Alexis Rodriguez Now

For the Hispanic community, those "dark" things often include family trauma and the deep-seated stigmas surrounding mental health. We’re taught to be strong, to keep things within the family, but sometimes that strength becomes a cage. My mission is to use my poetry and my stories to break those bars. If I can help just one person feel seen—if they can read a poem of mine and think, “I’m not the only one who feels this deeply” —then I know I’ve done my job as a writer. Embracing the Magic Inside

We all have a story to tell. We all have a little bit of magic inside of us, even when we feel like we’ve lost ourselves in the expectations of others. I spent years trying to be who everyone else wanted me to be, hiding the parts of myself that didn't fit the "normal" mold. But finding those hidden pieces and bringing them into the light? That was the best thing I ever did. alexis rodriguez

If you’re in a place where things feel heavy, or if you’re unsure of your own path, try writing it out. You don’t have to be a "writer" to let your heart speak. Just put the pen to the paper and see what comes out. You might find that the very thing you were afraid to say is the exact thing someone else needed to hear. For the Hispanic community, those "dark" things often