Nina Gaspari is an entrepreneur, host of Slovenia's most popular business podcast, Lovim ravnotežje, and a columnist. She talks about the constant search for a balance between leisure and work. Her greatest passion is to help current and future female entrepreneurs (and companies) build media-resonating and successful stories.
Who are you today, and how have you changed over the last ten years?
This is a great question that could fill half a book. Today, I am a different person than I was a decade ago. I know who I am, what I want, and where I want to go. As an entrepreneur running her own boutique business for almost 15 years, I have aligned my sense of work with the life I want to live. I am calm, content, mostly satisfied, happy, and grateful. I am better at managing my emotions, stress, and anxiety. All of this has made me a better daughter, sister, aunt, partner, friend, and businesswoman.
What was the best personal and professional advice you have received?
"Not everyone deserves to hear my opinion," as once said by Oprah Winfrey. This sentence truly changed my perspective on myself and the work I do. As a podcast host and columnist, I constantly watch what opinions I share publicly and when. I check with myself if I'm prepared to handle questions, messages, and often negative comments on social media and online articles. I also try to apply this rule in my personal life, stepping back from the role I used to play and always having advice for everyone, whether they asked for it or not. Life becomes much lighter when you follow these thoughts.
Through your content, you always emphasize that peace and balance in life are not something you find and then have forever, but it is something that a person must constantly work on. How do you personally approach this? Has this changed over the years?
It is true. Balance is dynamic and can come and go quickly. Therefore, it's essential to learn techniques that can help us manage our time, well-being, emotions, and relationships. My approach to finding balance changes, and that's completely normal. I adapt based on the circumstances in a year or a day. I try to keep an eye on routines, ensuring that the work I undertake is what I want to do genuinely. I have surrounded myself with wonderful people who form my support system. One of the most important things is constantly managing my time effectively. It allows me to spend my days and free time on long walks over the nearby hill with my partner, friends, and 5-year-old nephew or simply resting and embracing boredom. It's during those moments that I find the best ideas.
How do you start your day?
I used to have a long morning routine, but now I go with the flow. I would be lying if I didn't admit that I wish I had a lot of energy in the morning for yoga, workouts, etc., but that's not the case. I'm happy if I make a good breakfast, have a cup of coffee, read a few pages of a book, and slowly ease into the new day. My evening routine is much more critical these days, including preparing for the next day. This means that when I enter my home office in the morning, I have a priority list of tasks I made the day before. It ensures that I have peaceful afternoons and evenings, better sleep, and I don't waste time wondering where to start in the morning.
How do you take care of your body, mind, and soul?
I used to be more consistent in caring for my body, especially regarding exercise. At almost 45 years old, my lifestyle is changing, and I no longer enjoy the same workouts I did in the past. I'm currently exploring different activities. I've promised myself to start attending aerial and flow yoga classes again. I take care of my thoughts and soul by writing a journal, reading, and listening to podcasts that fill my heart or broaden my perspective on the world. I try to take long walks daily, stay in touch with friends, and spend as much time as possible with my partner.
How do you take care of your skin?
For several years now, I've had the same morning and evening skincare routine. In the morning, I wash my face with water, use a toner to remove any remaining impurities, apply a serum, and use a face cream with SPF. In the evening, I wash my face with a natural gel and repeat the toner and serum routine. One of my favourite rituals is on Sunday afternoons or evenings when I treat myself with Flower and Spice Instant Glow Calming Exfoliator and Beauty Masquerade mask. However, I'm not as consistent when caring for the skin on other parts of my body. That's something I still need to work on ;)
Do you have any daily, weekly, or monthly rituals?
Daily: walks, journaling, listening to podcasts, and morning Wordle puzzles with my partner. Every week, I try to organize my work in a way that allows me to have Fridays and weekends off for rest, creative thinking, and spending time with my loved ones. Monthly, I aim to spend at least one weekend outside the city, which is currently going well, especially during the summer.
What is your guilty pleasure?
Swiss chocolate and long lounging on Sunday mornings.
What advice would you give yourself at the age of 16?
Don't take life too seriously, and keep to yourself the opinions that are meaningful to you. They become even more precious and cherished memories when shared with the people closest to you.
Is there any book/podcast you love and recommend people to read/listen to?
My partner, Miha Mazzini, a popular Slovenian writer, wrote one of my favourite books. The book is titled "Osebno" (Personal) and discusses men's emotions and relationships. Unfortunately, it's currently only available in Slovenian. The first book that completely absorbed me in its story during my youth was East of Eden by John Steinbeck. I also like the writing of Ryan Holiday. On my last vacation, I read the latest novels by Jo Nesbo and Sally Rooney. As for podcasts, some of my favourites are Armchair Expert, The Daily New York Times, Pivot, The Prof G Pod, Huberman Lab, and many Slovenian creators who contribute to the wonderful Slovenian podcast scene.
Can you share one piece of wisdom with our community, something that you have gained in your life that will encourage women reading this to grow and find their inner strength and confidence?
Find the point of intersection where you can recognize when you can influence certain things and events in life and when it's beyond your control. At that point lies your balance, inner peace, tranquillity, and the recipe for a happy life.
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