Meet Victoria Colón Lopez | Scholar | Content Creator | Advocate

We had the good fortune of connecting with Victoria Colón Lopez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Victoria, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
Over the years, I faced challenges that required my time, energy, and self in different ways. Being a daughter, a sister, a friend, a student, a leader, and many of the other hats I’ve worn over time, I have found myself navigating different seasons of life. I walked on tight ropes that required balance. Not a perfect balance but a balance that allowed me to cultivate meaning within myself and all that I do. I have had to reflect on who or what adds meaning to my life, and hold onto them. This notion motivated me to start my mental health blog, Resilience, which began in 2020. What started as a pass time during the pandemic, became a space that has allowed to connect with others and share self care content that keeps me grounded.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Someone that I have always looked up to is my grandmother, Abuela Alma. Growing up I would be surrounded by stories about how much of a power house she was, how she was always learning and accomplished so much. As I got older, I strived to be everything that she is. What has set me apart is that I am ceaseless- I am always pursuing more for myself and my family, always building on my goals, and never settling for anything less than what I know I can be capable of. Coming from a low-income migrant family, I encountered many obstacles through the process. This included overcoming abuse/domestic violence and being the first in my family to reach many of the opportunities that I have had.

Despite this, I remind myself of the kind of lifestyle I want to provide for my loved ones in the future. I stay up late and wake up early, I don’t let setbacks define me, and I turned the difficulties I faced into a platform. I keep these things in mind as I continue to expand on different projects, such as my Puerto Rico humanitarian service work in light of being a recipient of the Barack Obama and Brian Chesky Voyager Scholarship. One of the most important lessons I learned along the way is that it is okay to ask for help. You don’t always have to do everything by yourself; lean into your community however it is that your community looks like for you. All in all, my message to others- especially to young women with stories like mine- is even with very few resources and little support, si se puede (you can do it).

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would start by showing them around Decatur Square where we would get ice cream from Butter & Cream. I also love art projects so I would also take them to All Fired Up in Druid Hills. For brunch, I’d definitely recommend Cafe Intermezzo and for dinner, Soigne’ Garden lounge- both are in Midtown. Another one of my favorite places to walk around is Peachtree City, there are so many great restaurants there to grub at. Living in Atlanta for the majority of my life, these are some of the places that have stood out to me the most.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My family (both in the states and in Puerto Rico), my boyfriend (Jovani Roberston), friends, peers, along with the faculty and staff at Agnes Scott College, have all had such an important role in who I am today. My community has provided me with constant guidance and support. Words cannot express how grateful I am to have all of these individuals in my life, always reminding me of how far I have come and how far I will continue to go.

Instagram: victoriac_lopez

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-col%C3%B3n-lopez-849657161/

Twitter: VictoriaColnL

Other: Mental Health Blog IG: @resiliencebyv

Image Credits
Eeyana Torres