Meet Kaitlin Swift

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

Hi Kaitlin, so excited to have you with us today and we are really interested in hearing your thoughts about how folks can develop their empathy? In our experience, most folks want to be empathic towards others, but in a world where we are often only surrounded by people who are very similar to us, it can sometimes be a challenge to develop empathy for others who might not be as similar to us. Any thoughts or advice?

My Pop-Pop always told me it’s nice to be nice. He had a major impact on my life, encouraged my love of reading and writing and taught me the importance of kindness and empathy above all else. My Pop-Pop witnessed me teaching myself how to read off the tv guide on the television screen, learning to say the words I saw and know what shows I wanted to watch. He always sacrificed for his family, and never failed to take a few minutes out of his day if it would make us smile.
He took me to libraries and stores, letting me pick out any book my grubby little hands wanted to read.
His encouragement led me to fall in love with the world of the written word, being transported into different worlds, and want to do what the authors did myself. He would help me create children’s books as a child, with me writing the stories and him creating illustrations. One I remember vividly was “The Cat Who Sang Opera”.
I am now a journalist, creative writer, novelist, playwright, and poet, and his encouragement in my talents and love for writing shaped my love for writing and pursuing it as a career path. He also kickstarted my lifelong dream: to write and publish a best-selling novel.
Pop-Pop always valued his religion and serving his community above all else, whether it was helping paint a poster, cooking for an event, or doing anything he could to help his community.
He used to drive my classmate to school. He knew his grandparents as they went to the same church we went to and he knew he had a troubled family. Driving him to and from school every day, although inconvenient for Pop-Pop, was something he took pride in because it was a nice thing to do. We used to eat oranges and play with his toy cars in the back seat.
My Pop-Pop told me to always show others empathy and kindness, even if they didn’t show that same respect back. He told me you never know someone’s circumstances nor what their lives are like, and to always be there to understand and show compassion.
After my Pop-Pop’s death, my classmate started bullying me. He created the Kaitlin Swift touch(a variation of the diary of a wimpy kid cheese touch, where he told people if they sat close to me or I touched them they’d get a terminal disease), making the remainder of my K-8 years a living hell. It effectively ostracized me from my peers and made me feel unwanted, like a town pariah, a running joke for all to laugh at. Someone who would never belong.
I always kept my head up, and still remained kind and empathetic to those around me. I knew he had a troubled life and my Pop-Pop cared about him, so I still treated him with the same kindness and respect I did to all those around me. And, although not immediate, the effects of my kindness and empathy helped me connect with friends, teachers, and peers, and led me to the place I am today. Loved by many and seen not just for my writing, academic prowess, or zany colorful outfits, but for being a caring soul who only wants the best for others.

My Pop-Pop may be gone from this world, but his legacy lives on in me.
I continue my love of reading and writing, and show kindness and empathy for those around me. Every day, I hope I’m making him proud.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I am a journalist, creative writer, playwright, and poet. As of now, I have written over 120 articles and creative works. It brings me immense joy to make others feel seen and heard through my journalism, covering stories of the underrepresented and misunderstood–the people lost in the midst of the modern age, and representing the diverse and wonderful people of this world. That is where I find inspiration for most of my stories. As a queer woman, covering stories of people of different races, genders, sexualities, and experiences helps me learn more about the world around me as well! The accolades I get for my work are wonderful, but it’s more important to have people thanking me for making them feel seen and heard and valued.

Aside from my journalistic work at Montclair State University and The Retrospect in Collingswood for my summer internship, I plan to publish two novels. One is “From The Mind of Kaitlin Swift”, a collection of my high school work. The other is “Music Makes Memories”, the tale of 17 year old Claire as she navigates finding the identity of her birth mother, high school struggles, domestic issues with her adoptive mother Celia, and the found family she makes along the 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?

I think that empathy, openmindedness, and authenticity are three qualities that have been the most impactful to me. My empathy and kindness have led me to the connections I have made, and being more understanding towards others and helping them, whether through highlighting them in an article, giving them a snack or a meal, or simply listening to what they have to say has gotten me to where I am today. I think that empathy is crucial especially now, where people are so willing to turn against one another despite the fact that in the end, we all are in the same boat.
I think openmindedness is also very important. Being able to be willing to listen and try to understand, even if it’s hard or something you don’t know about, can bring you closer and with more knowledge of experiences outside of your own.
I also think authenticity is important. Knowing who you are, what you care about, and not changing that for anyone is a skill I have learned over time but is one of the most important. There’s only one you in this world. Don’t try to blend in, wearing clothes just because everyone’s wearing them or acting one way because everyone else is. Be yourself.

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?

When I feel overwhelmed, I try to center my mind on what I can control. My girlfriend V taught me these deep breaths on five counts that are really helpful when my mind begins to spiral or I feel overly anxious and stressed. I also try to take breaks, hang out with people who are close to me, and ask for reassurance when it’s needed. It’s a work in progress for sure, but all of these things do help.

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