We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Crystal Diaz a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Crystal, thanks for joining us today. Do you wish you had started sooner?

Oh man, well I started in blogging and posting on Instagram wayyyy back in 2014. Some call me an OG and had I kept up with it through the years, who knows where I would be today in that content creator world. I stopped back in 2016 due to life simply getting in the way, which happens to all of us, right?

If I could go back, I would have been more transparent and vulnerable with my audience. Although, back then IG was not anywhere near what it is today.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I decided to get back in content creation during the pandemic. Of course, we were all looking for ways to keep busy and creating content was one of those ways for me. I used that down time to learn more about Youtube, Instagram, taking my own photos/videos, and creating websites. I am not by any means an expert at any of this, yet!

This year, I started a podcast, I’m Ready – the pod (IG: @imreadythepod). I feature special guests who have relatable stories, and I am working toward centering the focus around mental health and faith. It is unscripted and occasionally, I will drop my own solo gems or stories.

I am so proud of myself for taking the leap to launch this podcast. Backstory: I had this idea after my mom passed in 2021, but I allowed my own self-doubt and imposter syndrome to delay the growth.

My main goal is to simply provide a safe space for those who struggle with the same things I struggle with. I know what it is like to feel alone in a crowded room, but I promise you – better days are ahead. This year started off terrible for me, but with much prayer and the support of a very small circle – I am making it through. I look nothing like what I’ve been through.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

In 2018, right before Christmas I was taken to a behavioral facility. My mental health was NOT good, but I needed that 5-day break from life. I needed to see that the world will continue without me. So that started to fuel a fire inside of me that I needed to stop caring about what others thought of me and I needed to focus on what I thought of myself.

I felt like I was on the right path and slowly pulling myself out of this dark place. Then in 2021 my mother passed away, which added more fuel to the fire. I needed to live and do all the things I had on my dream board. I started traveling and saying ‘No’ (and I really meant it)!

I started to allow myself to dream, and I gained a different perspective on how we may feel like we have a lot of time in life, but we do not have a lot of time to waste. For example, in your 20s, you have all the time to figure out who you are and who you want to be – but you do not have a lot of time to waste. In your 30s, the rush may be to start a family and buy a house – you have time to figure it out, but don’t procrastinate – because you really do not have time to waste. Making any sense?

Lastly, earlier this year, my ex took his own life a week after we ended things. For a long time, I felt like it was my fault, but with much therapy and having a support circle – I was able to overcome that mindset. The mindset that almost took me back to 2018. Fortunately, the years and years of therapy I have paid for allowed me to “recover” in a healthier way.

I say all of that to say – you will ALWAYS have trials in life. The important thing is to know that you will make it through. Stay strong in prayer, therapy, and community.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Understand that they are humans and regular people, just like you. While you may know these creatives on social media, you do not know their whole story. You do not know them personally and even moreso, we don’t know you. So do no take things personal or feel the need to get negative in comments.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.imreadythepod.com
• Instagram: @justcrissyd

Image Credits
Photographer: https://www.instagram.com/shakiranaemedia/