Shore Local Talent: Krystle J. Bailey

Shore Local Talent: Krystle J. Bailey

By Lindsay Kirkland

Shore Local spoke with author Krystle J. Bailey about what it takes to write a book, some of the challenges she faced, and how her specific journey led to empowerment.

What inspired you to write this book?

Everything I do in life is inspired by what kind of legacy I am going to leave for my children. This is no different. I began sharing a positive message on social media years ago, when I began a weight loss journey. Over the years, that message has evolved as I have grown as a woman. With every season of life, I am praying for guidance and asking God what is needed in my life going forward. I actively pursue whatever is next so that when I am long gone, my legacy continues to live on for my children. I want to know that what I do while on Earth has meaning and is impactful and that I am living my life’s purpose. I have always known that writing would one day be a part of my future but what I didn’t know for sure was the content and the timing. At the end of 2016, I was given the word “finish,” in my pursuit of what my “one word,” would be for this year. I knew that it was my time to finish the book. It was time to put pen to paper. Encouraging women to live their most authentic, balanced, and healthy life has always been a passion of mine and so, “Nourish” was brought to life. 

What was the biggest challenge to writing/publishing a book?

The biggest challenge was being willing to get comfortable in silence with myself. “Nourish” is a personal story and so, I had to dig deep to talk about some of the topics in the book. To do so, I had to quiet my mind and spirit and be okay with whatever I would find there. I had to accept that whatever came to light in the silence would be okay and is an important part of my story. What I learned was how much I actually enjoy my own company!

How can this book help empower someone?

“Nourish” is all about learning that who you are is enough. It’s permission to drop out of the proverbial “race” that we so often find ourselves running as women – trying to keep up with everyone around us. I offer my personal stories and share how comparison has robbed me and so many other women of entirely too much joy in life and it’s time to take our joy back. Each chapter represents a life mantra and offers a story and an invitation to live out that mantra. The chapters spell out the word nourishment.

Chapters include: 

N: Nix the comparison game 

O: Open your heart 

U: Unleash the strongholds

R: Realize your truths

I:  Invite God in 

S: Struggles create your story 

H: Heal your heart 

M: Main thing 

E: Empowering the women around us 

N: Nurturing your relationships

T: Trust the journey 

If you could tell your younger self one thing what would it be and why?

I would tell her that there is nothing she can do to ever change her worth as a woman. She is already enough. Not only is she already enough, she has always been enough, and will always be enough. I would tell her that it will always be okay, that what she is going through today will build her character and who she will become tomorrow. I’d tell her to stop looking for the answers in “black and white,” and accept that life is all shades of grey and grey is beautiful. Most of all, I would tell her that she is so loved and so worthy of love. Once she learns to love herself, the rest of the pieces will begin to make so much more sense. 

What do you plan to do next?

I have several speaking engagements and book signings coming up. I am working to get my name recognized as an author and inspiration for women everywhere. As far as projects, I have a poetry book coming out soon, as well as a workbook for “Nourish.” Once those pieces are released, there will definitely be more books in the future. Right now, I am enjoying and trusting the journey, staying true to myself and my prayers, and accepting that whatever lies ahead was created just for me.