Living in Color with Michelle Lindsay

I sat down with my friend Michelle Lindsay to talk about color, but this conversation went somewhere deeper.

What started as getting dressed and adding color back into your life turned into a conversation about alignment, identity, and what happens when you stop doing everything in your own strength.

If you’ve been moving fast, feeling a little off, or sensing there might be a different way to live, this one might meet you right where you are.

We talk about confidence, faith, and the simple shifts that can change how you feel in your life, starting with something as everyday as your closet.

Enjoy!

Learn more about Carla:
Website: https:/www.carlareeves.com/

Get The Differently Journal:
https://carlareeves.com/journal

Connect on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/differentlyco/
Connect on LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reevescarla/
Connect on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@differentlythepodcast

Go to https://carlareeves.com/free-class to get The Class schedule, sign up, and/or pass it on to a friend.  Come hang out and learn with us for FREE!

Book a Complimentary Strategy Call with Carla:  https://bookme.name/carlareeves/strategycall

• If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to share it with a friend. 
• A free way to support our show is by leaving a five-star rating and review on your favorite podcast player. It’s a chance to tell us what you love about the show and it helps others discover it, too. 

Thank you for listening!

Transcript

Why Deep Change Starts Within

SPEAKER_00 0:00

A deep change in the way that we live requires a deep change in the way that we think. I'm Carla Reeves, and this is differently. I have Michelle Lindsay, my friend here today, who's a um studio owner and stylist with House of Color. Welcome, Michelle. Thank you, Carla. I'm excited to sit and have a conversation with you. Um Michelle and I met, gosh, was it last year?

SPEAKER_01 0:31

Yeah, it was a year ago in April at the Purpose Gathering conference. I was reflecting on that this morning. But yeah, what was I doing during this month last year where there were some of the milestones? And yeah, meeting you with one of them.

SPEAKER_00 0:45

Yeah. So Ashley Frehan had an event called the Purpose Gathering, and we met there. And then I had the honor of being in the collective with you as well, which is a gathering of um faith-based business owners. And then I got to experience your work. And so after doing that, I thought it would be so fun to have you on to just talk all things color.

SPEAKER_01 1:11

Yeah. Yeah. I mean, it's been two or three months. How long has it been since you?

SPEAKER_00 1:17

I don't even know if it's been that lower summer. Just like a month. Okay. I'm a I'm a baby. I'm a newbie.

Leaving Corporate For Flexibility

SPEAKER_01 1:28

Yeah. Yeah. It's um, it's, I, you know, I every day um I think in the studio, seeing so many people and like so many faces. Sometimes it's like, I can't forget like how long ago. I'll remember the the colors for that person and what they thrived in, but I'll I like can't necessarily always remember like when that happened happened. That part is a blur. The faces aren't a blur, but like when it happened, I think is a blur.

SPEAKER_00 2:00

Uh, I'm sure. So tell people, tell like tell my listener a little bit about you, what season of life you're in, and then definitely about what you're doing as far as your work these days.

SPEAKER_01 2:13

Yeah. So I left the corporate world a couple of years ago um after scaling the corporate ladder um and kind of reaching a point as a young mom. Um married young mom with so I've got a four-year-old and an eight-year-old, where the corporate schedule wasn't really accommodating to their needs and just needing to be like more hands-on and available. And I found myself, um, at least at the role that I had leveled up to as a VP, um, that the demands were like a lot of working outside of traditional normal hours and to get, you know, projects done because it's more project-based. And um so yeah, I think I've been reflecting that I wanted flexibility and more control over my schedule. Um, I think I would have said that yes, it fully was because of my family's needs, but I think part of it was just to like um escape to find like more freedom. And then um while I was in the corporate world, I treated myself to a color analysis because I had lost my sense of style. I didn't have as much time to get ready every day. And so um I arrived at a place where I think even post-COVID, I was just in survival mode with getting ready and my morning routine. So that just looked like comfort, didn't really consider color. Um, yeah, mostly just like the feel of the clothing, I think is all I was cognizant of. Um, but because I was on Zoom calls so often and having to see my face for presentations at work, I saw something that made me feel blah, not my best.

unknown 4:18

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 4:19

And I think mentally day in and day out seeing that then. Anyway, so fast forward, I was like, oh, remember how great it felt when all of a sudden I discovered what colors to start with wearing. So I um had that in-person.

SPEAKER_00 4:39

So where in that journey, like, would was your color analysis analysis compared to your like thinking like I've got to get out of here and make a big change? Like, how close were those events? A year. So you had the color analysis a year prior?

unknown 4:58

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 4:59

That's so fascinating. Okay.

Color Analysis Sparks Confidence

SPEAKER_01 5:02

Yeah, it was pretty quick. Like it was at the very beginning of um the new role and getting an increase in compass compensation, I think, justified in my head that like I can gift this to myself, you know, as like a reward. But um, yeah, when I just saw how intentional color, discovering what color harmony is, um, researching even just the impact that it has on the brain. Um, and then living in, you know, colors that made me happy and aligned with my skin and my features that God gave me. I felt a major shift in confidence at at work, like on the Zoom calls. And then I think just even joy, like fun. When I stepped into my closet, there was a shift in like um, I don't know, my my outlook on that space. It wasn't something that I like dreaded or even just um had a lack of thinking about. It was actually something that I looked forward to. And um I think starting your day, getting ready intentionally with color that can spark joy sets a tone for the rest of your life. So the rest of your day, the community, everybody who interacts with you afterwards. So I had always been in change management in the corporate world. And so I think that freedom from my job and then knowing that I loved helping people in seasons of change motivated me to think I could do this. What if I was a color analysis expert also? Um, there seems to be a lot of interest in it because of social media. Um I had a lot of people in my community who thought I would be good at it too. So um I just had to present like the business model kind of um, the investment and how I could make it back to my husband. And then once we were on the same page about that, um, I went off to training and came back and just full throttled every day of the week was helping people figure out how to feel confident um and shift the way that everybody gets ready. So it's almost like habit stacking, like just shift the way that they're already their built-in routine already, but do it in such a way that you know they can experience transformation and joy and all of that. So um yeah, but I think recently I I mean I've been realizing that I don't know if my heart motives going into this, you know, or fully right. I feel like God's been like refining that because I think just like I was a workaholic in the corporate world, I can be a workaholic here too.

SPEAKER_00 8:24

Yeah, well, I wanted to kind of touch on that because one, like that has been my journey too. And I think it's the journey of a lot of people that are following this podcast and are attracted to the work I do, our high achievers and people that, yeah, if we're not careful, you know, I call it your survival model. But if you're not careful, you can just kind of go recreate that in a different environment, right? Which I think is sort of what you've shared that you did, right? When in the collective, like you got back on that, you know, kind of pouring yourself into the color world and then found yourself in a similar spot. I think. Is that true?

unknown 9:04

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 9:04

And then you've made some really major adjustments to bring all that into alignment. And so I'd love for you to speak to that a little bit.

SPEAKER_01 9:15

I mean, I think it's this testament that you can make anything into an idol, and when a good thing becomes the ultimate thing, um, yeah, we're it's easy for everyone to fall into that trap. It's really sneaky and easy. Um, because we are created to worship, and so if we're not guarding what our eyes are seeing and our ears are hearing and the influence that is on us, um, then we might find ourselves like in a sense, right? Like worshiping something that doesn't deserve that the best of us and all of our resources and our attention, um, because our worship is intended just for God.

SPEAKER_02 10:04

So true.

SPEAKER_01 10:04

Yeah, he's the only one who can satisfy that. So um, yeah, I think at the end of last year, I wanted to be really successful in what I was doing. Um I have been a high achiever like my whole life. I mentioned like climbing the corporate ladder was the goal, not just being in the corporate world. And so I can see that repeating itself over my lifetime from a young age. Um, I think part of it is being goal-oriented, which I think is great. But then the other half of it, like you named, like survival mode. Um, but like at my core, the the like little, the inner kid in Michelle struggles with believing that I have any value or any worth apart from how successful or productive I am, that no one would want to spend time with me or invest in me if I don't have that to offer. And if it's like really obvious that that's what I offer. And so, man, I scaled fast. I was breaking records. So, House of Color is a franchise-based company. And so um I remember with my training cohort, like we check in every day. So the other gals who are becoming color analysis experts and small business owners at the same time, that's like your support system. Um, you're all in it together. There were about 10 of us. And I just remember what I was saying that I was doing on a daily basis was very different than the pace at which they were doing things. And it was interesting because my pride might grew a lot in that. Um, where I was like, oh my gosh, I am doing so good. Like then crushing it in comparison to these women. And um, you know, on the corporate emails they'd send like once a quarter, I would always see like in the top 20, top 15 list out of, you know, hundreds of franchises across the world as high revenue performing. And so I scaled very quickly to six figures, um, brought on two employees, and I was like out to prove that I could do something in House of Color that no one else could. And let me point out, like, I could do was the belief not God could do. And so the I could do um mentality freaking burnt me out by the end of the year. I had nothing left. I mean, energy-wise, um what I had packaged as like a decision to be more available for my family was not the case at all. I did not have any energy for them. Wow. Um and so yeah, that's that's where I go when I don't invite God into every part of my life, including work. Yeah, and um yeah, I think I saw myself for sure as the one in charge and as the CEO, essentially says, and not God as the CEO of my business.

SPEAKER_00 13:43

What were the like nudges or moments that like woke you up to that realization that something had to shift?

SPEAKER_01 13:58

You know, I don't know if I could even really pinpoint if there was a moment. Um part of that is probably my my like neurodivergence, even I struggled with memory.

SPEAKER_00 14:12

Um well, and it might not have been a moment, it might have been a series of things, right? Yeah. But what got your attention?

When Success Becomes An Idol

SPEAKER_01 14:21

I do so I do think that a year ago at the the purpose gathering conference, I do think that that was a networking, what I perceived as like a networking space that kind of like alerted me. Your awoke me, yeah, to like, wow, how good it feels and how tired I was. And I think I allowed that for the week and then said, gotta close it up because the only way that I can survive and keep going at this pace is to suppress those those feelings that have come up. And so just going back into like robot mode, instead of laying the burdens and the emotions and the exhaustion at the feet of Jesus, I was just like, nope, I'm just gonna keep on figuring it out. Power through. So I think that was the first. And then um, yeah, I think there were different people that God had then placed in my life from that moment on that like kind of had, I guess, like like a reminder sort of an effect. Um until I just hit rock button and was like, oh, I can't, I like physically can't. I don't want to get up out of bed. I don't have the energy to, I feel like I'm gonna break down during appointments. Um you know, just being light-bedded because I don't have enough like energy because I'm standing up the whole time, just like so feeling like the physical and emotional impact, like empty inside.

SPEAKER_00 16:13

Yeah. I think that was similar in my story too, where it's like on the outside, people might not have known, and I have a feeling it was that way for you, um, because I wouldn't have known that was going on for you when I met you. Um but inside I was running on empty. Um and so, Michelle, like you are a very different um person today than when I first met you and and your when your journey in the collective. And so, how could you? I want to get to talk about color too, and all you're doing in my experience with you, but can you capture like a little bit of what happened between then and like what you're doing and experiencing now and how God has, you know, you've allowed God in and what is trans transformed?

