About Me: Symphonie

My grandma has always said I should do something with my writing and my mom would tell you I have the gift of gab. Usually, that means someone talks a bunch. In this case, however, she means putting words together comes naturally to me. I even had a professor once tell me whatever I do in life to make sure I do something with writing. To give you an analogy, writing for me is like having a bag of marbles and selecting the one that speaks to me the most or feels right in the moment. Yet, this doesn't really begin to tell you my story. It identifies a gift others see in me. So, who am I? This is a loaded question because there are many facets to me. Providing you with a bit of an introduction will help you uncover at least some of them.

A bad moment doesn't have to be a bad day

Let's start with the most obvious: if we were to meet face-to-face, you would most likely see the wheels and the joystick I use to get myself from point A to point B. I don't know if it's the first thing you would notice. But, being a wheelchair user is something noticeable. For me, it's nothing to be ashamed of or for the most part saddened by. It's my “normal”. It makes my life easier and allows me to experience life independently. I have utilized some type of mobility aid throughout my entire life. In case you're curious, I was born three months early with my disability, and I believe I was diagnosed when I was under one year old. I don't tell you this for sympathy; it's just to say disability is a facet of my life and has played a part in shaping me. It helps me to realize the privileges I do have(the things I can do), it teaches me to be comfortable in my skin, it's made me a good problem solver and helps me realize sometimes things suck, yet sucky moments don't have to be sucky days. The quote I tell myself with that same sentiment is a bad moment doesn't have to be a bad day. This applies to disability and anything else.

My interest

Another facet of myself is my interests. They are broad, one doesn't relate to the other. They have been with me since I was a kid and have grown as I have grown. Fashion is the first one I would mention. I've loved fashion for as long as I can remember. Not in the flipping through the magazine, knowing designers sort of way. This is more of a visually pairing things together approach. Fashion merchandising was one of the fields I studied in school. It gave me an overview of the industry and an overall understanding of its operation in theory or actuality.

Outside of fashion, I enjoy learning Spanish. I have zero Spanish speakers in my family. My introduction to the language actually came from an elementary school teacher. I learned the Spanish alphabet in 3rd grade due to the encouragement of my teacher and continued learning through traditional school. For a long while, it was my beloved hobby I would visit from time to time. In 2019 this all changed.

In 2019, a few years after graduating from college with that fashion merchandising degree I mentioned earlier, and a degree in advertising simultaneously(Yes, I can be very ambitious at times). I decided I no longer wanted learning Spanish to only be a beloved hobby. I wanted to begin the steps to become proficient and eventually become an interpreter. Essentially, I took the childhood dream of knowing the language and expanded it to now want to one day be an interpreter. So far it hasn't gone as planned. About a year and a half in COVID happened. Prior to COVID I was studying Spanish at a university. Sometime during the pandemic, everything switched to online. I decided learning a language 100% online and mainly through independent coursework with very little interaction from others was not how I wanted to continue to learn. Before the university, I had been learning on my own in a similar capacity.

It was a hard decision, but I decided to leave the university. Still, I continued and continue to learn today. I took it upon myself to find my tutor(s). I work with tutors to better my ability with the language weekly. With learning Spanish, my goal is to understand and be understood. Therefore, communication is the most important. Placing communication at the utmost importance allows me to focus on progress without getting distracted by levels.

My personality

I'm naturally a bit inquisitive, wanting to understand why something is the way it is. Yet, depending on the situation, I can accept how things are. Being naturally inquisitive is a good trait for a writer and any language learner to have. It means you want to grasp an understanding of why, based purely on intrigue or interest. You're never too old to learn or understand something new. Realizing I'm inquisitive was a self-discovery. I realized when people talk to me. I ask questions related to what they are speaking about because I either want to understand or I want them to know I’m listening to them.

Personality-wise, people describe me as fun-loving and kind. I think people are naturally comfortable around. Being around people feels like second nature. I can get along with almost anyone. Unless it's someone who lacks empathy or compassion. It would be hard for me to want to spend my time around an individual with those characteristics.

How I am wired

I am wired to care about others. I had to teach myself to care about my being as much as I care about others. There is what feels like an involuntary shifter in my thinking where I automatically think of others before myself. So, on purpose and with intention I must be mindful of my consideration for myself. Being aware that sometimes the shifter has to move more to one side than the other. and also to being content with this realization has been growth. Growth is a valuable part of life. It brings to your attention areas of needed improvement and parts where you are exceptional.

In closing, my grandma, mom, and others see my gift with words. It’s unknown where writing will take me. Time will tell. For me, writing is like a bag of marbles. I will select the ones that speak to me the most line by line and perhaps a line, phrase or sentiment will speak to you too. Hi there reader, it's nice to meet you, my name is Symphonie. I'm a compassionate, fun-loving, language-learning dreamer.

Artwork Created by Symphonie Using AI