Hi friends. Meet @_dfuentes_ she is an artist, activist, dog lover, shoe designer @vans and one of the most engaging thinkers, doers and changers I have ever met. So happy to be sharing her photos and words this week.
What is paradise?
Paradise has a kind of unattainable connotation to it. It seems like a place that is mythical or otherworldly. A place with no pain. I prefer the idea of utopia over the idea of paradise. Utopia is a fully realized version of our world- where all the economic and political bullshit is sorted out through the effort and cooperation of global citizens. Fighting for utopia is painful, but I will take collective wins over isolated solace.
What do you think about when you hear the word “classy”?
The word classy triggers the practice of toxic judgment in my mind. When I was young, I remember some of my older relatives would deem certain things classy or not classy. In retrospect, I translate their actions into a weird manifestation of love. They were looking out for me and wanted me to acceptable in the eyes of the status quo. Classy is a word that divides us. I prefer to just let people be who they are without the constructs of value or class.
What does it mean to be true to you?
I feel the truest to myself when my actions align with my ideals. Integrity is something I am working on. The gap between my actions and ideals widens the more I investigate the hidden political and economic forces that fuel our society. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to close the gap. I would be lying if I told you that I haven’t eaten Chik-Fil-A or shopped at Wal-Mart in the past few months. But I try to stay mindful and informed, take it one step at a time.
What do you need help with most often?
I need help with learning how to ask people for help. I always tend of bite off more than I can chew and I am more of a control freak than I would like to admit. I am learning how to relinquish control, trust others, and spread the responsibility. It’s been doing wonders for my sanity, and projects turn out better than I could have imagined!
What habit do you have now that you wish you started much earlier?
Self-Affirmations. I’m far from perfect and self-deprecation is almost hardwired into my psyche. But learning to love myself has been a powerful tool when navigating through unfamiliar and uncomfortable situations. Being self-affirming doesn’t mean I am always right or that I have all the answers. But it reminds me that that my perspective is unique and possibly valuable, and it deserves representation.
What is your current occupation?
By day I am a footwear designer. By night I am an illustrator and organizer.
What do you love most about where you work?
My coworkers are a gang of talented and compassionate misfits. They fill me with inspiration and laughter every day. And Lord knows I couldn’t survive a day in this dysfunctional ashpit of a society without a daily dose of laughter.
What life skills are rarely taught but extremely useful?
Sacrificing your ego for the good of the collective is a life skill that’s hard to learn, but critical. We live in a culture that celebrates individualism, but one mind and one body can only accomplish so much. Relinquishing personal pride and authorship to the power of a group can push you farther than you could ever have gone on your own.
