We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Chrissie Stillin a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Chrissie, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?
When I walk into a room I do not always want the attention of others. That doesn’t seem to matter, I often have it because I am a bald female. I have noticed that I carry a lot of swing in a room full of strangers. If I am having a bad day and walk in sad and mopey, it is mirrored back to me and people often treat me as if I were sick. If I walk in to that same room smiling and happy, it too, gets mirrored back to me. Everyday is a choice, choose wisely. Here is a trick I learned. Kids are the most honest. If a small child sees me, I immediately make eye contact, send them a big smile and a little wave. Why? Because they don’t understand and they need to know it is ok. It is how we create a new normal. Authenticity is not always easy, otherwise everyone would do it. Sometimes it is easier to blend in than stand out. If you are just starting out at being your true authentic self, in whatever form that holds for you, this is the advice I was given that helped me. ‘What other people think of you, is none of your business. What you think of you is the only thing that matters. Be brave, confident and be strong.’ You hold your chin up when you are facing people, especially those who don’t understand your differences. You are teaching them how to treat you. When I shaved my head originally, I felt really good about myself. I was proud of myself for facing my personal fears. It took a lot of guts to do it. For so long, I put my life on hold because I wasn’t truly engaging with it. Since high school, my hair was overly thin and fine. I used to cover it up with wigs and extensions and I would make excuses for all activities that related to wind or water, especially swimming. I was so self conscious of my hair, but for what? To seek the approval of people? Would they only care about me if I look and act just like everyone else? Just before shaving my head, I learned how to face fear by going skydiving. Yes that is extreme, but what I learned is the same. Your personal bravery lasts a little while on its own, it’s like an adrenaline rush. It is in the longevity of continuously trying to be strong that can wear you down. It is an inner strength that must be cultivated from within. For a deep down change, you must change the way you look at things, deep down. ~Stay inspired!
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
My story begins when I got into a car accident. The airbag saved me – and badly broke my forearm. The severity of the experience prompted a genuine turning point in my life. I started questioning Everything in the world around me. I started to face my fears, doing things I had never done before. I began traveling all over the US and Europe. In doing so, I began to see everything with new eyes. Nature became a place of wonder and magic. I began capturing the elements in their transformation from the ordinary into the extraordinary. Poetry was falling off my pen, and everything became new to me. I discovered a passion for blending visual and written art forms in order to create evocative, meaningful works.
My epiphany was that the “accident” was in fact not an accident at all. It was more of a redirection, and I was given the gift of unraveling some of the pieces of life’s tapestry. Each picture, poem and piece of art feels like a genuine gift. Some literally unfold right in front of me, while others need no introductions. Many have stories and special viewpoints and meanings from all of the elements. Yet, the greatest gift is watching others unravel their own new perspectives. That feeling is the magic I love to share. They are great conversation starters. What is your element? What do you see? How deep is your sense of play? They help you to see past the realms of what you think you know and journey into a deeper understanding. To reach past one’s perspectives into a new knowing. These are the things that kindle me.
The magic is still unraveling but if you would like to know more you can find me at stillinthedream.com or email to [email protected].
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?
First, Learn how to follow your intuition by following your heart more than your head. Find your balance in this.
Second, Learn how to face your fears, it can be used in every aspect of life and will carry you out of your comfort zone.
Third, Understand that going inward will automatically shine outward, but the results are not the same in reverse. Believe in yourself from within yourself.
‘You are so much more
powerful than you know,
because YOU are the light,
your dreams need to grow.’
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
I am particularly interested in connecting with other artists to help bring photography and poetry to life in new mediums and styles. I am also looking for jewelry designers/silversmiths to explore creative partnerships to enhance and inspire jewelry collections. Through collaboration, I envision creating projects that tell powerful stories– through exhibitions, wearable art, or mixed media creations. If this resonates with you, feel free to share your thoughts, portfolios or questions. Looking forward to the possibility of creating something extraordinary with you!
Chrissie Stillin
email: stillinthedreampixels.com
Contact Info:
- Website: https://stillinthedream.com
- Instagram: stillinspiredco and stillinthedream
- Other: email: stillinthedreampixels.com
Image Credits
Chrissie Stillin
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
