In this episode, we talk with Christina Glickman about the power of community and why being a bright light for others is her life's goal. Christina recently wrote the book, xtra the art of being. She wants other people to see that she's OK just being herself, in case they want to try the same for themselves. The book and her community following, are for strong, loving, purpose-driven women that are looking to step into life with unapologetic confidence. In the realization that she doesn’t know everything, her self-confidence deepens. The book has great stories and so many beautiful pictures. The pictures were taken, not for the purpose of using them in the book but just to take them. They ended up being perfect for it. Writing the book was more about the journey and the process. She wasn’t attached to the outcome of publishing the book or what it would garner. She learned so much by just doing it. One quote from the book that reflects this philosophy is,
“The world is aching for you to do what you love. Look for it. Find it. Hold onto it. Then let it go when it doesn’t give you joy. The search is real happiness. The search is what’s brave, finding it isn’t.” She wants people to show up in this world with hopes and dreams and know the only one holding them back is themselves. She wants to show others that in having permission to open up in the world and in being vulnerable, that they will receive.
She thinks mothers need to share more authentic stories about their trials and tribulations. It’s really hard to have kids in this world who are being taught that the end result is paramount to their existence. It’s truly destroying our children and it's all based on our own parenting fears. Kids can’t live up to the standards we put on them. They just need to be who they are. Christina thinks if you want your kids to be kind, empathetic, and compassionate then you need to be kind and compassionate. There’s nothing better than a role model.
Christina asks herself a couple of questions each day: Am I joyful? Do my kids feel OK? Does my husband? Did I do something to make someone feel better? And if she answers yes to those questions, she knows that she’s living a life well-lived. One reason she’s able to show up in the world in this way is that her father made her feel special, safe, and seen. She has a strong sense of self and that came from her feeling that she’s good enough.
We also discuss the non-traditional names of her children, her iconic hairstyle, and how she’s emboldened and buoyed by her decisions for both. If she's sure that the names she's chosen for her children are because they are right for her, then she can handle all of the comments and side-eyed looks she receives. And, therefore, stand by them. The more people tell her to change her hair, the more it comes to define her and she wants to keep it. So much so, that she provides a beautiful parenting success story for us to learn from. In the face of hurt, tears, and pain she graciously explains why she's keeping her hairstyle for herself to her 2nd-grade daughter even though her daughter's friend told her how weird her mom is for having it.
Her favorite quote from the book is: “Here’s is what I know. That I don’t know. There is power in the unknown. Sit in the I don’t know. It’s a confident place to be. Trust me." We trust you, Christina, thanks for living out your philosophies loud and proud and showing us that being extra is an art!
Follow her on Instagram: @christinaglickman Join her community: Xtra: The Membership Program Purchase her book, Xtra: The Art of Being
DM her on Instagram for coaching or speaking engagements
