Alex De Vore
AC Clint grew up in Santa Fe, but after attending both UC Santa Cruz in California and Emerson College in Boston, she made a name for herself in the digital and social media spheres in places like Los Angeles and San Francisco. Clint cut her teeth working for brands like The Simpsons and companies like Disney, becoming a bona fide expert in her fields, but now she's back in her hometown writin' books, kickin' asses and takin' names. Clint reads from and signs her new title, Conquer Your Mind: 307 Affirmations to Create Confidence, Love, Wealth, Fulfillment, & Freedom To Finally Live The Life You Want, this Sunday at op.cit. books in the De Vargas Center (1:30 pm. Free. 157 Paseo de Peralta, 428-0321).
What were you doing, exactly, and what brought you back?
I burned out in the tech industry, but also I was ready for something more low-key. I was hitting the stage of life where I wanted a back yard, but I was in San Francisco in that one-bedroom apartment with that two-hour commute, and I just realized it was time. 'Internet magician' is my new title but, for a long time, not by choosing, my title was 'social media consultant.' Literally the only thing they'd pay me for out of college was social media.
Don't take this the wrong way, but the book sounds kind of new-agey.
I understand that, and I try to add science into my theories. I make sure it's all science-backed to a certain degree, and I can't argue with the science. Positive thinking helps soldiers persevere, and it helps people live longer—all the people who live past 100 are easy-going types. In general, I think a lot of people are doing it backwards—they think happiness will be a product of success, but it's the happier people who wind up being successful. I was burned out recently, pretty severely, and I was dealing with intense depression and a loss of identity. And even though I'm the first person to call this stuff hocus-pocus, I can't argue with the results. It's definitely work and practice, but I would say the greatest thinkers throughout time are aware that how you think is reflected in your reality.
So, how about a little advice?
I think there are a lot of different steps to it. Affirmations are cool, but I don't think you can start there and there will be a shift. The next time something bad happens to you, look at how you interpreted that. I would say look at that narrative and try to change it and remind yourself it's temporary, a unique situation. I've noticed it starts to become a snowball effect. Grateful, happy people seem to attract more things to be grateful and happy for.
Clint's book can be found on Amazon right here.
