We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kristen Gray. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kristen below.

Alright, Kristen thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

My life changed in the most metamorphic way when I decided that I had everything within me to build the life that I desired. I noticed that I was waiting for something to shift in my life in order for me to feel the way I believed I should or to live the way I desired to live. I was waiting until I felt like I deserved the things I desired.
Milestones represent progress or advancement and are a helpful way to recognize tangible goals. However, if we are withholding from ourselves the things we deserve and can possess now because we see them as rewards for our achievement then we have confined ourselves to a hierarchal template of success where our worth is based on our production…and where does this concept even come from?

I have been confronting the ways I have been conditioned. I am unlearning the self-limiting values and beliefs I have been holding onto because I never thought to question whether there is another way. A way that empowers my autonomy as a divine manifestation of creative energy. My creative energy knows no bounds.

I decided to allow more space for my artistic side and I dove into this transformation by becoming saturated in my inner world. I allowed myself to be romanced by the creative charm that greeted me and the marketable potential that I uncovered.

Kristen, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

A little about me:
I’m a creative, trauma specialist, and LCSW based in Louisiana. I am obsessed with all things a e s t h e t i c. I’ve spent most of my career as a social worker providing therapy to children and adults with trauma. I am now creating the soft life I desire through my business and lifestyle curating beautiful wellness products and hyping women up to cultivate the life they desire.

I founded Unapologetic Healing | A creative wellness brand focused on empowering women, creatives & entrepreneurs individually and collectively to embody their power through Mind, Body & Business.

I host and teach DIY classes and workshops at my studio to encourage you to tap into and strengthen your creative intuition, build community and give you an opportunity to develop social connections with like-minded individuals. I also make and sell natural body wellness products such as Body Bars, Perfumes, Body Oil, Bath Soak, Self-Love Kits, Gift Sets, Affirmation Cards and much more! Our Unapologetic Healing Body Collection Line is all about romanticizing Self-Connection and prioritizing Self-Love.

The truth is that our external reality, to some degree, is a manifestation of our inner reality. Now of course, I am not referring to systemic oppression or any type of micro or macro abuse. I am referring to the external reality that we have immediate control over. The external reality that feels as though it is beyond our reach because we have disconnected from ourselves so deeply that once seemingly achievable goals now seem like far-fetched delusions.

My business started in my kitchen and selling products was nowhere on my mind. My primary goal was to love myself more. I began reconnecting with my body, my somatic experiences, and in turn became more acquainted with my sense of self. Connecting with myself on a physical level was difficult at first.

So I explored ways that I could make this process more attractive. My wellness journey did not have to be lonely, hard and exhausting- how about engaging, emotional and romantic? If I can connect with my body in these ways, then I can embody my inner power willingly. I started with my routine.

What are two times throughout the day that we engage with our body? In the morning when getting ready for the day and potentially at night when getting ready for bed. The thing is, we usually engage in these activities mindlessly and neglect the opportunity to connect with our soma.

I filled my morning with affirmations as I looked at myself in the mirror. I was intentional about visualizing what I desired to embody. At night, in the shower, I focused on what it felt like to be in contact with my own body. The sensations that accompanied the water temperature and the bar of soap on my skin and the fragrance of oils in my nostrils. And how a seemingly monotonous activity like showering can help shift your mood and mindset.

I learned that my wellness journey does not have to be hard and neither does yours. I want to show others how they can begin to romanticize their self-connection and embody self-love.

Unapologetic Healing Body Collection products are about cultivating a soft, luxurious life for yourself beginning with the daily intimate moments we take for granted.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I have been confronting the ways I have been conditioned. I am unlearning the self-limiting values and beliefs I have been holding onto because I never thought to question whether there is another way. A way that empowers my autonomy as a divine manifestation of creative energy.

I did not focus much on my strengths when I referenced myself because my associations with my identity were tainted by a fear-based inner narrative and dysregulated nervous system. Where others saw competence, I saw myself as inadequate and the ways that I was producing in society and for myself as insufficient.

And on an even deeper level than that, I felt like if I was not perfect, I was would not be accepted. Although I was not consciously thinking about not being accepted, I was actively engaging in demeaning self-talk because I did not think anything I did was ever good enough; and the times where I did, all it took was me perceiving that others felt differently to derail my confidence.

I began to focus on my inner narrative; I became mindful about my perception of myself. Once I felt like I had an understanding of the deep-rooted fears associated with needing to be perfect and in control, things began to shift. I began to speak to myself differently and see myself through self-compassion.

And what I was not expecting to happen… it began to impact my relationships in the most significant way. I was able to recognize when I was not showing up authentically in my interactions with others, and reference the core wound I was operating from. Time slowed in those moments and I was able to pause before reacting. I was able to respond from the more secure parts of myself.

The parts that do not judge or shame fear and insecurity but instead, holds them in compassion and moves forward authentically and unapologetically.

My creative energy knows no bounds. And neither does yours.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I was at a point in my life where I knew that I was ready for massive change and I was grasping at a way to feel seen. I tried putting myself out there in ways that did not feel authentic and it was difficult to maintain that persona. I decided to focus on validating the unmet need inside of me. I embraced the ways I was evolving and released the need to show up the way that media says I should as a creator. I feel most connected to my sense of self when I am expressing myself through creative charm while also influencing others to embrace their own transformations. I embarked on a journey to re-connect with myself and I started by diving into my inner reality.

I founded this business to help you go from that frustrating point in your life where you know you have such incredible greatness inside of you but your current inner and external reality does not reflect the magic you hold. You may find yourself drained by the different roles you hold (e.g., employee, partner, parent, dependable family member) and are becoming more and more distanced from your sense of self. It’s my passion to share my knowledge and experiences with you and provide opportunities for you to begin or continue on your journey toward embracing life in an unapologetic way.

Contact Info:

• Website: Unapologetichealing.shop
• Instagram: @unapologetic_healing
• Other: @unapologetichealingstudio For inquiries related to events, party or wedding favors and private classes and workshops, Please email: [email protected] I look forward to hearing from you!