放棄在台灣知名時尚部落客的大好前程,隻身搬到巴黎,開始了夢想中的生活——她,是擁有多元身份的 MillyQ。透過專訪想更深入知道:是什麼樣的勇氣讓她願意放下其他人生選項選擇出走?實踐夢想後的心境又是如何?

MillyQ 是一個無法用單一身份定位的時尚風格部落客和作家。一直以來MillyQ 就身兼不同角色,從時尚部落客、 accro 的品牌總監、旅遊書作家 (米粒Q的巴黎私心瘋 )。更在幾年前走向國際舞台,獨自一人搬到巴黎,從零開始。現在的她,不僅活躍於各種時尚活動包括巴黎時裝周盛會等,更有遍布世界各地的忠實讀者群。

MillyQ is someone you simply cannot use a single title to define, as who she is and what she does is much more than just blogging about fashion or travel. Namely, MillyQ has played multiple roles throughout the years, including being a well-known fashion blogger, artistic director for #accro, and author of two books. Her multifaceted aspirations do not stop here. A few years ago, she moved to Paris by herself to pursue her dream and was able to successfully push herself onto the international stage. Having started from ground zero, she now participates in many prestigious fashion activities, ranging from the famous Paris Fashion Week to gaining herself an incredible amount of notoriety among readers and followers worldwide.


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MillyQ 認真生活和追尋夢想的熱忱,這麼多年來一直給許多讀者鼓勵。MillyQ 不單單認真看待她的網站每一篇文章,更以超完美態度要求自己在 Instagram 和 Facebook 發文。她的每一張照片、每一段文字,都像是藝術家對美對細節堅持的作品。她在各地旅行的遊記,不是只有照片,更有豐富的文字,帶大家認識、體會,和了解不同的文化。

延伸閱讀:柚子甜專欄|跟情人去旅行,該把「旅伴」看得比「旅行」重要

MillyQ's ambitions and her diligence towards pursuing them have been a source of inspiration for many. For instance, MillyQ has a high standard for every single blog post on her website, a perfectionism that she extends to her social media posts, including Instagram and Facebook. Suffice to say, she approaches every single one of her posts as a work of art; not only does she captures the beauty of the world through pictures, but has the vision of a true artist on how to carefully curate words to accompany them. In doing so, she affords her followers the ability to travel the world alongside her. 

夢想的執行力 Dream Catcher

夢想大家或多或少都有,但是執行力卻是決定有沒有辦法實踐夢想的關鍵之一。MillyQ 在讀者與粉絲心目中從來都是很有執行力的精神導師,這次更請她談談自己追尋夢想的故事。

這些年來 MillyQ 在台灣已經奠定非常成功的時尚部落客生涯,但她卻在兩年前毅然決定要隻身搬到巴黎。對 MillyQ 來說,這個決定是有很多因素加在一起的。一方面是自己學了五年法文之後希望能夠生活在一個全法文的環境,同時希望能夠在巴黎生活,以便更深刻地感受這個城市,與法國的文化和歷史。

Everyone has some kind of dream, but the execution of it is often a determining factor of whether or not the dream will be achieved. MillyQ is a role model for many of her readers on how to successfully chase after one's dreams, and she shares her technique about how to succeed in this interview. 

MillyQ has established a very successful fashion blogging career in Taiwan over the years. Yet, she decided to move to Paris two years ago. This did not happen overnight and it was a culmination of factors. On one hand, the decision was based on her desire to immerse herself in a completely French-speaking environment after taking French classes for five years. On the other hand, she wanted to live in Paris to experiences the city more in depth, including the French culture and history.


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「如果這是我想做的事,為什麼不去做?」夢想從來都是 MillyQ 的燃料,夢想讓她更有動力。她是一個夢想家、一個 big dreamer。她對美有很高的敏感度,對於夢想充滿熱忱。

但是這一個看似很大的決定,是怎麼樣從一個念頭與夢想成真呢?MillyQ 在做決定時會不會有掙扎呢?決定要搬到巴黎時,許多人當下是不認同這個決定或是表達擔心。對於很多人來說,MillyQ 搬到巴黎這個舉動充滿未知數。不僅僅要放棄好不容易在台灣建立起的知名時尚部落客身份,更要去一個完全陌生的新國度、新城市,重新從零開始。MillyQ 用一個非常精闢的形容分享自己如何勇敢追尋夢想。

延伸閱讀:在巴黎墓園,一趟靜止的旅行

「很多時候人不是不能下決定,而是心裡想要 A 又不願意放棄手裡的B。你要問自己的是,你有多想要?是真的真的真的很想要嗎?如果是的話,通常答案就很清晰了。」

MillyQ 從來就不會給自己很多後路,即使研究所畢業第一份工作不喜歡,也是直接先辭職再說,讓自己斷尾求生,才能衝鋒陷陣。她不會讓自己在太安逸、太溫水的環境。

 "If this is something I really want to do, why don't I do it?", says MillyQ. After all, dreams are always the fuels for MillyQ's motivation. She is a dreamer, a big dreamer. She has high sensitivity for beauty and she is passionate about her dreams.

