Faces of Long Island celebrates the uniqueness of everyday Long Islanders. In their own words, they tell us about their life experiences, challenges and triumphs. Newsday launched this social media journey into the human experience to shine a light on the diverse people of this wonderful place we call home.

‘It’s all about digging deep and going in emotionally and figuring out what’s working in your life, what’s not working and how to navigate getting where you want to go.’

Babylon

“I was teaching for 10 years at different schools, trying to find that niche, that place for me. But I always ran into the same issue where I was always told, ‘You don’t have enough experience,’ or they would have me sub, and then it was always a promise to lead to something else, but then it never did. I have six certifications, and I’m certified in children’s yoga. I was always trying to figure out what I could do better and change. I just kept hitting a dead end.

“I was at a really low point in my life and really down on myself. Then I went to emotional intelligence leadership training in 2019, and that was the start of everything that changed for me. It’s all about digging deep and going in emotionally and figuring out what’s working in your life, what’s not working and how to navigate getting where you want to go or even figuring out where you want to go. I had wanted to teach for so long, but I realized that maybe my desire to leave a footprint in a child’s life could look different. It could be through creating an experience for them. That training had me do a 180. It was major self-reflection and realizing I’m more than what I’m allowing myself to be. I’m keeping myself small, and I don’t need to listen to the ‘no.’

The doors just started opening, and the opportunities were there.

“I’ve always been a creative person. I have a side business; I sell makeup and skin care. So now I do live videos and show tips and tricks. I made a YouTube channel for children’s yoga and read stories. I really just expanded and brought in my horizons in a way that was true to me, and it felt so good. I thrived being able to finally just slow down and actually see the path. I don’t have to overextend myself. And then, I had my son eight months ago, and that was another lesson to show me that things I thought were important are just not that important.

“My happiness is important so I could be the best version of myself for him and for our little family. Everything shifted completely. Once I opened my eyes to the possibilities and stopped keeping my mind in lack and keeping myself small, was the minute I opened up and realized, I’m capable. And this can happen. And that can happen. The doors just started opening, and the opportunities were there.”

Interviewed by Liza Burby

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Faces of Long Island is produced by Newsday Consumer Marketing. This content does not involve the reporting and editing staff of Newsday’s Editorial Department.