We were lucky to catch up with Tiffany Mathias recently and have shared our conversation below.

Tiffany, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I have always been told that I should be a writer. I have a very creative and vivid imagination. I pay extra attention to the details in a story. I love storytelling. However, like most people, I allowed fear and insecurity to overshadow my work. So, I kept my writings to myself.

In 2020, in the midst of the pandemic I was going through a very dark time in my life. The pandemic and being shut in only shined light on places in my life I was unfulfilled and lacked desire. I received a text from my cousin asking me if I would be interested in joining an opportunity a call she was having. I said yes.

She introduced the idea of an all-female writing group. It would be comprised of BIPOC women who would write their own stories about the trials and tribulations they had experienced and the ways they overcame them.

It became clear to me that it was now or never. I was presented with a perfect way for me to begin sharing my stories and help others. I consciously choose the tales I tell. I keep them relatable. I want anyone who reads my stories to see the human side of life experiences.

As such, being part of this writing group has led to other professional opportunities and I enjoy exploring them all.

Tiffany, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My style of writing is first person memoir. My first story published was in Pretty Broken: Transforming Scars to Beauty Marks. The literary world is tough. Everyone has a story they want to tell. My goal is to share my truth authentically and unabashedly.

At a book signing last year, I met a woman who said she read my chapter and she felt inspired. In my story I shared my journey of being a teenage mother and my fears of being a statistic. I had just been accepted to college when I decided to furlough my education and have my baby. I made a promise to my grandfather that I would get my education and make not only him and that baby, but myself proud.

In 2022, I graduated college from college with honors and my moment of pride shone brightly as I crossed the stage. In the audience was my daughter and her son. I had kept my word to myself.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Art is amazing. Being a creative allows you to see the world from a different perspective. So, for me the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is helping someone see things differently. It’s the enlightenment.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

My life has been a constant road of shifts, pivots and recalibration of route. I learned early on not to get too comfortable or complacent in things because the only certainty is uncertainty. That showed in 2021 when I downsized out of my job. Mind you, it was a job I HATED and was planning on leaving anyway. But I was let go and I had no backup plan. I was in school, and the world was still rebounding from the pandemic.

My immediate instinct was to quit school and get another job because I had a family to take care of. But I sat with my options and decided that I would not be happy doing that. I ended up focusing totally on school, I allowed myself to be free of the pressure to grind and make money. My family and I accessed our needs and wants. We buckled down for the next year and a half and were very smart in our financial planning.

We’re still recovering from in some areas for that decision. However, I feel it was a clear example of, one step back to take many steps forward.

Contact Info:

• Other: www.linkt.ree/TiffanyMathias

Image Credits
Look2c Photography