In our new ‘My Life' section, HuffPost UK Lifestyle asks successful women to step off their pedestals for a few minutes, and tell us what makes them tick.
To kick things off, we sat down with HuffPost UK’s editor-in-chief Carla Buzasi.
At 33, Carla is an award-winning editor and writer who has contributed to a range of titles including Marie Claire, The Guardian and The Metro. In 2011, she launched the UK edition of The Huffington Post.
Carla Buzasi, editor-in-chief of HuffPost UK
What does the term ‘having it all’ mean to you?
I don't tend to think so much as 'having it all', as having lots that makes me happy. Does that sound selfish? Maybe being happy, and having those around me feel happy, too.
If that's the case, what makes you happy?
Family, friends, getting out of the city, the sun and holidays.
How often do you do what makes you happy?
My 2013 New Year’s resolution was ‘do more of what makes you happy’ and I’m trying to make sure I live that a little bit every day.
Admittedly, it’s not always possible. But just making time to call a friend or read a book on the train into work rather than just emails, makes a big difference.
Describe a typical day in the life of Carla Buzasi
During the week, I get up about 6.30 or 7am and I’m super-quick at getting ready, so can be in work by 8.30 at the latest. I’m plugged into music for the walk to the train station and once I’ve checked emails and all my social media accounts, I plug into my Kindle for the rest of the journey.
Lunch is at my desk usually and if I don’t have work events in the evening, I’ll use that time to see friends.
What do you do to de-stress? And is it hard finding the time?
I rediscovered running about a year ago, having done a lot of cross-country when I was a teenager. I realised if I played the kind of music I love dancing to, essentially it was the same thing, but without alcohol!
I only run at weekends. I gave up worrying about not exercising during the week. I don’t have time then, so why feel guilty about something that’s just not possible? I’ll still lie in at the weekend, but as soon as I’m up it’s trainers on, and hit the Thames path.
I love yoga too, and with a yoga teacher for a sister I get private classes whenever I want them!
What is the one thing in your life you can't live without?
My iPhone. I didn’t get the fuss for ages, and then caved last year.
I speak to my parents and sister nearly every day, and when we’re not chatting on the phone, we have a family Whatsapp group! So we can ping pictures and updates between us all the time.
I’m also now a Jawbone UP band convert, so synch that with my phone each day so I can track how much sleep I’m getting.
What are the biggest challenges of the job and what makes it all worth it?
The biggest challenge is always trying to stay a step ahead, so you’re innovating rather than reacting, but the positives are endless.
Fundamentally, when the team are happy, then I’m happy. I want my editors and reporters to look forward to coming to work.
How do you overcome setbacks?
I call my parents. I get a helping of tough love from my dad, and oodles of sympathy from my mum, which is a pretty good combination.
And if that fails, a large chocolate brownie and glass of red wine usually does the trick!
How can women be strong without needing to be a ball breaker?
By having integrity.
I’ve had plenty of moments when I’ve doubted myself, or when I’ve worried I should be more like someone else, but I don’t think you can fake these things. I’m a pretty emotional person; I wear my heart on my sleeve and take everything too personally, but rather than try to suppress those attributes, I’ve embraced them.
How do you give back to your family and community?
One of the joys of working at HuffPost is the way we work with charities and causes. When I meet people trying to raise awareness of topics, whether that’s a local issue, or something on a global scale, the complaint I hear most often is how hard it is to get the media interested.
Thanks to the HuffPost blogging platform and our Impact section, we are able to shine a light on causes that would otherwise never get talked about. On a personal level, I support a women’s refuge for immigrant women with Aids.
My family are the most important people in my life, but they’re also probably the people it’s easiest to be selfish with. My parents both work full-time, but will drop everything if one of us needs a wall painted, furniture moved, or a picture hung on the wall (yes, I realise I should be able to do that myself). My way of giving back to them? Regular trips home and really good presents at Christmas!