As a communications strategist and writer, I believe that the best stories come from real life and a willingness to keep learning. I’m someone who takes random courses for fun, gets lost in obscure articles, and ends up in deep conversations with strangers at the grocery store. My curiosity keeps my creativity going and helps me look at things from all different angles, which comes in handy when you’re trying to explain complex stuff in a simple, engaging way.
I moved to Canada from Brazil in 2015 looking for more safety and calm, and an escape from the kind of heat that feels like you’re being slow-roasted. After seven years in Vancouver and two in Montreal, my family and I are now in Ottawa, happily raising three kids, a Boston terrier and about 53 houseplants that bring me joy and/or guilt depending on the day.
This journey has taught me to adapt quickly, keep an open and positive mind, and think on my feet. Finding my way around new cities, managing parenting chaos, and planning communication strategies in record time all helped me develop a strong sense of resourcefulness. It’s a skill I pride myself on and rely on every day to tackle whatever life and work throw my way.
A few facts about me:
- I learned to write when I was six and have been journaling ever since. I have more than 25 notebooks in which I’ve written down my life and thoughts in detail! I love reading what I wrote long ago and realizing that most things that annoyed me then no longer matter. It helps me put things in perspective, and when I’m anxious, I always ask myself, “Will this matter when I read about it six months from now?” — it’s amazing that 90% of the time it won’t.
- According to the Myers-Briggs personality test, I’m an ENTP. The description fits me, even though I love (and need) my introverted moments from time to time.
- Speaking of personality tests, the CliftonStrengths assessment I took while working at an environmental nonprofit revealed that my main strengths are Input, Ideation, Intellection, Connectedness, and Strategy. That makes sense. I’m the type who connects ideas fast, fills notebooks with brainstorms, and has a running list of creative solutions to problems no one has mentioned yet.
- I’m a Canadian citizen, but I was born and raised in Brazil. What I love the most about my birth country, besides the gorgeous beaches and delicious food, of course, is the amusing way Brazilians stay upbeat and find humour in everything, no matter how bad the situation is. I like to think that’s also my best character trait.
- My dream is to run an ecovillage/permaculture hub/writing retreat/animal rescue centre in a lush paradise like Costa Rica when I retire. I’d drink coconut water all day and enjoy helping people learn new skills and protect the environment.
- I’m almost never without my Kindle and always have a book on the go. Along with the people I’ve met, the places I’ve visited, and the music I’ve listened to, many different books have made me who I am today. Here are a few that have shaped me:
