Meet the Women of #WeAreWeCan: Ada Nuñez
For our #WeAreWeCan campaign, we sat down with Ada Nuñez, age 27, to hear her story. Ada has struggled with anxiety, self-love, and pressure to be "the perfect mom" as a young mother to four little ones. Below, watch her emotional video and read our conversation with Ada to hear more of her inspiring story.
COULD YOU SHARE YOUR STORY WITH US AND TELL US ABOUT SOME OF YOUR STRUGGLES AS A WOMAN?
Becoming a mom at a young age has caused me to struggle with anxiety, self-love, and questioning whether or not I am enough for my kids. After having my first son, I remember feeling so anxious about trying to be the perfect mom, especially because I was young. I felt like there was this stigma that because I was young I couldn’t possibly be a good enough mom or that my life was over. I remember there were days when I would cry while holding my son and wondering, "Am I enough for him?" "Am I doing a good job?"
When my second baby, my daughter, was born, that's when I really started struggling with self-love because I was so focused on trying to be a “perfect mom” while struggling with anxiety. I remember thinking, "What's the point in getting ready or taking care of myself?" My body is not the way it used to be. It’s birthed two kids. I would compare myself to women on social media or moms who seem to have it all together. Even now after having my fourth baby, I still struggle with these things, but I constantly remind myself that to my kids I am always enough. Their smiles and laughter help me push through.
HOW HAVE YOU FOUND STRENGTH AND SUPPORT THROUGH YOUR EXPERIENCE?
I found my strength and support through God, my family, myself, and other women who choose to share their stories.
DID YOU FIND SUPPORT OR ADVICE FROM OTHER WOMEN?
I have definitely found support and advice from other women. I quickly realized that I was not alone in the way that I felt. There are a lot of women and moms out there who struggle with the same things I do or other things, but no matter what struggles I had or they had we could all somehow relate and be there for one another.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU OFFER OTHER MOMS WHO MAY BE IN A SIMILAR SITUATION?
The advice I would give other moms is that you are never alone! There are many of us that feel the same way you do. You are loved ! Don’t ever be afraid to reach out to another women or mom.
WHO IS A WOMAN THAT INSPIRES YOU AND WHY?
There are two women who inspire me: my mom, Elizabeth, and my sister, Valerie. My mom, like me, was also a young mother and as much as I’ve seen her overcome, she’s helped me realize that nothing is impossible even while having kids—that you can still pursue everything you set out to do. It might take you a little longer than most, but your path is just a little more special than others.
My sister, Valerie, also inspires me so much! She constantly reminds me that I am enough and that I am beautiful. My sister has always been so confident in loving herself and her body. My sister always says, “Ada, remember you are beautiful and always be the amazing women you can be.”
WHY IS SHARING YOUR STORY IMPORTANT?
Sharing my story with other women is so important to me because I just want other women to know that they are not ALONE, in whatever it may be they're going through. If it wasn’t for the other women who have shared their stories before me, I would never have known that there were other moms out there that felt the same.
PHOTOGRAPHY: MORGAN PANSING | VIDEOGRAPHY: GROW LOVELY PHOTOGRAPHY | WARDROBE: SUUNDAY
