THE KIM LYN JOURNAL

My little corner of the internet where I share all about being a Girlboss, photographer, mama, and about life in general.
 Based in North Smithfield, Rhode Island. Available for travel.

Blush Babe Tribe | Rachel | Rhode Island Boudoir Photographer

She came into my life like a whirlwind, filled with inspiring, motivational, and empowering words.  She has supported every piece of the Blush brand and totally pushes me to be better, do better, and feel better.  Rachel, you are a badass woman and I’m so proud to have you in my Tribe.  You are a constant light in all the darkness.  You want the world to be a better place and you do your part just to make it a little bit better.  You encourage others and build women up on the daily.  You are beautiful.  Shoutout to Christine Dianne for slaying on Rachel’s makeup!

Blush with Kim Lyn started out as a gift idea, but for me, transformed into a quest so much bigger than that.  Kim and my Blush experience helped me find myself, my beauty, and my worth again in a time when I was drowning in the daunting day to day oblivion I was living in.  I cannot say enough good things about Kim coming into my life. Believe me, you want her in yours, too!” – Rachel

 

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself:
a. Name, age, job, hobbies etc (your three words to describe you)

Name: Rachel Lynn Cohen Sferruzza (My last name is currently somewhere between my maiden name and married name, despite getting married over a year ago.  The process to change your name in the midst of having professional licensure and ongoing travel is a bit of a conundrum.  The funny part is, most of my life I couldn’t wait to drop Cohen; it’s a quintessential Jewish name (from Dad), but we were brought up Roman Catholic (from Mom) – it was initially confusing to me as a child and has continued to be confusing to others as I have gotten older; not to mention I probably know less about Judaism than many people reading this.  The truth is, I’m not so anxious now to ever completely lose Cohen and even intend to use it as part of a child’s name someday!)
Age: 34 years old
Job: I am a Nurse Practitioner and board certified to see patients from birth to death, but I truly love the pediatric population with a special affinity for the adolescent age group.  I currently work in a Pediatric Neurology specialty group.
Hobbies: I have loved coaching high school gymnastics for the past 6 years.  I was an assistant coach for four years, and then started another school’s new gymnastics program after not having a team for 40 years!  I was a 12 year gymnast before becoming and four year varsity college cheerleader at James Madison University – some of the most fun I’ve ever had in my life!  I enjoyed instructing at cheer camps throughout my college summers.  I find therapy in arts and crafts, particularly cake decorating (but not the baking part ha!).  Interior decorating and shopping (for myself and others) are favorite pastimes of mine!
Three words to describe me: resilient, resourceful, role model

2. What is a typical day like for you?
I wake up….usually late and rarely refreshed.  I have to shower in the morning where I wash my hair but never condition!  I semi blow dry my hair just enough to get some volume in the front and throw the rest up in a messy bun (using one of those little elastics that looks like an old telephone cord) for some waves, grab a water, and run out the door.  I get a coffee and snack of cheese and fruit on my 60-90 minute drive to work (I used to live a mile from work in Boston, but now I live on the south shore of Massachusetts with my very generous in-laws while my husband and I prepare to build a house – we think!).  Typically on Tuesdays and Thursdays, I bring my extreeeemely handsome 3 year old pit/boxer, Corbin, to puppy daycare….and pick him up after work.
I work Monday through Friday (8am ish – 5 or 6pm ish) in my Nurse Practitioner role in a Pediatric Neurology group where I specialize in managing headaches and concussions. However, being a nurse practitioner often means thinking about your patients while you’re “off the clock,” too; I often feel like I’m ALWAYS working and never off the clock. I see patients for four hour clinic sessions on Monday afternoons, Tuesday mornings, Wednesday afternoons, Thursday mornings and afternoons, and Friday mornings. On Monday and Wednesday mornings, I do care management and coordination – writing letters, making phone calls, administrative work (patient notes/charting). On Tuesday afternoons, I help cover the hospital inpatient service for Pediatric Neurology. On Friday afternoons, I participate in group learning where our Pediatric Neurology group discusses and brainstorms on complex medical case.  I am responsible for my own panel of patients as well as co-management of complex patients with several of my collaborating physicians.
I turtle speed my way home in traffic about 90 minutes.  I thankfully come home to food already prepared for me; my favorite meals include a meat and a green vegetable with a glass of milk.  I watch Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy every chance I get (for as long as I can remember)!  Sometimes I have to address some administrative work at home; honestly, I have enough work that I could do some at home everyday if I wanted to…but I don’t want to!  My husband and I enjoy ending the night with some sports (baseball, football, tennis, gymnastics, golf, basketball) or a Netflix show or a movie.  I usually fall asleep on the couch (another “for as long as I can remember” habit of mine) and then eventually make my way to bed to start it all allover again!
I don’t get in dedicated exercise as often as I’d like on the week days.  I try to run at least one week day and a longer run on one of the weekend days.  I enjoy a good plank, push ups, and jump squats workout before bed.

