Rewriting My Story: A Journey From LA to Madrid

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Hi, hello, hola, my name is Jessica; Jess to most; and to my family members Yeesica — emphasis on the e.

Welcome to my little corner of the internet, my safe space, as I write this blog post sipping a cute, and somewhat overpriced coffee in one of my favorite coffee shops in the hills of Madrid. I can’t help but smile as I sit here, looking out over the city, reflecting on the journey that brought me here.

The Pressure of Proving Myself

I grew up in Los Angeles, California. The city was everything to me — vibrant, chaotic, and full of life — but for as long as I can remember, there was a part of me that felt like I was constantly racing against an invisible clock. The pressure to prove myself, to prove my worth, never seemed to stop. I was a first-generation student, which meant I was carrying not just my own dreams but the hopes and expectations of my family. I felt like I was always running to keep up, but no matter how fast I moved, it didn’t feel like enough.

When I got into a prestigious university in the Bay Area, it felt like I had finally made it. This was my ticket to proving that I belonged in spaces that didn’t always feel like they were meant for someone like me. But even with all of that, something still wasn’t clicking.