Stories of the Heart: A Conversation with Neima Patterson
Photo credit: Yasmin A
In this captivating conversation, we sit down with Neima Patterson, a multifaceted dancer and writer, to delve into her artistic journey. Neima shares how her upbringing shaped her passion for storytelling, the joy she finds in connecting with others, and her commitment to crafting stories that resonate with young adults. From balancing hustle culture with self-care to navigating imposter syndrome, Neima offers insight into the art of embracing the future while staying grounded in the present.
What is the most rewarding part of your work?:
For me, everything goes back to people. When I get feedback on my writing, I am always amazed at how people can relate to emotions I thought were singular. When I'm producing, I get to collaborate with many different kinds of people from all walks of life to tell a story for the entire world to see. When I'm interacting with the Njoy Salon community, I learn more about what moves and excites people. Through sharing my stories and my skills, I get to start conversations that allow people to walk away learning something about themselves.
How would you say your upbringing and cultural background contributed to your career aspirations?:
I come from truth finders and truth tellers that dedicated their life to service. I was raised by educators that ran university departments and led an education nonprofit. I come from generations of people that spoke up against injustice in the world, in the workplace, and in their community. Both families value knowledge, research, and information. Now, as a storyteller, I've realized I found my voice by exchanging thoughts and ideas with activists, leaders, and change makers. I have a heart for service and giving stories to help others because of them.
If you had the choice to go back to your past or fast forward to your future, which one would you choose? Why?:
As someone that has been in therapy for years because of anxiety, I always want to be in the future. When I was a kid, I wanted so badly to be an adult. There's something so alluring to me about discovering the opportunities that wait in tomorrow. The future sounds so interesting to me. The past, I've already been there. The future holds stories I haven't told yet.
What are you committed to doing no matter what happens?:
I will always tell stories that help young adults navigate the unknown of their early years with the companionship of a book or a tv show character, even if they have no one else to turn to. I've dedicated my writing and Njoy Salon to young adult TV, novels, and content because getting clarity on my formative years changed my life and I want to help others find their own “aha’s” while making them smile.
Where might you be found on a Saturday afternoon with no plans?:
As an ambivert, I have two answers. If I'm feeling introverted, I'll cuddle up with a book or a TV show, buy myself flowers, and make some matcha. If I'm feeling extroverted, I'll find a friend and explore the city until we stumble into a farmers market or a new brunch spot.
If you were to meet 10 year old you, what would you say to them?:
Throw out that timeline, love. Enjoy the present as much as you can and trust that everything will happen in the right timing. There will always be another mountain to climb. Ambition has no end. Don't miss life trying to make it to the next level!
When are you the happiest?:
I am happiest when I am surrounded by art, community, stories or all three. After a dance class, while I'm writing, listening to someone's story in conversation, watching a moving performance all remind me why I love stories. Because I love learning about people: what they left behind, what they carried by accident, and how they arrived to their present.
Hustle culture and burnout is so prominent in our community. How do you prioritize self care?:
Anxiety always told me I wasn't doing enough, so I'd work myself so hard that I was proud of my outcomes but unsure where I disappeared to in the process. As a result, I wasn't present for a lot of my "highlights". The biggest game changer for my mental health has been combining therapy with cycle tracking. I know what kinds of activities, people, foods, and exercise I can tolerate based on where I am in my cycle. But my routine still remains somewhat the same, with variation: cooking meals for myself, making matcha, exercising, balancing socializing with down time, setting work boundaries, prioritizing my relationship with God, regularly serving various organizations, and immersing myself in the arts regularly. Constantly feeding my mind and body these things keeps me afloat when life doesn't go as planned. I used to push harder, or figure out how to work even more. I had guilt around feeling burnt out and shame around dreams unfulfilled. I'd deny myself food all day until I finished an important task. I'd save drinking water for later. I never had time to workout. Now, I can't imagine life without those things. Okay, I'm still working on drinking enough water but we all have weaknesses, right?