3. On hard days, what motivates you to get up and start your day?
I am NOT a morning person, let’s just get that out there.  What finally gets me out of bed is that I am so happy I woke up…SO happy I get another day in this world…because everyday is an opportunity to see something beautiful, learn something new, help someone, help yourself, love and be loved….and shop!  And when the day is dragging, or the week is dragging, or the year is dragging – I’m right there having a pep talk with myself, pushing myself, reminding myself how far I have come, reminding myself about allllll the many times it has all been (I have been) okay at the end of the day!  I look for little victories everyday!

4. Who inspires you to live your best life?
My husband and myself inspire me to live my best life.  I live my life in constant self-reflection and pride myself on self-awareness being one of my greatest strengths.  I am the best person at building myself up, but also breaking myself down. I am one of the first to admit when I am not being the best version of myself; I don’t always know how to immediately remedy the situation, but I’m willing to take steps (sometimes very slowly) toward improvement.  And if I’m ever in denial about my mistakes, my weaknesses, my mishaps – my husband is right there to open my eyes and show me how certain actions and thoughts are not only poisonous to myself but to those around me – and how working toward fixing them will better me and my relationships.
I am also fiercely inspired by mothers, female physicians, woman entrepreneurs, and anyone willing to take risks or put them self outside their comfort zone to get what they want!

5. If you could go back and tell your 13 year old self something….what would that be?
First and foremost….””Honey, your hair looks way better parted on left and layered than parted down the middle and all one length!” HAHAHA!
But more profoundly….
You are allowed to cry; you are allowed to adjust; you are allowed to strategize; you are allowed to prioritize; but you are never allowed to give up.
Be confident in your choices, and confident in changing your mind, and confident that you will learn from the mistakes you make. Yes, you will make mistakes, likely many more than you could ever imagine, but mistakes are necessary to grow as a person and to maybe help others navigate through their opposition in life someday.
Carry yourself with class. Be kind to others. Be kind to yourself. Accept compliments and do not compromise a compliment because you don’t think you’re worthy; you are worthy!
Your pimples will disappear, but so will the opportunities that you’re letting your pimples hold you back from; don’t waste those opportunities waiting for it to be the “right” time do make a move.  Don’t believe anyone, especially not yourself, that says you can’t do something.
Never stop looking for little ways in your everyday to do physical activity – park far away, take the stairs, offer to do the grocery shopping, participate in household chores, mow the lawn, walk with friends or the dog.
Have a role model. Ask to shadow people in their careers to try to picture what you can really see yourself doing for your own career someday. Do not be afraid to pursue a career in the things you enjoy rather than the things that you are good at that are “safe.”
Be confident that you have the strength and ability to be successful in the journey of life that is ahead of you. You will always be okay at the end of the day, even when it just doesn’t feel that way.
Simply…”I’m proud of you.”

  1. What is your favorite quote?

I love adding a quote or two to a greeting card; I typically buy blank cards with pretty pictures and write my own message….I should have worked for Hallmark!  There have been several quotes I’ve gravitated toward over the years that I use for various situations in life; these have become my favorites….

Birth and beginnings:  “Every child born into the world is a new thought of God, an ever-fresh and radiant possibility.” – Kate Douglas Wiggin

Challenging or daunting tasks and pursuits:  “The most effective way to do it, is to do it.” – Amelia Earhart

Appreciation and thanks: “Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.” – Marcel Proust

 

Death and legacy: “What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal.” – Albert Pike

Heading out for a fun night, weekend getaway, or some other type of adventure….my last words to you will surely be, “If you can’t be good, be careful.”  I think I made this saying up some years ago or maybe not; I can’t even recall where it came from!

7. You are inspiring women to stop hating and start loving themselves and each other, what piece of advice would you give them?
Don’t focus on people’s flaws; don’t focus on your own flaws. Magnify people’s strengths; magnify your own strengths. Compliment people; compliment yourself.  Listen and lend a hand where and when you can. Take your regrets and your successes and turn them into lessons – lessons for yourself and lessons to teach others; sharing knowledge and insight is powerful!  Positivity is powerful!  Strive to be the light that inspires others…because imagine the force we (women) can bring if we all shine together!

 

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