There Are No Barriers, Only the Ones You Create.
Breaking Free: How I Learned That the Only Limits We Face Are the Ones We Create
For a long time, I believed my life had already been written for me — that who I was and where I came from defined how far I could go. Like many people, I carried invisible limits, quiet voices whispering, this is as far as you’ll make it.
But over time, through love, loss, courage, and growth, I learned something powerful: the biggest barriers we face are often the ones we create in our own minds.
My journey began when I came to the United States to study, encouraged by my grandparents, who wanted the very best for me. At first, college was not a dream — it was a responsibility. I wanted to finish for them, to honor their sacrifices.
Life, however, had its own plans. Personal challenges forced me to put my education on hold for several years, but I never let go of it. I eventually returned and completed my degree. Later, through an opportunity with The Walt Disney Company, I earned my bachelor’s degree — one of the proudest moments of my life. I know my grandparents were smiling from heaven.
That accomplishment led me to discover another passion: storytelling. I began writing and interviewing people for a bilingual magazine in New Orleans, giving voice to stories that often go unheard. I miss that chapter, but I now understand that some things end because something greater is waiting. At the time, I was not yet ready to find what would truly become my purpose — education.
Today, I am a high school ESL Newcomer teacher. I have the honor of being the first teacher many of my students meet when they arrive in the United States. They walk into my classroom carrying fear, hope, and stories from around the world. Watching them find their voices in a new language reminds me every day that courage lives inside all of us — even when we don’t yet believe it.
My students inspire me. They cross borders, leave behind what is familiar, and step into the unknown with remarkable bravery. If they can do that, I remind myself, I can keep pushing forward too. Whether I am teaching, creating content, or growing my small business, I have learned that growth begins the moment we stop telling ourselves, I can’t.
That belief led me to create Ana in Nola LLC, where I design shirts, hats, and bags that celebrate culture, identity, and belonging. Every piece carries a message: You belong. My business is an extension of my classroom — a space where stories, languages, and cultures are honored and uplifted.
Now, at 51, I am still learning, still growing, and still dreaming. I am currently earning my master’s degree and teaching certification at Tulane University. I am proud of the woman I have become — an educator, a mentor, a content creator, and a new entrepreneur. My life has been filled with lessons I did not recognize at the time, but today I see them clearly.
And this is what I believe with my whole heart: there are no barriers except the ones we create. It is never too late to break them, to keep going, to keep learning, and to become who you were always meant to be.
