Part 3 – Motherhood, Healing, and the Road Ahead

✨ This is Part 2 of the "Latina, Artist, Immigrant, Mother" Series

A New Chapter of Belonging

Sometimes I forget that the universe puts us exactly where we are meant to be. I left the Latina Expo with a deeper connection to my mission — accepting my journey as a Latina immigrant and learning to embrace all parts of myself. The parts I still need to nurture and heal, but also the empowered parts that own my story and how it connects to my art and this Purposeful Dreamer journey.

Just a few months later, in June, we made the move to El Salvador. It’s been a rollercoaster of emotions and hard work to make this dream happen. We’re still adjusting, but my son has started school, we’ve shared quality time with family, and we’re continuing to build our dream of transitioning our businesses online. The road hasn’t been easy, but it has brought so much growth — learning to allow space, practicing presence, and finding patience like never before.

Motherhood and Creativity

I can’t deny that getting back to my creativity with excitement and inspiration is still a challenge and a work in progress. But the lesson I keep coming back to is: just keep showing up to your creativity.

Being a mom to both a teenager and a toddler takes so much of my energy, and in this season of my life, they are my priority. Still, I’ve realized that life will always keep happening. The only way to do the things we want and need for ourselves is to carve out the time, even when it’s hard, ask for help, and lean on support. Making the effort to create makes me feel like myself again — and that, in return, makes me more present and a better mom. Communication, teamwork, and asking for help have been the biggest lessons of this journey.

Finding My Style and Healing Through Art

Discovering my own unique style hasn’t always been easy, especially since I didn’t fully embrace being an artist until I was 35. Over the past five years, it has evolved into creating digital prints inspired by my own life lessons. These designs don’t just heal me — my hope is they bring encouragement to others navigating similar seasons of life.

I started with the medium I knew best: acrylic paint on canvas. But with little kids, I couldn’t keep up with that consistently. Everything shifted when my husband gifted me my first iPad and Apple Pencil. I was so excited — and nervous — because I knew it would be a long road of learning digital art. Over the years, Procreate has become my tool of choice. It’s flexible, user-friendly, and even environmentally friendly. I can create anywhere, experiment without waste, and keep evolving. It has given me a whole new way to process life and express myself with purpose.

Building a Sustainable Business

The next challenge was production. Each artist’s situation is different, but for me, I needed something that worked both in the U.S. and in El Salvador — to support our dream of raising our kids bilingual and close to family. At the same time, it was important to me that the products be high-quality, reliable, and sustainable.

I tested several companies, even shipping prints myself for a while, but that wasn’t flexible enough for my life. Eventually, I found a vendor that fit all my needs — allowing me to create in my own way while keeping costs reasonable and minimizing waste. This gave me more time to focus on the creative work while still being present for my young kids.

Balancing two businesses has never been easy. My husband and I have had tough conversations about how much time to invest in each, but through trial and error, we’ve found a rhythm — supporting each other’s business dreams while being present parents to our boys.

Inspiration and Purpose

My artwork is inspired by my passion for self-help books and emotional well-being, and how creativity connects to both. It’s about becoming our best selves, overcoming fear, following our dreams, and believing in our worth. For me, it’s also about learning how to give back — to myself, my kids, and others — and striving to be the loving, supportive kind of mom I once longed for as a little girl.

Every time I create a product or update my online store, I’m reminded of the little girl I once was in El Salvador. I was always dreaming of entrepreneurship — selling crochet bracelets I made at school, crafting with popsicle sticks my dad gave me, or making pastelitos to sell on my street. I’ve always loved the idea of creating something to share.

Now, as I approach 40, I see that the world doesn’t just need another product. What it needs is hope, kindness, compassion, and reminders that we are capable of more than fear or worry. That’s why I want to create responsibly and with purpose — as a Salvadoran-American woman, a boy mom, a dreamer, and an artist who continues to find herself over and over again.

Challenges and Reflections

To close, I want to share some of the challenges I’ve faced and how I’m learning to move through them — in case you’re a dreamer like me walking a similar path:

Believing in myself as an artist

I remind myself daily that I am worthy and capable. Creating consistently, practicing affirmations, and pushing myself outside my comfort zone has helped me grow into my art.

Overthinking and planning too far ahead

I bring myself back to the present and focus on what I can actually control, one step at a time.

Neglecting my emotional well-being

I’ve learned to prioritize yoga, writing, nature, and daily self-care — because taking care of myself is at the core of everything I create.

Building too much before earning more

Mistakes turn into lessons and opportunities, let go of perfection and trust, it’s okay to start before I feel ready. As the saying goes: Just do it.

Struggling with belonging

I take deep breaths, accept my feelings without judgment, and show up anyway.

Burning out by doing too much at once

I remind myself to ask for help and put on my own oxygen mask first before I can show up for others.

Doing too many things at once

I focus on three priorities each day and let the rest go.

Trying to control outcomes

I practice trusting more — in people, in timing, and in the moments that unfold.

 The Road Ahead

These are the lessons I’m carrying with me as I continue on this Purposeful Dreamer journey — as a Salvadoran-American woman, a mom, an artist, and a dreamer who is still learning and healing every day.

I would love to know your thoughts. Do any of these challenges resonate with you? Share your reflections with me — and if you’re looking for a little inspiration to keep going on your own path, I invite you to visit my Purposeful Dreamer store. May you find something there that reminds you of your own strength, joy, and purpose. 🌟💛