Like a Butterfly

Feeling trapped like a caterpillar inside a cocoon,

I was waiting to be transformed into a butterfly—

unafraid, unfazed, and ready to fly.

I was waiting to break free.

But instead, I was surrounded by my anxieties,

lying in bed, not wanting to get up,

sheltering myself from a hurricane of emotions

inside my imaginary cocoon.

All I wanted was to go back to sleep.

Work was no longer fun.

The world is not safe, the world is on fire.

I was utterly exhausted and tired.

And yet, if someone asked how I was,

I would smile and say, I’m fine.

That is the mask I’ve worn for 25 years—

roughly the same amount of time I spent collecting Corporate America paychecks.

The truth is, being an Afro Latina in Corporate America has always required a mask.

Yes, it’s a disguise.

But it’s also a form of self-preservation.

The bias and isms were all too common.

Microaggressions were a daily occurrence for me.

Yet somehow, I became comfortable being uncomfortable.

I excelled in spaces not made for me.

Pulled up a chair at tables that didn’t serve me.

Stood straight across from the nepo babies

who claimed I was “just another DEI hire.”

Same job.Twice the work.

Forty percent less.

And if by chance someone asked if I was okay,

I’d politely smile and say, I’m fine.

Inside, I was screaming.

But I never cried—well, at least not until I got home.

Because Mami told me,

Never let them see you cry.

Mami was a warrior in my eyes—the strongest woman I’ve ever known.

Anyone who knew her would tell you the same.

She code-switched so naturally and effortlessly,

separating work from family

like she was swimming along international borders.

On one side, she spoke only Spanish and reigned supreme.

On the other, she spoke only English

and became the meek maid cleaning hotel rooms.

And no matter the situation,

she would smile and say, I’m fine.

I unknowingly inherited her disguise.

I didn’t know it then.

Then life happened.

I was laid off.

Again, lying in bed, not wanting to get up,

sheltering from another hurricane of emotions

inside my imaginary cocoon.

I thought, Well, at least I no longer need this mask.

Until life happened again.

My days became scrambled, but it went like this:

I was laid off on Tuesday.

Found out my brother OD’d on Sunday.

Flew cross-country on Monday.

Attended his funeral on Thursday.

And by Friday, I was back home, tucking my girls into bed.

I was caught in a storm of trauma.

And yet, when my husband asked if I was okay,

instinctively I smiled and said, I’m fine.

I ran into a colleague on Saturday—fine.

Went to church on Sunday—fine.

I’m fine.

I’m fine.

Here I was thinking I didn’t want or need this disguise.

But as I reflected on my relationship with my brother

and my 25-year career,

flashbacks danced across my mind

like a montage in a movie scene.

I realized how this mask had served me.

And even if I wanted to, I couldn’t take it off.

I couldn’t wipe it away like makeup.

I couldn’t rub the melanin off

like it was mascara.

It had transformed into a shield—

something that protected me,

something that helped me survive…and even thrive.

This mask understood that “I’m fine” meant:

This moment will not define me.

I’ve been through tougher things than this.

I was built for this shit.

And even if I’m not okay right now,

I know I will be.

My mask was a cocoon made of lived experiences.

It is what made me resilient.

So if you ask me today if I’m okay—

yeah, I’m great.

I still haven’t found another corporate job.

And I’m no longer feeling trapped.

I started the business I once called my “retirement plan”—

ahead of schedule, instead of saving it for another day.

My backup plan became my main plan,

and the universe has already co-signed it.

I’m learning to be comfortable

being the caterpillar inside the cocoon,

still waiting to break free,

still transforming into that butterfly—

unafraid,

unfazed,

and finally ready to be me.

