Meet Christina Kachanovsky

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Christina Kachanovsky. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Christina, we can’t begin to explain how much we appreciate you sharing about your PPD experience, but we can say that so many in our community are suffering from or have suffered from postpartum issues including postpartum depression and so you sharing your story and how you overcame it might help someone who is going through it right now or in the future. What can you share with us about how you overcame PPD? For readers, please note this is not medical advice, we are not doctors, you should always consult professionals for advice and that this is merely one person sharing their story and experience.
As a mom of two girls, postpartum depression was almost inevitable. I never knew how long it would last, how it would feel, or what to do about it. It is not something your body prepares you for at all. With my first girl, I did not have a support system such as family or close friends to be around. I thought you have a kid and you automatically are happy. People gift you with things, toys, meals, gift cards. It should be the best time in your life. However, nothing could make me happy. I had to learn to deal with my feelings, not avoid them. I didn’t LIVE by my feelings, I became aware of them and constantly had to remind myself if what I was feeling was true. If it wasn’t, I had to redirect and distract myself with an adventure to the park, a walk, a grocery store trip (even if it was just for one item). This would help me see the world in a different lense. Finding things to do for free, even as a stay-at-home mother. Working full-time would distract me since I was around people all day. However, I found myself complaining a lot to my spouse at the end of the day. As I began to notice that I was going through postpartum and listening to podcasts that mentioned it could last for seven years, I started a journal. Journaling would help me cope with my own feelings and help me look back on days when I was really down. Then, I would go through these thoughts and cross out any untruths and replace them with a truth. Journaling also helped me to see all the things I was accomplishing as a stay-at-home parent. For instance: brushed my teeth, made a delicious breakfast, etc. When I finally found more mom friends my age, I began to share my story and things I was doing. I didn’t realize that so many moms were going through the same thing as me, even at the same time and in those moments I really began to thrive as a mom, struggling with postpartum depression.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I am currently in my “Homeschool Mom Era” as some people would describe it. Recently moved to Florida and became a teacher at a charter school. Thought it was my dream job, I was wrong. I decided to focus on growing a family and continue my career in the next five years. I have big dreams and goals that I do want to start pursuing in about five years, such as opening my own co-op homeschool along with a brunch spot. However, right now I am focused on what is in front of me- which is raising my children and building a strong foundation for them while they are young. I do have an Etsy and Tiktok Shop where I sell products, it’s called JacksPockets, but I am not greatly invested into that. As I have been writing down my dreams, drawing plans out for my future businesses alongside my architect husband, I have been building friendships and connections in the Tampa Bay area. There has been so much to explore here, whether it’s playgrounds and museums for my children or future business partners for myself and my spouse. As a homeschool mom and with ten years of teaching experience, I have built my own curriculum and schedule for my daughters that guides them both uniquely and focuses on their strengths and weaknesses. One of my daughters is dyslexic and the other artistic. As a creative and future business owner, I have been building connections with homeschool moms in the area and working for people in the community. Whether it is babysitting, dog walking, or working for my favorite client as a personal assistant. As a wife, I have been supporting my husband in obtaining his architecture license and supporting him and his dreams and future plans. To say the least, I am kept occupied and enjoy the days where I can relax and watch The Resident as I eat a homemade sandwich (that might make it to my brunch spot one day!)

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I feel like my biggest mistake was asking people for more money whenever I was selling my services or a product. I began asking people what their budget is first and if it is far from what I am willing to make, then I kindly decline. However, when starting out, you can never overcharge people.

Another skill I have learned is to take the risk, try to say yes 95% of the time.

Lastly, I would say don’t let your endeavours run by your feelings. There is a difference between knowing you won’t give 100% in something versus simply not feeling like doing it. Sometimes with work, we don’t have a choice. However, if I really don’t want to do something – why would I?

All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?
Back in the summer of 2023, my husband and I both lost our jobs. We had just moved into our brand new Florida home about a year prior and nobody told us that we needed to have money in savings. We bought new couches for the home, started going out and did not budget whatsoever. We were making good money (at least that’s what it seemed like). Then, when we lost our jobs, our world came tumbling down. We were financially screwed. Bills started piling up like no other. It was assumed by our credit card companies that we were still making the same about of money. I closed a few accounts, but even then, there was a debt to pay. We were on unemployment, food stamps, medicaid, you name it. However, as soon as my husband obtained a job that made half of what we were making together, we lost it all. We sold our washer and dryer one month to pay for mortgage, furniture to pay for bills, and I would go multiple times to the food pantry to not have to spend money on groceries. We asked friends, family, and churches for money and groceries. I thought about going back to work as a teacher and went on several interviews, however, that would mean one child would have to go to daycare and the other to public school. I could not let that happen with all I had accomplished as a homeschool mom.

With all that being said, somehow we made it through the most difficult season I’d say, however, we are still not out of our financial crisis. What is helping us the most right now is working multiple side jobs and going to the food pantry. We have learned how to budget HARD by not going out to eat, buying clothes/toys, or doing activities that cost money. This is our currently obstacle we are facing, but I know we will get out of this as better/humble people!

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Image Credits
All images are my own.

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