Welcome to Living Well — our spotlight on different women that we admire and find fascinating. Our goal is to share an intimate peek into these individuals' lives by asking them the questions that allow them to open up about their imperfect truth, whatever that may be. 

My time knowing Andrea has been a gift. Her passion for creating in a way that fosters storytelling and connection truly shines through in everything she does. I’m excited for you to learn more about Andrea and the practices that help her live well.

xx, Jaimi 

IF YOU'VE DONE THE VALUES DECK, WHAT ARE YOUR TOP FIVE VALUES? TELL US HOW ONE OF THEM MANIFESTS IN YOUR LIFE.

Belonging, Authenticity, Generosity, Gratitude, Excitement— especially excitement! I crave it constantly. For me, the most thrilling part of life is uncovering something unknown. Immersing myself in a culture that's not my own, surrounded by unfamiliar foods and language, navigating a place brimming with new experiences—it's both uncomfortable and exhilarating. That tension, the feeling that I'm on the brink of an incredible adventure, is what excites me most. Travel offers so much to gain. Even when it feels reckless to leave home or spend the money, I always know the rewards far outweigh the risks.

What does a life well-lived look like?

A home that’s cozy with my family and balanced with a healthy amount of adventure and lifelong learning. Time spent with loved ones. Long, quiet, meandering walks with my dog in nature, enjoying a slower pace of life. Shared meals al fresco and lots... and lots of laughter.

My version of success is…

The freedom to travel with my family, and spending time, lots of time with people I love.

In what way are you seeking to grow right now? WHO EMBODIES THIS QUALITY?

I'm learning to embrace the now, instead of always chasing what's next. So much of my life is exactly what I once dreamed of, but in always looking ahead, I forget to enjoy the view. I need to learn to celebrate the present moment that I’ve worked so hard to create! My kids, of course, are pros at living in the moment… except when they're busy thinking about toys they don't have!

What is one way that you are different today than you were ten years ago?

Surprisingly, I’m more irresponsible now than I was a decade ago. Ten years back, I was a rulebook warrior, bent on doing everything "properly." Then I had a revelation: many of my self-imposed rules were unnecessary, and some traditions are meant to be reimagined. Embracing this freedom has been liberating! (But I never break parking rules.)

Setting aside modesty for a moment, what are you excellent at?

I'm good at lots of things. Hyping people up! I'm very good at making people feel loved. Irreverence! I can write a decent thing or two. Excellent at harmless pranks (harmless is important). I'm also pretty good at my job and helping small businesses with their game plan.

whose life perspective and way of moving through the world teaches you something about who + how you want to be?

My aunt Aurora passed away a week ago, so she’s been on my mind a lot lately. But truthfully, I think I'd feel this way no matter what. She made her three kids her entire world—and somehow taught them to be best friends. She managed to be an amazing mother without losing herself. She was a writer, always keeping her mind sharp, and despite her physical challenges—nearly blind and with a bad heart—she never said no to an adventure. Her trips were so reckless we all had to pretend not to notice, but she’d always come back raving about how wonderful it was. I didn't fully realize it while she was alive, because we were all too busy worrying, but the truth is, I really do want to be just like her.

IS THERE A QUOTE OR MANTRA YOU ALWAYS COME BACK TO?

Lately, this Anais Nin quote: And then the day came, when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.

Can you share a book, podcast, or article that changed you in some way?

Joan Didion's The Year of Magical Thinking captivated me. The way Didion explores how life can change in an instant and how she navigated her grief with a refusal to fully believe it—it was so beautifully written. I fell in love with how she captured such a vulnerable experience.

What are you grateful for today?

My body and the experience of being alive—today I woke up at 2 a.m. to a symphony of crickets. It was a bit annoying, but I felt grateful for the chance to experience it. It's those mundane, irritating moments we’ll one day wish we could relive, even for just five minutes.

Andrea Hawken is the founder and creative director of Field Guide Los Angeles. We're going on 8 years of helping small businesses in Los Angeles and New York find their visual identity! To keep in touch with Andrea, connect with @andreahawken on Instagram and follow along with Field Guide's work at www.fieldguidelosangeles.com.