Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Cuevas.
Hi Stephanie, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
Hello! My name is Stephanie Cuevas, and I was raised and born in Puerto Rico. I grew up in a remote area of a small town known for its sweet oranges, Las Marias, a town on the western side of the island with a population of around 8,000. Very small, religious, old-fashioned, judgmental, but surrounded by agricultural offerings and natural beauty that will inspire any soul. Raised by a hard-working single mother and surrounded by other strong feminine figures, like my maternal grandmother, a cancer survivor; that inspired me to become the independent hardworking individual that I am today. They taught me that if you fall you get back up stronger and ready for your next battle, that there is no job too small, that crying is not a sign of weakness, and that a tight hug can heal.
At school, I was a remarkable student, always creating, involved in school clubs, being a leader, and participating in competitions. Being in a small town, there were not many opportunities for talented students to develop their talent and skills unless their parents had the means to drive them out of town to explore their potential. I do have to admit that I was surrounded by very talented and smart individuals whom I am very proud of what they have become today. I cannot deny that being an old-fashioned town, there was also bullying, male chauvinism, and body shaming. To be honest, I can say that those negative remarks did not just affect me, my self-esteem and confidence, but also affected others up to this day.
Started my college life while playing being an adult and crashed into the reality of having to decide between having a job to pay bills or going to college. Having money in hand tends to be a winner when the opponent is having to wait years to know if going to college is worth it or not. Do I regret it? Of Course! Finishing my degree is definitely on my to-do list.
In Puerto Rico, I worked as a server, event decorator, cashier, tutor, cook, delivery driver, fast food worker/supervisor, and office administrator. Some of these jobs for less than $7.25 per hour, and none of them for more than $7.75 per hour. It is very unfortunate and disappointing that up to this day, the pay scale is so poor, creating a huge migration wave of emerging talents to the mainland, ultimately pulling families apart and shattering dreams.
Looking for a better quality of life and more professional opportunities moved to the mainland in the Summer of 2011. I’ve worked since day one, remembering that there’s no job too small. Today, a little over 11 years, I am a successful Program Manager at a nationally recognized provider of outsourced BPO services.
Eight years ago, I walked out of a mentally abusive relationship and was forced to not just receive help from others but rebuild my whole persona.
Being a very independent individual was an eye-opening experience that gave me some sense of maturity and self-awareness.
It has been a long 35 years journey, but honestly, I feel that it just started. I want to continue growing professionally but also want to give priority to myself, my family, and my art. I want to go places and take you with me, so you can also experience the beauty of our surroundings, those surroundings that get lost with the day-by-day routine.
I am a photographer.
You can join my journey at
https://www.instagram.com/steph.s.journey/
Or connect with me
https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-cuevas-muniz/
scm24730@gmail.com
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I always strive to focus on the positive in each situation, but I will never describe this journey as smooth. Began with not having my dad present when I was growing up. Lack of opportunities to develop my talents and body shaming at school. Bad decisions like not finishing college at a younger age. Very few opportunities to grow professionally in my hometown. Being in an abusive relationship. Having to move away from my loved ones to be able to achieve your goals are a few of the things that tear you apart.
But I will continue believing in myself and pushing myself out of my comfort zone.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Steph.s.journey was born in 2012 as a breather while in an abusive relationship. I started photo blogging to remind myself that I am beautiful, do not forget to smile, and that was ok to indulge myself.
After the years, has evolved as I had.
Today my photo blogs are focused on places that I visit and take my audience with me, so they can also experience the beauty of our surroundings, those surroundings that get lost with the day-by-day routine.
Beauty in nature is all around us but often goes unnoticed. It’s easy to ignore the changes when we are so busy with life. We assume we can do this another time, or it will be there tomorrow. But we need to take each day and see the beauty that surrounds us.
Take time to notice the changes. Take time to witness the evolution of budding trees and flowers. They change quickly, and the beauty is gone if we don’t take time to pause and take in our surroundings.
Whether you are outside or looking out a window, you can see the beauty of your surroundings. Focus on your surroundings and witness their ever-changing beauty.
I am the proudest of not just the evolution of this project, but the evolution of my persona that is documented thru the photo blog that helps me say to others if I did, you can do it too!
Risk-taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I believe that risk-taking is, without doubt, a component of the decision-making process, as each decision involved uncertainty, but also a believer that risk-taking ultimately pays off by improving our self-confidence and strategic thinking needed to assume those risks.
The biggest risk I took was to move to the mainland with the uncertainty that if it was going to work or if I was going to end up moving back to Puerto Rico. The “American dream” is real, but you must have initiative, determination, be open-minded, and be willing to work hard.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steph.s.journey/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stephanie.cmuniz/
