“An imagined reality is not a lie” (Harari, N. (2015). An imagined reality is what you set your expectations to, what you set your goals towards, and how you see your highest self. Now sure this can be fictional if you don't put action toward your imagined reality. But that is what Untamed Youth is about for me. I want to capture people’s life stories in the prime of their imagined realities. The best part is that it is okay if it changes, but never stop chasing what you want your reality to become. 

I had quite a hiccup in my life during 2020-2022, as I am sure most of us did. I stopped dancing which was how I found my passion in life. I moved to Santa Barbara for a school where my friend circle changed. Some really pivotal life changes occurred and I had to dig myself out of this sadness I fell into. I didn’t have something that I felt accomplished for. I missed having things to represent me like dance or my core friend group. I felt like I was moving through the motions of life trying to find something I was passionate about, and when I thought of my future it felt like a huge blur of confusion and anxiety. But I had something burning inside of me that wasn't going to let me down this route.

The two biggest things I have learned in life are not letting shame and fear run your life, and to always push to find your core story. I’ve reached a point where shame was running my life. I had to change the narrative. I had to find my core story. We have three types of stories we tell external, internal, and core stories. Our external story is for the outside to hear. Our internal story is to protect our ego. Our core story explains why we tell the other two stories. This is hard because sometimes you want to cut out something you have done so you tell your internal story. Sometimes you feel the need to shout your external story for validation. But to have a clear mind and be true to yourself, you need to push to find your core story. 

Stories are expressions of our deepest desires, and for this reason, they encourage us to become more human, even to ourselves. In stories we lose and find ourselves, we discover and create who we are. Life is about finding what is core to you. Finding what shaped your core values, friendships, and story. How do you want to carry yourself? What is your purpose and how are you going to represent your core values? 

I find the most empowering people I know, radiate their core values with how they present themselves, and how they follow what they love. This is why I created Untamed Youth. I want to spread the stories of those who decided they were enough to follow what they love, and not follow something for someone’s approval. When someone tells me a story of them following their passion, not listening to what people might think of them, or embarking on a challenging moment they overcame because they followed their heart, fuels my soul. This is what inspires me to keep finding that for myself. Whether or not I have a passion I want to take on at that very moment, it inspires me to look for it, to open my eyes to the world around me, and to know it’s possible that I can do the same.  

I found my purpose to share my stories and others for inspiration. Through Untamed Youth, I want to help others find their purpose. Sometimes the biggest revelation is already inside of you, you innately know yourself and how you can push yourself. When you feel that burning passion, write about it, take action, and do what you love because it makes your life a whole lot clearer.