Real Talk: How the Hell Did I End Up Here? (My Story)

You ever stop and think, How the hell did I get here? Right now, I’m in Australia, designing clothes, but if you’d told me a few years ago that I’d be starting from scratch in a foreign country, I’d have laughed. Back in Chile, I had it all—an amazing career at one of the country’s biggest retailers. People respected my work, I had the connections, the experience. But the moment I stepped off that plane in Australia, none of that mattered.

Here’s what no one tells you about starting over in a new country: no one cares what you’ve done before. My résumé? Impressive, sure—but it was just words on paper to them. My achievements in Chile didn’t carry weight here. I was suddenly this foreigner with no network, no reputation, and no idea how to break into an industry that didn’t seem to notice me. It felt like everything I’d built got reset the moment I landed.

I found myself in this weird position where I knew I had the skills, but no one was giving me the chance to prove it. Interviews felt like uphill battles—trying to convince people that my experience in Chile actually meant something. But here in Australia? It’s a tight-knit community, and I wasn’t on anyone’s radar. I felt invisible. I remember walking into my first job, excited to bring everything I’d learned with me, and realising—they don’t care. I was starting from the bottom again, and it hit hard.

There were days I seriously questioned if I’d ever make it. I’d sit there, wondering if this dream of mine was worth the constant rejection, the imposter syndrome, and the doubt. But here’s the thing—I wasn’t about to let my story end like that. Every rejection, every setback? It pushed me harder. I knew I had what it took, and slowly, the grit started to pay off.

My work began to speak for itself. People who once saw me as an outsider started to recognise the value I brought. I wasn’t just the girl with the strong accent anymore—I was someone who could handle the pressure, the pace, and the challenges of this new world. The same people who overlooked me? They began to see me differently. They appreciated the way I approached design, how I brought something different to the table.

But, trust me, it wasn’t easy. I had to fight for every opportunity, push through every “no,” and prove myself over and over again. There were plenty of moments where I thought about packing it all up and heading back to Chile. But looking back now? Those challenges? They shaped me. They’re the reason I’ve become the designer I am today—someone who doesn’t just fit in but makes an impact.

So, here I am, in Australia, doing what I love. And let me tell you, it wasn’t a straight path. Hell, it wasn’t even a smooth one. The constant rejection, the endless hustle just to get noticed—it was brutal. There were moments I’d ask myself, why did I leave everything behind? My career in Chile was thriving, and here I was, feeling invisible, constantly proving myself to people who didn’t care about the experience I’d built back home.

But that’s the thing about challenges—they either break you or push you to level up. I didn’t come this far just to quit, and slowly, the work started to speak for itself. My colleagues began to see what I was bringing to the table. It wasn’t just about design anymore—it was about resilience, about knowing your worth even when no one else sees it yet.

And as I kept pushing forward, I learned something huge: it’s okay to fail. Every rejection, every ‘no,’ made me stronger. I realised I was rewriting my story, one challenge at a time. And yeah, it sucked at first, but every setback was a lesson. Gradually, I found my footing, and the things I’d accomplished back in Chile began to make sense here, too. My designs reflected everything I’d been through—my roots, my journey, the constant push to be better.

And the thing is, the reinvention and growth? They’re still happening. I’m not stopping anytime soon. I’ve got so much more to give, and I’m just getting started. If you’re reading this, I need you to know one thing: don’t quit. No matter how many times you fail, it’s not the end—it’s just a lesson. So keep going, keep pushing, and remember—you’re writing your story. And trust me, it’s going to be epic.