Meet Nina Munguia

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

Nina , we are so deeply grateful to you for opening up about your journey with mental health in the hops that it can help someone who might be going through something similar. Can you talk to us about your mental health journey and how you overcame or persisted despite any 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.

As a child I grew up in a home where I saw a lot of fighting, verbal, and physical abuse. At age 8 I was sexually abused for the first time but not the last time. I felt I had to grow up at a young age and care for myself and my 2 younger siblings. My parents had struggles of their own. My mother was depressed and struggling with her mental health. She was abused verbally and physically. My dad was an alcoholic and struggling with his mental health. I want to say that even though my parents had their issues and struggled, I realize now they were doing the best they could at the time. My dad was very strict on us and pushed us to be our very best. He instilled in me to be a hard worker as he was. We had to do a lot of chores. We weren’t really able to talk about our emotions or express ourselves. I think in a way he expected/wanted perfectionism from us. He always told me to be independent. Which isn’t a totally bad thing but that’s why I always struggled to ask for help. That’s where I started with people pleasing and perfectionism. He was an excellent provider and he always made sure we were had a home, clothing, roof over our head, and food on the table. He would show his love for us by taking us out to eat, vacations, or BBQing for us. My mom was very loving and she did a lot for us. She had the same problem that I face now with my kids which is giving them too much and not setting boundaries. She put herself and her happiness last. We ran over and disrespected her. My dad showed his affection at times and in his own way, but I think I felt alone often in my childhood and unloved. I was very close to my grandparents and my siblings though.
I want to be clear that I’m very grateful for all that my parents did for us. I love them dearly. I don’t hold anything against them. What I wrote isn’t meant to hurt anyone. It’s just part of the story to give you an idea where my mental illness started. My dad once told me parenting doesn’t come with a manual and I realized that when I had kids of my own. We do the best we can until we know better and heal.

As a teenager I was in such a hurry to settle down and find love. I was in a hurry to get into the workplace. I graduated high school and moved out my parents house right away. I didn’t go to college. I started working at 16. I met my husband at 19 and we had our issues right away. I attempted to end my life when I was 19yrs old. A few years later I started taking anti-depressants and anxiety meds off and on. I wasn’t very good at taking them because they didn’t seem to work. I have three daughters and I struggled with post-partum depression which each one. In 2020 the thoughts of suicide popped back into my head. I was so depressed, burned out, tired of caring for others since a child, and just unhappy with my life. I was verbally and physically abused in my relationship. It had its good times but it was very toxic. In my eyes it was normal and what love was suppose to look like because that’s what I grew up seeing. So I stayed. I was scared of being alone. I was scared I wouldn’t make it on my own and I wanted so bad to keep my family together for my daughters. What I didn’t realize until later was that I was actually doing more harm and causing them to have trauma by staying,

So back to 2020 I wrote my parents letters apologizing for being a disappointment and that life would be better without me. I started to feel like the world and everyone I loved would be better without me. I called a suicide hotline number that was given to me and the lady was very kind. She stayed with me until she knew I received the help I needed. I was taken to the mental hospital and I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder almost immediately. I stayed a week. One thing I did like was the therapy and the structure. The proper rest I was able to get and the 3 meals a day was very helpful. I was released and I kept seeing a psychiatrist. I tried so many meds but nothing worked. In 2023 I went to a different psychiatrist at a mental crisis center. He was very good and thorough. He told me that he really didn’t think I had bipolar disorder but that I had post partum depression and CPTSD. Which if you don’t know makes sense because it stands for Complex post-traumatic stress disorder. I had been through so much trauma in my life. Not just a singular event. I had spent my whole life until 2023 taking care of others and putting myself last. I was helping others, making sure everyone else was happy and treating everyone so kind but what about me? I told my therapist I’M TIRED.

