Basic Space: Sophia Hernandez
Read about Sophia Hernandez (@lilflameprincess): model, trans activist, and accidental influencer, and her unique experiences with implementing self-care and wellness into her life.
Tell me a little bit about yourself and what you do.
My name is Sophia Hernandez; I am a trans activist, and am what people would like to call an influencer. However, that title of influencer is not the title I’d like to define me. I am just me.
What does self-care mean to you? Why do you think it’s important?
Self-care means taking the time to readjust myself and reflect on what’s going on inside and around me. It’s the time to kind of take a moment to pause the world and ask, “Am I happy with what’s going on around me? Am I happy with myself? And how can I adjust this thing to my needs?”
What are some everyday habits you implement to make sure you’re caring for yourself?
Everyday habits that I have now made sure to do are meditating, belly breathing, reflecting, rollerblading, and putting on my favorite music to take a nice bubble bath.
How do you check in on yourself?
The way I would say check in on myself is taking the time to meditate and ask myself what is wrong right now and how can we fix it.
Have you been taking any extra steps to care for yourself since the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement?
The steps I’ve been making sure to take during all of this is to connect with my friends and laugh with them. I take time to myself by just walking around my neighborhood and just kind of turn off social media for a day.
Do you think having time to implement self-care is a privilege?
I think from a capitalistic perspective, yes, it definitely is a privilege to be able to take care of yourself. For example, with bubble baths or having accessibility to a phone that has apps that help you meditate. Even being able to just seek proper mental health is a privilege that I feel like a lot of us don’t realize and sometimes abuse. However, coming from another perspective, when you kind of have nothing you can make self-care healthy and accessible.
What does inclusivity mean to you? Why do you think it’s important?
Inclusivity means regardless of how you come to me, you will be accepted at all costs. it’s important because it provides representation for all the marginalized groups that feel that there isn’t someone out there like them that can be represented or shown in a positive light, or [marginalized groups] feel like they can do it because they see somebody out there doing it like them.
What does a more inclusive future look like to you? How do you think we can all collectively work towards that?
A more inclusive future to me is all industries looking at everyone as an equal. It means allowing these people that you’ve pushed aside and taken away such luxuries from to be included in your space; to provide a space for people that need you. I think by having these difficult talks (not only with our peers, but younger generations and globally) we should talk about this uncomfortable idea of not allowing people to be this kind of click that doesn’t allow others to come out and join us in this. I think by tearing down all the rules that we have implemented as a society and then just rebuilding it all over again [we can work towards a more inclusive future].
Why do you think representation in the media (especially in the beauty and wellness industries) is important for underrepresented communities?
Representation in the media is so important because growing up I didn’t see any alternative girls that I felt like I could identify with. I didn’t feel that there were other trans women out there that look like me were doing these things that I could only dream of doing.
For example, modeling is something I really like doing; it’s so fun and I always get the opportunity to meet such amazing walks of life. However, I didn’t see any big names doing it, so I felt like-- “Damn, if they can’t do it, what makes me think I can do it?” So, it’s important to include the underrepresented people in the conversation, because it gives that ‘other’ person a path that they feel like they can walk towards, too.
Do you remember the first time you felt represented by the media (TV show/movie/etc.)?
The first time I really felt represented is when I saw the Author Janet mock blowing up on social media, music, and literature. I was just in awe. Seeing another black female just take on such a huge title and be respected. However, I still haven’t felt represented all the way just yet. I don’t feel like there is a huge name out there that is doing it so big and touching all facets of media.
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