Juliana Linares Øverland, Creator and Blogger
Brazilian actress, writer, blogger, and communicator. A former lawyer and language instructor at Berlitz Language Center. Norwegian and Brazilian citizens. Pedagogue at a school in Stavanger - Norway. Blogger on WordPress. Juliana is married to a Norwegian man and mother. I practice a positive mindset and meditation. I like to spend time outdoors, hiking, cycling, doing yoga, and travelling. My current project as an actress is a self-tape video. I am currently writing a book; it will be my first novel.
What is your favourite social media platform, and why?
I'd say Instagram because I get to use all the ways of communication I like the most: writing texts, making videos, taking pictures, acting, and doing Livestream.
Tell us about you and your current role or area of interest.
I write for the blog Making Norway My Home. It's a blog about life in Norway from my point of view. My goal is to integrate immigrants into Norwegian society. I bring information, inspiration, my mistakes and challenges, as well as how I've overcome them. I am writing a book on the same subject.
At Clubhouse, I share my experience as an immigrant, my positive mindset practice, my experience as a professional actress. Here in Stavanger, I am a member of the board directors of an international theatre group called BATS. We're not performing right now due to the pandemic, but we usually have three different plays a year. I also work as a pedagogue at school.
What do you like about your career or area of focus?
As an actor, I love to take the audience to a higher level, when they can reflect about themselves and their lives, as well as I love to entertain and bring relief and joy. As a writer, one of my passions is to motivate, inspire and help others to feel integrated and included, to have a happier life. I like the contact with the audience at the theatre and also on social media.
I like to bring good humour to people's lives. I also work to stop prejudice that both Norwegians and foreigners may sometimes have against each other. I feel rewarded when I prepare newcomers for the Norwegian lifestyle, weather, etc., through my blog and Instagram. I also show Norwegians that foreigners are important and need to be included.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
I got this advice from my friend Andrea: "When you come to Norway, don't think only that the Norwegians may be strange for you, but remember that you may be strange for them too". That advice has changed the way I see the locals. It has helped me put myself in their shoes. This way, I am more proactive. For example, I smile first, and I often get their smiles back.
What inspires you, motivates you, or helps you to move forward?
My audience motivates me to move forward. The positive feedback I get when I see that they like my positive inspiration and useful information helps me continue and make more plans and projects. When I see that I can make a difference and help them as much as I managed to help myself to feel happier and integrated in Norway, I believe that once you have an amount of knowledge and life experience, you should share it and help others.
The Norwegian sense of community also inspires me. I admire that. I also feel the urge to share and communicate with other immigrants now during the pandemic, as I miss my homeland Brazil even more. This network inspires and comforts me. Nature inspires me to write. Meeting amazing, talented and generous people also inspires me a big deal. I've met some of them on Clubhouse and Instagram. Last but not least: I love being a mother. That's my biggest motivation in life.
What are you proud of in your life so far?
First of all, I am proud of the way I have raised my family: with love, generosity, respect, inclusion, quality time. My good relationship with my family, friends, colleagues, readers, followers, fans makes me proud. I like people, and I feel proud of making good friends and keeping them. I am proud of my acting career, the soap operas I have done in Brazil. I have worked hard to build my acting career. It's such a competitive market. I am proud of my accomplishments. I am proud of the blog I have created. And the personal and professional skills I have developed. I am proud of my capability to learn from my mistakes and not give up.
What is your preferred way to meet new people/network?
Clubhouse and Instagram.
What skills or qualities do you feel have helped you?
Positiveness, good sense of humour, spirituality, creativity and proactivity.
What do you wish you had known when you started out?
Life is in constant change. Be flexible, be open to making new paths. When I chose to have a family and to move to Norway, I thought I was leaving all my dreams behind. I had no idea that I could find new ways, and then new dreams can be as good as the old ones.
Who do you most admire in business, academic or creative circles and why?
Gisele Bündchen, Lilian Cardoso, Steve Jobs, Deepak Chopra are a few examples of many professionals that I admire. I also admire those amazing creatives that have shared their experience on Clubhouse with newbies. Some advice was really precious. Gisele, Lilian and Deepak give inspiration to a better life, a better self. They give back to the community the background they have gathered in their careers. Gisele is engaged in environmental causes. Lilian gives precious advice to writers about self-knowledge and marketing. Steve Jobs, what to say. He was a genius. I admire his creativity.
Outside of your professional/work area, what hobbies or interests do you have or what other areas of your life are of real importance to you?
Contact with nature is essential for me. I like gardening; I do what I can to recycle and produce less trash. I love music. I like to eat healthy food and work out. I love to be with my family and friends. I also like to go to museums as I am interested in history.
Has the pandemic had a positive or a negative effect on you and/or your business, and how have you been managing it?
The pandemic has boosted my writing. I've been taking an online course for writers. I have interacted more online, and I have reached more people. That has helped my business to grow. I have also found more opportunities to connect with experienced professionals, got useful and meaningful tips. As for the acting, I've been making reels videos on Instagram and connecting with other artists online.
Do you have a mentor, or have you ever mentored anyone?
Not officially. The one I tried was busy. Then I have had chats and conversations with professionals that inspire me. I have gotten some nice feedback from readers, immigrants. I'd like to believe that I have been a mentor for them. I would like to be a mentor in the near future.
What advice would you have for someone looking to get into the same area of work or interests?
Find something you really like to do. You have to practice a lot, study, and dedicate time. There will be times when you may want to give up, but if this is your passion, what fills your heart with joy, then you're on the right path. Keep going because the view after the turn is amazing and totally worth it.
What do you feel is the most common reason for people failing or giving up?
The attachment to an expectation, lack of resilience, and impatience.
Is there a phrase, quote or a saying that you really like?
"Let your light shine."
What companies, brands, or institutions do you like or do you think are getting it right?
Those who are environmentally friendly and that respect the employees' dignity.
How do you define success, and what lessons have you learned so far that you could share with our audience/readership?
Success is the peaceful feeling when you lay your head on the pillow before you sleep at night and you know you've done your best. Impacting yourself and others positively is success to me.