SPEAKER_01 17:06

Yeah, the Holy Spirit is so good. God is so kind, um, in that He allowed me to feel like the depravity, like the loneliness, the emptiness, that I wasn't like immune to it, that I could actually feel that, and that it felt bad. Um to get bad enough to like get my attention to be like, oh, something needs to shift or what's off here, or like to be motivated to take a step back, I guess, and like reevaluate what's going on. Um, I think if I if he hadn't allowed me to experience that, I think if the Holy Spirit hadn't like like activated this like pull back to Jesus the way that he did, I mean I'd probably still be doing it, right? Because that's my default. But he was kind enough to redirect me. Yeah. He's kind enough to redirect me and offer me resources, um, relationships, um, community. Um that reminded me of like God's kingdom and how different God's kingdom pursues abundance from the way that the world um pursues abundance. And um yeah, I I think I'm trying to like remember your like initial question because my brain is already um just like what has transformed. So like how does that translate to your like day and the way that you're operating and moving actions I yeah, so the act um so the actions that I took after experiencing this like sense of depravity and loneliness um was like going to scripture um and seeing very clearly that like and be feeling very convicted that like these the way that I was spending in my time and the voices that I was allowing to influence my decision making was not of him. And I needed to cut off those things, even though they were good things maybe for some people, um, not for me. And so I needed to just be done with it altogether. Um, and then I think he was kind enough, right? Like the networking groups that I was a part of and very committed to. He was kind enough then to give like a replacement pretty early. I mean, early on. It wasn't like there was a weird in-between, right? Like it was really clear that the the space um in the collective was like a safe haven as I'm reorienting the way that I go about life. And so replacing old rhythms with new rhythms, just having like a weekly check-in connection point regroup. Um, you know, my brain needed that consistency in order and like repeat, just like with my, I tell my clients with like embracing new colors, right? That they might not have in their wardrobe used to wear to wearing. I I needed that cadence to create a new rhythm and um and to trust, to trust that God would show up and that God would still provide and take care of me if I went about doing things differently. And that meant releasing the whole like idea of like I could do things, like the things that I could do in my business and achieve, and like releasing that and in inviting um and partnering with God in what he could do. So I I my rhythm looks like now Monday through Friday, it did look like opening up my computer, my laptop, or my phone and immediately addressing one of the things that I I heard in a business networking group was like only address the stuff that makes you money. That should be top of mind. That's the first thing that you should be doing is what makes you money. And then let all the other stuff go. That's what you need to be focused on first. So even though that's not biblical at all, and I knew that. I'm like, oh, well, she's a really successful businesswoman. So she knows. Right. And so then I let that voice be really loud. And that's what I was doing. And so that would also really interrupt the morning routine for getting the kids, you know, ready to go to school. Um, being available to check in and see how my husband's doing, like to just start the day as a family unit. It was like, no, immediately I was starting the day in work mode. That was my identity. So then, yeah, now, now it looks like I wake up, not gonna lie, I still can go to my phone sometimes and like see a notification. And my husband is kind enough to be like, no, no, no, no, no. And I'm like, you're right, you're right. And then I just immediately have to like reorient myself to attention for the humans in my home. Um, have my like eyes on them. Um, we listen to now when we do school drop-off, we listen to my daughter calls it kid Jesus music. So that's cute. Honestly, honestly, like even that's just like a simple tweak that I think has made a huge difference too in my headspace and their headspace of like we were listening to music that I mean wasn't inappropriate, but it wasn't centered on Christ. And so it's not like we were like singing worship songs to God before on the way to school drop-off. And now we are, and I love that. And I'm okay with those kid Jesus songs being stuck in my head.

SPEAKER_02 23:38

Like, I'm okay with that.

SPEAKER_01 23:41

Um so that looks different, and then right after school drop-off, then I go to get coffee and read scripture and pray. And that also completely reorients and reminds my mind and my heart and my body. Like, I'm doing things differently. I'm meant to do things differently. Um, and to be more aware then of like what's happening, what's God doing around me, what's God inviting me into, instead of predetermining what gets my detention or what gets my attention, and like, you know, just being focused on the revenue goal.

SPEAKER_00 24:30

Wow. That is so beautiful. I I just I thank you so much for being so open about sharing all of that. Um, I know that it relates to my story, and I know that people listening are gonna, it's gonna relate to their story too.

SPEAKER_01 24:47

Um it's it's so simple, right?

