Life can get scary sometimes, especially when what’s happening is out of our control and we are vulnerable to letting uncertainties overwhelm us. But there are exceptional individuals among us who take on life’s challenges with utter grace, leaving lessons for others. Cristina Curp is a military spouse, a mother, an entrepreneur, author of bestselling cookbooks, and pretty darn great in the kitchen. Here are three life lessons we can learn from her success story:
Self-acceptance
You can’t change the cards you were dealt, but you can control how you react to them. After living with a painful and chronic skin condition, Hidradenitis suppurativa, since she was 13 years old, Cristina put it in remission at 32 with a healthy diet and lifestyle. She is devoted to helping others do the same. Her journey of remarkable resilience and passion for life began with self-acceptance, followed by patience and discipline that allowed her to succeed in life and her many endeavors.
Cristina inspires others to accept themselves before expecting others to embrace them. As someone who lived with a painful and embarrassing skin condition for most of her life she had to learn this lesson the hard way. Self acceptance was the key to putting her Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) in remission. As an HS warrior, she is determined to bring the common yet rarely discussed chronic illness to light. Her courageous journey exemplifies the possibilities of accepting our challenges and fighting for the life you want versus shying away from it.
Staying classy
As a child of immigrants, Cristina is a first-generation American born in Miami to Cuban parents who worked hard to better her life. Her grandfather lost his life taking a stand against dictatorship, and her grandmother had to flee Cuba with her children on a boat. Cristina has always seen her grandmother exude grace and class despite the hardships. She remembers her Abuela as a woman of substance.
Always operating with honesty and integrity was a lesson she would never forget.
Cristina is a relatable person who inspires people wherever she goes with her story and warrior persona. The love and support she’s accumulated over the years have encouraged her to give back to her community and reach out to people who might be vulnerable like she was.
Helping others
The Castaway Kitchen began when Cristina was struck with the idea as a sick, lonely mother in a hotel room on Pearl Harbor. Today, it is a growing online community helping people with autoimmune disease and, more specifically, with autoinflammatory skin condition Hidradenitis suppurativa feel better via educational content and delicious anti-inflammatory healing recipes.
Cristina aspires to be a beacon of light for others. She hopes her efforts will make life easier for somebody experiencing the struggle she felt, looking for love and support yet hesitant to ask for it. She wants to reach out to people with chronic illnesses to remind them that they’re not alone. Cristina’s ambition to help others has helped her monetize her passions and goodwill to create a sustainable life for herself.
The inspirational story of the multitalented Cristina Curp, who is living her life to the fullest by overcoming a painful illness and trauma, offers many lessons and reminders of appreciation for people who may be bogged down by life’s inevitable challenges.
