Growing up in a collectivist, working-class Hispanic family in small-town Texas, I often felt like an outsider. For years, I adapted to an identity that felt safe but wasn't truly me. As a family cycle-breaker, I struggled to navigate life while balancing loyalty to family, community and tradition, and often felt at odds with the pressures of an individualist society that prized independence and self-reliance.

My journey of self-discovery took me far beyond the borders of Texas, serving in Peace Corps Morocco. I was immersed in yet another collectivist culture, where community was the heartbeat of daily life. Both of these experiences deepened my understanding personally and professionally of how cultural values shape our sense of self and belonging. 

Life came full circle when I entered in a intercultural marriage with my Jewish partner. Navigating the complexities of blending family and cultural traditions has offered me a front-row seat to the differences of collectivist and individualist cultures. 

I know firsthand the exhaustion of living life by tradition and feeling othered for wanting something different. It can feel so isolating to forge your own path. The weight of managing it all leads to disconnection, shame, and hiding your true self. But I've learned to cultivate safety within myself, to proudly take up space and use my voice that was once quiet. Now, I help others do the same.

We often tell ourselves stories based on systems that weren't designed for us to thrive. Some empower us, others limit us. When we are struggling, it's tempting to turn away from ourselves. But healing requires confronting those silenced parts.