Mala
Trigger Warning / Discussions of rape and abuse
“Every woman has a story and I love hearing it and take a lot of lessons from it. I want to say THANK YOU for all of the strong women out there. This world is not built for us, but we survive, we thrive, we make it better. One step at a time.”
Mala is no stranger to hardship. She is forced to confront trauma daily as a survivor of abuse, and also rape. But Mala is determined to heal, both for herself and also her son - who she credits for her strength. She is a remarkable woman who is determined to shake off society’s labels, and to realise her worth along the way. By normalising the discourse surrounding mental health and postpartum on her Instagram account @little.oceans, Mala hopes to empower entire communities of women, particularly moms. She is not defined by what has happened to her - she is defined by her courage, her sensitive soul, her compassion and most of all her resilience. Meet Mala. This is her story.
P: Please introduce yourself!
M: Hi, I'm Mala. I am a mother, photographer, maker, entrepreneur, and dreamer.
P: What is your favourite thing about yourself?
M: My favorite thing about myself is my heart and my sensitivity. I used to hate those two but the more I take time to be with myself and know who I am, the more I love them. It also helps me a lot as a mother.
P: Tell us a story. Have you had an experience that has defined you or made you stronger?
M: Myself and my son. Yes, I have a lot of trauma. From emotional abuse, narcissistic abuse to rape. But those things do not make me stronger they give me hard times. But I know I need to heal so I can be a better person for me and my son. I make that choice to heal and be stronger. And also my son gives me the strength to face my trauma and starts the healing process.
P: What is one piece advice you’d give your younger self?
M: you are enough. You don't have to hide and shrink yourself to be accepted. It's okay to be different and love different things. You are not broken, you feel every tiny thing in life and that's a damn gift.
P: What does being a woman mean to you?
M: Being a woman means everything to me. Some days it means being a mother, a home to my son, a safe person for him, a teacher, a hugger.
Some days it means a never-ending fight to be respected.
Some days it means a person who is labeled "too strong", "a bitch" for speaking up, "too fat", " has a mouth". For some reason, people have the audacity to label us. Why
P: Who is one woman that inspires you? What would you say if they were here now?
M: TOO MANY! Every woman has a story and I love hearing it and take a lot of lessons from it. I want to say THANK YOU for all of the strong women out there. This world is not built for us, but we survive, we thrive, we make it better. One step at a time.