One day of my life

Self-care is everything! Queen sugar Star Dawn-Lyen Gardner A busy woman, she still makes time for herself.

The 40-year-old actress played the leading actress Charlie Boderon West in the OWN series. It’s the 6th season now. Since its debut in September 2016..Show based on Natalie BasileThe 2014 novel of the same name follows three brothers living in the countryside of Louisiana. The brothers have to decide what to do with their father’s sugar cane farm after his father’s sudden death.

creator Ava DuVernay Implemented the initiative Use only female directors from the beginning in the show, Set a positive tone.

“It really changed the game a lot,” Gardner explained during his February appearance. real.. “Working with all the female directors for five years in my life has actually completely changed the definition of directors. Ava was the first female director I worked with on television. Yes, and then 34 women. At some level as an actor, it was possible even for myself, just by looking at who was in control and who was in leadership. I think it really completely changed. Your own dream of fully embodying yourself, more fully embodying your work, and perhaps someday for yourself. “

Not only did this directive change Gardner’s life, but it also changed the entire field of television. “It was really an emotional change for me, and I am, very grateful for the show and Ava for that initiative,” she continued. “I think it changed the game for me and for the other actors, but it definitely changed the game for the industry.”

The Juilliard graduate looked back on her character’s journey earlier this year. “What emerged from the fight against affiliation is that we don’t wait for the space to be created. She creates it,” she said. Emmy magazine.. “And when she did it from a more authentic place, based on connectivity rather than self-service, we saw the process. Now it’s less frustrated and more rooted. I feel. Playing it was a very delicious trip for me. “

Gardner does a lot of professional work, but when not in a set, he focuses on self-care and work-life balance, including power naps, training, meditation, and reading.

Want to see Gardner’s Day in action? Continue scrolling through the photos below to see how she spends her time.