Moving to Paris was a big decision for MillyQ. To sum up, it meant that she had to give up all she has established in Taiwan. Not only did she have to overcome her own worries, but those of others. Suffice to say, many people had expressed their concerns or even criticized her idea of moving to Paris. To them, MillyQ's decision to relocating to Paris from Taiwan was full of uncertainties. In their eyes, not only would she sacrifice all the hard work she put into making herself a well-known fashion blogger, but even worse, she would be starting from scratch in a new foreign country. Nevertheless, how did MillyQ materialize her dreams from a single thought? How did she overcome her struggles while making this big decision? To answer these questions, simply put, MillyQ used a very simple approach on how to chase after her dreams courageously. First, she shared that "oftentimes, it is not one's inability to make a decision, but one's own reluctance to let go of what you have in hand (e.g., your comfort zones, your social circles, etc.) to pursue what you want". Second, you need to ask yourself, "how much do I really want this? Do I even want it?" From her experience, if the answers to these questions are "yes", then a solution will usually present itself. MillyQ never gives herself too many backup options. Even when she did not like her first job right after graduate school, she decided to quit before she found her next big gig. To her, she would rather push herself and be a frontline warrior than to be in a comfortable, complacent, but in a mediocre environment.

所謂的選擇,是不能什麼都要。

MillyQ

 “Making a big decision is knowing that you cannot have everything," she said.


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有了夢想,要如何能夠縮小現實與夢想的距離呢?對 MillyQ 來說,有了夢想但不知道該怎麼辦,通常還需要真正下定決心。每個人的現實都不一樣,適合這個人的選擇,未必適合另一個人。有些夢想不是現階段,但可以被歸類為以後要做的。比如說學生時代很想要到歐洲旅居,那麼就可以把這列為未來要執行的夢想。很多時候擱置了夢想,當然是因為有很多不得不的情況,也許需要等待、也許需要時機、也許還需要醞釀,但也有很多情況是慣性或惰性造成,如果下了決心要追尋夢想,不要忘了時常去複習當初的選擇,記得自己的初衷。

Once you have dreams, what you need to do is shorten the distance between them and turning them into reality. MillyQ continued on, saying that the main reason people do not know what to do next after identifying their dreams is that they have not made up their minds. Every person's situation is different. The choice that is suitable for one individual may not fit for another. Some dreams may not come to fruition in the present moment but should be placed in the basket of "dreams to pursue" in the future. For example, if you are a student and want to live abroad in Europe, then you can list this dream as a goal and take incremental steps to achieve it in the future. Yet, dreams are also unfulfilled because of laziness or bad habits. Once we have decided to chase after our dreams, never forget why you started.
 

“Life is not a straight line. There are always more answers to the amount of problems and difficulties you are facing,” says MillyQ.

人生不是直線,遇到問題和困難,辦法永遠都比問題多。

MillyQ

「開始做了我就知道該怎麼走下一步。」

“It's only until I have start will I know what step to take next," MillyQ would often remind herself during tough times. 

懂得與自己獨處也是 MillyQ 能夠獨自一人前往巴黎生活的另一個主要原因。MillyQ 擁有很能自己與自己相處的性格,即使在巴黎一個人會遇到不順心的事情,但三四天就會讓自己度過那些情緒與關卡。雖然很多人會很羨慕 MillyQ 現在的生活,但最終,這都是每個人做的選擇,願不願意放下自己手中擁有的、安逸的、不願放下或失去的,而冒險去追尋未知的夢想。也有其他部落客覺得自己無法長期住在國外,因為害怕要重新開始。這時,MillyQ 才從別人口中意識到「妳很勇敢」這件事情。有朋友問說,這麼做不會怕嗎?MillyQ 覺得「怕什麼?」。不要把自己困在一個自我預設而空害怕的框框中。同樣的,碰到預料之外的事情,MillyQ 也不會大驚小怪。因為對她來說,沒有什麼好怕的,想太多的擔心都只是還沒有發生的嚇自己,還沒開始就宣告自己game over 。MillyQ 冒著許多風險,把自己推向巴黎、推向國際。

As another piece of advice on pursuing one's dream, MillyQ stresses that knowing how to live in solitude is key. She mentions that this is one of the reasons how she was able to move to Paris by herself. It allowed her to be independent, confident women she truly is deep down. Even when encountering predicaments in a foreign land, she was able to transcend them in a few days without letting the negative thoughts in her head weight her down.  While some people may be envious of the life MillyQ leads, they shouldn't, as it all comes down to the choices each person makes. They, too, can achieve their dreams. Instead of letting their envy percolate, these people should be asking themselves, "Am I willing to let go of or give up what I already have in pursuit of the uncertain dreams?"

