Community Spotlight: Lola Gafaar

Community Spotlights are an opportunity for us to meet and celebrate the wonderful people that make up the Lavendame community and hear from them on our theme for the season.

This month, we are hearing from Lola Gafaar; a film professional, recreational athlete, and hopeless (hopeful?) romantic.


If I could be any TV character, I would be...

Probably Ayo Adebiri's character - (The Bear). Her name is Sydney! I feel like I relate to the core of the character. Her frustrations are my frustrations, her expressions are mine! I feel like that character is so totally alive!

Some honourable mentions

  • Issa Dee (Insecure) - I think because this character has its roots in 'awkward black girl', and I feel like my life is the story of an 'awkward black girl', I feel a kindredness to the character. I also really relate to the career journey of the character and how it took her a little longer to find her way as an adult. I'm definitely not getting as much action as she is though, sooo there's that... I don't get to curl up to Jay Ellis, lol.

  • A cross between Kelly (The Office) & Mindy Lahiri (The Mindy Project) - I feel like these two characters have a direct correlation to the silliest parts and most optimistic parts of my personality, especially when I was younger. Now I'm old and grizzled and have no hope, so maybe not as much anymore, lol

  • Leslie Knope (Parks & Rec) - who I'd like to be, especially personality wise and like her exact love story (so adorbs!)

To me, accountability means...

Accountability means showing up for and taking ownership of the responsibilities in your life - work (work adjacent), friendships, relationships, hobbies, wants, desires, etc. 

Accountability is hard when...

Not to get too personal, but I think accountability is hardest when my mental health is suffering. It's like how do you draw from an empty(ish) well. 

It is also hard when I'm lazy (just some good ole fashioned laziness), lol, jk jk, but not really hehe...

Here's something I'd like the community to know...

This is pretty basic but I think people need a reminder (at least I know I did). I'd like the community to know that It's okay to ask and to seek help. It could be: help with emotional support or with more tangible things. That little bit of help could be the extra push you need to keep your accountability journey going on the right track at any given moment. I've recently had a couple of experiences where that has proven true. Anyways I'm constantly being reminded that nobody goes it alone and nobody gets a medal or a cookie, for doing it alone either.

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