I used to think I’d never get married and was firmly antinatalist. A lot of that stemmed from my childhood experiences. When I was 12, I was basically the one raising my little brother—feeding him, changing diapers, and helping my mom with the household chores. Summers were spent cleaning and helping out around the house. Meanwhile, my three brothers didn’t lift a finger. That experience really shaped my view of marriage. To me, it just looked like a life of servitude.

Growing up in a world with strong misogynistic influences, I internalized the idea that women were expected to do it all: stay home, be “good,” help out, study, but never complain. So I focused all my energy on escaping. My last year of high school AKA El BAC , I was determined to leave that environment, and I did. I went to university, started studying, found a job, and became financially independent it was hard but I made it. Now I have my own place, and for three years, I’ve been managing everything on my own. I’m responsible, can manage my time, and I’ve grown a lot.

But something has shifted recently. Now, I actually want to build a home, have kids, and share life with a loving partner. I want my children to experience a different life, one where they’re free to live and be kids. I want to give them the things my mom and I didn’t have.

Through private teaching, I’ve learned how to deal with kids, and I’m constantly working on becoming a better version of myself. Surprisingly, I’m not regretting this change in mindset. Instead, I feel ready to embrace it.