When you have the opportunity to ask some of the most interesting people in the world about their lives, sometimes the most fascinating answers come from the simplest questions. The Thrive Questionnaire is an ongoing series that gives an intimate look inside the lives of some of the world’s most successful people.
Looking for love can be stressful and overwhelming — but it can be joyful, too. Actress and comedian Arielle Vandenberg has made a career in the world of romantic comedy on shows like How I Met Your Mother, Greek, and Meet the Browns, and as a content creator on her social channels, where she entertains millions of followers.
She is also telling stories about looking for love as the host of CBS’s new reality show Love Island. No stranger to romance herself, she and her partner Matt Cutshall met on the app Vine, and hilariously showcase their relationship on Instagram, proving that humor is a great way to connect.
In her Thrive Questionnaire, Vandenberg shares how she thrives daily, and offers tips on building meaningful friendships, leading with humor, and always being grateful.
Thrive Global: What’s the first thing you do when you get out of bed? What is your morning routine?
Arielle Vandenberg: I let my pup Stinky out to relieve herself.
TG: What gives you energy?
AV: Dancing with people I love gives me energy.
TG: What daily habit or practice helps you thrive?
AV: Praying helps me thrive. It makes the day 100 times better.
TG: Tell us about your relationship with your phone. Does it sleep with you?
AV: I love my phone, but recently I have been purposely leaving it upstairs on the charger to have time away from it. It feels great. And I don’t let my phone sleep in the bed with me.
TG: You are really active on social media — do you ever feel pressure to always be on?
AV: Honestly, I am me through and through. If I’m feeling happy and excited to share something with my audience, I will! And if I’m feeling more private, I won’t post anything for a few days. I would never let social media control my life.
TG: What causes you stress? How do you deal with that stress?
AV: Having too many things to do. How do I deal with them? Not doing them. It’s a vicious cycle.
TG: How do you prioritize when you have an overwhelming amount to do?
AV: I handle the most pressing tasks first.
TG: When was the last time you felt burned out and why?
AV: The last time I felt burned out was about three months ago. I said “yes” to anything and everything. I was just spreading myself too thin.
TG: When was the last time you felt you failed and how did you overcome it?
AV: The last time I felt like I failed was at this audition I had for a movie. I left there feeling so bad that I came home and put myself on tape. I wasn’t going to let that be the audition everyone saw.
TG: What brings you optimism and hope?
AV: The one thing that gives me optimism and hope is my spirituality — my faith.
TG: How do you show gratitude?
AV: I show gratitude by giving back to others! I’m grateful for my creative parents. They allowed and encouraged me to follow my dreams, and did not try and force me to be something I’m not.
TG: How can women cultivate meaningful friendships?
AV: First of all, quality over quantity. Second, just being a good friend yourself will cultivate meaningful friendships. Listening, understanding, laughing together, and learning from each other.
TG: What is your top tip for organization?
AV: I make lists. I have lists all over my house. I make lists to make lists. Again, it’s a vicious cycle.
TG: What is the best advice you’ve received and what is the worst?
AV: The best advice I have received was from my grandma before I moved to Los Angeles. She said “Don’t do drugs.” And I didn’t. The worst advice would be, “Stop making such crazy faces, you’re going to get wrinkles.” If it weren’t for the crazy faces I can make, who knows where I would be in life.
TG: Share a quote that you love and that gives you strength or peace.
AV: Breathe in peace and exhale anxiety.