Welcome to Peel Off the Layers!

Hi there! I’m Adriana.
A late-30s mom, wife, and woman in the midst of ongoing personal growth. I'm here to peel off the layers of my life—layer by layer—so I can share the lessons learned, the truths uncovered, and the insights that come from embracing both the challenges and the beauty of navigating multiple identities in today's world. Peel Off the Layers is where I invite you to join me on this journey of introspection and discovery.

I'm a mom, daughter, sister, wife, career professional, dreamer, student, Latina, immigrant, concert lover, and so much more. Some of those identities feel more important than others depending on the day, but they're all me. I often find myself reflecting on what it truly means to honor all these parts of myself while staying true to my values. I'm constantly peeling back layers to understand myself better, to create a more intentional life, and to build a better world for my family and future generations.

Through my own experiences with career growth, cultural navigation, body image struggles, and advocating for a more just world, I've learned that personal growth is a continuous process. It requires unlearning old patterns, embracing new perspectives, and being open to change—even when it's uncomfortable.

What You'll Find Here

On this blog, I dive into the deeper layers: the cultural influences that shape our lives, the moments of introspection that lead to breakthroughs, and the lessons I'm still learning as I navigate all my identities. I write about:

Personal Layers: My individual journey of reflection and growth—identity struggles, breaking inherited patterns, making authentic choices, and growing while imperfect.

Shared Layers: How personal transformation creates ripple effects in our relationships, families, and communities.

I don't have it all figured out. I'm flawed and I mess up regularly. But I'm committed to the work of becoming more authentic, and I believe that sharing the messy middle of that process might help others who are doing the same work.

A Note About My Evolution

I used to separate my personal and professional voices on this blog, thinking I needed different spaces for different parts of myself. But that split felt exhausting and inauthentic. The truth is, my personal journey of reflection and growth IS my professional development. My cultural wisdom IS my expertise. My willingness to share the messy middle IS my contribution.

So I'm done compartmentalizing. This blog is now one unified space where I explore all the layers of being human, with the depth and thoughtfulness that comes from both lived experience and ongoing study, but without the artificial separation that never felt true to who I am.

A Little About Me...

I was born in Bogotá, Colombia, and made Chicago my home 25 years ago. This city has shaped who I am in so many ways, and I've come to love the unique blend of Midwestern warmth and resilience. As an immigrant, I've navigated systems that often felt distant from my own culture—systems that lacked inclusivity. It's been through these experiences that I found my path in nonprofit work and social justice, advocating for a world that welcomes everyone's story.

I was raised in a loving family that instilled in me the core values of community, family, and friendship. But like many, I also grew up with deeply ingrained patriarchal narratives that shaped how I viewed myself as a woman, mother, wife and member of society. Over time, I've done a lot of self-work—peeling off the layers of these old stories, shedding what no longer serves me, and discovering a more authentic version of myself. This journey has been transformative, and it's made me feel unstoppable in ways I never imagined.

While I embrace my roots and the richness of my culture, I also recognize that not everything I was taught enhances who I am today. I'm intentional about what I pass down to my six-year-old daughter, the greatest gift and challenge of my life. Since she came into the world, I've done most of my personal growth. She's my moral compass, my constant teacher, and the reason I strive to be better every single day.

And of course, I'm married to my biggest supporter, a wonderful man who also hails from Colombia. Together, we're partners in everything—dreams, struggles, and triumphs. We work hard to build a life that reflects our values, one where we leave a lasting, positive impact on the world for the generations to come.

I'm currently pursuing my Masters in Adult Learning while working full-time in the social sector. I have a background in nutrition and wellness, but my real expertise is in being human and reflecting deeply on that experience.

Join the Journey

If my story resonates with you, I invite you to join a community of like-minded individuals who are navigating the complexity of multiple identities, breaking inherited patterns, and choosing authenticity over performance. Sign up to receive weekly reflections and deeper insights on the ongoing work of becoming who we're meant to be.

Let's peel off the layers together, support one another, and create a space where we can learn, grow, and build lives that align with who we truly are.