Jalencia P.
Photography by Jalencia Pouge
If you’re reading this, you deserve the life you dream of.
I was always afraid of living as my true self, because I didn’t want to be judged for living outside of the norm. This mentality was harmful to me and I lost who I was because of it. It got to a point where I realized that I was given this life, this mind, and this body to live MY OWN LIFE !! One that was made to stand outside of the box because norms are restricting and unrealistic. I have so much passion and ambition to let it go to waste, and I’m sure you do too.
As an artist and aspiring filmmaker, creating through the expectation of others is draining. It’s unoriginal, not fun, and does not represent who I am and what I love. There have been countless times where I have been questioned about my career path because “you won’t make enough money”, “you won’t get far in that”, “you know it’s hard for women to-”. It sucks to have the doubts and insecurities of others projected onto you and for a while it did make me reconsider my career field. What if I didn’t make enough money? What if I wasn’t successful? Then a day came where I was tired of others trying to narrate and navigate MY life FOR ME.
I stand firmly on what I want to do with my life and I do not allow anyone to break that foundation or dim that light for me. I know how capable I am and I define what success is to me; Being satisfied, doing what I love, being surrounded by who I love, and living comfortably.
You are bigger than your fears and doubts. Those dreams you have are yours for a reason. You are more than capable of achieving what you want. You are not behind but instead right on time.
Be yourself unapologetically. There is only one life and one you!! so live the way you desire.
“Stop creating from the perspective of what other people want you to create” - Doechii
Create the life you desire! It will free your mind.
Jalencia P., University of South Carolina
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