Life and Work with Felicia Nykaza

Today we’d like to introduce you to Felicia Nykaza.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Felicia. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
It’s definitely been a journey!

Writing has always been something I just gravitated to as an artistic outlet, but also a sort of release, especially as the years have come and gone.

Though really this blogging process just started as a little fun side idea “DIY for Mommies” where I would share some of my more crafty moments while I was in the toddler stage of motherhood. Eventually, I was thinking I could only write what I was doing and what crafts just as this one child’s likes fit, I saw a big need for something with a more collaborative voice.

Then, one day, I saw a call put out from Jenna Skora, for what would become “San Diego Moms Blog.” It was everything I felt was missing. SDMB had that connection aspect that all of us in deep in that motherhood stage could really begin to feel isolated from. It is lots of amazing women’s voices from all over the city, plus that chance for connection on and offline.

But, as the years pass, my life has taken some serious turns and my child has grown, so have I and I wanted to expand a few more of my side ideas in life to another space, where I will be a little more open, vulnerable, nerdy, and definitely political. “Ello Felicia,” was born out of a joke and nod to that wonderful “BYE FELICIA” meme, with a little nerdy twist. (Maybe you caught the Labyrinth reference?)

Since starting on this path, I went from a long time, married to my “high school sweetheart,” to a divorcee, single-mom, to woman that has managed to find love again! All the while my child has “come out” and we have adjusted, in fact happily, and now refer to as our rainbow child. It’s been a lot! And I not only want to share for entertainment sake, as I will continue writing with my brand of humor, but also some knowledge and resources I learned along the way. I hope it can be that one, “you aren’t alone” thought for other’s going through these life processes.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I touched on this a tad bit in my life story, and I wish I could say it’s smooth! With all those life challenges, I definitely had to take a step back from my love of blogging a bit here and there and think long and hard about what I was okay sharing. Early in the divorce, I was starting to see where some writing will help others if I could get it out, but it was also a balance of, “do I really want the public to know this?” Was I going to be “OK” sharing my child’s process of not living in a social norm? Would my kiddo even be okay with it? There were definitely times that I was happy to hide under San Diego Mom’s Blog anonymity and with this new step, I won’t always have that. Don’t get me wrong, I won’t ever stop writing for them, but are some topics that just are more suited in another format. It took me a long time to get here. I guess I’m growing as much as my kiddo is.

Please tell us more about what you do, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
Since early on in the San Diego Moms Blog days, I was always pinned as “The Nerdy Mom,” and obviously I tend to agree (yes, I’m even a chairperson for a local Star Wars Non-profit, San Diego Star Wars Society). So, in my blogging, I like sharing about the fun nerdy world, it’s especially fun when it comes to Comic-Con time in San Diego. But it’s not only the nerdy side; it’s the real-life side of being a divorcee and the raising of my rainbow child. I hope to give some parents a few moments of laughs or resources, just a voice that is lacking for those with queer youth. Those fighting that single-mom struggle. I am still quirky, still sarcastic, but I want to try to be helpful, as well as entertaining. There haven’t been many blogs like this in my searches, so I hope to fit that with my personal stories.

Who have you been inspired by?
Almost every single one of the San Diego Moms Blog team, past or present has left some type of effect on me! Everyone has had such amazing stories of their own bravery and battles. Each has been so open and written in such a place of vulnerability that I am in awe. They have pushed me on to this new branch, even before “Ello Felicia” was even a blip in my brain, pretty sure some of the team were really the ones that gave me this idea and push. They have been this huge amount of strength for me, especially the Executive Team. Those ladies HUSTLE! Make it work, and balance motherhood in such a real messy way! I’m lucky to be surrounded by all these real moms that aren’t afraid of sharing their dirt. Watching them power through their trials, hit their goals, and maintain motherhood has been a blessing to watch. It’s probably even better-seeing women that actually root each other, “competition” isn’t the word, it’s “community,” especially if you are asking our wonderful Samantha Harris. This is really the way Mom Boss life should be, every Woman, mom or not should strive to be.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ellofelicia.com/
• Email: felicia@ellofelicia.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ello_felicia/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ello.felicia/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Ello_Felicia
• Other: https://sandiego.citymomsblog.com/

Image Credit:
Iliana Ingram Photography

Getting in touch: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.