New Rhythms That Restore Life

SPEAKER_00 24:50

It's so simple, it really is. Um, but like I but it's so different, you know, and I think like I remember like learning like we're called to be different, but like in this world, like what you're describing, it does look different. It looks really different, and I think there is so much fear that like you're gonna lose your edge or you're gonna lose whatever, right? And in my experience and watching you, it couldn't be that couldn't be more of a lie. Thank you for saying that. Yeah, because we don't like I don't know. My experience now is I don't have to do it on empty, I feel full, I feel alive. Life is so rich. Like, I was missing so many moments in my life because I wasn't doing what you just said, like looking around and like being aware and keeping my eyes open to what God has for me, because it's always so much better. Oh my gosh. A like blow your mind, right? Like you couldn't have even thought of it or fathomed it the way he does. Yeah. Okay, so let's transition to what you're doing because I think it's so beautiful, and I have an experience of it, and I'm experiencing like the gift of what you do. And so you talked a little bit about color harmony, yay! Um, what is what is color harmony? And like give people a little paint a picture of what you actually do when somebody signs up for a color analysis. And then you can ask me questions about my experience too.

SPEAKER_01 26:41

Yeah. So, I mean, for anybody hearing this, you you might it's becoming more common, I think, because of social media. So, like that was what led me to even realizing that it was an option. I saw something on Instagram about, you know, a recording video of someone having all these different colors put on, and it looked like her face was changing, even though it wasn't. And then, you know, the way then that changed the way that she dressed. So just like seeing this like transformation kind of like happen right in front of your eyes. Um, so color harmony, God created because he created light very beginning. Um, and color is our brain's interpretation of light. And um I don't know why he made us to interpret color or love color harmony. Um, but we do, and it's just he didn't have to be kind enough to allow us to experience that on this side of heaven. Um does, I think it's a foretaste and a foreshadowing of the kingdom, and you read Revelation, and there's so much specific color described, it's really cool. I was just reading about that last night. Such specific color naming. Um, and so color harmony is when um just like you hear music and it the instruments and the voices harmonize and complement one another, or when you taste a dish where the ingredients all come together and just your taste buds love it. That's it's attached to our our sense, right? And our brain loves when a bunch of things come together and they're aligned and they almost like make the experience complete. And so that's what happens when God created each of us as humans with unique coloring as his image bearers. Our unique coloring is a reflection of him as a creative creator, yeah, creative. Yeah, I mean, and Revelation is just talking about all the different colors, even of God. And I'm just like, oh my gosh, it's mind blowing. So, anyway, so each of us kind of reflects that part of God in different ways, and so because um of light and how our brain interprets light, um, yeah, like we all appear, like we have different color, and then when we during an appointment, I get to show people when we pair another color that is similar to, aligned with, um it creates harmony and our brains love it, and it has this visual impact of like glow, filter, completeness. Like our brain thinks when we see color harmony, oh, that makes sense. I love that, and it's so quick and subconscious, it's a really cool thing phenomena. Um, but I get to show what color harmony looks like for people on their bodies every day. So they come in and they sit in my chair, I put on like all these different colored fabrics, and they get to see what I was kind of describing about like your skin changing, the way you interpret if it's in harmony or not, like right in front of their eyes in the mirror. They get to see that happening. And then I empower them with the tools to then be able to like find those colors that they experienced in my studio, to go out and find those colors themselves, put them in their home, put them on their bodies so that they can feel aligned, experience that like aha sense of peace and alignment every day before they go out, you know, and do whatever it is, work, hanging out with friends, um, the gym, pajamas, and um pajamas. Pajamas. And the thing is too, like it doesn't it doesn't have to be even for other people to like see and like it. Um you're totally you feel it.

SPEAKER_00 31:30

It's for you, you feel it too, yes. That is so cool. Um, so question because it does it have anything to do with eye color or hair color? Because I feel like that's what we were always taught, and I guess it isn't about that.

