Meet Christine Anastasia

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

Christine , we are so appreciative of you taking the time to open up about the extremely important, albeit personal, topic of mental health. Can you talk to us about your journey and how you were able to overcome the challenges related to mental issues? 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.
When you hit rock bottom and feel your lowest, you can almost never imagine how you’ll get to the other side. I distinctly remember being terrified of how I was going to ‘hack’ it commuting into Boston with two kids under three and an employer that removed my flexibility. I was scared for myself, my mental health. I often wondered if I’d find myself just collapsed because it was all too much. My fear was so intense that I was a shell of a person and a walking sleep deprived zombie, riding the train into Boston, and the mental load I was carrying was so much to bear. It felt incredibly isolating and I had fell through the cracks of the medical system living with postpartum anxiety and depression. I oscillated between the two. I remember that January 2020, my second child was about ten months and it was right before the pandemic happened when I drew a line in the sand that I made a decision that despite the lack of support from my employer, I was going to dig myself out of the physical, mental, and emotional burnout I was experiencing. I remember it started small and in micro steps. I started with my physical health, then mental, then emotional. I worked through each layer with compassion and began the journey of being kind to myself. I knew no one was going to save me. I needed to take these small steps for myself. It had to happen for me and for the wellbeing of my family.

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?
The last several years through the pandemic have been transformative. I was furloughed, laid off, unemployed, started a business, was working as a stay-at-home mom and entrepreneur, and went from a secure paycheck to the uncertain financial stakes of being a new business owner. I don’t think anyone can prepare you for the undertaking of creating a business. While in your first year, you experience the highs, the lows, the triumphs, the losses and anything that you may have been insecure or less than confident will be shining brightly to let you know. It’s why I think entrepreneurship finds you, you don’t choose it.

My story needed to be shared, no matter how vulnerable, how messy, how many signs I may have missed. Like working moms all around the country, I needed to express my truth. The one that was covered up for too long. I wasn’t going back to full-time work. I wasn’t going to look for a position. I was going to start my own business. I was just beginning.

As a working mom, many live in a state of being in “survival mode” and on the “hamster” wheel of life for too long before realizing they are burned out, stressed and overwhelmed. Working parents need encouragement and support to invest for themselves (for their mental health) and their careers as it influences their long-term trajectory in a big way. Many working parents continue to work full time and try to “do it all”. At some point along their journey, balls are dropping, and their mental health tanks.

The biggest takeaways that I witnessed in my transformation were small shifts in my daily mindset and habits. I went from being an overwhelmed and drained mom to feeling empowered. I help moms master the full-time formula with part-time effort. From hamster wheel to happy with grace.

As a busy mom of three, I understands the nuances and challenges of raising a young family and working full time. I use simple practices of less is more and progress over perfection. This still serves me well in a pandemic and I know that by modeling this to my own children, wellbeing will remain an important part of their life and journey as well. I stands by the mantra of when mom is doing well, all she touches thrives.

My 1-1 coaching services and workshops help new and seasoned parents who are juggling work and raising a family. At their core, all parents want to be the best versions of themselves. I help them prioritize their wellbeing so they can thrive.

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?

Our mindset and stories we tell ourselves can have a gripping hold on us until we open up to see other options and allow ourselves to take a peek into our future selves or what we want for our growth and the next generation. While many parts of my entrepreneurial journey have been out of my comfort zone, I keep stepping in. I keep growing. My advice for others is to keep nurturing that project, dream, or thing you want to do. Gather support and a circle of advisors, coaches, and mentors that will help you get there.

1. Start Small.

2. Keep moving forward imperfectly.

3. Check in with your own internal compass. There will be many opinions, offerings, and insights. You can move forward in the best way that aligns with your goals.

Tell us what your ideal client would be like?
My ideal client is someone that is married with young children. She is ambitious, a recovering pleaser, and tends towards perfection. She’s a master of logistics and often the CEO of her home. She’s giving, empathetic, and kind to her partner, family, and employer. She wears all the hats but struggles to take care of herself in a practical and sustainable way. She wants to find more ways to fill her cup but her mind and the overwhelm of responsibilities and tasks often make daily life a moving target.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
All photos were taken by Anna Petras Photography and I have the rights to them, so they can be used freely.

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