Physical and mental wellness are not as simple as self-care routines on social media imply. Beyond superficial suggestions that provide temporary relief, wellness is often a lifelong journey and a delicate balance. As a person diagnosed with depression (clinically referred to as ‘Major Depressive Disorder or MDD), Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), ADHD, PTSD, Gender Dysphoria, and fibromyalgia, maintaining my physical/mental wellness is akin to a tightrope walk over an enormous canyon. Each step forward feels more precarious than the last for a clumsy individual like me. However, my journey from adolescence to young adulthood has added a few tools to help me regain my balance on the tightrope. I have a good rapport with my psychiatrist, who has known me for over six years (a quarter of my lifetime). She is instrumental to my quality of life, having found a good medication regimen to improve my symptoms significantly. I can accomplish tasks my younger self could not begin to conceptualize, like being an online student and holding a full-time job. Periodic check-ins with her and consistent appointments with my therapist are critical to my mental health. Gender dysphoria lies at the intersection of physical and mental health. The challenges my dysphoria presents in my life would be impossible to navigate without gender-affirming care. It isn’t easy to quantify the breadth of dysphoria’s effects on my well-being. At best, it feels like walking around with the wrong-sized shoes on. With the help of my medical provider, I began hormone replacement therapy (HRT) as soon as I reached adulthood. The changes in my appearance occurred slowly, oftentimes frustratingly so. However, I can attest to a massive improvement in my mental health due to HRT and other gender-affirming care. Starting HRT began a cascade of positive changes in my well-being. I am fundamentally a happier person because of this. Receiving my fibromyalgia diagnosis was simultaneously relieving and dismaying. Chronic pain is something I’ve always struggled with, even in early childhood. Although constant pain is exhausting and tiresome, I am committed to becoming more attuned to my body’s needs. I have consistently practiced grounding exercises 3 times a week, using techniques I learned from my therapist. I also keep a journal/diary and attempt to write about my symptoms/thoughts nightly. With help from my care team, I am determined to manage my symptoms effectively. Although tempting, disassociation is not helpful and often delays the inevitable. By “listening” to my body’s cues, I hope to prevent overexertion and thus improve my overall wellness. My wellness journey may not be flashy or grandiose. I do not have stories about competitive sports or insane gym workouts. The walk across the tightrope line may always feel scary, as is the nature of life. It’s difficult not to feel like I’m stepping backwards on terrible days. Despite the obstacles, I am as devoted as ever to moving forward, one step at a time.

Cybersecurity knowledge is valuable in today’s tech-driven world, particularly for those with little access to smartphones or other devices. Scams and phishing techniques become more advanced as time passes, preying on the most vulnerable populations. I aim to uplift my local community by distributing easy-to-read materials with helpful cybersecurity tips. Ideally, this would occur close to my place of employment, a medical clinic catering to underrepresented groups (e.g., homeless people, LGBTQ+, low-income, and immigrants). I hope to provide crucial cybersecurity knowledge to as many people as possible by conducting outreach at a hotspot within my community.

At face value, my identity as a BIPOC, neurodivergent, LGBTQ+, FGLI (first generation, low-income) individual establishes a gloomy worldview. As a transgender person, I am nearly twice as likely to face unemployment and half as likely to graduate from college compared to my cisgender counterparts (KFF, 2023). These outcomes worsen for transgender people of color like me. Despite the bleak statistics, I strive to cultivate a more profound sense of purpose in my life. My hopes and dreams exist despite the obstacles I encounter, rather than because of them. My identity has far more nuance than my demographics. However, my experiences within these groups undeniably contributed to my core principles: kindness, empathy, and a passion for social justice. My dedication to advocacy encompasses one of my proudest memories. In May 2012, at the age of ten, I joined a local group to protest in support of DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) at the White House. The proposal protects young adults from deportation under specific criteria, and was enacted into law shortly thereafter. Despite witnessing daily injustices on the news, I remain as committed as ever to my dream career and ultimate goal: practicing law to advance the civil rights of marginalized populations. My foremost aspiration is simple yet ambitious: to make the world a more equitable place for all people, regardless of their socioeconomic status. References: Dawson, L., Kates, J., Sparks, G., & Kirzinger, A. (2023, September 28). Trans people in the U.S.: Identities, Demographics, and Wellbeing. KFF. https://www.kff.org/other/issue-brief/trans-people-in-the-u-s-identities-demographics-and-wellbeing/