Meet Chrissy
“What scares you the most?” she asked me.
We had known/spoken to each other for a solid 20 minutes when she slammed me with this question.
The answer could go in multiple different directions, I could share a normal, expected response or I could go deep with a perfect stranger.
“I’m afraid…. well, I am afraid of being misunderstood. And maybe afraid that that misunderstanding would lead to me being rejected. I am afraid of having attention on me, not because I don’t want attention but because I don’t want other people to think I only do things for attention. I guess what it boils down to is, I am afraid of being misunderstood and in turn rejected.”
hows that for a loaded answer?
‘Wow’ I thought. ‘This girl was probs not ready for that and I am not sure I was actually ready for that.’
She listened intently. She nodded as if she completely understood, maybe as if she had walked a similar path, but her understanding eyes were followed by questions that begged me to reach into myself and find a cure for the fear. Questions that asked me to step out of it, in my most scared state and still try.
I knew my decision to be counseled and coached by her was going to be one of the best decisions I ever made.
I’m sure at this point you want to know who “she” is.
This friend, counselor, creative, and guide post of a woman.
Creative, wife, mother, counselor, and friend.
I met Chrissy via instagram when I stumbled upon her page.
I honestly just fell in love with her California vibe and this Alabama girl continues to live vicariously through her and her Cali lifestyle.
I saw her website and clicked to stalk her a bit more when I noticed a little tab at the top of her page that read “hire me”.
I thought, ‘I wonder what she does’.
The stalking continued as I read through what she does and I knew instantly that I needed what she had to offer.
A creative coach and counselor.
We met over skype and talked many days about my track in life, where I was presently, and what I hoped for. But it felt like more than that.
Within sharing what my goals and aspirations were, Chrissy dug a bit deeper to find out what exactly it was that was holding me back. What was holding me back from achieving those goals, what I was truly good at, and where I could take my talents.
It was a heart session.
Where I took a deeper look at who I was and honestly, what I was made of.
But I think what allows us to go to those places is having the right people next to us asking us the RIGHT questions.
Asking us with grace and granting us the ability to be honest without judgement.
I was given homework and assignments that just simply asked me to look at myself. No other opinions necessary.
What do I believe about me, what words describe me, and how to do I take what I know about myself and implement them into my God given gifts.
You may be reading this not thinking much of this process I walked through with my new found instagram friend…
but if youre anything like me, then you’re intrigued.
You want to meet this person who takes genuine interest in connecting with you and someone who maybe understands what your core is looking for.
I asked Chrissy a few questions just so YOU could get to know her deeply. It’s amazing to me that as I read through her answers, I can truly connect to what she has felt and hope to find what she has found along the way.
Meet Chrissy
What got you started in Blogging world? What were you doing before and what inspired you to start moving in the direction of creative world?
I've always been a creative person. From an early age I loved art. In college I majored in art and studied in Paris my senior year. I knew after graduation that I wanted to work in a creative field but that didn't pan out the way I wanted and I'm honestly glad for it now. I had always been interested in psychology and wanted to help others so 2 years after I graduated I went back to school and got my masters in Psychology. For years I worked at an eating disorder and drug addition treatment center and private practice and loved working with people, kids and family. It was such a fulfilling job. In 2012 when I had my first child I was at home during the day with him and then a couple nights a week went to work to see clients. While I was at home during the day I started to be more creative and got my camera out and took photos of my son all the time. I learned about blogging from a friend and thought it would be cool to have a place where I can write about motherhood, be creative and encourage others. I fell in love with blogging, I've met so many people through it and have had amazing creative opportunities. So I kinda fell into the blogging world but I think its where God wanted me to be all along.
How do you balance motherhood and keeping your creative juices flowing?
Oh balance... the unicorn of motherhood. I don't think it actually exists in motherhood. I think it's more of just a spectrum of making good choices and prioritizing things correctly. I try to make time for myself and my work when my kids are in school or sleeping because when I do that I fill myself up so I can pour myself out for my family. Creativity for me comes and goes so when I have a creative idea I like to jump on it right away or write it down in my notes so I don't forget
Do you feel like your season before stepping into the IG limelight helped shape you for what you are doing now?
Oh you're so sweet, I think all our seasons prepare us for the future but Instagram is tricky since its new and being and influencer is a new career. I'm always trying to figure it out and not let it consume me.
What have you learned about yourself as you have done what you do?
I've learned that old wounds resurface when you put yourself out there but that it's worth it to overcome those roadblocks when you're following your calling and or doing what you love.
Where do you hope to be in the future?
I would love to write a book some day, have my own office space to host workshops and counsel and coach others!
Tell us about your family, your marriage, what you are learning now and what you have learned that brought you where you are now!
Sam and I have been married 9 years now and honestly we're completely different, I like to think we balance each other out but still marriage its hard. We've learned a lot about making marriage work through counseling. Now that we have 3 kids Waylon, 6, Zeke, 3 and Ruby 6 months old we are in the thick of parenting young kids. We don't get much alone time together but we know we're solid.
Tell me what you’ve got going on right now!
I created the "Find Your Voice Course" when I was pregnant with Ruby because I wanted to help others find their unique voice and pursue their passions. It was a labor of love and something I'm so proud of.
What is this course?
We’re unlocking the secrets to building authentic and long-lasting influence.
In this online course, you will get in touch with who you are and what you want, discover your creative voice, grow your social media influence, and turn your life passions into sustainable profit.
With a masters degree in psychology and 10+ years of working with clients, we created a revolutionary course that provides insight into your true self. Through meditative and journal exercises as well as practical “how to” tutorials on branding and photography, this course will help anyone who wants to start something, discover their passion, market their brand online, and grow an authentic audience while not getting caught up in the comparison game.
Best part: here's a link to the course https://chrissy-powers.mykajabi.com/p/find-your-voice#section-1538062523528
And if your followers use the code: LAURAJEANBELL they will get 15% off the course!
Chrissy, thank you for your courage, your kindness, your guidance and your wisdom. You have encouraged me deeply as I journey towards goals and dreams!