Whether we realize it or not, most of us grow up believing that happiness lies within the cultural, societal, and familial boxes we were taught to live within. We push aside our yearnings and our dreams because they would require us to step outside those boxes and risk being cast out from the ones we love. In this week’s episode, I talk to Erica Hernandez. As a first generation Mexican American, Erica grew up internalizing her familial and cultural norms, which led her to believe that if she took another path, she would no longer be accepted by her family and loved ones. In this episode I talk with Erica about battling between what she was taught she should embody or following her dreams and what her soul was craving. As a child, with a dream of wanting to be a performer, Erica remembers being told by her family “people like us don’t do that.” What she told me was that she internalized that to mean that someone like her can’t live their dreams. Erica shares her story of how she stepped past these beliefs and the limitations she put on herself, and how she stepped into her truth and finally started to believe she was worthy and how she finally gave herself what she felt she never received growing up… the space and permission to dream. Erica is now a creativity mindset coach, a podcaster and a podcast producer, and she just launched a new course called Hello Creativity which is focused on helping 1st gen and women of color step into their creative identity and overcome their fears of going after their dreams.
Relevant Links/Socials:
You can find Erica on Instagram:
@thee_erica_hernandez https://www.instagram.com/thee_erica_hernandez
Erica’s Podcast, Hey Sister Soul Sister
@heysistersoulsister.podcast https://www.instagram.com/heysistersoulsister.podcast
Follow A Collective Voice on Instagram:
@acollectivevoice https://www.instagram.com/acollectivevoice/
Follow Erin Joy on Instagram:
@_erin_joy https://www.instagram.com/_erin_joy/
I would love to get in touch with you! Head on over to @acollectivevoice on IG or my personal IG and send me a DM! I would love to hear what resonated, or I would love to hear YOUR voice if you want to share any of your story.