The 30s bring a calm warmth after the tumultuous battleground of the 20s. It’s a time when the way we view ourselves begins to evolve. Those who never ceased moving forward define their beauty uniquely. The first protagonist of “Exploring New Beauty” is Hong Jeong-mi, CEO of I Hate Monday. The secret to breezing through life’s ups and downs? Prioritizing one’s well-being. In her approach to work and life, one discovers a resilient sparkle.

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Indeed, there have been changes, but some aspects remain the same. The urgency is still there, as I’m involved in much of the work as I was at the beginning. The significant change is the weight of responsibility. Back then, there were no employees, but now there are people to look after, people who follow I Hate Monday, and those who dream of socks, looking up to me. Thinking of them, I feel a greater sense of urgency and determination than before.

Indeed, they do. As a pioneer sock brand, it’s crucial to continuously perform without faltering, presenting the best to the public. While focusing solely on myself, I could lower margins and compromise on the price of socks, but compromising would make it more challenging for the next generation. Laying a solid foundation is crucial so more people will want to create sock brands, and as the number of sock brands increases, Korean socks will naturally thrive. This is what I’ve been contemplating lately.

I’ve finally started to take care of myself. In my 20s, I worked endlessly without weekends. At that time, it seemed natural, a phase where it had to be so. However, now I realize that approach inevitably leads to burnout. I’ve come to understand that my habit of working late can adversely affect my team. I strive to work hard during work hours and dedicate time for enjoyment after work hours, focusing more on myself.

The COVID-19 period has had a substantial impact. I had to halt everything I had prepared for, witnessing a sharp decline in sales; cherished employees leaved and people did not visit the showroom; I eventually had to let go of the showroom I dearly loved. Going through all these processes was incredibly tough at the time. I felt a deep self-reproach, thinking this resulted from all my hard work. That might explain why the socks we made during that period seem so unattractive to me now — I almost don’t want to look at them. That’s when I realized I must first be healthy to create beautiful socks. It was from that moment that I started to shift my mindset.

I paid more attention to aspects outside of work. I cultivated a habit of leaving work on time and made efforts to meet friends who maintained a healthy mindset. Above all, starting to exercise whenever I had a moment quickly improved my health. My health-conscious friends suggested trying meditation, yoga, and walking. I moved my body, practiced yoga, and meditated when faced with difficulties. Shifting from indulging in alcohol and pointless chatter to having healthy conversations naturally made me feel healthier.

I never think of myself as an expert, despite it being 13 years. I consider the brand as a 13-year-old child. It’s in elementary school, barely transitioning to middle school, with so much left to learn. I control my mindset to think there is still much to learn, do, and try. Working with the original intent helps in not losing touch.

Honestly, my greatest motivation is that my employees depend on me for their salaries. I hope they take pride in working at I Hate Monday. Next, always thinking as if it’s the first season, wondering whether our customers will like our products, serves as motivation. The fear of hearing that our products are less appealing than last year’s drives me to work harder.

I believe there always has to be a sense of anxiety and fear. The absence of anxiety would mean the loss of motivation to strive. Working with anxiety might seem painful and challenging, but I believe it’s essential for anyone running a brand.

The foundation of everything is to make good products. Last year, I realized for the first time that if I find my products beautiful and am confident in them, opportunities for international expansion will naturally come without much effort on my part. I didn’t initiate the opportunity for last year’s global expansion; it came from visitors to our showroom who purchased our socks and then made proposals. That gave me a lot of confidence. Making beautiful socks and striving to improve their quality is crucial.

I make various attempts with a joyful heart. For instance, when it comes to yarn, if I find new and better-quality yarn, I create and experiment with it without worrying about the selling price. Through such endeavors, I’ve been able to produce a variety of products. By continuously challenging and meeting new people, I hear all sorts of stories. I enjoy meeting people, so the process is enjoyable for me. Meeting others in the sock industry is fun, as is meeting people from yarn companies or factories. This makes creating something new also fun.

My central concern for the past few years has been, ‘How can I make the most of my time outside work?’ Meeting friends is not just about hanging out; we discuss music or exchange books we’ve enjoyed, creating meaningful gatherings. Additionally, I’ve been waking up at 4:30 a.m. to run by 5:30 a.m. Using my morning hours productively is a considerable challenge. I believe in challenging myself at work and in life to feel a sense of achievement. These small victories seem to connect back to my confidence in my work. It’s as if by proving to myself that I can accomplish anything, I reassure myself that I can successfully navigate this season, too.

Of course, I have those moments. But I see them as just another endearing and vulnerable aspect of myself. I find it adorable and lovable when I don’t want to do anything for a day. Acknowledging this helps me move through those weak moments without sinking into depression. The part of me that wants to relax and do nothing is incredibly cute.

I love my energetic nature, my self-love, and my high self-esteem. When I make a mistake, I repeat to myself, “It’s okay,” and I do the same for my employees when they err. Prioritizing self-care in every moment is what I believe to be my greatest strength. It’s also the aspect of myself that I love the most.

For me, it’s definitely socks. There are so many different types of socks. This variety reflects my experiences of achievement in diverse situations. Socks may not always be visible or stand out, but just wearing them can enhance my mood. I am someone who finds great joy in the little things in life. Small acts of courage, bits of confidence, and minor achievements resonate with the nature of socks for me, like the bravery of wearing red socks or the unique wit of mismatched socks that no one else sees.

I have quite a few. First thing in the morning, I drink water with an equal part of hot and cold water. Then, I make my bed and spray it. After returning home from work, I sit at my desk before bed and write things down, such as anxieties from the day or tasks for tomorrow. Before sleeping, I watch cute dog and cat videos, akin to watching “Animal Farm.” Ending the day watching something adorable completes my sense of happiness. Falling asleep with a smile and feeling happy is an essential ritual for me.

Yes, I am making various attempts to discover my own beauty, from considering my outward appearance to managing my emotions. This applies to my work as well. Finding good manufacturers to create quality socks is part of expressing myself. I look forward to becoming healthier by making socks that represent me and receiving warm feedback.