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Every timeViola Davisopens her mouth, inspiring, thought-provoking advice comes spilling out.
Steve Granitz / Getty
“You have to listen to them, they know the road.
I venture to practice that myself, and I take advice.
You have to trust the one whos been there.
Here are just a few of the best lessons we can all learn from her.
Otherwise Im going to torture myself, and Im not about torturing myselfnot at 52.
For her, working out is about staying physically strong and mentally balanced.
It’s not to change herself to match some manufactured ideal.
I always look at those commercials with the actress who has lost a ton of weight.
They always show the big self and the skinny self, and theyre kicking the big self away.
I dont like that,” she says.
“Dont kick her, love herthats you.
I dont feed myself a mantra that suppresses the negativity, she says.
Im not a piece of Teflon, Im a human being.
She adds, “Everything that I am is enougheven my anger and my failures.
If I dont feel like smiling, I dont smile.
I get with friends or my husband and express the frustration.
She says that learning tovent her negative feelingshas has positive effects on her health.
I used to wake up in the middle of the night in torture, she says.
I dont do that anymore.
She says she also turns to essential oils to help her relax.
Her favorite blends areAura Cacia Chill PillandPillow Potion($11 each).
“So if I start out in the morning with myself, then Im good to go.”
Daviss morning routine starts in the gym.
Then she spends some time in her Jacuzzi or steam room, and she finishes up with skincare.
My ideal day off is having no agenda, nothing scheduled,” she tells me.
Then go toTargetand browse the aisles.
Her number one guilty Target buy?
Its got to be clothes for my daughter, she admits.
They have the greatest clothes for kids, and I always get at least $200 worth of stuff.
My husband doesnt know that.