Today we’d like to introduce you to Malia Manglicmot.
Malia, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I was born here in San Diego and I have lived here ever since. When I was little, I loved drawing and creating something new. As a child, I made little paper dolls and designed little paper clothing for them. I would make up mud pie recipes and then write and illustrate cookbooks to go along with them. As I grew up I didn’t lose that desire to create and make things beautiful.
I’m nineteen and I think that’s a challenging age for many people, including myself. People start trying to figure out who they are and what they want to do. It seems like everyone has their life figured out, but you. On Instagram, I see these amazing entrepreneurs, business owners, and creatives. It’s difficult to not compare myself to these successful, intelligent, creative people. And I wonder what I could do with my own creativity and where I belong.
Has it been a smooth road?
Sometimes, part of me wants to give up. Finding your voice and putting yourself out there is so scary. I think to myself about how other people are better at what they do and how they have found their calling. But one shouldn’t create in hopes of being better than another. In fact, if you do that, then you’ve completely missed the point. You create because there’s something in you that just doesn’t want to stop and frankly can’t. Whether you do it as a profession or as a hobby, it’s part of you.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I’m still trying to figure out what I want to do and I’m always trying to remind myself that’s okay. I really enjoy photography, baking, interior design, and traveling. I’ve been especially into photography lately. I have a desire to make things beautiful and I’m still trying to figure out what to do with that. I think the best thing that I can do is to keep going. Sometimes, I have to take a step back and further examine what I want and how I want to achieve it. However, it’s important to not give up, especially when questioning identity and talents, but instead to persevere.
For good reason, society often focuses more on the problems rather than the opportunities that exist, because the problems need to be solved. However, we’d probably also benefit from looking for and recognizing the opportunities that women are better positioned to capitalize on. Have you discovered such opportunities?
I’m thankful to live in a time where there are more opportunities for women than there once was. Strong women before me made this possible. They made opportunities for themselves and proved they were just as capable as anyone else. Women who take hardships and use it to better themselves and to help others are extraordinary. They use what they have learned to make themselves stronger, more compassionate, and growing in eagerness for change. May women rise up in current and future generations as a catalyst for change.
Contact Info:
- Email: maliarachelm@gmail.com
- Instagram: maliamango
Image Credit:
The personal photo of myself is by Amanda Howse. All other photos were taken by me.
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