#WeAreArity Wednesday: Stacy Silver

What movie do you wish you could watch again for the first time?

It’s funny, my friends were literally just talking about this. The movie, which we always quote, would have to be “Father of the Bride.” The one from the 90s, part one or two. No matter what, every time I watch it, I laugh. I can quote half the movie.

It just always brings back such good memories. I’m still friends with my childhood friends, so it’s something that we still always bond over and quote all the time. It’s happy memories!

What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast?

So, I am a creature of habit. Every morning, I have protein oatmeal. It’s oatmeal that has more protein in it, and I just make in the microwave.

I put flax seeds, chia seeds, some chocolate chips to make it chocolatey. And then I top it with bananas and berries – strawberries, blueberries, raspberries. Whatever I’ve got in the house. I just mix it all together. Sometimes I put some cinnamon on it, and it’s just like my morning comfort meal.

It’s delicious. It’s Bob’s Red Mill. It’s plain, and that’s why I put all the chocolate in it. Makes it even better.

What is your favorite season? Why?

Most people at Arity would know this, but I love summer because I am a sun worshiper even though I know it’s horrible for my skin. But when it’s sunny out, I’m in a better mood.

I love being outside during the summer. I love being at a pool, a beach — you name it. It’s my happy place. I sit at my desk in front of a huge window, and when it’s not sunny, I feel like it ruins my mood. Sun just does something to me.

Even yesterday, for example, I was inside all day and I’m like, “It’s so gorgeous.” So, I literally just took a walk around the block because I was like, “I need that fresh summer air.” So, I make sure to get outside even when I’m crazy busy.

What is the best piece of advice you have ever received at work?

Go with your gut. It’s something that everyone always tells me, and sometimes I don’t. I am always nervous. I’m like, “Is this right? Is this wrong?”

It always goes back to – if you go with your gut, your gut’s usually always right. And if it’s not, it’s at least leading you towards being more right than wrong. So, it’s something that I try and practice every day, and I try and tell others as well. Your gut usually is right, both at work and outside of work.

What do your family and friends think you do all day at work?

Literally sit in front of a computer on calls. My nieces and nephews, some of them are old enough to have a phone, and they’ll call or text me during the middle of the day, and I won’t answer. Or they’ll FaceTime me, and I’m on a call. They’re like, “Do you just sit on calls all day?” And I’m like, “Yeah, basically.”

And then there’s my parents. I’ve been in public relations/communications my whole career – almost 15 years – and my parents still can’t explain what I do, so they just ask me if I’ve had a good day.

I used to explain it as, “Oh, I try and get my company in the newspaper,” to put it into very basic words, but my PR role has expanded, so it’s not as easy as that. They just think I sit on a lot of calls, have a lot of meetings, and sit on the computer all day.

When you are alone in the car, what volume is the music at?

Extremely high. I think I have the world’s best voice even though I’m tone deaf. So, going back to sunshine – if it is sunny out, then my sunroof is open, and I am belting at the top of my lungs. It’s usually to country, and just having a concert by myself. Nothing is better than driving on the highway with the sunroof open and listening to country music in the summertime!

What is an easy way to do something nice for someone?

I’m a giver. That is one of my love languages. So, I’m always thinking about how I could do something nice for someone, but at the end of the day, just smiling and saying hello to people goes a really long way – especially living in a big city.

A lot of people are on their grind. I do like to go for walks a lot, or just even going to the grocery store, and I recognize when people just smile and say, “Hi.” It’s like, “Oh, they didn’t have to do that.” So, I do my best to do that when I am out and about in my everyday life. We forget, but I recognize it when other people do it, so I try and do that as well.

I live right in the city, so it’s like no one — especially before and after work — wants to talk to anyone. Everyone has their AirPods in, and sometimes that smile can go a long way.

What is your favorite way to practice self-care?

So, this is something I’ve worked on, especially working from home and being single. But sometimes, I’m the only person I talk to or see all day. To a fault, I’m obsessed with working out, but it truly makes me sane. Whether that’s just a yoga class, or five-minute arms, or a 10-minute walk, or just something to move my body – it really helps me.

Something that I wish I could do every week is a massage. That’s another happy place for me. It’s just so expensive to do weekly, but that is another great thing to practice self-care – just to not be on my phone and zone out.

Also, when I work out, I do not go on my phone. I use it for music and stuff, but I don’t text or engage with anything else. So, it’s an opportunity for me to turn my brain to something else and not be constantly on my phone, and I find that — obviously, with the massage too — you kind of get to turn your brain off.

I have a Peloton, and when I do that, I put my phone away and turn my notifications off because otherwise I’ll sit there and respond to people texting me – or I’ll look at my email. I really need a disconnect. And if I’m not doing something else, I find myself on my phone way too much. It’s not good.