Meet Judith Meléndrez

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Judith Meléndrez. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Judith below.

Judith, we are so appreciative of you taking the time to open up about the extremely important, albeit personal, topic of mental health. Can you talk to us about your journey and how you were able to overcome the challenges related to mental issues? For readers, please note this is not medical advice, we are not doctors, you should always consult professionals for advice and that this is merely one person sharing their story and experience.

I don’t think there’s a right answer to that question, but I can talk about how I started to feel lighter after going through a deep depression. It happened when I began to accept my emotions, no matter how unpleasant they were. And by acceptance, I don’t just mean acknowledging that they exist; I mean allowing myself to feel deep sadness or even misery. Before, those feelings would last for days or even weeks, and I firmly believe that forcing yourself to feel happiness is much worse and emotionally heavier. When I allowed myself to feel bad, and sometimes terrible, those overwhelming days or weeks eventually shortened to just a few hours. That time is enough for me to embrace myself and be gentle with myself before getting back to solving whatever disturbed me for a moment.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I’m currently making decisions about the direction I want to take and plan to stay on that path until I feel it’s time to change course. I’ve been working with Kenya Molina, who has included me in music video and photography productions. Through this experience, I’ve had the chance to meet musical artists and realize how much I enjoy this field. I feel included and heard. My design style seems to fit perfectly within the music and artistic realms. I can adapt to the styles of the artists because I feel connected to their purpose and their desire to express different stories in a unique language.

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?

I often hear people who are looking to expand their careers compare themselves to others, referring to themselves as “untalented.” I’ve never believed that success is all about talent; it’s about practice. While it may sound repetitive, I believe that one of my strengths is knowing how to ask for help from those I admire. I try to offer my time by being useful to them in exchange for gaining knowledge. Asking questions, even if they seem insignificant, is one of the best decisions you can make.

It’s also important to understand when to say no. It’s not about offering your time to everyone but recognizing when you’re valued—both now and in the future. And don’t forget to make others feel appreciated, both professionally and emotionally. Emotional well-being greatly impacts work performance.

Another point to consider is that people will come to you with questions, too. Don’t be afraid to share your best tips and experiences. It might feel threatening at first because these are the strategies that help you do your job well. But you’ll feel much lighter once you start seeing those around you as a support network and not as competition.

To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?

My dad has had a significant impact throughout my growth. Thanks to him, I was able to study design with a sense of realism. He supported me but also made me see the challenges along the way. One of my goals was to be my own boss and manage my own time as a freelancer. My dad encouraged me to pursue this when I felt ready to dive into being my own boss.

During my second attempt at freelancing, I was on the verge of accepting a design job in an office out of state due to desperation. When I told my dad, his words resonated so deeply with me that I’ve never forgotten them. It was part of his expression of love towards me:

“Why would you throw away everything you’ve worked so hard to achieve? I know it can be difficult, but I promise you’re doing really well.”

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/judithmelendrez.design?igsh=MTN2ZW5rZzBxZHJ1dA==
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Judithmelendrezdesign
• Other: https://www.behance.net/judithmelendrez

Image Credits

Models: Javier Vargas, Daniel Polanco, Alexandra Amariz, Paloma Ayzabal, Bryan Camorlinga y Georgette Medina.

Staff: Joel López

Makeup: Nancy Medrano

Art: Mother of sun

Styling: Kristel Paredes – Divine Intervention

Special thanks: Kenya Molina