So I started seeing Jazmine Reyes who is a BSN/RN certified nurse coach and owner of RAW Holistics. I was so depressed and knew nothing about myself on the intake she did. I was so disconnected from myself. She helped me so much and I can’t thank her enough. I also started working with ceremonial plant medicine with Stephanie Calloway from Sanasol Wellness. She also had a major part of helping me heal and I am so grateful to her. I started seeing a therapist who I just love and I still see her to this day. We are doing deep inner work and healing. It’s not easy at times but it’s necessary. I also want to thank my friend Meera for the throat chakra voice activation lessons she gave me. That really helped me find my voice and love my voice. I realized how powerful it is.

I have overcome mental health issues by healing and realizing that it’s ok to have emotions. It’s ok to express those emotions. It’s good to cry. It’s actually good for your body. It’s ok to feel angry and hurt. Your feelings are valid. Healing is not always beautiful. It is hard and can be messy. It can feel lonely at times. I decided it was time to stop suppressing and start working through all of my trauma that started at childhood. I stopped drinking. I’m sober 8 months now. I can’t explain how much mental clarity I have now. My physical and mental health has improved tremendously just by giving up alcohol. Alcohol was controlling me and I couldn’t stop drinking once I started. I was making terrible choices and causing stress to my daughters that worried about me. I was repeating the cycle. There was a time I can look back and remember sleeping all day. Feeling so hopeless and sad that I didn’t want to get out of bed. My daughters would come in and say mommy get up and play with us. I would tell them but mommy is just so tired. I truly miss that time I could have had with them. I neglected house work for a while and we just ate out all the time. I worked a 9-5 and I just had no energy left.

I gave up all my creative ventures such as my photography of 12 years and my vinyl crafting. I could never lose weight or stick with exercising. Now I’m doing yoga and various dance classes. I do Bollywood and Signature Heels dance class. I am so passionate about walking. I lead the She Grows Sovereign Earth Girl Walk once a week at a local nature park. Where women come and connect and move our body. I absolutely love walking multiple times a week and spending time in nature. Nature is so healing. I go walk when I want to clear my mind. I left behind stressful corporate account job of 19 years. Now I take jobs that align with me. I look for jobs that provide flexibility and a work life balance. Even if they are jobs that pay less. I honestly don’t care about the money. I care about my mental health and well being more. Im very passionate about helping others and my community. Especially women.

Some things I have learned that have helped me on my journey is when I stopped people pleasing. I stopped caring what others think. I stopped looking for answers in others. I stopped doing what everyone told me to and started doing what I want. I started expressing myself and living authentically. I started listening to my body, my heart, and my intuition. I never had a voice but I found it. I speak up now for myself and others. I started loving myself deeply and prioritizing self care. I know my worth and what I deserve so I don’t settle. I stopped chasing love and validation. I’ve learned that I don’t have to be productive all the time and that it’s safe to rest. I’ve learned how to regulate my nervous system. I have genuine friendships where we have real connection and conversations. Even if it’s uncomfortable at times. I’m having fun and being childlike at times. I love to play and my creativity is limitless. Im laughing more. I’m living in alignment. I’m trusting the path I’m on and trusting the space I’m in now. I know that what’s mine or meant to be will come to me. Lots of good memories coming back and nostalgia. Yes I said it nostalgia lol. I’m only 38! I’ve been experiencing wonder and curiosity again lately. Im a dreamer so my heads are always in the clouds. I’ve discovered my love for writing. Life is so beautiful now even through the ups and downs. I’m finding peace and I feel safe. I can’t help but to get very emotional because I once felt hopeless, sad, and so hurt but now I’m living the life I deserve. You can too.

