The Bonita, meaning pretty or beautiful in Spanish, came about after years of wanting to start my own blog that embodies all the things I am passionate about—beauty, travel, relationships, spirituality, and food—to name a few. To say that I’d put it off for years, well, that’s a mild understatement!
While it had always been lingering there as a sought-after goal, there were always the excuses of “there’s not enough time,” “no one will be interested in what I have to say,” or “it has to be perfect before I put anything out there”—you know the drill—typical self-sabotager.
So, rewind to 2020—I lost my job thanks to COVID and was out of work for months; I ended a relationship and left our home, saying goodbye to my dog in the process, and I moved in with family who supported me while I tried to keep my mental health in check and remain positive—despite setback after setback.
Suddenly, the excuse of time and this quest for perfection didn’t seem as important as it once had. Pursuing something that provided light in a time of darkness, which allowed me to fully embrace and be myself after months of suppressing who I was to please someone else—became a new focus for my life moving forward. And so, the Bonita was born.
Why the Bonita?
When brainstorming a name for this project, I knew I wanted something that not only embodied the essence of my blog and who I was as a woman but also that other women would identify with. Then, I discovered this definition in the Urban Dictionary.
“A Bonita is usually an enchanting, positive, free-loving soul. Her intuition is always spot-on, and you can never keep things from her for too long. She is kind, courageous, empathetic, intelligent and has a great sense of self-righteous justice. She makes a great mother if she has children. Her laugh is contagious; she has a great sense of humour.
She is as stunning on the outside as she is on the inside. A loyal friend, honest and places a high priority on the value and roles of partnership in any relationship. Kind, humble, modest and a little self-conscious at times. Her only fault is doubting herself. She is very natural and down to earth. Lots of people want to be her friend. Self-reclusive and sometimes very quiet, she is spontaneous and independent.”
Not only did this meaning resonate with me personally, but I felt that many women would identify with certain aspects of the word Bonita. So, it got me thinking.
What makes me feel my most beautiful, not only on the outside but, more importantly, on the inside?
Is it when I’m lying on a beach, breathing in the salty air, feeling the sand and the sun kissing my skin?
Is it when I sense the spiritual connection of the Universe guiding me in my life?
Is it when I’m curled up on the couch with my pooch?
Or is it when I’m dressed up for a night out with my girls, skin glowing, rockin’ my fave fiery red lipstick?
What is it that brings out the Bonita in you??
As women, we get so caught up in the demands of day-to-day life and putting the needs of others before our own that we rarely stop and take the time to do the things that make us feel the most powerful, the most beautiful, the most Bonita.
My purpose in creating this blog was to provide a space for self-love, empowerment, self-discovery, and ultimately, a place for you to stop and take some time for yourself.
The Bonita is a celebration of all the things that make me feel my most beautiful, with some personal stories thrown in. These experiences have helped me discover who I am, who I’m proud to be and that inner Bonita within. This is me, as raw and as real as I can be—sometimes sentimental, sometimes humorous, sometimes with a bit of sass (so that’s where Frida got it from)!
I hope that through sharing my stories and the stories of the Bonitas in my life, you can identify, relate to, and learn that you are not alone in your journey, no matter what road you may be on.
During moments of discomfort or chaos in our lives, and even in times of self-doubt, I hope you can come here to escape and discover something about yourself that gives you that bounce back in your step and puts you on the pathway back to that inner Bonita within you.
To all the Bonitas out there, this is for you…
Stacey xxx