How does family shape your perception of strength? Growing up I always thought my parents were strong, hardworking people. My dad started a business of his own, and my siblings and I each worked for him at one point or another. I suppose that’s one version of strength, to be physically strong to work out in a shop day in and day out, but there’s a lot more to strength than that. When I think of all the hardships we’ve gone through - as individuals and as a family, we’ve all become stronger because of it. I turn to my family during times of need, because their strength and resilience is what gets me through those tough days.
How have your trials made you stronger? I feel like through every obstacle life has thrown my way, I’ve learned from it. Through mistakes comes wisdom!
Kirsten’s Intentional Act of Kindness
How did you use the $100? It took me a long time to figure out how I wanted to spend the $100. I put an unnecessary amount of pressure on my myself to figure out the best way to make an impact, because let’s face it - 2020 has been incredibly hard. In the end, I decided I would match the $100 with $100 of my own and support as many small businesses and individual makers as I could! Some were local to Portland, the PNW, and also from my home state of Wisconsin. It was so fun going out and selecting these items for the people I love most, and I can’t wait to give to them!
What was the ‘Intentional Act of Kindness’ process like for you? So much fun, and also so much more thought provoking than I expected. Each question really made me stop and think and take the time to reflect on each response. Sometimes it’s so easy to go through the motions of life and this project was a change of pace for me.