) for everything that ails, spirit, body, mind or heart!! My growing pearl collection from Natalie Hoffseth on Maui. My daily gratitude list.
PLUMERIA.
None of these things would mean anything without the love I have in my life. Period.
What do you love most about yourself?
I love that I never stop looking for joy and beauty, no matter what. I love that I am at a place in my life where I am able to claim myself with love and kindness, even when I’m messy or ugly or suffering or bratty or needy.
What do you think is the most important quality in a human?
A sense of humor. I wanna say kindness, but a sense of humor will get me every time. I think laughter will save your life.
Do you have a spiritual practice?
I often try to see my whole life as a spiritual practice. The more I explore, the more I realize it’s really just about being able to sit in stillness with myself and listen.
Right now I am focused on “Simplify. Release. Discipline. Devotion.”
Who are your role models?
My mother, who taught me that life is meant to be vibrating on the skin, breaking out of the heart and lived to the absolute fullest.
My grandmother, who traveled to over a hundred countries, often by herself and loved gold jewelry and pottery.
Georgia O’Keefe. Joan Didion. Mr Rodgers. Princess Diana. Father Greg Boyle.
All of my girlfriends, who teach me how to be more present, more honest and more vulnerable every day, and remind me that laughing is the best antidote to being human.
My therapist.
If you could change one thing about our world, what would it be? Is there a individual or an organization doing work in this area that you want us to know about?
That we stop wasting our energy on the self obsession of self hatred and self punishment, so that we can be of service to others; the world needs our care! Kristin Neff and Chris Germer founded The Center for Mindful Self Compassion and they are doing incredible research and work around the world!!
https://centerformsc.org/
Before I die I want to…. Fill in the blank
When my aunt was dying she told me that she didn’t want to die with the music still inside of her. I want to play all my notes, graceful and shrill. I want to write a book. I want to love people until they can love themselves. I want to remind people that they do not need to be fixed, but loved. I want to laugh a billion more times until it hurts.
xo Jenny
Photo by the amazing @jenrosenstein