A friend once told me La Medicina Soy which means I am the medicine. We truly are the medicine we need.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

Im a photographer. A nature lover. An artist. A writer. A mental health advocate. A community leader. A sobriety leader. A mom. A friend, daughter, and a sister. A yoga, walking and dance lover. Im part of a women’s group in Fort Bend called She Grows Sovereign. This group was founded by Jazmine Reyes of Raw Holisitcs. Jazmine, Melissa Navarrate, and I are passionate about providing safe and supportive spaces for women to connect, heal, and thrive. We work hard to plan fun and meaningful events for women in our community. I’ve found that community has been so important in my healing and has been so good for my mental health. Just last night I attended the Fort Bend Mental Health Care Leader training. Im now trained and certified how to respond to get others help who are in a mental health crisis. This organization will spread awareness and suicide prevention in our community. Im also a Girl Scout troop leader. I also have a group I started for sober/sober curious and mindful drinkers to come together and have fun without alcohol. This is a supportive and judgement free space where we can talk about and heal our relationship with Alcohol. You can have fun without alcohol. As you can see Im just really passionate about helping others heal, especially women. Im passionate about helping our community. I lead the SGS Earth Girl Walk every Wednesday at 7pm at Seabourne Creek Park. We’d love for you to join us, What’s next for me is continuing my photography. I’m going to start writing my sobriety book that will cover my story and journey from childhood around alcohol. It is also a dream of mine to travel around Mexico to capture photos and write about my people, culture, and land. I also love nature so much that I signed up to become a volunteer at the Brazos Bend State Park. I would love to open up a local small business, to be a humanitarian or work for a non-profit.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Ok top 3 maybe 4 or more hehe.

Reframing your belief system, prioritizing mental health, self care and rest. Giving up perfectionism and people pleasing. Finding a balance in work & play. Being authentic, listening to your body, and following your heart.

I know this sounds weird but when you rest and relax you are able to be more efficient and productive. If you are struggling with your mental health by feeling stressed and burned out you will not be in a position to think clearly or focus. You won’t have energy or capacity to help others. That’s why it’s so important to take the time out to practice self care for yourself so you are in a better space to help others. Instead of making a to-do list and feeling like yo have to accomplish things, take a day for yourself. Dont have an agenda. Just go with the flow. Sleep in, go for a walk, go explore, take yourself to lunch. Just rest and see where the day takes you. I promise you’ll feel so refreshed. Do it often. Another huge one is letting go of perfectionism and people pleasing. Whew that one has been big for me. I started doing what I wanted. I followed my heart. I stopped asking should I do this or that. I stopped asking permission. I stopped caring what people said and I stopped doing what they told me. I formed my own opinions. I found my voice. I started speaking up. I started being me and I realized I don’t have to fit in when I was born to stand out. I’m unique and being different is ok. You don’t have to be what society wants you to be or you don’t have to think what other want you to. I express myself how I want now. I’m open and honest. I’m not scared to be too much. That has been super powerful. I covered balance of work and play. You don’t have to be so serious all the time. Laugh, be silly, and play. Be childlike. Be curious and wonder. Go explore and adventure. Be messy. Be creative. Your inner child will be so happy. It feels so good to unplug and be present. When it comes to decision making listen to your heart and your body. Follow your intuition. When something doesn’t align or feel right you’ll feel it in your heart. You have the power to walk away from what no longer serves you. You decide who/what gets your energy. Don’t stay longer than you need to.

What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?

When I’m overwhelmed I make sure to take a break. I go for a walk. I listen to the birds. I write. I look at the moon and stars. I listen to music. I read a book. I take time for myself. I might take a bubble bath and turn on some music. I move my body by dancing. Movement releases stress and moves energy around. I connect with nature. I love sitting on the ground. I stand in the sunlight. I touch a tree or grab some dirt. I do yoga. I stretch and take some deep breaths. I pray. I meditate. I play and laugh. I take a nap. I light some candles. I kick my feet up and watch a movie. Have a glass of hot tea with honey and herbs. Lavender is so good for calming. I make a cup of cacao. I spend time alone or I might reach out to friend. Whatever you do just take the time to rest and reset. You’ll feel so much better when you do. I’m learning that if I rest more often and before I feel overwhelmed, I don’t feel overwhelmed as much anymore.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ninamunguiaphotograpy.weebly.com
• Instagram: ninamunguiaphotography, rootandrosecollective, sgsftbend, ninamunguia
• Other: Substack – Nina Munguia – La Mariposa Diaries

Image Credits

Nina Munguia Photography