Lessons from Lower School

Lunchtime was always my favorite time of the day when I was a little girl. From a young age, I have always loved to chitchat. And at my small, Quaker, all-girl’s school, chitchat wasn’t part of classroom time: discussion was highly encouraged; random conversation was not. In fact, every week, we even had silent meeting. Silent Meeting is a Quaker tradition where you gather with your peers to individually reflect in silence, often for an hour. For a precocious little girl with very high energy levels, this was my least favorite part of the week, as one might imagine. 

But now, living in New York City, I have come to find that moments of silent reflection are not only therapeutic but necessary. In this frenetic city of honking horns and hustlers, I cherish time to myself. Perhaps on a park bench watching the passerbys, or my favorite time of day, after I get out of the shower and into my robe before getting dressed. I always allot an extra ten minutes of time to get ready so I can do just that. Sit in blissful silence. 

I was very lucky to go to such a special school with traditions and values that date back to its foundation in 1884. Being in a small, all-girls environment for lower and middle school allowed me to develop into the confident and outspoken woman that I am today. It was an environment that, ever since a young age, taught me to pursue my goals with gusto and not to shy away from a challenge. I’m sure that I would not be living in New York running my own business without those influential formative years. I still love the noise, though. But despite my seemingly endless need for stimulation and activity, I have come to realize that you can’t truly enjoy the clamor without moments of calm.

Matt Bernson makes loafers that are just as perfect for the daytime as they are for playtime. The Sterling Stud is the perfect pair of flats to bring edge to a schoolgirl look. Available online or at the Matt Bernson Boutique in TriBeCa. 

Skirt is by Theory and top is by Joie.