Interview With Angela Aguirre

I was struggling to write this. I wasn’t sure how to feel about you after all the pain that you caused me. I forgot about you until I had to remember pain. I forgot about you until I had to describe a crippling feeling. I started thinking about you late at night again. Every night it was di erent this time around. I can see why I was put in this situation and why it had this outcome. Although I didn’t expect it and my friends did. I believed they were crazy for thinking that you could’ve hurt me.

I wish more people were able to see both sides of you. Yes, you were a sweet and trusting person, but you were also a manipulative person, and I couldn’t see that. I don’t miss you anymore, and I forgave you a long time ago because, yes, you hurt me even though you were the person I loved. I was a di erent person when I was around you, but it also made me realize how much our relationship hurt both of us and how I could be so much better without you. I’m grateful to have met you and have made some fantastic memories. Even though some weren’t as good, I learned from them, and I forgive you. I hope that you are doing good and continue to. I know I carry our memories and release those that no longer serve me.

ANGELA aguirre

Angela Aguirre is an author, speaker, and teacher. A erce advocate for women + youth in her community, she believes in using her platform to empower. Angela started her journey at DPL in 2010 and has been performing her poetry since. In 2016, her book of poetry and writing prompts Confessions of a Firework was published. In 2017, she was the youngest honored as one of ten Women of the Year by Senator Anthony Por- tantino. In 2018, she gave the opening talk at TEDxCSU- LA. In 2019, she launched The Millen- nial Mija Podcast. In 2020, she created a healing workshop series called Season of Self which has created a community for women and femmes on their indi- vidual journies to self discovery and growth. She has done professional keynotes for conferences, graduations, and corporate events. Her work has been featured by Latina Magazine, All Def Digital, Voto Latino, KCET + The Hu ngton Post.

IG + TWITTER: @Millennialmija

In what ways have your writing rituals changed over the years?

Back in the day, I was more eager to write. I would wait for a line to come to me or a concept or an idea, but it is not like that anymore. I was more eager to write because we were always at the lounge, and having new material was the goal. But now it's not like that. I give my ideas more time to marinate before I write them down. If you weren't a writer, what career would you have liked to pursue?

Who is your favorite writer, and why? I wanted to be on the Disney channel when I was a kid, and I still do so, maybe acting.

First of all, I have no favorite anything because that's way too much pressure, but some writers I love are YOU! Venessa Marco, because you speak from the heart and use words to make the truth sound beautiful. Also, Tonya Ingram because she makes me feel seen and feel ok to have all these feelings. At what point in your life did you realize that you're an artist and named yourself as such? How do you honor this naming in your everyday life? My whole life. I think it's the way I see the world. I nd beauty in everything. I admire things that people typically wouldn't consider art. I see poetry in everything. I see art in everything. I digest stu as an artist. It speaks to me. I see the beauty in everything.

Describe your perfect day

Eating bomb food. Going to the beach until sunset. Spending time laughing, eating