A blogger told MillyQ that she could not imagine herself living abroad for an extended period because of her fear of being alone and having to start from a blank canvas. It was then that MillyQ realized that her decision of relocating to Paris from Taipei was a "brave" one. Some friends have asked whether she was scared to move to Paris alone. Her response was, "Scared for what?" Do not put yourself into a self-imposed box and just be terrified for the things that have not yet happened and probably never will. It never previously occurred to her that she should be frightened. Before we even started, we declare to ourselves that it's a lost cause. Then with fortitude, MillyQ pushes past her obstacles, taking many risks along the way to push herself onto the international stage in Paris.


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巴黎的生活體悟 Life in Paris

MillyQ 形容巴黎女性非常敢愛敢恨,不僅追求平權,更抱持著「你可以,我也可以」的平等心態,不會因為一件事情或一個領域一直以來都是由男性主導而退縮。巴黎女人非常做自己,她們會直接表達自己的情緒。MillyQ 透過生活周遭所認識的那些各不相同的巴黎女人也讓她看到原來人生還可以這樣過。

「人生與愛情哪有不受傷的,但你可以用兩個人在一起的時光創造美好。」一個造型師分享她的感情觀給 MillyQ。

人生不會重來,想愛就愛。不管到幾歲,無論是一個人還是兩個人,都可以過得很精彩。

MillyQ describes Parisian women as very daring; dare to love as much as they dare to hate. They not only ask for equality but also have the attitude of "if you can do it, I can do it." They would not back away from a position or career only because a field has a history of being dominated by men. Parisian women are confident to be themselves and express their emotions directly. By moving to Paris, MillyQ was fortunate to meet a variety of Parisian women who taught her to live life differently. For example, one stylist shared her own thoughts on relationship:  "You can't expect not to get hurt in life and in a relationship, but you can use the time together to create beautiful memories." You cannot live your life over again, so do not be afraid to love. It does not matter how old you are, whether you are married or single, you can live your life to the fullest.


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MillyQ 也看到巴黎人如何不在意別人的眼光,勇敢做自己。或許在比較保守的社會裡,大多數人不願意表達自己的意見是因為不想被歸類為「少數」,不想要被貼上「異類」的標籤。即使不認同大多數人的意見,有些人還是保持沉默,選擇不表達自己相左的意見。但是在巴黎,大家在乎的不是兩個人意見相同,而是你如何把自己的想法表達出來。比如說在課堂上報告,重點不是這個論點的可行性有多高,而是如何把觀點背後的邏輯闡述出來更為重要。不管對方同不同意,都會清楚把自己的想法表達出來讓別人知道。巴黎人很坦然,很勇敢地去表達,更尊重每個人的獨特性。

「我跟你說不是要你認同我的觀點,我不擔心自己的意見是少數,也不會把對方不贊同自己的論點當成是人身攻擊。我不同意你,但是我尊重你。不講不代表問題就不存在,那為什麼我們要逃避?」

By moving to Paris, MillyQ also learned that Parisians do not worry about other people's opinions; they fully embrace the notion of "you do you". In a more traditional society, most people are typically not willing to share their own ideas because of the possibility of being labeled as an "outsider" and would be horrified to find themselves in the group of "outliers". Thus, although one may not agree with the majority, the person may still choose not to say anything against the majority and stay silent. Yet, people in Paris care not about being in agreement. What people do care is how you express your own ideas clearly. For instance, if you give a presentation in class, it does not matter how feasible it is for your idea to be implemented, but rather, how you are able to deliver the logic behind your viewpoints and arguments. What matters most is how you are able to express yourself and let your ideas be known, not so much about people agreeing with your points. Parisians are honest and brave to be themselves. They also respect each others' uniqueness.

"I'm sharing my opinion not to seek your approval, and I certainly do not mind that my views may not be in agreement with the majority, let alone taking disagreement as a personal attack. I do not agree with you, but I respect you. It does not mean a problem does not exist even if we stay silent, then why are we avoiding the conversation?"

