Meet Nadia Commodore | Blogger & College Student

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nadia Commodore and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nadia, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
I used to think that success could be measured by how hard you worked and how little time you had to yourself. While working hard is a necessary element, so is self-care. To strike a healthy balance, I’ve started making it a point to give myself something to look forward to every day. It doesn’t have to be something grand like a shopping trip or treating myself to a fancy, though those things are warranted from time to time. I’ve learned to find joy in the little things, so my excitement comes from winding down with an episode of a good show at the end of the night or blocking out time in the day to read a few chapters of a book.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My creativity has manifested in many different ways throughout my life. I was born a singer, so naturally, that’s where I always expected my life to take me. My teen years were spent performing on stages, singing in recording studios, and writing lyrics in my bedroom. I found immense joy in this, and still do, but in the latter years of my high school career, I experienced a shift. I recognized that my love for writing expanded beyond a musical context.

During my senior year, I decided to start a blog. It was a dream that always lingered in the back of my mind but never felt quite tangible. After an inspiring conversation with my cousin, I learned I already had all the tools at my disposal to turn my dream into a reality. I brainstormed names and branding, and before I knew it, Wise&Clueless was born. I chose that name because I’d always been told by older peers that I was “wise beyond my years,” but as a senior preparing to graduate and begin her adult life, I had never felt less wise. I was confused and yearning for someone to give me some insight into what to expect during my next steps. I figured I couldn’t be the only young woman out there navigating this uncharted territory, so I make the choice to write about it.

It’s been a little over a year since I started, and our small community is growing every day. I’ve featured prominent female leaders in my community on the blog, I’ve written about my transition from high school to college, and much more. Though I’m at the beginning of my brand journey, I have so many big ideas and possibilities for the future that I can’t wait to put into practice!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
When I’m home from school and not writing, I’m working with Jenni G Jewelry, a Pittsburgh small business selling quality, long-lasting, staple jewelry pieces. It’s because of this job that I’ve truly been able to get to know, and fall in love with, my city.

I’d advise coming to Pittsburgh in the summer when the city is most alive. We’d start the day with a yoga class at Amazing Yoga, a studio in Shadyside, PA. Their hot, power, vinyasa classes are sure to make you sweat yet leave you feeling peaceful and empowered, We’d do breakfast afterwards either at Pamela’s, for a classic diner experience, or Lucid Juice, for a fresh smoothie bowl. After breakfast, we’d traverse downtown into the Terminal Strip District for their Saturday vendor market. So many small businesses come from all over the city to pop up here. You can peruse the streets, grab coffee at Bitty and Beau’s, and dance to the musical selections of the DJ. It’s the perfect summertime vibe. During the market, we can get matching permanent bracelets from Jenni G Jewelry before heading out. By now, it’s probably late afternoon, the perfect time to go see a Pittsburgh Pirates baseball game. Nothing beats the feeling of sitting in the hot sun, cheering on the team, and (my favorite part) judging their walk-up songs. After the game, we can end the night at Mercurio’s, an Italian eatery with delicious pizza and refreshing gelato.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d love to give a shoutout to my cousin, Muffy Mendoza. We had a conversation before I started school about what to expect going into an industry like journalism. I expressed my desire for authentic storytelling and asked what I could do to start my professional journey. It was because of her advice that I was inspired to start my blog, Wise&Clueless, and create a space for myself in and already saturated field.

Website: https://wiseclueless.wixsite.com/mysite

Instagram: nadia.rosalinda27 AND wise.clueless.official

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nadia-commodore-113668171/