Zooey Deschanel on Fulfillment

For two decades she’s been known for her stylishly quirky characters and professional versatility in movies and TV and as a singer and TV host. And this summer, Zooey Deschanel announced a partnership with accessories and luggage brand, Vera Bradley, to help launch what the brand called a “complete refresh.” In addition to the pretty quilted looks they’ve been known for, they’ve introduced a modern look with varied fabrics and fresh shapes, along with a few solid colors and patterns distinct from the brand’s classics.

This week Deschanel talked with The Healthy by Reader’s Digest as she helped announce Vera Bradley’s winter collection and holiday shopping guide. Ahead, she gives us a look her personal routine and why, as a 44-year-old mom, work keeps her energized. (If you love the interviews where celebs reveal what’s always in their bags? This will be prime content.)

This interview has been edited for length.

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The Healthy by Reader’s Digest: This is the collab we didn’t know we needed!

Zooey Deschanel: [Laughs] I like that!

The Healthy: What inspired you to say yes to this partnership?

Zooey Deschanel: I love the brand. I just always thought it was so much fun. The kind of classic Vera Bradley quilted look—that was very cute. But when they told me they were rebranding a little bit, introducing a bit more of an elevated aesthetic into their lineup in addition to the bags that we already knew and loved, I was super excited to introduce a new group of people to this brand. I also just think it’s great to have one place you can go to get bags for every need.

The Healthy: Are you someone who sticks with the same bag for every occasion, or do you like to switch bags?

Zooey Deschanel: I switch bags a lot.

The Healthy: What are the items that go in every bag?

Zooey Deschanel: I just have a little pouch with a makeup touchup kit, lip gloss and stuff. And I have a little pouch with some cash, a few Band-Aids, Advil, things like that. And then I usually have hand lotion, sunblock touch-up, mints [and] hand sanitizer. Pretty classic.

The Healthy: Years ago, I think it was around the height of New Girl, you were quoted saying something that I felt like I hadn’t heard a woman in our generation say. It had to do with the idea that our romantic relationships are meaningful, but that you personally also found so much excitement in your career. That really resonated for me, because I felt the same way. How would you reflect on that now?

Zooey Deschanel: We say “career,” but for me, that [means] passion. That’s always been a part of my life and always will be a part of my life. And being creative is so important to who I am as a person that I couldn’t ever see my life without that. I wouldn’t just give up being creative, ever.

Now, I do find my career was always very fulfilling, and now I have two kids and I have a partner and all of that is fulfilling in a different way. But it doesn’t mean that I love my career any less. It’s just a fundamental part of who I am. I do feel like it’s hard for people to admit that their career is important to them, but if it’s your passion, that’s such a gift that when you go to work you feel it’s fulfilling something other than just an avenue to making a living. So just having my career be my vocation, my passion is very, very fortunate.

The Healthy: What’s one self-care routine that you refuse to skip?

Zooey Deschanel: I always wash my face and put on all my products before I go to bed. The thought of going to sleep with my makeup on without washing my face, I can’t even imagine doing that. I had a friend who told me that she went to sleep with her makeup on and I was like, [gasp]! Also, I would never not wear sunblock.

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