SPEAKER_01 31:49

Yeah, so there are now different just like bar or yoga or Pilates, there are like kind of different methods that use similar tools. Yeah. And but the training, the teaching, kind of the facilitation looks different, has different flavors, right? And so I am trained um in house of colors method, which we find that color harmony is focused on your skin. Like your skin doesn't change, your eye color can change, and your hair color can change. But um, when we're looking at color harmony with your undertones, your undertones you're just born with, and those remain consistent. There's no variables that can actually touch that layer of tissue. And so the reason why House of Color does that is because they want to be the most precise. And when you are comparing it to like a controllable, because the appointment's almost like a science experiment, right? Trying all these different things and seeing what the results lead to. Um, when you are changing all these different variables, in this case, the color, um, comparing it to undertones, a layer of skin tissue that remains consistent throughout someone's life, and that does not change, that allows for the most precise, you know, like it yields um, yeah, it yields the best because people spend a lot of money after their appointment, you know, or they're investing in things afterwards. And so we want to give them the most precise answers so that they feel like they're making good investments. Um, but yeah, I don't, I don't know where that started. Like it's kind of like the everybody can wear black thing that we hear too from a young age, and it's a really great option and staple.

SPEAKER_00 33:46

I think it's just cultural. It's so crazy. So I went to see Michelle because, well, I had just I had seen your work, I had seen you, and like you can't see her, but she's in a bright, beautiful blue. And like every time I saw you, you were so you're so put together. Um, and you just look beautiful. Or you'd see my what?

SPEAKER_01 34:10

You'd see me, you'd see me putting myself together on some of the calls.

SPEAKER_00 34:15

We're literally you were putting it was so on brand.

SPEAKER_01 34:17

She's putting on her makeup or go from the gym to the studio and you guys can get to witness.

SPEAKER_00 34:23

While we're on the call. That was so great. I loved that actually. Um and and I'd heard Ashley had done it. And so like I was curious about it, but I like at first I hadn't really thought about doing it. And then like, I'm just in a new season and I'm getting older, and like my closet was just I've done some things to like wake up my style life. And I always thought it was like I just did wasn't good at putting things together, like putting outfits together. And um, and I started to realize that my whole closet was like neutral and like black and cream and brown, like so bad. Like I wish I had taken a picture of my closet before and now, because it's literally all color, Michelle. And I had some of, you know, I had some of things tucked away and then I did. Like I went and got some things too. And so I don't have a lot of clothes, but they're all color. And my experience of getting dressed is totally different, like you said. I don't feel as stressed. It doesn't matter as much what I put, like what I put together. It's the color that matters. Yeah. You had said to me, like, you're it's like things are gonna make sense to you after this appointment. And I realized when I went back to my closet, the things that I love were all a color and in my palette. And like that's when I felt calmest, calmest and most relaxed and most beautiful was when I was in something like that. Even if it was just a frumpy old green sweatshirt, you know, I still felt my prettiest in that. And like it's so crazy. So it has changed my life in a really big way. And you said to me, like, go get pajamas, like your husband will love it. And I literally I didn't tell you this, but I went back home and I had bought a pair of like a little spaghetti strap tank with um like sweatpants in periwinkle blue before I ever met with you. And I got home and I'm like, I don't even have to buy the pajamas. I have them. I had taken them to Costa Rica and I never wore them. And so, like that was such a treat, like such simple things, but I feel like it's just filled my life again with color and like how we can do that, how we can let go of things that like bring us joy and like not even realize it. Um, like I just I don't know, I don't know how my closet got so drab, honestly. Um and then I think the other thing you showed me is like I felt like because I'm getting older, I need to like wear more makeup. And when I went and saw you, you're you gave me like that tinted sunscreen. I'm like, well, don't I need something more? And you're like, I don't think so. Like, I think it's better to be natural. Or and like that just gave me freedom too. Cause I don't I didn't want more makeup, I've never been a big makeup person, you know? And like just how simple a lip gloss in the right color could make a difference, or the brand switching to brown mascara, like just the simple things that you shared. Um, it's just brought a lot of joy to my life. So I thank you, my friend, for what you do.

What Color Harmony Really Means

SPEAKER_01 37:55

I'm so, so, so glad that you shared all of that, Carla. Like that makes me to my core feel so good. Um yeah, I pray that that's what happens, you know, for every human, if not right away, um, eventually, that's come through my studio because I think it is a foretaste of God's kingdom, like what heaven will be like, like what you're experiencing and describing.