時尚與生活 Fashion and Life

跟 MillyQ 聊夢想,聊巴黎,更離不開聊時尚。對 MillyQ 來說,時尚不是只有表象,時尚是一種態度,一種生活的方式。不是只在意別人看到的,更要延伸到別人看不到的生活細節裡。時尚是最適合自己也最舒服的一種狀態,這種自信更是會表現在可以用最輕鬆的方式與別人相處上。不要只有「好漂亮」,而是成為一個別人可以從跟你對談的過程中更加了解你的思想和見識的人,成為一個「具有吸引力」的人!漂亮是皮相,魅力才是真正讓人喜歡的原因。不要花錢買別人都看得到的東西,而要去累積別人看不到的東西。

You cannot chat with MillyQ about dreams and Paris and not talk about fashion. For her, fashion does not exist in a silo. It is an attitude, a way of life. It is not about focusing on what people could see, but instead, the details in life that people cannot physically visualize. Fashion is about finding the style that suits yourself most and being in the most comfortable state. This confidence will translate into being easygoing when interacting with others. Do not thrive for "pretty," but become someone who is "attractive," someone who intrigues others through the breadth of your experiences and depth of your thoughts. Prettiness is only skin deep; attractiveness is what makes someone falls in love with you. Not a physical attractiveness, but the mind and soul attractiveness. Do not spend your financial resources on materials others can see, instead, thrive to build on things that are invisible to others.  


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接下來,MillyQ 也會繼續嘗試新的身分,現在正在進行的愛情小說寫作便是其中一項。她說:「喬治・桑的小說很引人入勝正是因為故事形式是自傳體小說,在小說裡有創造出的角色,也有自己生命的影子。」對 MillyQ 來說,寫小說是一個多年後的考驗,考驗思考、考驗文筆、考驗如何抓住並緊扣人心,這是一個全新的嘗試。對她來說,愛情小說不只是寫下文字,更需有感性的動腦與理性的思考,還必須具備能夠打動人心的力量。她選擇不斷地嘗試,不斷地寫。

MillyQ 表示自己一直以來就不是一個需要縝密計畫才願意行動的人,而比較是一個說做就出發的夢想家。「堅持,熱情,努力,善良,有耐心,充滿正義感,懷抱夢想 」這幾個字詞或許是對她最妥切的形容。她不斷地努力,不斷地給身邊的人和世界各地的讀者光芒與力量。

MillyQ will continue to take on new tasks and new roles as she continues her life adventure of pursuing her dreams. Currently, writing romantic novella is one of the new projects she is working on. "George Sand's novels are very compelling because they are autobiographic novels. Some characters are created by the author, some are a reflection of the author's own life experiences," says MillyQ. Writing a novel is a new challenge for her. It tests her depth of thoughts, her writing, and how her stories can continuously engage her readers. MillyQ is not just typing words for her novel, she is writing both sensibly and sensitively while creating a compelling story. She will continue to attempt new challenges and keep on writing. 

MillyQ is not someone who plans everything before taking action. She is someone who goes after her dreams by taking immediate actions. Persistent, passion, hardworking, kindness, sense of justice, patience, and dreamer. These words could possibly better describe MillyQ. She continues to work hard and brings light and inspiration to those around her and to her readers around the globe.   

如果你夠幸運,在年輕時待過巴黎,那麼巴黎將永遠跟著你,因為巴黎是場流動的饗宴。

海明威

MillyQ 是一個認識了就想要繼續了解更多的人,如果可以的話,她是每一個人一輩子都會想要擁有的好朋友、好姊妹。如果你在年輕時遇到了 MillyQ (我們相信年輕是種心理狀態),無論是她的文字、她的照片,那 MillyQ 的故事將可以陪你一直朝夢想前進。

MillyQ is someone who you want to know more about once you get to know her a little bit. To those fortunate enough to know her, she is a best friend and best sister anyone could dream of having. Ernest Hemingway once wrote, "If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go the rest of your life, it stays with you, for Paris is a moveable feast." If you ever encounter MillyQ while you are young (being young is simply a state of mind), whether it's through her words or her photographs, then her stories will always stay with you as you go chase after your dreams. 


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專訪後記 Notes

跟許多 MillyQ 讀者一樣,我是從 MillyQ 右腦左腦系列部落格文章開始認識這個不簡單的女生。這次訪談有點像是 girls talk,有太多想聊,太多說不完的話。訪談主題圍繞在夢想的執行力與 MillyQ 在巴黎這些年的生活體悟。聊完之後覺得彷彿充飽了電一般,對於生活,對於夢想。

Like so many other readers, I started following MillyQ from her series of articles on "right brain left brain." I began to know more about this incredible woman. This interview was more like a girls talk. I had so many things I wanted to chat with MillyQ during the time we had. The theme of the interview was focusing on executing your dream and MillyQ's experiences of living in Paris over the past few years. After the chat, I felt so inspired and recharged, about life and dreams.