Same goes for imposter syndrome. How do you combat those feelings (if any)?:
I always believe I'm in a room for a reason, and therefore belong. Whether I'm immediately accepted or welcomed isn't guaranteed. However, I have faith that there aren't any doors that I walk into by accident. So, when I set a heart posture to learn and share, it doesn't matter whether I "measure up". I was once invited by a wealthy mentor to be on a committee full of other very successful women. I asked her what I was expected to bring to the group. She told me that while the other women came with the heart to help, I was the only one that had grew up in with the life experience in that specific world that they were desperate to understand. That helped me realize that sometimes my value goes beyond what I'd assume or see in myself. It could be my story, my experience, my family legacy. I always have a story to offer. And, when all fails, I can learn. Ask questions. Just as much as people want to hear my story, they also want to tell theirs.
What would 18-year-old you say about where you are at in life now?:
First off, she would look at my closet and do a backflip, proud that I finally figured out how to consistently look like the fashion girlie I always wanted to be. She'd remind me that I've accomplished a lot over the last decade, despite a few droughts. She'd probably be balancing disappointment and pride at the same time. Because despite the wrenches life threw, I never gave up. And, finally, she'd tell me I chose some pretty rad friends.
Drink 🫖
What is Neima’s go-to drink?
I make a ginger turmeric matcha latte with honey and cinnamon. When I'm out, any matcha latte will do.
Listening To 🎧
What is Neima listening to at the moment?
My top three podcasts are: Second Life (Who What Wear's Podcast), Newsfash by Mosha Lundstrom Halbert, and The Town with Matthew Belloni.
Your Truth 🗣️
What is a Neima’s truth?
I do what I do to help the little girl I once was get unstuck. I know stories can change lives, and the more I can tell myself or give a platform to get told, the more I can make an impact on the world. A story that changed my life recently was Aurora James' memoir, "Wildflower." She reminded me that from the roughest of circumstances, a life of service is born. Putting people first will always be rewarded. While I am in a different industry, her story reminded me to put my why at the forefront of everything I do and pushed me to explore how I can be making a deeper impact.
Your Plug 🔌
What is Neima plugging today?
I'll soon be launching my writing coaching services, along with a free newsletter called Write It. Done. to help creatives execute their projects efficiently. I'm here to help you graduate from idea purgatory and actually get it done.
More about Neima Patterson
A private school LA girl who lived in South LA, Neima turned to dance and writing to escape a pull between opposing worlds. She blew off steam by creating a snarky, comedic voice she acted out with Barbie dolls and by directing (forcing) her friends on the playground to learn and perform her choreography. All of this led her to creating colorful stories for TV and novels about coming of age and coming to.
Neima is currently developing an unscripted series, works as an In-House Writer at Pocket FM, and has launched Njoy Salon Media to kiki and keep folks in the know. Prior to that, she was Writers' Assistant on Amazon’s YEARLY DEPARTED and a showrunner's assistant on Netflix's FIRST KILL. She also co-created a comedy web series Sad-A** Black Folk that was ranked the #1 web series to watch by Shadow & Act and was sponsored by Headspace. Her dance film “I tried so hard for you” premiered on Blavity TV in 2022. During her undergraduate and graduate studies, she interned at multiple companies including Amazon Studios, Paramount Features, Paramount Television, JJ Abrams’ Bad Robot, David Heyman’s Heyday Films, and on the set of ’42’.
Since focusing on young adult writing, her scripts have made it to the semifinalist rounds of the Macro & The Black List Episodic Lab, The ATX Pitch Competition Second Round, and the 2019 Sundance Episodic Lab. She earned a BA in World Arts and Cultures/Dance, Magna Cum Laude, from UCLA and MFA from USC in Film and Television Production.
She is a Jackie Robinson Foundation alum and Extra Innings Fellow. Dedicated to both stories and service for young adults, she serves as DEI Co-Chair for Marlborough School’s Young Alumnae Committee and heads the Alumnae Engagement Committee for the Independent School Alliance.