Soul Dreamin: Liberating Herself, Relaxing in Nature And Feeling Deeply
If you could describe yourself in one word what would it be?
One word I would use to describe myself is W I L D. This word can have a lot of meanings but I see it as someone who is free and confident to do what they please, to step out the norm and do the most when it comes to what moves them.
Name 3 things you love
I love art in all forms, nonmeat/diary foods, and the cosmos.
Who or what drives you?
I'm not sure what or who exactly drives me but I know I just have a strong determination to live a simple and comfortable life by completing my mission to heal souls. I came to a point where I just wanted to create and live off my art. At first, I wanted to repay my mom for all she has done and then she told me “don’t do it for me, do it for yourself” then that made me think hard and I came to realize that it's not for me either, it's for others. So once I found my passion in 2014 I had to really get to know myself and ask myself why do I want to create so much and I didn’t come with an answer to this day but I know I just have too so that it can reach people and in turn, change this world.
What is your passion?
Creating is my passion, right now specifically creating photographs and films. I dabbled in a few things like making crystal jewelry, painting and modeling but my love is deep in the power of imagery.
When did you realize it was something you loved to do?
I realized photography/film is something I loved to do was the first moment a Canon was placed in my hand. On that night, in October 2013 I went out to downtown Ft Lauderdale and took pics of anything and from there on photography has been the carrying me through this lifetime. I always loved movies and looking at family photos I never thought I would be the person to want to create my own but photography has allowed me to get deeper in myself and in life, for that, I would always love the love I found since it has found me.
What do you do to better your skills?
To better my skills I stay productive. Each time you create you must learn something new and that is what helps your skills to sharpen. Long as I keep creating a new visual set or project I know I can only get better.
Who do you look up to in your line of work?
In the line of visual art I cant really say I look up to anyone (or maybe its not coming to me) but I am inspired by many fellow creatives because there are a lot of amazing people who create BEYOND beautiful works of film and photography.
How do you deal with self-doubt?
Self-doubt is really hard and I deal with it by just letting it pass and to not create during those moments. It's been a while since I had a phase of self-doubt but I remember the last time I beat myself up mentally and had no motivation or love towards what I do or have done. Thankfully I have very supportive beings around me that remind me none of those thoughts are true so I try to control my thoughts and keep them positive. To me, thoughts have a lot of power and can create your reality so if I’m conscious that I’m having self-doubt issues about my work its going to show so I have to make sure that those thoughts don’t come to mind cause its a hinder to the evolution of your soul and creations.
What or who inspires you?
Artists who create very deep, heartfelt art inspires me. If I can recognize that something was created from the soul with genuine intent then I’m inspired to do the same but my own way.
What do you like doing in your spare time?
I like to relax in nature with my King when I have spare time. Now haha having spare time is very rare so I must take it easy and allow myself to have a lazy day, to turn my mind off from thinking about all the millions of things I have to do. I also enjoy staying in and watching independent films or some anime and cooking some yummy refreshing meals. I also like going out to places I barely get the chance too and seeing friends I barely get too.
Where did you grow up?
I was born in the Bronx, New York but raised in Fl so basically, I grew up in Florida. I moved here when I was about 8 years old and have traveled to NY few times but it wasn’t until 2014 that I moved back and lived there in my older years for a few months. That of course has its own magical reasons as to why I didn’t grow up where I was born cause I always wondered why was I “taken” from there since it wasn’t a personal choice, I HAD to leave but going back when I’m wiser allowed me to understand different perspectives and live my life according to my new found passion because since moving there my artistry hasn’t been the same AND it was in New York that I came up with Soul Dreamin.
How did your environment influence your ability to express yourself as a creative?
My environment changed a few times in my life so that did influence my ability to express. When I was young in Ny, I remember feeling like I was more free in the sense of being a child and making up my own games, making up stories with my barbie dolls and styling them and playing outside, making rocks and leaves toys etc and just not caring what others think of me cause I’m just being a kid you know and as we get older we tend to lose that. As I look back and now witness the babies around me get older I see how that playfulness is creativity and it is self-expression. So then coming to Florida and going to elementary, middle, high school and some college in the same area was a hindrance to my self-expression. I didn’t consider myself a creative during those times at all because what I fell into and allowed my environment to be was what I thought was the “cool” things and not doing what was true to me. I just went with the same routine because I was surrounded by the same routines for so many years. It wasn’t until I had my spiritual awakening around 2013 that I had the strong desire to change my environment because I started to learn what truly is happiness to me. Around that time I was going to school, working a 9-5, had my own place and own brand new car and I just let that all go because its not what fulfilled me, its what I was surrounded by and was told is the right thing but since quitting all that, I’ve been chasing my dreams and creating my life around art, once I made that decision to create the life I want the universe brings all that I manifest and my environment is now a product of me and not vice versa.
How do you feel about society teaching women to constantly compete one another?
I feel society is wrong in all it does so when it comes to it teaching women to compete I truly dislike it but I also think its a shame that we as females allow our minds to be altered in believing that we have to be better than the next female. As a youth we are innocent and are tainted with what society tells us is our reality but if we listen to our true nature and not to the materialistic world then there wouldn’t be no power to “female competition”.
When do you think female competition can be considered healthy and motivational?
I think female competition should even be considered. Women should definitely support and uplift one another without it being an issue of trying to be the best, each female is best in her own uniqueness.
Have you ever experienced cattiness from other women in your field?
I don’t believe I have experienced cattiness from other women in my field. Honestly, I feel like I’m creating my own “field” so I don’t really dabble into others' grind, which lessens the possibility of drama.
If that were to happen, how would handle it?
If the experience was to happen I wouldn’t let it change my view on collaborating with other females because if I believe in female empowerment and the necessity of it then I would continue to make decisions that ensure me living to that belief. Everything that happens has it reasons and if something goes bad with one person doesn’t mean it would always be like that so for anyone who has had a really bad situation with another female don’t allow it to affect your future.
What do you think we can do as women to begin changing the narrative?
As women, we need to heal ourselves to start changing the narrative and if you need help in doing that cause it ain't easy, go to a sister. Don’t be ashamed. We go through so much as females and intake so much energy from negative to positive so we need help in letting it go and who better than a female who understands and been through the same or similar storyline. Once we heal ourselves and start to see that we are powerful goddesses and all creators of life then from there we are truly unstoppable.
If there was one message you could tell the world, what would it be?
One message I would tell the world is to heal yourself. Go inward and work through the dirt implanted in your cause in there you will find so much divineness.
What is the best way for people to see your work?
The best way to see my work is on my website SoulDreamin.com and Instagram at souldreamin.