SPEAKER_00 38:32

Well, and it's like I was just reading that like our gifts, like our God-given gifts are not ours, they're for others, which I thought was so beautiful. Um, but like if I'm in my own way and I'm fixated on myself, or I don't feel my best, or I'm like, oh, like just don't feel good, then I can't go out and shine God's light, you know, because I'm focused on myself. You're distracted. Like the work you do. It's like I can just get in my clothes now and like feel great and and then just go do my thing. And for you know, when I was young, um in front of the mirror, like spending way too much time getting ready for something, my mom would say, Um, forget yourself and go have a good time. And like I hated it. I would get so mad at her. Like, I didn't not outwardly, but inwardly, I would be mad because I think I probably knew she was right at that time. But like I've thought about that so many times in my life. Like I tell myself that a lot. Um, and it's not like in a bad way, but it's like just set yourself down and just go out and be in the world and let God's light shine through you, you know. Forget about yourself. And I I think that that the color actually helps me to spend less time on those things because, like you said, they naturally bring out something in you that God made, and you can relax into that.

SPEAKER_01 40:08

Yeah, I think similar I remember my pastor saying that um it's not thinking of yourself less, it's just thinking about yourself less.

SPEAKER_00 40:23

Yes, I've heard that too, and I love that. Not thinking less of yourself, but thinking about yourself less or something. I can't, I can't, I don't remember exactly how it went, but yes.

SPEAKER_01 40:35

Yeah, so that you can be present and available to aware of to what God's doing, the people in front of you, the places that he has you. Because I think, I mean, dudes are probably this way too, but I think for women, we can really live in our heads. Um and if we're distracted by our thoughts and our insecurities and all of that, or the next output that we need to get, um, or you know, just consuming nonstop, shopping nonstop, whether it's for like makeup or accessories or whatever. Um we have we have less we have less like availability for the Lord and for his image bearers.

SPEAKER_00 41:27

Well, and I found like I remember you saying that it would change the way you shop and consume. And I mean, I went out shopping, I think after I saw you, and I was like, what, like it was a whole different experience walking in a store because I immediately like it was like, no, no, no, no. Maybe yes. It like eliminated so much, which I think is great. Yeah, it like narrows your focus on what you're looking for. And I think you even said like you don't need as much. Um, yeah, so beautiful. So tell me, like, what are your favorite moments in um this experience with someone? Oh my gosh.

SPEAKER_01 42:13

Um my gosh, that's such a good question. Okay, so I think my least favorite part is like when I'm welcoming the person and they're like, I'm nervous, and I'm like, oh, like I hate that like this kind of stuff, just because of our culture and society, like it brings that up, you know. But then I think the part then and the opposite end that's my favorite is when all of a sudden you like see it in people's facial expressions, um, as they see, like it's probably at the end, um, all of these colors that harmonize with one another, that are in harmony with the client and their skin and their features, like it just all is aligned and like they see that and they feel it. And oftentimes it's for the first time in their lives, right?

SPEAKER_02 43:13

Wow.

Skin Undertones Versus Hair And Eyes

SPEAKER_01 43:15

And that is a complete opposite of how many walk in feeling anxious and nervous and confused, and um so yeah, I I mean it's probably at the end. Um and I'm such an expressive person that sometimes I will just have inappropriate reactions or stare for too long, like they're just a work of art, you know? Because I'm just so I love that about you. I'm I'm just so in awe. And like I've seen over 500 clients, and that I still have that like genuine response to oh. Good. How good. It looks. I mean, because it's a visual thing, right? Like how good it is when I see. I think the other part that's probably my favorite and looks different, but the glimpses of behind the scenes when I get to hear people's, you know, we're spending two hours together. So we talk a lot. And when I get to hear the behind the scenes stories of what's going on in their lives and create space and get curious and get to hear kind of what led them to my studio, like oftentimes it's a season of some sort of transition, like age or new job, or graduating, or new relationship. And so I think God brings people into my studio and invites me to be a part of this new chapter in their story that they're writing, um, whether they're aware of that or not. Um and I selfishly get the immediate gratification of seeing that new chapter being written, like right in front of me in the way that they see themselves. So that I think that's another just that's so cool.

