We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Dina Smith. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Dina below.
Hi Dina , thank you so much for joining us and opening up about the very personal topic of divorce. So many in the community are going through or have gone through divorce and we think hearing about how others dealt with the aftermath and managed to build a vibrant, successful life and career despite the trauma of divorce can be helpful to many who might be feeling a degree of hopelessness. So, maybe you can talk to us about how you overcame divorce?
Divorce has shaped the entirety of who I am today. In the year leading to my divorce, I went from being the breadwinner in my marriage to getting laid off, working part-time at The Container Store and the after-care program at my 4-year-old’s school to keep her in private school. This year was the worst financial of my life but the best spiritual year of my life. While juggling household responsibilities, my work schedule, and motherhood, I was also discovering spirituality. Along the way, I would have random “encounters of encouragement” from strangers. Although I was struggling to make ends meet and still living in my house with my husband, it was a magical time. I specifically remember a parent at the after-care program telling me, “Stay in the role of a wife until you are no longer a wife.” Not knowing what that meant I tucked it away for safekeeping. With the divorce looming I began to prepare to move. I had hoped to transfer to Atlanta with The Container Store but they had no openings. I felt defeated, trapped, and had no idea what my next steps would be. Within a month my divorce was final and I was devastated. In the same week that my divorce was final, I received a call from the manager in Atlanta saying, I don’t have full-time but I have 38 hours can you be here in two weeks? My answer was yes! It was as if once the ink was dry on the divorce papers, I had been set free. I moved to Atlanta on a Friday and started working on Monday.
How did I overcome divorce? Overcoming divorce was a mix of sheer grit, blind faith, a stellar support system, and developing the organizational skills to keep it all together. These fundamental principles have shaped my private practice where I had women and families recover from un-partnering/divorce through therapy, coaching, and professional organizing.
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 the owner of Closet Therapy with Dina, where I help women and families overcome unpartnering/divorce. I offer therapy, coaching, and professional organizing services both online and in-person. I am also a co-founder and Finance Director of The National Association of Black Professional Organizers. I enjoy having the opportunity to speak and educate on a variety of mental health/wellness topics including the benefits of organized living. I am excited to launch my 2nd book this spring entitled, “Reclaiming Your Life Starts in Your Closet.”
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Three skills that have been invaluable on my journey are having a strong & authentic sense of self, having a strong work ethic, and developing my organizational skills. The best way to develop all three is to show up curious and be eager to learn something new. Be kind to people and know that you deserve to be wherever you are.
Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
When I graduated from college and began to full-time, the most impactful thing my parents did for me was to “kick me out.” The house rule was if you were in school or working towards something you could stay, if not you gotta go. I was young making a salary and only had a car payment. Once I was out on my own, I realized that the money I made didn’t go far. It taught me the value of money and how to carry my own weight.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Closet_therapywithdina
- Other: closettherapywithdina@gmail.com
