Maybe the journey isn’t so much about becoming anything.
Maybe it’s about unbecoming everything that isn’t really you, so you can be who you were meant to be in the first place.
ARTN Photography
ARTN Photography
Skirbi pa: Jacqueline Wernet
In a world where it's often easier to adapt than to stand out, Larissa Bermudez has made it her goal to embrace her authentic self and inspire others to do the same.
I am an 'introverted extrovert' who aspires to live an unapologetically myself life. A very curious person in search of constant 'self-knowledge'. I have a big heart, but at the same time, I highly protect it by being cautious about who I let in. Playfulness is a big part of my personality, not only does it help me connect with others, but it also helps me laugh at myself first and, in the process, accept all aspects of who I m.
INSPIRATION
My choice of study (Journalism, PR & Marketing) was mostly influenced by my mother. Since I was a child, I used to ask many questions, I was very social, curious, and would strike up conversations with everyone I met. Coming from a family with a medical background, it was very obvious to my mother that I was the 'social butterfly' who would do something completely different, and she always pushed me in that direction as well.
QUALITIES
I believe self-awareness, vulnerability, and responsibility are essential. We live in a very small community where, whether we want to or not, there are always eyes on us. These points teach us what our strengths are, where we lack improvement, which wounds are holding us back from living to our fullest potential, and, most importantly, leading an authentic life true to ourselves.
MOTIVATE ANOTHER
God's timing is perfect, I know we don't like to wait and sometimes we don't understand why, and we want answers now. But time reveals the reasons for our struggles and always brings the right moments/people into our path.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Honestly, I find it a very useful tool to connect with others. The difficult task is being honest and vulnerable when presenting ourselves to others. Nowadays, social media comes with social pressure as well, and without knowing, you may find yourself trying to fit into what is socially acceptable, even if it's not genuine. Yes, I also like to use filters, but you will also see me with sweat running down my face at the gym. I share moments of joy, but more than once you will see me crying online too. That's where the magic of inspiration is born.
PROUD ACHIEVEMENTS
I have several professional milestones, but honestly, what I am most proud of are the moments when I stood up for myself and my values. Whether it was in personal or public conflicts or in private meetings with clients, I learned to lead with courage, demonstrate that I am not afraid to speak up for my truth, and "burn a bridge or two" along the way. As a result, people know where they stand with me. I have noticed that when it comes to business, the treatment towards me has become much more respectful. People think twice before trying to throw me a "fastball".
I have learned that my emotional well-being is something essential in every aspect of my life. To maintain this balance, I try to practice my spirituality much more. Meditation, gratitude practice, 1-on-1 sessions with my coach, all of these are tools that keep me on track and focused to stay motivated. When I feel good about myself in every aspect, it automatically translates into motivation to inspire others around you too.
WHAT MAKES YOU AN INSPIRING WOMAN?
In spite of how I am perceived in the eyes of people, social media has helped me show that the popularity or any 'wow' factor that my career illustrates does not matter. I am just like any other woman out there. I have my quirks, but I can be serious and professional as well. I struggle, I have bad days, I face obstacles, but I also have many achievements behind me. If other women in one way or another can identify with me, the success that people see in me proves that you have it in you too.
BALANCE
In my line of work, it has been a unique lesson for me, as I am a public figure, and my work is very public too. The "strategy" I use is something I have learned through trial and error. With experience and time, I have become more selective and conscious of what I share online. At the end of the day, if I have any doubts, I answer my 5 "W's": What, Why, Who, When, Where. What do I want to share? For what purpose, for whom exactly? Why? Should I do it now, or can I share it later? Will it bring me closer to my goal or not?
BENEFIT
You realize very quickly that we are much more alike than we think. The gap between us and what makes us different becomes smaller. If there are people who inspire us and are more vulnerable than others, you realize many times that you are not alone in facing your battles and that some can offer valuable advice to motivate and help you move forward.
You are your own best friend!!! Invest in yourself!
BARRIER
The biggest barrier is social pressure and being judged based on the content you post. The BS story that the media/movies/Hollywood sells us from a young age is that if you are more beautiful/thin/young, have the perfect family, etc., you will be happier. It is very easy to lose your "true north" online. Unconsciously, people start to copy/paste what the majority does or behave like others to feel like they belong, trying to stay relevant and popular, even if it means not staying true to themselves. This aspect in such a small community eventually comes out, and people notice that who you are online is not who you are in your day-to-day life.
SOLIDARITY, HOW?
We need to be self-aware and honest with ourselves first before bringing it forward to others and "practice what we preach". It is not a secret that in my professional career, the support/help I received was mostly from men compared to women. Although I advocate for empowering women, it was not always my personal experience in practice. So, although our intentions may be good, it does not always translate into action within our community.
ANOTHER WOMAN WHO INSPIRES YOU
Locally, people like Tisa LaSorte, Nicole Hoevertsz, Nathaly Cabrera, and Wanda Broeksema inspire me. They are women who take charge and are in charge, always authentic to themselves. Definitely, I cannot leave out my mother. Over the years, I have seen her embrace her age with confidence and a youthful heart, facing her battles with God by her side. At the age of 70+, she has made long-distance friendships, learned to play the piano for the first time, and watched tutorials on YouTube to learn new things. She has zero fear of technology. These things make me look forward to reaching her age. If you look around and pay attention, there are many women around us who inspire us in one way or another every day.
ADVICE:
You are your own best friend!!! Invest in yourself, get to know your true self; who you are, what you like or don't like, how you are as a person. Whether it's through reading books, going to a coach/psychologist, journaling, spending time with God, or whatever works for you. It is a superpower that no one can take away from you and it will allow you to always show up unapologetically Yourself...
WOMEN IN ARUBA
I find that there are many more women in key positions in our community nowadays. However, there is still a macho approach or behavior towards this. Comments about physical appearance, hair, clothing, weight, and "emotional" factors that have nothing to do with the value and ability of women in any position are still being made by both men and women. As a society, we still have a lot of work to do in this regard.
AN UNFORGETTABLE MOMENT OF INSPIRATION
The day I resigned from radio and publicly shared my story of what happened was an unforgettable moment of inspiration. I never imagined the impact of that video, and honestly, it scared me. For two whole days, I didn't upload anything on social media (while I was in Paris) until two of my best friends in Holland contacted me to tell me to upload it and read the comments. There was an avalanche of comments, private messages, and emails from people showing their support, but mainly being vulnerable with me and sharing the same frustration I went through. More than one person emailed me their resignation letter after watching my video. That experience made me realize the enormous responsibility I carry in my career and how everything I do has an impact on my community.
INSPIRING OUR CHILDREN
We can use these platforms to bring forward a more realistic and authentic image for young people to see. Additionally, I believe that workshops or talks at schools often help. On several occasions, I have done this, and when I show a picture that I have photoshopped, or when I show how I looked at their age, they are truly shocked. Experiences like this open their eyes to realizing that much of what they see on social media is fabricated and that it's okay to present yourself online as you really are.
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