We were lucky to catch up with K Lobo recently and have shared our conversation below.
K, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
Through the path of life, I’ve dealt with the weight of the world in more ways than I can count. Through childhood, adolescence, blooming adulthood and beyond, I’ve had to ensure that I’ve held myself together in a way that would keep me from crumbling with each and every sign of adversity. After having children and leaving the father of my children at the incredibly tender and young age of 22, I found that my resilience faced me in the eyes of my children. As I rebuilt my life from ground zero, experiencing financial ruin, homelessness, and loss of the only version of myself I had known, I struggled to believe that I had the ability to continue powering through, much less could I rebuild my life to a place of anything beyond survival. My childcare unknowingly provided me the reminder that the only option for me was to succeed, and so I did. My resilience has since become so much more than my survival. It’s become my reminder of all of the possibilities in life. It’s a reminder of my ascent rather than my descent. It’s the inspiration that I provide my children in keeping faith and moving onward.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
My professional career has always been focused on sneakers and streetwear, a passion of mine that has been a part of my life from the very beginning. Growing up in The Bronx, my world was a melting pot of all of the latest gear, sneakers, and jewelry. Everything was taken and twisted, made our own. As I cycled through life, my passions and inspirations remained the same, and the creative work I’ve done has always served as homage for the women in all of the hoods before me. Creatively, I consult and support content in the sneaker and streetwear space. Aside from my series of what I call my “silly little outfits,” I love to share my knowledge of sneakers with anyone interested in them, whether a newbie or a seasoned veteran. My passion ties into my community work, making sure to share information and resources with individuals who look like me. Creating community versus cliques, creating spaces of inclusion instead of exclusion, and celebrating moms win every hood. You can catch some glimpses of what that looks like on my socials.
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?
During my journey, resilience, faith, and persistence were three things that allowed me to step into my light. Through the infinite trials and tribulations, the growing pains in stepping further into womanhood and motherhood, there were moments of darkness that engulfed me. My faith in things improving, in setting my children up for success, was one of the most important catalysts in taking so many scary firsts steps. My persistence was paramount in persevering. Every time I felt a no coming, I found a way to challenge that. I found a way to prove my worth and my dedication to whatever it was I was doing, no matter what. That persistence poured into my resilience, ensuring that I’d get up with twice the strength for every time I was knocked down.
For anyone at any place in their journey, believe in yourself. Believe in your capabilities and your ability to thrive, not only survive. So many of us get caught in the noise and the weight of trying to just get through that we forget to love and cultivate ourselves in a way that not just gets us onward, but brings us upward. Pivoting and revising your process, learning that you can turn any no into a yes, and understanding that what’s for you can’t be taken from you are some important tools mentally during your journey. Most importantly, be kind to yourself. Show yourself grace.
Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?
As I approach my 31st birthday, I can finally reflect and smile at the immense growth I’ve experienced in this season of my life. This year was one of heartaches that felt larger than life. While I found what I feel to be my stride in my career, finally feeling like I’m killing it in motherhood as a single and sole parent, feeling like I’ve found my person romantically… This year still put the weight of the world on me in ways I couldn’t have ever anticipated. I’ve had to grieve a loss that was deeper than any pain I’ve ever felt. In that, I had to relearn myself and allow myself the space to feel, something I had been avoiding. I lost two major friendships, both of which hurt me deeply, but had seen the close that they needed to.
This season, I’ve grown in my love and patience within myself. I’ve learned to honor myself, to show myself the grace I so freely extend externally, even when it isn’t warranted or granted. I’ve grown to see myself, truly, and see where I need to nurture myself. I honor myself in the boundaries I set for myself, in the way I speak to myself, in the way that I allow myself to seek help in any area I may need, without deeming myself weak for doing so.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kay.georg/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kiara-lobo-5513a7a0/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCahvYv3Uy2UYfAeFWFXln3g
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@kay.georg
Image Credits
Shane Miller
