Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Jones.
Hi Stephanie, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Trial and error! I started off as an eighteen years old with no knowledge on how to ‘make it on my own’ and as I look at myself now at twenty-eight; I realize how proud I am. I am proud of the woman that I have developed into, the way I speak and carry myself represents a much different version of my own self. I wasn’t always this way though and part of my growth came through life experiences. I started off at a community college, not knowing what direction I wanted to head in, I remember studying child development, then sociology, and finally psychology; which I ended up sticking to after falling in love with the subject. I worked throughout my time in college, always as a full-time server just to make ends meet. I kept a similar schedule so-to-say throughout the years, as I continued my education, transferred to a Cal State and continued to serve at different restaurants in Downtown LA. I dedicated all of my focus to my Bachelor’s Degree during this time because I felt that I had already spent so much time at a Community College. I managed to finish my Bachelor’s in two years exactly, graduated class of 2019′. Little did I know that, within a few months that we’d be in the midst of a global pandemic. The impact that this had on me mentally was greater than I’d ever imagined, the ‘unknown’ became the norm and life as we once knew it completely changed for so many of us, not just myself. I will never forget it, going from regular day to day life to what we would become all too familiar with, being in quarantine.
Like most, the first few months I tackled a day at a time, keeping myself ‘busy’ at home required me to slow down which I realized I hardly knew how to do. I began finding extra time to dedicate to myself, my journal writing picked up and kept me sane. I started dancing again, just to give my body a chance to remember how good it made me feel. This time allowed me to become familiar with adapting, as every day/week looked so differently.
This past year, as life-altering it has been, it has allowed me to dive deep within myself in ways that I would’ve never done before, just because I would’ve never allowed myself the time. I started training regularly in dance, taking classes, masks and all. I will never forget how good it felt to be around humans again for the first time in months. The release I felt was euphoric.
Now, if you’d ask me if I would’ve taken a chance on myself before the pandemic, I am not sure what I would’ve answered; today I am able to say that this too contributed to my understanding of life, its unpredictable ways and the fact that we have one life to live. So, bet on yourself, explore your creativity and learn about yourself. The journey itself is never ending, which means it is never too late to ‘do you’ and once you realize this, it is one heck of an investment.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Not by any means, there have definitely plenty of struggles along the way. I think in general, the challenges have come in different waves and at different times. Regardless of how they have come, I have always worked off of ‘surviving’ through the moment (even though most times they felt endless), some part of me knew that it wouldn’t last forever. Finding purpose within adversity is an important one because it’s helped me to not focus on the ‘why’ so much. The list of challenges that I have experienced could honestly fill up a book, but I find that rather stating that endless list; the most important part is to know how to ‘pull yourself’ out of these moments and not allowing them to consume you. Whether on your own or with a group of individuals that support you, allow yourself to accept help because no success story has come without challenges along the way.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As a creative, I find that I am always trying to fit anything to do with dance into my schedule. If I could, I would do it everyday, but I am most known for balancing my ‘nine to five’ job, helping clients who have open children’s court cases and my life as a dancer. What many people don’t know is that I work for a non-profit organization which allows me to assist people by establishing a professional relationship with them to help guide and keep them on track case wise. I truly enjoy being involved and helping the attorneys communicate with their clients as many of them are Spanish speaking. I am very proud of what I do because outside of the work I do with this organization, you will find me working with local Latinx-owned brands, modeling, or dancing. I am always looking for ways to share my creative ideas whether that be through a photoshoot or dancing on set of a music video.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: instagram.com/golden_stephh
Image Credits:
Ewelina Polnicka Brittany Bravo Jimmy Love Brian Contreras
