She Stories Feature Friday - Christina Flach

STORIES

About She Stories

She Stories is a community of women that promotes self wellness, empowerment and the value of supporting each other You have overcome tremendous obstacles Telling your story brings healing for you and others. There is empowerment in every story. We are Real Women with Real Stories. What started out as a storytelling night has transformed into a sisterhood. From gatherings to giving back, we inspire and affirm the every day woman that she is brave and beautiful..

Our Founder

In 2017, I decided to carry on the tradition of testimony service and share this amazing gift of storytelling from my elders to my tribe I provided a sacred space for women to share their challenges and victories so they can not only be empowered but through each story women would find a circle of support and empowerment Her story matters and the world needs to hear it

Ehmandah

She Stories has always been about women sharing their stories through storytelling. (Yeah, that’s me with a box of tissue) We believe there’s healing that happens when we share our stories. We all have one!

By sharing our stories, we prove that it’s possible to shift change through another woman’s journey, struggles, and triumphs.

Elevating women of all ages is powerful. Compassion and love speaks volumes. And when they’re combined among a community of bosses, we ALL thrive!

XO,

Inthisissue FEATUREFRIDAY

We get to know a little about Christina Flach and her influences on makeup, philanthropy, and all things beauty. She’s a fighter, a survivor, a boss, and a mother. You don’t want to miss this!

CHRISTINA FLACH

In this week’s Feature Friday, we’re getting to know Christina Flach and see what keeps her heart in the work she does. She’s based out of Northern Cali, but her work has been recognized world wide. From celebrity clients like Renee Zellweer to high end features in Vogue and Time, she’s done so much in the world of makeup and fashion

She’s also an advocate and brings awareness to Sepsis, a medical condition in the blood that took her late husband, Olympian Ken Flach. Christina created the Ken Flach Educational Foundation dedicated to helping under privledged kids. She’s a mother herself and has shown her own children to lead by example. And she’s set quite the example

Christina’s superpower is that she brings the inner beauty outward and helps women everywhere look and feel like the best version of themselves. She shared with me the effects of seeing her clients transform and the courage and confidence her work provided as well. More and more women are embracing their inner self whether through fashion, makeup, or just by eating better But Christina is taking it a step further through her business and pouring it out to her passions

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CHRISTINA FLACH:

JUST PRETEND FAILING IS NOT AN OPTION.

When failure is removed from the table as an option, you can only win.

“I accept and expect miracles.”

I got a chance to speak to Christina a couple weeks ago, and from the beginning, I could tell this was a woman who was no stranger to juggling Where some women may struggle with this, her focus is like a laser.

Christina recalls always being drawn to fashion and beauty. It was a natural calling that allowed her to grow into a celebrity makeup artist. She spoke of the conversations she’d have with clients while in her chair, and just like an artist’s brush, she painted the canvas.

By empowering women to be their best, she gives the following advice, “Ask for help and guidance often” So many times we don’’t ask questions for whatever reasons, but she’s made it a priority to create a space for women to lead with their own voice.

Christina has a clear understanding of her purpose and what she’s here to dol She’s a true boss and we can’’t wait to see what her next projects are

CHRISTINA’S TIP:

be brave be loud be distruptive be strong be woman

October is Domestic Violence Awareness month. Every year our sister organization, House of Ruth, Inc.

the lives of those lost to incidents of intimate partner violence with a Candle Light Vigil This year the vigil will be held on October 20th

annual candlelight

honor those whose lives were cut short as a result of domestic

Join us in honoring those lost and

of Ruth

SELF CARE/ SELF LOVE/ SELF COMPASSION WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?

So, we hear these "buzz words" all the time SELF CARE/ SELF LOVE/ SELF COMPASSION...whew! that's a mouthful! But what does it all mean and how does one practice it?

Self care/Self Love/Self Compassion, simply put, means taking care of yourself. Showing yourself love and compassion the way you would a friend or family member especially when they approach you in a time of emotional need. Sometimes you're there for them in a variety of ways...sometimes it's just listening to them, provide a hug or just sitting next to them holding their hands (or not) in silence letting them know you are there for them Ultimately the message you are telling them is "everything will be okay" and "it's okay not to be okay but I'm here for you". It can even be sending them a joke or comment as a healthy distraction via text/email/phone call especially if they are making a request.

SO, WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE?

Taking time to do things you Tenjoy aking time to do things you enjoy...everyday activities you find relaxing, fun or eeven veryday activities you find relaxing, fun or even energizing...they can be as simple as doing a word search, reading a book or as big eas nergizing...they can be as simple as doing a word search, reading a book or as big as taking a vacation (especially planning it out ahead of ttime); aking a vacation (especially planning it out ahead of time);

T Taking care of ayourself king care of yourself...this means eating regular meals, getting enough tsleep, his means eating regular meals, getting enough sleep, caring for personal hygiene and anything that maintains good chealth. aring for personal hygiene and anything that maintains good health.

