We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kelly Michelle Thomas a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Kelly Michelle, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.
I’ve always had some level of confidence and self esteem, but there came a point in my life where my self esteem went down the drain. I had gotten myself involved in some very tumultuous relationships that involved a lot of emotional and physical abuse. It was one after the other and each time, my self esteem would chip away more and more. But, I kept trying to find my worth in other people. In 2015, I left a 5 year relationship that was very unhealthy. All I could hear playing over and over like a broken record in my head was the voice of this person telling me “I have no value”. It repeated so much in my mind until one day that voice no longer sounded like them, but started to sound like me. About a month after that relationship, I decided to challenge myself and write (or paint) everyday for 125 days, no excuses. For the next 4 months, I would become the most vulnerable I’ve ever been in my life. I’d express my traumas, desires, writing fictional stories, and finding inspiration anywhere I could. On days I didn’t write, I would paint and everyday I’d post what I had done on my blog at the time for my followers. I was very dedicated as it was the first time I actually spent time with myself and was getting to know who I was all over again.
After I was done, the feeling I had was incredible. I looked at everything I had done, saw all the beautiful work that came out of me and thought “Wow, I really did this. I can’t believe I really did it.” and that once lingering voice telling me I had no value finally was silenced and was replaced with a new one, I do have value. Soon after in 2016, I began to focus on my artwork and that’s how MICHESHART was born. At that time, I had a unique way of painting where I would dance to music and paint at the same time with my hands resulting in these unique abstract pieces. Sometimes I liked the pieces other times not so much, but I always enjoyed my process and that soon became my mantra in life, expect nothing and enjoy the process.
Overtime I began to realize something. Every time I’d create something, my confidence and self esteem would sky rocket. When I look around at all the art I’ve made or reread the poems I wrote I can’t help but to think “Wow this came from me” and the most important thing is that I love what I create. As long as I love what I create, I don’t need the validation from other people because again I love it and because I love the work I create, it has made me love myself. Allowing myself to thrive in my creative essence has given me my confidence and self esteem back. Spending time and getting to know myself all over again gave me my confidence and self esteem back. I carry myself differently, I walk with my head high and I will NEVER allow anyone else to tell me “I have no value” ever again. Hell could freeze over and that statement still won’t ever ring true. Now there are days that do get rough, however, but in those moments I now give myself a pep talk like I would my best friend. Give myself grace and talk kindly to spirit. We do it for the ones we love and it’s just as important we give that same love and grace to ourselves.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Well, I am poet, visual artist and author. I have a home art studio called MICHESHART, established in 2016, and I self published my debut poetry collection, 125 Days, in 2021 and 2022. At this point in my life and creative journey, I have become more focused on my writing. Eventually I would like to develop a healthy balance between my art and writing, but that will come in due time. I want to publish more poetry books, maybe even a novel/epic poem and some children’s books. I’ve been submitting poems to literary magazines to get my work out there to more readers. Although I do get a few rejections, it doesn’t deter me. My dream is to become a best selling author and/or win a Pulitzer Prize. I see myself expanding in the literary world with hopes of maybe even acquiring opportunities to read my poetry at Universities or whatever God has planned for me. I don’t dream small, I like to dream big. My thing is, if I’m able to see it in my minds eye clearly, then it’s already mine. I just have to align myself with the path that will lead to these things.
I think that’s probably the most exciting thing about my creative journey. I never truly know where it will take me. Is it scary? In the beginning it was when I quit my job to dedicate myself to my art. That decision alone eventually led me to self publish my debut poetry collection, 125 Days, something I never expected to happen. Now, I welcome and embrace the unknown as I walk this path. Every time a new opportunity arises or I sell another book, I do a happy dance. Whenever a new idea pops up into my head it’s like a little gift from God/The Universe and I get excited. For instance, I turned one of these ideas into this new content series I’m doing called “Kelly’s Korner” where I post a video reading my poetry for my listeners every Sunday at 8pm on all my social media platforms. I wanted this series to have a somewhat nostalgic feeling to it that soothes you like how back in the day when you were a kid and everyone in class sat in a semi-circle around the teacher in the library for story time. It was a brief moment where you could escape. So, if you’re interested in hearing me read some of my poetry and stories, check out “Kelly’s Korner” every Sunday at 8pm.
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?
I believe you got to have good social skills, determination, and most importantly be authentic. Having good social skills can help you in many ways along your journey, especially if you’re selling products. People hate poor customer service! Be professional and network, people love to be around individuals that have great energy and are easy to talk to. If you don’t have good social skills it’s not the end of the world. It takes time and practice. But, you got to put yourself out there, even if you are afraid.
Your determination is what will keep you going even when you get punched in the gut. There are going to be many nights where you will cry yourself to sleep wondering if you’re doing the right thing. Your determination is what will make you dry your eyes after the tears have rolled out and keep going. Your determination is what will make you seek more knowledge and resources that could help you in your journey. When your determination is strong, nothing can stop you.
The most important thing you can be in this world, is to be authentic! Walk in your truth, speak your truth and own your truth and the right people, opportunities, and blessings will gravitate towards you.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
Oh! I have been very blessed and fortunate to have parents that have been so amazing and supportive when it comes to my creative journey. My parents have never made me feel like that path I’m taking is a waste of time or never made comments to me like “when you going to get a real job?”. They always find a way to support and invest into me. My dad on time set up a private exhibition showcasing my artwork and invited so many people. He ordered these custom wine glasses with my signature and MICHESHART on them as souvenirs for those that came. He also likes to buy and collect my art. When I go to his house and see my art on his walls, it’s an incredible, loving feeling.
My mother one time purchased books for the book club she always attends and set up a meet and greet. I had to sign all these books and she gifted them to all the book club members and after they finished reading my book, I was invited to their follow-up meeting and they got to ask me so many amazing questions about the poems and where I was mentally at the time of writing. Everyone really took the time to get to know me and it was such an amazing experience to be in that space experiencing that type of love and it was all thanks to my mom.
I truly am so grateful to have parents that support and believe in me just as much as I believe in myself. It makes this journey a little more easier and less lonely knowing I got that type of support system in my life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kellymichellethomas.com
- Instagram: @im.miche
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kellymichellethomas
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@kellymichellethomas
- Other: TikTok: @im.miche Art Portfolio: https://www.micheshart.com Poetry Blog: https://www.prettypoesy.com
