WE TALK Networks Part 2
“I had to explain this to my husband just because he doesn’t really use social media, so it is a whole different world to him… Social media groups I am in are a huge part of my mental health.”
It is Wednesday and that means it is time for WE TALK FIVE — a series where WE TAKE FIVE founder Roza Saveleva asks professionals from across the industries 5 questions about the ups and downs of finding the optimal structure for their day-to-day routine.
This week we continue talking about networks in their various forms, whether networks of routines, family, or even social media, and how those networks sustain our bodies and spirits.
Here is a Part 2 (read Part 1 here) of our interview with Christina Kimbrough (She/Hers) from Cleveland Ohio, who now lives with her husband in Chesapeake, Virginia. She began her career in public affairs and communications working for the government and later independently managing political campaigns. Meanwhile she has been dealing with bipolar, anxiety, and substance abuse disorders. At 25 she hospitalized herself because of a severe panic attack that resembled a heart attack. Her recovery journey has been long and, as Christina says herself, is “still a work in progress,” but it led her to becoming a mental health and recovery advocate. She is now a blogger and social media micro-influencer working with wellness-minded brands.
Question 3: Can you talk about the effect all the communal experiences have on your physical and mental health?
Christina: Yeah… I mean my husband is the number one blessing in my life. We work really hard to be the best partners we can be for each other.
The second is my sponsor, and then I have a home group which is me and a group of other ladies online and we get together and listen to other women’s stories of recovery. It’s online which is kind of weird, but I’ve gotten used to it. Just having a group of women that I care about, that I am invested in, that are invested in me, gives me a sense of purpose, gives me a sense of love and community. I really believe, and I think it is scientifically proven, that we are all built for community. I mean we just are. And it’s really hard to do now because of COVID, which is why my online groups are huge. You know it is funny. I had to explain this to my husband just because he doesn’t really use social media, so it is a whole different world to him. But I am in this social media group (Women Helping Women Entrepreneurs) and I have never met these women but we are each other’s hype girls, you know we are just there for each other. We talk about what’s going on in our lives, we comment on pictures. It feels really good to have virtual friends. And I have friends but just having those online groups is just so helpful. I am in a couple Facebook groups for military spouses and we are going through very unique situations and having people that I can reach out to is huge and everyone is usually in their DMs which I don’t know how good that is. And weekly we schedule meetings and stuff. It’s a huge part of my mental health for sure. Cause I notice, I am an extravert and when I don’t talk to people I get so depressed. I actually try to schedule at least two meetings a week whether it is for a brand call or something like this interview even, because I need to talk to people.
Question 4: How has COVID influenced your opportunities to connect with people?
Christina: COVID pushed me to talk more, share and blog more, things like that. And because of COVID people are just online more and my engagement increased and my followers have increased. I know that brands have to rely on influences, and that’s where the marketing is going. For example the brick and mortar stores right now don’t get much foot traffic. The downfall of that was not being able to support my local community. I am very community oriented, so that’s been hard, because I would like to partner with coffee shops or places that serve mocktails, but a lot in Virginia has shut down and unfortunately I am not able to reach my local community but overall it’s been good.
Question 5: What is one of the most serendipitous connections that you’ve made recently?
Christina: Yeah… I’ll share two if that’s okay. I have worked with a breathwork coach and we did an exchange where she did sessions with me and I talked about it. That was cool, I’ve never done breathwork before. I was open to it and I meditate, so I thought I knew what that was. I think we did 6 weeks and that was life changing. It was very intense and she would have me scream into a pillow. And I told my husband “please leave the house when I am doing this” cause I felt weird (laughs), and then we’ll meditate and she will read something encouraging. And it was AMAZING! Life changing. I went into it super open. We connected through a Facebook networking group. I do a lot of posts letting people know I am micro-influencer and I love partnering with wellness minded brands… And then another one, she was a confidence coach. She found me through Instagram. And I have been through therapy my whole life but this was different. We would meet once a week for an hour, hour and a half. She would help me identify thought patterns and limiting beliefs, so like what was holding me back. That was life changing. Yeah wow… I have met some really good people and they are all over the country too. One is in California, one is in Michigan, and now I feel like I can go anywhere in the country and have a friend. When all this ends hopefully (laughs).
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