Amazon Photos Brand Ambassador Alexandra Nolan on How to Intentionally Plan Your Perfect Summer and How to Savor Each Moment With the Photos You Capture

At times it feels like wellness or elevating one’s well being, is diametrically opposed to high achievement and high performance in one’s career. The stress, mental energy, long hours, lack of restful sleep and preoccupation that result from a high-achievement life seem to directly inhibit wellness. And yet, in order to sustain the creativity, flexibility, mental acuity and resilience that are necessary for high performance, wellness and wellbeing of the mind, body and soul are also mandatory. So how do we achieve both? This is the question I’m hoping to answer through conversations with high-achieving leaders and influencers who are practicing their own philosophies about how to maintain their wellbeing.

As a part of our series about “Social Media Influencers Share Their Top Self Care, Wellness, and Beauty Tips, I had the pleasure of interviewing Alexandra Nolan.

Alexandra Nolan, Amazon Photos Brand Ambassador, digital entrepreneur, author and mom of three, shares the top tips and tricks for intentionally planning your perfect summer and how to savor each moment with the photos you capture.

Thank you so much for doing this with us! Our readers would love to get to know you a bit better. Can you share with us the backstory of how you came upon this career path to where you are today?

My journey into this career path of being a brand ambassador has been a blend of passion and serendipity. From a young age, I’ve always been drawn to creative endeavors, which eventually led me to explore the world of branding and content creation. Along the way, I discovered a knack for connecting with audiences through storytelling using photos and video. Each step in my journey has been about following what excites me and embracing life’s sweet moments as they come.

None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?

Coming from a blended family background, I have had a lot of love and guidance around me throughout my life. I’m incredibly grateful to all four of my parents who played a pivotal role in my journey. Early on, they saw potential in me and provided invaluable guidance. Their belief in my abilities and willingness to share their expertise has been instrumental in shaping my career path.

My father is an entrepreneur, owning more than three companies. I have worked on and off with him growing up and the knowledge I obtained from him is invaluable. My mother has always been at the top of the corporate ladder. I have learned so much about structure and strategy from her. Of course, I did mention four parents. My “other mother and father,” I don’t like to refer to them as step-parents because I truly see and love them as equals, were fully supportive, creative individuals who taught me how to be well-rounded and take on real life experiences with grace and a kind heart.

It has been said that sometimes our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story with us about the most humorous mistake you made when you were first starting? What lesson or take-away did you learn from that?

I don’t have just one mistake. Starting out, I made plenty, but I would have to pinpoint my lack of attention to detail. I am a big picture person, so honing in on the details has taken much practice and a cognitive effort to strengthen that skill. While a lot of people have mastered the art of detail, it took a lot of time and patience for me to do so and I have to admit, it has paid off dearly!

As an influencer, you have been blessed with great success in a career path that many have attempted, but eventually gave up on. In fact, perhaps most people who tried to follow a career path like yours did not succeed. Do you have any words of advice for others who may want to embark on this career path but know that their dreams might be dashed?

For anyone looking to pursue a similar career path, I’d advise focusing on authenticity and persistence. It’s important to stay true to your unique voice and vision while continuously honing your skills. Embrace challenges as opportunities to grow and learn from others in your field. Building a supportive network and staying adaptable to industry trends are also key factors in long-term success.

Can you share with our readers some of the strategies you’ve used to build an engaged, loyal, and large online community?

Building a community online starts with genuine connection and consistent engagement. I’ve found that creating valuable content that resonates with my audience is crucial. Engaging actively with followers through comments, Q&A sessions, and live streams helps foster a sense of community. Collaborating with like-minded creators and leveraging social media platforms effectively has also been instrumental in expanding my reach.

Ok thank you for all that. Now let’s shift to the main focus of our interview. In my work, I focus on how one can thrive and care for oneself in three areas: body, mind, and heart. You are a busy person with a demanding schedule, can you share with our readers two self-care routines, practices or treatments that help your body thrive?

One routine that really rejuvenates me is hot yoga. It not only helps me stay physically flexible, but also clears my mind and boosts my energy levels. Another practice I swear by is regular outdoor walks. The fresh air and change of scenery do wonders for my overall well-being, allowing me to recharge and maintain a healthy balance amidst a busy schedule.

Can you share with us two routines that you use to help your mind or heart to thrive?

The biggest way that I recharge my heart and soul is by slowing down and taking time to enjoy my family, especially in the summer months when the kiddos are out of school and home throughout the day.

To follow up on time with family, I make sure I capture the moments in photos and videos so that I can reminisce and savor those sweet moments whenever I feel the need to fill up on positive and warm vibes. I love the This Day feature in the Amazon Photos app that resurfaces memorable everyday moments. It allows me to reminisce and see how much my kids have grown over the past year. Speaking of, I learned through a recent study conducted by Harris Poll and commissioned by Amazon Photos that I’m not the only one. Sixty percent of Americans feel happy when looking at photos on their camera roll. This is proof that we should all capture as many moments as possible and take the time to look back on those moments when we want to feel a sense of home or to recharge.

Can you help articulate why self-care is so important for your mental wellness?

Self-care is crucial because it provides a necessary pause in our often hectic lives. Taking time to prioritize our physical, mental, and emotional needs replenishes our energy reserves and enhances our ability to handle challenges effectively. It’s about investing in ourselves so that we can continue to give our best to our work and relationships without burning out.

Can you share five ideas that anyone can use “to feel beautiful”?

• Catching an outdoor concert.
• Impromptu beach day.
• Taking in a breathtaking sunset on a walk.
• Deep conversation with a friend or family member.
• Taking a photo of something you find beautiful like a garden.

Is there a particular resource, a practitioner, expert, book, or podcast that made a significant impact on you and helped you to thrive? Can you share a story about that with us?

Yes, as you can see, I really find a sense of peace and warmth in moments with my family, especially when I can relive them over and over through photos.

I absolutely love Amazon Photos for its incredible features that cater to preserving and sharing memories effortlessly. For all Prime members, the free, unlimited full-resolution photo storage is a game-changer, ensuring that every precious moment captured is securely backed up and easily accessible. It gives me peace of mind knowing that my entire photo collection is safely stored in one place, ready to be revisited anytime. Moreover, the option to print these memories or create stunning photo books and personalized décor directly from the platform is fantastic. It allows me to transform digital memories into tangible keepsakes that I can cherish and share with loved ones.”

As an influencer, you are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger.

I would love to inspire a movement focused on promoting kindness and empathy in our daily interactions. Imagine a world where each person consciously strives to uplift others through small acts of kindness and understanding. This movement would aim to create a ripple effect of positivity, fostering stronger communities and a more compassionate society.

We are very blessed that some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world with whom you’d like to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this. :-)

If given the chance, I would love to have a private meal with Angelina Jolie. Her support for philanthropic foundations and her achievements in leading the way for change have greatly inspired me, and I would cherish the opportunity to learn from her experiences firsthand.

What is the best way our readers can follow you on social media?

You can follow me on Instagram at @alexandra.nicole or on my blog at www.citychicliving.com

Thank you for these fantastic insights. We wish you only continued success in your great work!