Story & Lesson Highlights with Christin Kless of Peoria

We recently had the chance to connect with Christin Kless and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Christin, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: Would YOU hire you? Why or why not?
I would definitely hire me. I am professional, a rule follower (mostly), I think I interview well, and I follow instructions given to me. Quality is important to me. I am detail oriented, and I notice things others might miss. I don’t take short cuts, and I do what is asked of me. I am learning to feel more confident in asking questions. Of course, all of this is not apparent in a job interview. I have had a few interviews over recent years, and the jobs that I have not gotten, I have come to accept they were just not for me and I can have gratitude for that.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am originally from Cleveland, Ohio, and have spent the last 20 years in Phoenix, AZ. I am not currently working, either for an employer or for myself. I do not have any personal projects I am working on creatively, but I hope to get back to that soon. Right now, I am in full puppy mode! We adopted a 2 month old Husky mix from a rescue two months ago, so he is taking up most of my time currently! When he is able to be left alone, I will be looking again into getting a part time job or getting back into photography, or even perhaps discovering a new creative passion!

Okay, so here’s a deep one: What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
Survival mode served its purpose but now must be released to some degree. My upbringing in my formative years was inconsistent, having had several caregivers with my Mom gone for a few years, and my Dad traveling for work. I learned to always be braced for trouble, and to gauge people’s moods, which caused me to always be hyper-vigilant and never be at true rest. It is time my nervous system is taught safety, and peace.

When you were sad or scared as a child, what helped?
I was taught about guardian angels, so when I was a child and scared, I would look at the little paintings on my wall of big, strong, calm guardian angels walking hand in hand with children and I’d feel more at peace. Sometimes if I was alone and walking and scared, I’d pretend I was the child in the painting, holding an angel’s hand, and it made me feel better.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What’s a belief you used to hold tightly but now think was naive or wrong?
I was raised in many religions-Evangelical, Baptist, Catholic, and Episcopalian, and in recent years I’ve come to terms with the fact that a lot of things I was taught was man-created, and not of God at all. Any system that uses control, coercion, guilt trips, fear, misogyny, racism, classism, sex, homophobia, etc, is NOT God at all, but men’s version of God that has been warped to match their own beliefs and evil desires. I’ve seen and heard too many people using the Bible or their own twisted beliefs to hurt people. Now I only care about MY relationship with God, and what Jesus ACTUALLY said, not some wacky translation that started belief systems that weren’t even as God originally intended or based on what Jesus actually said. It saddens and angers me not only that people engage the way they do in the name of “Christianity”, harming people, and being stuck in a bubble, but also that I was that way for many years, naive to the damage that system has caused so many people for so long and continues to.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
If I knew I had 10 years left, I would stop spending as much time on my phone as I do. I know it’s a waste, but it’s hard to stop. I’m honestly not sure exactly what I’d replace it with, maybe spending more time talking to strangers, and getting to know their stories. I’d be bolder and not afraid to put myself out there. I’d travel more, even on a shoestring budget. I’d show love more and frustration less. I’d keep working to see people behind their behaviors, and try and show compassion. I’d figure out what kind of legacy is MOST important for me to leave, if it’s just me, or something I’d need to create, build, make, etc.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @christinmdk

Image Credits
All photos are mine.