M Makingas king self care/self love/self compassion a epriority lf care/self love/self compassion a priority let's face it, there will always lbe et's face it, there will always be "other things" to do, but face the challenge of not letting those "other "things" other things" to do, but face the challenge of not letting those "other things" interrupt the time you set aside for self care/self love/self compassion. Self icare/self nterrupt the time you set aside for self care/self love/self compassion. Self care/self love/self compassion should be given the same importance as other lresponsibilities ove/self compassion should be given the same importance as other responsibilities. Mark it on your calendar with a reminders if that will Mhelp. ark it on your calendar with a reminders if that will help

M Making self care/self love/self compassion a ahabit king self care/self love/self compassion a habit...just like eating one apple .doesn't ..just like eating one apple doesn't eliminate health problems, using self care practices once won't have much of eeffect liminate health problems, using self care practices once won't have much of effect on reducing stress. Choose activities that you can do often, and that you will ostick n reducing stress Choose activities that you can do often, and that you will stick with. with.

SO, WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE?

S Setting specific egoals tting specific goals...try to make specific goals not vague goals. Vague goals .look ..try to make specific goals not vague goals. Vague goals look and sound like this, "I will take more time to practice self care" Specific goals look aand nd sound like this, "I will take more time to practice self care" Specific goals look and sound like this, "I will walk for 30 minutes every evening after sdinner". ound like this, "I will walk for 30 minutes every evening after dinner"

S Setting boundaries to protect your self care/self love/self ecompassion tting boundaries to protect your self care/self love/self compassion "no" is .a .."no" is a complete sentence. You have the right to say "no" and don't need a major cobligation omplete sentence You have the right to say "no" and don't need a major obligation to say "no" to others your self care is reason enough. Try to remind yourself that tyour o say "no" to others your self care is reason enough. Try to remind yourself that your needs are as important as anyone nelse's. eeds are as important as anyone else's.

R Reminding yourself a few minutes of self care/self love/self compassion is ebetter minding yourself a few minutes of self care/self love/self compassion is better than no self care/self love/self tcompassion han no self care/self love/self compassion...Utilize your calendar on your phone to .set ..Utilize your calendar on your phone to set an alarm to take regular breaks, even if it's just a walk around the block or aan n alarm to take regular breaks, even if it's just a walk around the block or an uninterrupted snack or journal your thoughts/emotions at that specific umoment ninterrupted snack or journal your thoughts/emotions at that specific moment Oftentimes, just stepping away will energize you to work more efficiently when Oyou ftentimes, just stepping away will energize you to work more efficiently when you rreturn. eturn.

U Unhealthy activities don't count as self care/self love/self ncompassion healthy activities don't count as self care/self love/self compassion...self self medicating with substance use, over eating and other unhealthy behaviors mmight edicating with substance use, over eating and other unhealthy behaviors might hide uncomfortable emotions temporarily, but they cause more problems in the hlong ide uncomfortable emotions temporarily, but they cause more problems in the long rrunun. and... and...keeping up with your self care/self love/self compassion, even when kyou're eeping up with your self care/self love/self compassion, even when you're feeling fgood eeling good...Yes! Doing so will keep you in a healthy routine and mental well .being. ..Yes! Doing so will keep you in a healthy routine and mental well being. Plus, keep in mind, your self care/self love/self compassion practices might be part Pof lus, keep in mind, your self care/self love/self compassion practices might be part of the reason WHY you're feeling so tgood! he reason WHY you're feeling so good!

"SELF CARE/SELF LOVE/SELF COMPASSION, SIMPLY PUT, MEANS TAKING CARE OF YOURSELF."

So, there you have it...you now have the tools, some clarification and information on Show o, there you have it you now have the tools, some clarification and information on how practice self care/self love/self compassion. pRemember, ractice self care/self love/self compassion. Remember, there are various ways to tpractice, here are various ways to practice, find what is right for you I urge you to create a list on what you plan to do as a "go to flist" ind what is right for you. I urge you to create a list on what you plan to do as a "go to list" so you don't have to hold all that information in your head. You might forget. sIt's o you don't have to hold all that information in your head You might forget It's happened before. Some of the activities include exercising (the number one activity hto appened before. Some of the activities include exercising (the number one activity to address depression AND anxiety because it releases endorphins a natural "feel agood" ddress depression AND anxiety because it releases endorphins a natural "feel good" hormone); dancing to your favorite song; creating some art (oh yeah! no hexperience ormone); dancing to your favorite song; creating some art (oh yeah! no experience required just give yourself permission to have some fun); bird watching (simply robserve equired just give yourself permission to have some fun); bird watching (simply observe the birds in your area); nature observing (psst, squirrels always give tentertainment he birds in your area); nature observing (psst, squirrels always give entertainment chasing one another); taking up anew hobby like photography or putting together ca hasing one another); taking up anew hobby like photography or putting together a jigsaw puzzle; reading and/or meditation. Just naming a few. Let me know what you jdo igsaw puzzle; reading and/or meditation Just naming a few Let me know what you do for self care/self love/self fcompassion! or self care/self love/self compassion!

Debbie whyte, art therapist

We absolutely love sharing the stories of everyday women just like you! Every woman has a story to tell! In our community, we share our stories to uplift, inspire and empower women. Stories can be shared one on one, through social media and even through creativity.

Girl, we want you to know there’s healing power in sharing your story. Sometimes you may feel that there’s things only you could’ve experienced, until you hear someone else with a similar experience. You are not alone. Together we overcome.

Would you like to be a feature? Or do you know a woman who’d like to share her story at a live event?

Let us know! Let's change the world together one story at a time. It’s pretty empowering!