We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kara Worrells-Gutiérrez a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Kara, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.
I remind myself that I’m living my life. I’m wanted where I want myself, and if my work isn’t fun or fulfilling for me, then why else would I engage? I tell myself mantras like, “you’ve got this,” and, “this is just right now” when things get harder to deal with. I go over what I’m grateful for and what I’m lucky to have: a roof over my head; food in my fridge; clothes in my closet; friends, family, and chosen family who I love; opportunity each day to make decisions for myself. If I didn’t have these fundamental parts of my life, it would probably be more difficult to build self-esteem. So if you love the surface-level parts of yourself before anything else, you’re going to build a self-esteem that is unhealthy and toxic.
I know this since I struggled a lot with maintaining my self-esteem for a while. Now I’m better about being confident in myself and my abilities, and I know how to reinforce my self-esteem with mantras and DBT coping strategies. Going to therapy, I believe, is necessary for anyone who wants to have a healthy self-esteem and sense of confidence. Another source of therapy for me is stand-up comedy that helps me laugh off the stress, like that of Kat Williams who said, “You are the star player of your life. It’s called self-esteem; esteem of the self, B!”
These are personal strategies for developing confidence. Professionally, I set boundaries for myself that protect the integrity of my goals and principles. If I feel like I’m being shortchanged, disrespected, or manipulated for someone else’s ambition, then I remove myself from that situation. I have a strong discernment and I know how important it is to honor the work I strive to complete, especially because my work is for more than just myself. It takes a lot of facing your fears, adversity, and the pain in life. It’s not easy, and you’re worth it. Don’t forget that.
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?
Sure thing! My name is Kara Worrells, also known as Kara Worrells-Gutiérrez. I go by Karita, Kàrá (phonetically), or K/G for those who know me personally. Professionally, I am focused on art activism, linguistics, critical theory, and writing poetry. I have a small business called Sol Pottery where I sell wearable and non-wearable art. I work to show love for my heritage and for marginalized people who deserve more beauty in their lives.
My work is special because it provides a reminder, for myself and others, of the good that is still going strong. My work aims to create a space that protects the good and encourages open discourse. As half-white and half-Mexican, I live an in-between life. I grew up with a single mother and a sister in South Bay, San Diego, on Kumeyaay land. I identify as Latin@ and queer, even though I don’t stereotypically appear so. I continue to live in the world, in this state of being, and have to actively resist the narratives attempted to be projected onto me. I live an intersectional, complex truth. My work reflects this truth and strives to make my internal world external, so that I can be accurately understood.
Right now, I am designing a stiletto shoe for Chingona Soles Art Show and Auction. I will be presenting a cempasúchil shoe. I have also applied for grad school and hope to work towards my MFA in poetry next fall! Before then, my goal is to be selected by chapbook contests to publish a handful of the 70 poems I have finished writing. Wish me luck!
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Being principled impacts my journey the most. Being resourceful and being a lifelong learner, too.
Spend time by yourself. In solitude, not isolation. Set time boundaries with friends and family, and do everything in moderation. Or go with the flow. Let yourself be and lean into whatever energy you are feeling. You know yourself better than anyone else.
It’s also true that you can do anything you put your mind to. Keeping an open dialogue with yourself, where you ask yourself questions and think critically, is essential.
What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?
My number one obstacle is the bad that plagues the world. It affects my mental and physical health. I feel empathy intensely and it’s easy for me to quickly feel down. My depression, anxiety, PTSD, and substance abuse disorder get the best of me sometimes.
The fatigue is overwhelming. Some moments I don’t have the energy to create. Some moments I do. And sometimes I’ll just want to paint for myself, rather than work on the writing that I’m trying to publish or the jewelry that I sell. Sometimes I’ll just want to fix up my nails. Or clean the kitchen. Or lay down and play video games. It’s difficult to find a balance, especially because I’m not employed outside of my small business right now.
Being in therapy helps me overcome, as well as exercising my DBT coping strategies. Surrounding myself with supportive family and friends helps me. I help me when I choose to be healthy.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://kworrells19.wixsite.com/madretierra
- Instagram: @solpotteryca
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kara-worrells-53091a210/
Image Credits
Photo credits go to Veronica Worrells, and New Forum from UC Irvine.
