We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jenna Schmidt. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jenna below.
Jenna, 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.
I’ve been living with depression since high school—probably even earlier—but I wasn’t officially diagnosed until around 2010. Back then, I just thought I was “going through a phase,” but it turned out to be something much deeper.
When I was sixteen, I went through things no teenager should ever have to face. Not long after, a car accident led doctors to discover I had a Chiari Malformation. I had brain surgery in December 2012, which helped physically but worsened my mental health. My depression became what doctors called “severe”—in the top 10%.
Over time, I’ve learned to live with what I call *functional depression*. On the outside, I go to work, see friends, and stay busy with creative projects. But underneath, the depression is still there. The people closest to me can always tell when I’m struggling, and I’m thankful they do.
Art has become my therapy. Whether it’s drawing, crafting, or photography, creating gives me a sense of purpose. It’s how I turn pain into something beautiful. Some days, it’s hard to start—but when I do, it reminds me that I’m still capable of living and feeling.
What keeps me going are the little things: my cat curled up next to me, laughter with friends, a project I’m proud of. Those moments remind me there’s still so much worth holding on to.
Living with depression isn’t easy, but it doesn’t define me—it shapes me. Every day I choose to get up and keep going, I prove to myself that strength doesn’t always look loud; sometimes, it’s just quietly continuing.
So, to anyone else struggling: you’re not alone. Keep going, even on the hard days. There’s still beauty waiting for you—even in the broken moments.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Photography has always been a passion of mine, and it’s what inspired me to start my small business. I actually work full-time at a law firm, and after chatting with some of the attorneys there, they encouraged me to take the next step—forming an LLC and officially branding myself. Honestly, it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made!
Along with photography, I love crafting. I started with a vinyl cutter and a laser engraver, and from there, my creativity just took off. I’ll make just about anything I can dream up! I get so excited preparing for markets and pop-up events (though I could definitely do without the setup and teardown—if you know, you know).
One of my favorite parts of doing markets is meeting new vendors and customers. There’s something so special about connecting with people who appreciate handmade work. And let’s be honest—compliments from strangers just hit differently (no offense to my friends and family, of course!).
I’m always working on new pieces and designs, so the best way to stay updated is by following my website and social media pages. The holiday season is my busiest time of year, and I’ve got plenty of fun events coming up—so be sure to check them out!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
That’s a tough one—but if I had to pick three traits that define how I work, I’d say *time-oriented, patient,* and *detail-focused.*
**Time-oriented:** Planning is everything. I’ll be honest—I used to be the queen of last-minute scrambling, and it was *not* fun. These days, I’ve learned the value of scheduling and organization. I rely on to-do lists, project batching (grouping similar tasks together), and a calendar that keeps me on track with start and due dates. It’s not perfect, but it’s made a world of difference.
**Patience:** This one’s huge, especially in photography and crafting. Having patience while working is key—whether I’m editing photos or waiting for paint to dry. But I’ll admit, my patience doesn’t always extend to everyday life (don’t judge me!). Have you ever tried photographing a hyper kid or an energetic pet? You *learn* patience real quick.
**Attention to detail:** As a film student, this one comes naturally—sometimes too naturally. No one wants to watch movies with me because I can’t help but point out continuity errors (thanks, film school!). But that same eye for detail translates beautifully into my work. Whether I’m crafting or editing, I don’t stop until it’s just right.
My biggest piece of advice? **Take your time.** Perfecting your passion takes patience and practice, but it’s so worth it in the end. Trust the process, keep improving, and don’t rush the things you love—your work (and your peace of mind) will thank you for it.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
I’ll be honest—I’m constantly overwhelmed. I have a full-time 8-to-5 job, plus my LLC on the side, so it feels like I’m always working. I tend to overextend myself because I want to give 100% to everything I do, but sometimes that leads straight to burnout.
On the days when everything seems to go wrong—when I’m messing things up or nothing’s working out—I force myself to take a night (or two) off. For me, that usually means curling up with a good movie. I’m a film student, so that’s definitely my comfort zone and my way to reset.
For a long time, I thought the best solution was to bury myself in work. Spoiler: it’s not. Eventually, I realized that staying constantly busy only made me feel worse. What’s helped me most is creating structure—using calendars, planning out my days, and setting realistic goals for what I can actually accomplish.
My biggest piece of advice? **Plan ahead and pace yourself.** Don’t wait until the last minute to tackle big projects—you’ll only stress yourself out more. Give yourself time, grace, and space to breathe. The quality of your work (and your peace of mind) will thank you for it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://curiouscapturecompanyllc.square.site/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/curiouscapturellc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/curiouscapturellc
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@curiouscapturellc
Image Credits
Main Image: Alexa Legend (Instagram: alexa.the.legend)
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