Almost everything is multisided – including the occurrences that give us pain. So, we asked some of the most enlightened folks in the community to share how they have harnessed their pain to help rather than hurt them.
Mattie Miller
About 6 years ago I was at an event called (at that time) No Excuses. I remember the day I gave myself permission to grow. I had gotten to be around people who didn’t see me as less then. They believed in me! They kept asking me what I wanted to do with my life. Read More>>
Jingyi Luna Peng
It was the moment I almost gave up, and I decided not to. And I thought it was not me who should feel bad about themselves—and then put all my pain into my plays. Read More>>
Livia Love
I stopped hiding my pain and using it as my power the moment I stepped into the YouTube and Content Creation Industry. I began to spend more time with myself and discover ways to utilize the challenges I have been through. I quickly discovered that the gift of creative communication was meant to be for me and I have not looked back since. Read More>>
Adriana Arguijo Gutierrez
Upon entering middle school, I struggled a lot to feel like I belonged. Aside from being ethically and culturally unlike my peers, I felt that my interests and values couldn’t be more different than theirs. Read More>>
Maggie Watson
Writing has been a huge outlet for writing about my pain. I don’t think anyone should hide their pain ever, but I know many do. It damages your mind and your body. I read somewhere recently that abuse causes brain damage, I can believe that! When I first started writing, I held back on the painful stuff, I don’t anymore. Read More>>
Jeralyn Victoria
I think at the core of most of my work is actually alchemy and resilience. In college it became clear that working despite pain was actually more work and less authentic then directly incorporating it. No matter the medium, I’m interested in converting materials that are typically overlooked or embracing imperfection to represent looking inward and shadows. Read More>>
