We recently connected with Elle Alva and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Elle , really appreciate your meeting with us today to talk about some particularly personal topics. It means a lot because so many in the community are going through circumstances where your insights and experience and lessons might help, so thank you so much in advance for sharing. The first question we have is about divorce and how you overcame divorce and didn’t allow the trauma of divorce to derail your vision for your life and career.
Looking back on my divorce, it’s clear that it was one of the hardest but most transformative experiences of my life. Making the decision to end my marriage was gut-wrenching, and I’ll never forget the day I walked into the courthouse. The contrast from the year before—when I had walked in with my ex-husband—was striking. This time, instead of heading up the stairs with him, I found myself directed to the filing office on the first floor. It was a moment full of sadness and realization.
I didn’t want to get a divorce, but deep down, I knew it was the right choice. We were no longer on the same page about what marriage and partnership meant. That knowledge brought a wave of doubt and sorrow. I wondered if I was giving up too soon, even though I knew staying together wasn’t truly an option.
After filing, I retreated into a period of deep self-reflection. I devoured books on divorce, faith, and healing. I joined a Christian community for support, threw myself into working out, and took long, meditative walks. These walks became a time for me to relive moments of joy and confront the fears and regrets I had been carrying.
For the first time, I was living alone. It was both scary and liberating. I regretted not taking that time to understand myself better before marriage, but I chose to embrace this new beginning with hope. I turned my apartment into a personal sanctuary, filled with plants, candles, and the soothing melodies of jazz. It became a space where I could heal and rediscover myself.
I set small goals for each month to stay focused and motivated. I took fitness and self-defense classes, reconnected with old friends, and leaned heavily on therapy and journaling. Rediscovering my love for fashion, I even planned a solo trip back to Paris—a place that had been part of my honeymoon. This second visit was a chance to experience the city on my terms, and it filled me with a new sense of joy and adventure.
While I’m making steps to move on and open myself up to love again, I carry my marriage and divorce with me. It still weighs heavily on my chest from time to time. I remind myself to feel those emotions without letting them consume or paralyze me. I’m still learning how to navigate the aftermath of my divorce and the hurt it brought, but I’m proud of how far I’ve come. Despite everything, I’m finding peace and gratitude in my journey. If you’re going through something similar, please know that healing is possible and hope is real. Embrace your journey, seek the support you need, and remember: you are stronger and more resilient than you might realize. You’re not alone on this path.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
By day, I’m a Social Media Marketing Manager, and by night, I dive into the world of Philadelphia Influencing. My journey started with a degree in Journalism, but I quickly discovered that social media was the perfect blend of writing, photography, creativity, and videography. I’ve worn many hats across different industries and writing roles, but it was at one job, where I began working with influencers, that I found my true passion.
That experience sparked a desire to use social media to showcase my favorite things about Philadelphia—think amazing eats, drinks, and fun activities. What excites me about both my day job and my influencer work is how they let me explore different sides of my creativity and problem-solving skills. They push me to grow and keep up with emerging trends, which satisfies my constant need to learn and stay inspired.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Looking back on my journey, I’d say three qualities have been particularly impactful: adaptability, creativity, and curiosity.
Adaptability is essential for me. In a field social media, being able to adjust to new trends, tools, and challenges has kept me on track and relevant. For me, it’s about being flexible and open to change.
Creativity is another for me as it’s not just about coming up with new ideas but also about finding innovative ways to bring those ideas to life. Creativity fuels my work, helping me to connect with others around me and to solve problems in new ways.
Curiosity has driven much of my growth. I’m naturally inclined to ask questions and explore how things work. This curiosity not only stimulates my creativity but also keeps me engaged and eager to learn. It’s a cycle where my desire to understand and reflect leads to new ideas and opportunities.
For those who are just starting out, my advice is to identify your own key qualities or skills and treat them like muscles that need regular exercise. Write them down and make a conscious effort to strengthen them everyday. Stay curious by constantly asking questions and exploring new ideas. Keep your creativity active by experimenting and trying new approaches. And embrace adaptability and willing to adjust your thinking.
Nurturing these qualities for myself helped me build a strong foundation that supports my growth and keeps motivated.
What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?
In the past 12 months, my biggest growth has come from learning to trust myself more. After my divorce, I found myself in a unique place where I could focus on just me and my dogs. It was the first time I could truly think about what I needed and wanted without other influences.
I embraced this time alone, which has been both liberating and enlightening. I enjoyed the solitude, explored dating again, and made some big changes—leaving my job, moving to a new home, and starting a new position. Each of these decisions was about creating a fresh, positive chapter in my life.
This period has really been about listening to myself and my body, whether it’s in work, networking, or relationships. Spending time alone has been a wonderful gift, allowing me to learn and grow in ways I hadn’t expected.
I’m still on this journey, discovering new things about myself and finding areas to improve. It’s a comforting reminder that we’re all just doing the best we can, growing and evolving along the way.
Contact Info:
- Website: TBD
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/siponwhat/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alvarezndanielle/
Image Credits
Latoi Storr
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