Meet Chaconna Downs

We recently connected with Chaconna Downs and have shared our conversation below.

Chaconna, so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.

I’ve always been inquisitive and discovering how things work is the ultimate in creativity for me. Sometimes that means taking something apart and figuring out how to put it back together. Other times it means using conventional materials in an unconventional way or even creating a whole new world of characters to play with. I’ve never shied away from trying new things or getting messy and I think creativity needs both! When I’m stuck and in a season where I haven’t been creating or releasing, my whole body feels it. I usually start with creative writing prompts, coloring, redecorating, and things to change up the energy of my environment. I’ll play a playlist or find something new to listen to like Korean R&B. I’m also blessed to have amazingly creative friends to draw inspiration from.

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 do lots of things… As my cousin would say, I know a little bit about a lot of things, just enough to be dangerous. My passion is seeing people be the best version of themselves possible. The main method of getting there is through therapy, which I consider my “outside the four walls” ministry. I’ve been a therapist by title for the last 5 years but I’ve been a social worker since 2012. I love what I do and truly believe it’s my calling. Every day I get the opportunity to help put people, families, and communities back together again. I get to aid in healing, breakthroughs, and deliverance. I get to help break generational curses, tear down strongholds, and see people be made new. I know that probably doesn’t sound like the description of therapy you’re used to, but I like to believe sessions with me aren’t the typical therapy most people are used to. Part of me walking in my gift of healing is using all of my gifts and talents for a purpose. I write books, teach classes and workshops, create all-natural products to help with mood management, relaxation, and detoxing, and curate items for self-care. My brand is like me, bright, colorful, joyful, natural, and life-affirming.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Three things that have been key in my journey are faith, using what I have, and doing it afraid. I’m a firm believer that without faith, nothing is going to happen. Of all the things I’ve ever done or accomplished, I never had what I needed on my own. It was always a faith move. God provided the money for me to go to graduate school. God provided the means for me to have what I needed to get licensed and pass my test, I failed the first time, but I had faith that I would pass the second time, and I did! Even though I couldn’t see those things with my natural eyes, I could see myself with my own business. I saw myself teaching classes, advocating for mental health, praying for thousands, and helping people heal and get free. I didn’t know how but I knew I would.

That faith also taught me to use what I had in my hands. David killed Goliath with what he already had in his hands, not what others gave him, lent him, or offered him to use. He used what he had already tested, tried, and was skillful with. I learned how to maximize the resources I already had to create what I needed and the things I’d seen. I called on friends and associates who had more knowledge and experience. I took free classes and continued to invest in myself. I may not have had the money to purchase a lot of things or services but I bartered, I was blessed with services and gifts from friends and community connections. My work ethic and the reputation of service I built in the community also opened doors for me. I believe in doing things with a spirit of excellence and watching it work in my favor.

The last thing was doing it afraid. Sometimes you have to step out and do the thing even when you’re afraid, even when you think you might fail, or miss the mark. I’ve done so many things I had no idea how I could or would because they were so far beyond where I was and what I thought I could accomplish. I did it anyway! Every time I stepped out afraid I did it and that fear began to disappear. What couldn’t be done in my own power and ability, I had to trust God for and do it anyway. If your dreams don’t scare you a little bit, they’re too small!

What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?

I would have to say learning to value rest. I’m a creative so the ideas are always coming and I’m always working on something. I had to learn to stop, take breaks, listen to my body, and give it what it needs. Proper rest is necessary for good overall health and, more importantly, mental health. I’ve created a relaxing nighttime routine, started taking more naps, and more time to just unplug and relax.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://cjaqis.com
• Instagram: @cjaqis
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cjaqis
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chaconna-downs-50406485/
• Other: https://cjaqis.blogspot.com/