Debbie Millman’s ongoing project “What Matters,” an effort to understand the interior life of artists, designers, and creative thinkers, is now in its third year. Each respondent is invited to answer ten identical questions and submit a nonprofessional photograph.
Amelia Nash is a Canadian-born, New York–based multidisciplinary creative, teacher, and writer exploring how design, strategy, and storytelling can shape more sustainable, human-centered futures. She leads brand and marketing for the SVA Masters in Branding program and contributes to the design community through her roles with the RGD and AIGA NY.
What is the thing you like doing most in the world?
Exploring. I have an insatiable curiousity and relish visiting new places, trying new foods, experiencing different cultures, and learning new skills, all the more made merrier when shared with friends and family.
What is the first memory you have of being creative?
I must have been around five years old during the Christmas holidays when my parents took my siblings and me to see The Nutcracker at our local theatre. I don’t remember much, though my parents sometimes recount the story. What I do recall is our childhood home’s large picture window. The contrast between the cold winter air and the warmth inside created condensation along the glass. When we got home, I traced scenes from the ballet — sugar plums, fairies, and Rat Kings — into the foggy window. I can still faintly remember dragging my fingers across the cool, wet glass.
What is your biggest regret?
Allowing others to define my worth instead of holding it within myself.
How have you gotten over heartbreak?
Slowly. I’m someone who loves hard and cares deeply, so I tend to replay what I could have done differently and often take on too much of the blame. It used to take me a really long time to mend a broken heart, but I’ve learned to sit with the feelings rather than rush to “fix” what wasn’t meant to be. Nowadays, healing is still slow, but it’s more grounded.
What makes you cry?
Pure joy. Pride in my family’s accomplishments. Profound sorrow. Exquisite music that stirs something deep inside me. A very bad, rotten, ugly day. The best of humanity, and the worst. There’s a wide spectrum, from the highest joy to the lowest grief, that can bring me to tears. I used to hate crying and thought of it as weakness. Now, I see it as necessary, and I let myself cry whenever I need to.
How long does the pride and joy of accomplishing something last for you?
Not nearly long enough. In fact, I rarely register things as accomplishments at all. They feel more like steps along the path of the life I’m living. Should probably talk to my therapist about that.
Do you believe in an afterlife, and if so, what does that look like to you?
Absolutely. I imagine the afterlife as a re-purposing of energy. I hope that when I pass, my soul (or whatever essence I have) reincarnates somehow. Coming back as a bumblebee would be beautiful. I’m not religious, but the universe is far too vast and mysterious for there to be nothing after this. That’s what I like to believe, at least.
What do you hate most about yourself?
My fear of being seen. I get extremely anxious and almost physically sick when I have to share my work, talk about myself, or promote what I’m doing. It feels nauseating, and I hate that it feels nauseating. I wish I were braver and less afraid of putting myself out there and sharing the interesting things that I’m doing. It took me 854 days to complete this What Matters and send it back to you, Debbie. Woof.
What do you love most about yourself?
That I give a shit. I live by a strong moral code and genuinely care about people and the planet, especially the most vulnerable. You can rely on me, I won’t flake or make excuses, and I’ll always get done what needs to be done (unless you want me to talk about myself). I take great pride in that I’m anything but apathetic.
What is your absolute favorite meal?
Oh gosh… just one!? As a thoroughbred foodie, this is nearly impossible to answer. But if I had to choose, the one meal I could eat every day until the end of days is a good pad thai, with extra bean sprouts and plenty of lime. Absolutely scrumptious.
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