Conversations with the Inspiring Chyler Barber

Chyler, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I’m from Chicago, Illinois.  Growing up in Chicago, things weren’t necessarily easy for me especially considering that growing up I was so incredibly shy and soft-spoken. I’d never really considered myself as someone who had tons of friends. Before moving to California, I was in a constant battle with my Tourette’s as well as depression, which was at an all-time high after the move.. When we decided to pack up and settle in Oceanside everything was new to me. I found myself shutting down quite often. Being in this state of complete isolation, I’d made the conscious decision that I  wanted more for myself. I was tired of the cycle of depression. So what did I do ? I turned to God, my music and an iPhone camera. I remember walking around the apartment complex that we were staying at taking pictures of every flower, bug, bird, you name it, it became my first love and once I’d tapped into It, I couldn’t stop. It’s like the moment I discovered these new outlets,  such as painting, singing, photography, design and a few others, I feel like I’ve found my place. I’ve been blessed to be surrounded by  people that I call family from Chicago and those from my church at Awakening International. I’ve been blessed with so many opportunities since this discovery; I’m so grateful and humbled by it all. I pray that I inspire my peers to rise up and chase after their dream, become so obsessed with them that depression has no space to  sit at the table with them. I pray that they learn to fall in love with the process as I’m still learning to do.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has not been easy, some of the challenges I’ve been faced with are internal struggles : 1) The fear of failure. 2.) The fear of not meeting the expectations of those who have come before me, that I admire and look up to and 3) The fear of disapproval . Honestly, the best advice that I can give to those who are struggling with some of these things is to focus on your journey and blaze your path. It isn’t going to look like anyone else’s.  God is doing something totally different with each of us, so focus on perfecting your craft and being in relationship with amazing people who can help you carry out your dream. The most important thing to do, would be to stay in prayer and keep showing up no matter what, even when no one else is.