We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kim Perrin. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kim below.
Kim , we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
Without a doubt, I learned my resilience from my mom. When I was 20 years old she was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. For me, it was devastating to say the least. I didn’t know how I was going to go on if she wasn’t by my side. At that time, life just seemed completely hopeless; and that was just for me- I can only imagine what she was going through!
But as we started to adjust to our new reality, she did something that seemed crazy to me at the time. She took every bit of lingering hope and positivity and just engulfed herself in it. She spoke about the future often–life after treatment, we watched so many comedies, read books about healing, or the ones that would just give you a good laugh, cooked healthy foods; we created this world where she was truly living and cancer had to take the backseat. She made me believe that attitude is so powerful it can overcome anything. It was a miracle when we found out she went into remission; literally, there was no scientific explanation for it.
Looking back now, I can see that this unapologetic positive thinking was something she had tried to instill within me since childhood, but at that time I just couldn’t recognize it or how essential to my future it would become. I’ve struggled with my mental health for as long as i can remember, and when she did pass things were very difficult. But I can say definitively the key to my resilience has been keeping a positive mind, and keeping my hope alive, because as long as there is some sort of hope, I’ve learned that anything is possible.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I grew up in a smaller town in Northern California, and I can say that for my entire life my main outlet (and at times, life source) has been art. From as early as I can remember I have been performing (even if just for my mom) or writing or taking photos. When I reached my adult life, I knew that art, on many levels, was something I just could not live without and therefore, something that I would want to dedicate my life to.
I’d say my biggest passion is acting. I feel so lucky because when I take on a character, I get to explore all these different parts of myself. Sometimes these parts are scary, sometimes they’re fun, but the exciting part for me is discovering how to live out each character authentically through myself. In acting my main goal is to find truth, hopefully not just for myself, but also whoever is watching.
I was recently part of an incredible short film called Worst Date, Best Date by writers Cameron Thrower and Heather Turman , which has just been released on YouTube and Vimeo. I also have another short film coming out soon, called Best Rivals, directed by the amazing Nick Steiner. I have a couple of other projects in the works currently, but I am mainly just living in the moment and appreciating the life I have created here in Los Angeles.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I think the three skills that have helped me most on my journey are 1. Taking things as a grain of salt– remembering that opinions or moments cannot defeat or define my work; 2. Finding time to stay connected to my truth, so I am fully able to put forth the best version of myself through my work; 3. Keeping my time management in check and being real with myself and others regarding what is possible for me, and just honoring my commitments, even if it means sacrifice in other areas of my life.
What has worked for me in developing these skills is giving myself time to journal, exercise, meditate or do whatever I have to do to find my peace and balance. The most important thing is just being honest with myself, and where I’m at and what I’m feeling; and understanding that there is no right or wrong, it just is what it is and that’s ok. The goal is to become better and evolve, which to me means improving my craft, connecting with the people around me and connecting with myself. I truly believe that if you are working toward your goals, then ultimately you are a success.
Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?
Over the past year a lot of my energy has really gone toward learning to trust myself. Confidence building is a journey! I had gotten to the point where I needed to have my own back as much as the people around me who love me. And that translates to both my personal and professional life. I am the type of person who loves to run away from things, and now my goal is to run toward them and face them head on; let the experience calm my fear and help me gain insight. I’ve learned that is the only way I’m going to continue building myself up.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: kimberlyli
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/ADy7VvFu4MY?si=LoMxu9nM_TvoIrjU
Image Credits
Cameron Thrower