Breaking Free from the Cocoon: An Afro Latina's Journey to Authenticity in Corporate America

Feeling trapped inside a cocoon, waiting to be transformed into a butterfly, is a powerful metaphor for many who struggle silently in environments that don’t fully accept them. For an Afro Latina navigating Corporate America, this feeling often goes beyond metaphor—it becomes a daily reality. The mask worn to survive, the exhaustion from constant microaggressions, and the pressure to appear “fine” can weigh heavily on one’s spirit. This post explores the journey from hiding behind that mask to embracing authenticity and breaking free from the cocoon.

A butterfly resting on a flower symbolizing transformation and freedom

The Weight of Wearing a Mask

For 25 years, the mask of “I’m fine” became a shield. It was a way to protect against the bias, microaggressions, and subtle exclusions that Afro Latinas often face in Corporate America. This mask is not just a disguise; it is a survival tool. It hides the exhaustion, the frustration, and the loneliness that come with being one of the few at the table who looks and sounds different.

Microaggressions might seem small to some, but they accumulate. Being mistaken for a DEI hire rather than recognized for skills, doing twice the work for less pay, or feeling invisible in meetings chips away at confidence. Yet, many become comfortable being uncomfortable, excelling in spaces not designed for them.

The Legacy of Strength and Code-Switching

The mask is often inherited. For many Afro Latinas, it comes from family lessons and cultural survival strategies. The story of Mami, a warrior who code-switched effortlessly between Spanish and English, illustrates this. She separated her worlds with grace—dominating in one and quietly enduring in another. Her advice, “Never let them see you cry,” became a mantra passed down.

This legacy teaches resilience but also creates a barrier to vulnerability. It teaches how to survive but not always how to thrive authentically.

The Breaking Point: When the Cocoon Feels Like a Prison

The cocoon that once symbolized transformation can start to feel like a prison. The exhaustion from hiding, the anxiety that builds, and the emotional hurricanes inside become overwhelming. Work stops being fun. The world outside feels unsafe and chaotic. Lying in bed, not wanting to get up, wanting only to escape through sleep—these feelings are real and valid.

Being laid off after years of dedication can shatter the fragile balance. It forces a reckoning with identity, worth, and future. It can be the moment when the mask cracks and the real self begins to emerge.

Steps Toward Authenticity and Freedom

Breaking free from the cocoon requires courage and intentional action. Here are some practical steps that can help on this journey:

• Acknowledge Your Feelings

Allow yourself to feel the exhaustion, frustration, and pain without judgment. Recognize that these feelings are valid responses to difficult experiences.

• Seek Support

Find communities or mentors who understand your unique challenges. Whether through affinity groups, therapy, or trusted friends, support is crucial.

• Set Boundaries

Protect your energy by setting limits on what you tolerate. This might mean saying no to extra work that isn’t recognized or stepping back from toxic environments.

• Celebrate Small Wins

Recognize your achievements, no matter how small. Every time you speak up, claim space, or prioritize your well-being, you are breaking free.

• Practice Self-Compassion

Replace the “I’m fine” mask with honest self-talk. Be kind to yourself as you navigate this complex journey.

Embracing Your True Self at Work

Authenticity in Corporate America is not just about being honest; it’s about creating space where your whole self can exist without fear. This might mean:

• Sharing your cultural background openly

• Advocating for equitable pay and recognition

• Challenging microaggressions when safe to do so

• Building alliances with colleagues who respect and support diversity

  
  

Authenticity can transform not only your experience but also the culture around you.

The Power of Transformation

Like the butterfly emerging from its cocoon, breaking free is a process of transformation. It takes time, patience, and resilience. But it leads to freedom—the freedom to be seen, heard, and valued for who you truly are.

This journey is deeply personal but also collective. By sharing stories and supporting one another, women and others facing similar challenges can build a future where masks are no longer necessary.

The path from exhaustion and hiding to authenticity and freedom is not easy, but it is possible. It starts with recognizing the mask, honoring the struggle, and choosing to break free. If you find yourself feeling trapped, remember that transformation is within reach. You are not alone, and your true self deserves to fly.