Meet Kristen Smith

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kristen Smith a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Kristen, sincerely appreciate your selflessness in agreeing to discuss your mental health journey and how you overcame and persisted despite the challenges. Please share with our readers how you overcame. 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.

Mental health has always been a significant challenge for me, dating back to my childhood. I struggled with depression and anxiety at a young age, never fully understanding what was going on inside my head. Over time, I found out that it wasn’t just that—it was ADHD and Autism. It’s taken me 30 years to really understand myself and start to get the hang of it all.

It’s been a long road of trial and error—years of on-and-off therapy, shedding negativity, and surrounding myself with support. But the most important support has come from within. Learning how to be my own ally, to care for myself in ways I hadn’t before, has been the most powerful tool in my healing.

Having an autistic son has given me even more clarity. It’s not just a challenge; it’s also a beautiful perspective shift. Seeing him navigate through his big emotions, and being his comfort, has taught me so much. I’m not only there for him, but he’s unknowingly helped me heal too. Watching him process the world in his unique way reminds me of my own journey—and seeing him grow and thrive through it all, it’s healing in ways I didn’t expect.

As long as I make sure my son and I are in healthy environments, I know we won’t ever have to worry about bouncing back. It’s about creating a foundation that’s stable, safe, and full of love. No matter how many obstacles we face or how tough things get, as long as we’re surrounded by the right energy, we’ll keep moving forward. It’s the core of everything—keeping ourselves in spaces that nurture growth, healing, and peace. And with that, we’ll always be able to rise, no matter how many times life tries to knock us down.

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 do have my 9-5, and honestly, that’s my bread-and-butter. Haha, I’m an event manager, and I specialize in all kinds of events—everything from bridal showers to comedy nights, and I also work in festivals, mostly on the production side. The next big event I’ll be working is Coachella and Stagecoach, which is wild to think about. It’s a massive opportunity, and I’m beyond excited to be a part of such iconic festivals.

But my world doesn’t stop there. When I’m not immersed in events and festivals, you’ll find me locked into Ableton, working on new music. My next release is dropping on March 28th—expect some fresh drum and bass at your disposal. And if you want to hear it live, my next DJ gig is on March 29th in Santa Ana. It’s a free event, and I’ve got all the details on my Instagram.

It’s a balancing act for sure, but it’s all part of the hustle. Between managing events, working festivals, and diving into music production, I keep my hands full. But it’s what I love. Every bit of it pushes me forward, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

To be aware and observant. Not just of others, but with yourself. When it comes to others, you have to be careful. You never know who’s truly there to support you or who’s just watching your every move. But when it comes to yourself, the depth is where things get complicated.

As someone who’s been in the game for over a decade, I’ve learned that this field of work is one of the most draining—mentally, emotionally, and creatively. And right now, I’m in a constant battle with writer’s block. It’s something I deal with all the time. I’ll have these deadlines I set for myself, and there have been moments when I’m just days away, staring at a blank page with nothing to show for it. The pressure to create something, anything, becomes unbearable.

So, I scramble. I dig through the clutter in my head, trying to pull out something worthwhile to put down. And that anxiety? It’s wild. Haha. The clock ticks, and I’m left racing against time, trying to meet expectations while battling that inner critic telling me it’s not good enough. But somehow, I push through. Because that’s what I’ve always done. Keep pushing. Even when it feels like the odds are stacked against me.

I’m a mom, and there’s always something going on. My mind is never truly at rest, and because of that, I don’t have the luxury of thinking about being creative. My focus is pulled in a hundred different directions every single day. Between taking care of my boys, handling everything that comes with life, and just trying to keep things afloat, my brain doesn’t have the bandwidth to wander into the creative zone.

There’s no time for it. And that’s one of the hardest parts of all of this. I want to create. I want to do more with my craft. But how can I when my mind is already occupied by a million other things—caring for my family, dealing with daily chaos, just surviving.

But then, there are those blessed moments where all that hard work, all that anxiety, finally pays off. It’s like a lightbulb moment that makes everything worth it. Those moments remind me why I started doing this in the first place. I’ll go through phases where I feel like I’m stuck, where the big opportunities and bookings just aren’t coming. Then, out of nowhere, I land something I’ve dreamed about—a bucket list booking. And it’s like the universe is giving me a little nudge, reminding me that the grind isn’t in vain.

When you’re in it, it’s hard to see the progress. It feels like you’re always hustling, always pushing, and it’s hard to tell if you’re moving forward or just treading water. But I’ve learned to take a step back, to pause and view things from a different perspective. And sometimes, when I need that reminder, I’ll talk to my loved ones about what I’m feeling, and they quickly remind me how far I’ve come. It’s amazing how the people closest to you can see things you can’t when you’re too close to the situation. Their support has been a lifeline, and honestly, it’s helped me more than I can put into words.

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?

I’ve always said I’d be transparent. I moved in with my mom back in the summer of 2023 to get back on my feet after almost losing my son. Little did I know what I was moving into. Long story short, my family is dysfunctional. Over my time there, the abuse in that household has escalated, and it’s no longer safe for me or my son.

About two months ago, an incident happened. It wasn’t the first time, but it was the last straw. I packed my car with whatever I could fit and drove away without looking back. I had no solid plan, no real stability, but I knew I couldn’t stay. Since then, when my son is with me, we stay in hotels. There are weeks when I can only afford one night, and other weeks where I can manage three nights. It’s never enough to create a sense of permanence, but it’s what I can do right now.

When he isn’t with me, I’ve been staying with my boyfriend, which is the only place that feels a bit safer. But the instability, the constant uncertainty, it’s exhausting. Every day feels like a balancing act, juggling finances, trying to make sure my son is okay, and figuring out how to keep going. I’m doing my best, but it’s hard not to feel like I’m running out of options.

There’s a lot I’m still processing, and I’m not sure where this road will take me. But what I do know is that I’m not giving up. I won’t let my son feel abandoned or unsafe. I’m doing everything I can to create a better life for him, even if it’s one small step at a time.

This situation is nothing short of overwhelming, stressful, and depressing. Every day feels like a battle, and I’m doing everything in my power not to break. The weight of it all, the constant worry, the instability—it’s hard to shake off. But I have to keep going. I have to stay strong, not just for me, but for my boys.

I love our little trio more than anything in this world. No matter how tough it gets, they keep me going.

I hold onto that love, that bond, because it’s the only thing that feels steady. It’s the one thing in this whirlwind that I know will never change.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/kaalidnb
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/kaalidnb
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/kaalidnb
• Other: https://kaali2.bandcamp.com/