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

Paisley, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

Any creative endeavor is a risk. Creativity is your vulnerability expressed and it can be frightening to share it. I face this fear every day in every medium I work in. My biggest risk I’m taking is sharing my deep thoughts with the world as an Insight Coach and writer. I am an insatiable learner; I’m addicted to knowledge. However, compiling all the information in my head into a digestible form for my audience as an Insight Coach is a daring feat. I expose my innermost opinions and wisdom. It’s been a wonderful lesson in authenticity, being okay with whatever consequence comes from publishing sensitive topics. I grew up not being able to completely express my feelings. The last few years I’ve been unlearning this bad habit so I can share my creations with others without restriction. I encourage everyone to develop the strength to do the same- the positive consequences outweigh the discomfort.

Paisley, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Hi! I’m Paisley Bird, a healer and storyteller in the form of an Actress, Insight Coach and Photographer. Believe it not, these three mediums all go hand-in-hand. They each breed connection, which is the foundation of my work. I am dilligent in creating a safe space for all my clients and projects I take on. I’m proud and grateful I get to share my soul – As a Certified Insight Coach, I offer a rare experience in that I produce an understanding that inspires transformation. With my training and life experience (exited a cult and marriage and then transformed myself) I have an unique perspective that provides tangible strategy, realistic exercises, and hope to those who desire support through religious/spiritual recovery, grief, Existentialism, divorce, creative roadblocks, fixed mindsets and core beliefs. Leaving an oppressive environment/community can be likened to a domestic animal being let out into the wild for the first time. I can provide tools and resources to aid in that transition.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My mission in my work is simple: build connection to build a better world. I truly believe that if we work on ourselves in order to serve others, our world would be a very different place. I believe this goal is relatable to everyone and anyone can start- it can be as simple as smiling and acknowledging a stranger. The more authentic connection we can build, not solely through an electronic device, the more fulfilled we will be, and that is contagious!

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Resilience is a beautiful word. I experienced it whole-heartedly at the beginning of this year. I lost many important things in one fell swoop. It caused me to reevaluate what I wanted in life- It was a forceful push from the universe to slow down. And I did. I shed a layer of fear and stepped into the next level of myself. Once the noise was stripped away, I could clearly see that my values were still standing and all I needed to do was listen to myself. Rest is a necessity, not a luxury. And if people or projects or hobbies leave your life, then it may be a blessing. It may be opening a door you didn’t know existed. It’s not to say any of things lost were necessarily bad; it wasn’t what was needed at the time. To come back up from rock bottom is astonishing- to continue pushing forward toward what your created meaning is- that is grit and resilience. I’m now more comfortable in skin and back to being ambitious. Be gentle with yourself, if you are struggling in this transition. Having faith in yourself is invaluable.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.iampaisleybird.com
• Instagram: @iampaisleybird
• Other: www.insightwithpaisley.com

Image Credits
Matt Kallish