We recently connected with Paola Diaz and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Paola, so excited to have you with us today and we are really interested in hearing your thoughts about how folks can develop their empathy? In our experience, most folks want to be empathic towards others, but in a world where we are often only surrounded by people who are very similar to us, it can sometimes be a challenge to develop empathy for others who might not be as similar to us. Any thoughts or advice?
Growing up being the neurodivergent black-sheep of a large family of extremely talented, extroverted and characteristic individuals is not for the faint-hearted. In a way, I relate a lot to Mirabel from “Encanto”, and just like her, I had to learn early on to rely on what make me different from the rest. In my case, I’ve always been someone very in tune to people’s feeling, and I believe being constantly around so many family members that came to visit where I lived in my grandma’s house every day in my early childhood — aunts, uncles, cousins, great-aunts, family friends…— made that sensitivity go up.
Back then, hearing about people’s real life struggles, joys and stories was just part of my everyday. I may have not been the child that could make everyone laugh or the best dancer at the family reunion, but I was the one listening to the old day’s stories and giving a helping hand.
As a teenager and young adult, that feeling of being different from the rest did linger and hurt, but as I matured I realized it that in the end we are all different in our own way. And we are also the same, people just want to feel understood, listened to. If the child that loves to dance that is the center of the attention in the family reunion is important and needed, the one helping in the kitchen also is. That is why, so many years later, understanding people and meeting them where they are is a fundamental part of who I am as a person. And just as at my grandma’s house, empathy is still my everyday task.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’m a Dominican illustrator with a background in graphic and industrial design. I often describe my work as the balance of feeling and thinking, since it’s full of sensitivity and love, while the process is structured and methodological.
As long as I can remember, I’ve been someone that’s drive by curiosity and a deep hunger for learning, if it was up to me, I’ll spend my whole life in a library creating and reading, only going out to help around the garden and hear about the people’s stories. As you can imagine, I got a devotion for books, research and plants. Because of that, you’ll find storytelling, nature and symbolism all over my art. I am dedicated to creating pieces that inspire empathy, curiosity, kindness and self-love.
It is my wish that when people interact with my art, they get to feel a sense of wonder and hope. While in the real life terrible things will happen, I believe humans have a greater capacity for kindness than for hate, that we are able to create pockets of calmness and magic to bring comfort or encouragement to one another in times of need.
In my life, numerous stories have been those pockets for me, so I hope I can create it for other people too. Right now, I have recently finished a collaboration project where I helped a fellow Dominican writer give a life to one of those very needed spaces, I’m incredibly thankful for the opportunity, and can’t wait to be able to embark on a new one!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Personally, I think being persistent, curious and able to recognize when one is wrong are key to every aspect of life.
You need to be curious enough to see other ways of doing things, or explore other points of views that aren’t the norm. Question everything, even the small things that do not look like need to be questions. If it peaks a question in your mind, google it immediately. With time, curiosity will become a habit.
You need to be persistent when facing those challenges and knowing that every fall is not the end. Everyone says that, but once you are down, it is very hard to remember. Being stubborn is a shortcoming, however in times like those, when everything falls apart, is when I think that fatal flaw had been my salvation. Of course, it is a delicate balance to know when to stop. Practice here is important.
And most relevant, recognizing when you are wrong is key. The sooner you are able to see the mistakes, apologizes and correct them, the better. Not only will it help you get father, it will also strengthen your relationships. Starting with small things in daily life will help when the big mistakes happen.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
I’m always open for people to create new worlds with! Anyone that’s kind, knows how to communicate clearly, loves art, and it’s looking for someone that can add a little bit of wonder into their stories. I’d loved to have a conversation and take some hot beverages while we are sharing the details.
Bonus points if they love plants, music or books! (:
Contact Info:
- Website: https://heypalola.com/work
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heypalola/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paola-diaz-placeres-516191274/
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
