Natalia
“I believe being a woman means supporting and loving yourself, because that leads to you supporting and loving other women!”
**Content Warning: This piece contains sensitive content surrounding abuse and assault. Reader discretion is advised.
Natalia is wise beyond her years. She has endured and overcome so many elements of hardship and has come out stronger on the other side. Despite these challenges, she remains thoughtful, empathetic, and kind. Meet Natalia. This is her story.
K: Please introduce yourself!
N: Hiii I’m Natalia, I'm 18, and my dog is my best friend! I'm about to start studying to get my cosmetology license, but I also love making music. I was vocally trained in musical theatre throughout my childhood and into high school, but ever since my junior year I've been focusing more on songwriting and singing for myself. I would love to make a career in music, but I also don't want to rely on it so I can give myself the room to do something else that makes me just as happy!
K: What is your favorite thing about yourself?
N: This is something I don't really say to people very often (which I'm trying to change), but my favorite thing about myself is honestly just my pure strength. I've been through a lot in my life; I’m a survivor of abuse and assault among many other traumatizing experiences, and I'm still on a successful and happy path in life at such a young age. I often think about the type of person I could have become, and honestly I had many opportunities to become that person, but I was strong enough not to — and that’s why I'm here today. I came from nothing and I’m building myself into so much more than I ever thought was possible. I'm truly so proud of the strength I've been able to keep and the fact that I never truly changed who I was.
K: What is one piece of advice you’d give to your younger self?
N: My younger self was lost. My younger self didn't just feel alone, she was alone. Nobody ever taught her how to take care of herself and in many ways she was discouraged from it too. However, after all the damaging experiences I've been through, there is one thing that immediately comes to mind that I'd want my younger self to know: you've never had a mother and you never will have a mother, because you don't need one to feel safe and comforted and loved. The mother you were given is never going to make you feel any of those things. And you will be okay. You are never going to be able to change her, save her, or even help her because you truly can’t help someone who doesn't want to be helped. Your mother is never going to be the person you need, so you have to become that for you. And you can. You will feel all the love and support you've been craving once you do.
K: What does being a woman mean to you?
N: Honestly, to me being a woman means strength. I owe so much of my strength to the things I’ve learned through my femininity. And like I said, that’s my favorite part about myself, so I really value my femininity because of that. Misogyny is everywhere, and I've always believed in women supporting other women no matter what. I believe being a woman means supporting and loving yourself, because that leads to you supporting and loving other women! Being a woman in is this world is scary, so I always have and always will support another one who needs it no matter what.