SPEAKER_00 45:32

Like you and I do such different things, but I work with people in transition too. Like they're, you know, and I get to see them like writing their story, and like I can completely see that from your side now. Like you get to do that in a totally different way. And I might have to start recommending color analysis. Really, like when they're like stepping out of their survival model and into their new story, like what a powerful expressive way to um couple that together. So fun.

SPEAKER_01 46:06

It's like celebrating that, right? Um my gosh, our time. So the one of the uh one of my favorite actually stories that was told as a referral for me was someone, I can't remember if I told you this. Someone um talked about me in their therapy appointment to their therapist at just how life-changing the experience was and like how it built momentum for what they were finding healing in. And so then the therapist came and saw me.

SPEAKER_00 46:34

Oh my gosh, I love that.

SPEAKER_01 46:36

And the therapist like wept in my chair herself, right? So I just think like that's the best. That's my favorite referral story.

SPEAKER_00 46:44

Oh my gosh, you guys, if you could see her face right now, she's so lit up. It's so beautiful. Yay! Oh my gosh, friend, I love what you do. If you are listening, like what a beautiful gift. I've seen like what a beautiful Mother's Day gift. What a beautiful gift to a friend. What a beautiful gift to yourself. Like, check out what Michelle is doing. And I think you can only serve people locally in Chandler. Is that right? Or can you do this?

SPEAKER_01 47:09

Well, I can serve anyone. So I can serve anyone in person. My studio is in Chandler, but you can live anywhere. I have had some people fly from out of state. But yeah, again, it goes back to the precise thing. I want to give you the most precise answers. And the way that I can achieve that is by doing it in person because our eyes can see something that a camera lens can't.

SPEAKER_00 47:33

So beautiful. Okay. I have one more question for you, and then I want you to share all the places that people can connect and find out more about what you're doing and watch these transformations because it's really fun to see what you're doing on Instagram too. Like, and it actually helps me in my new journey with color, um, get ideas and inspiration and like really see it. So that's that's really great. Um what does differently mean to you?

SPEAKER_01 48:02

Um I wanna I wanna say it's like the opposite of the norm, but I think in particular this season, I think differently to me now means um doing it God's way.

SPEAKER_00 48:18

I love that. What a beautiful full circle answer to where we started, friend. I love it.

A Closet Shift That Frees You

SPEAKER_01 48:29

Okay, so share all the places where people can find you and yeah, so um you can visit my my website is House of Color. Color is spelled with a U. Um, because we're a UK British-based company, so they just got fancy with it, but it's House of Color with a U.com slash Michelle Lindsay. And then you can read more about me, my story, um, the services that I offer. And then if you want to um, I don't know, see my appointments or my weird personality, um, how I try to live my most colorful life, um, you can follow me on Instagram. Um House of Color, SW Chandler. And um yeah, I try and keep it fun. Um, I take what I do seriously and the expertise that I offer because yeah, I want to be a good steward, but I don't take myself too seriously. So you'll probably notice that um in the behind the scenes. I can present probably on my website as very professional and put together. Um, but actually behind the scenes, I'm just a weirdo. So I love that.

SPEAKER_00 49:59

Oh my gosh. I love you, friend, and I am so grateful for you sharing your story and what you do and how we can all add more color to our life and how God fits into the whole picture because the kingdom is good, the kingdom is real, and in the kingdom is for now. I think I didn't know that for a long time. So if you're listening, yeah, I didn't know that we got to really experience the kingdom here and now, and you've you've opened the door to that for people today, and um, it's so beautiful. So thank you. You're so welcome. All right, thanks for having me. You're welcome. Have a beautiful day, a colorful day. Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Differently. Hey, if you're ready to stop circling the same thoughts and start creating real momentum, check out my coaching experiences. There's a 12-week experience for a big shift, or there's a monthly writing and coaching partnership for ongoing clarity, creativity, alignment, and momentum. You can find all the details at Carlareeves.com. And if you enjoyed this episode, please help me grow the podcast and leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts and share with someone you love. Until next time, stop surviving your life. Start creating it.