Editor's Letter: We're Reclaiming What It Means to Be "Too Much" as a Latina

Soy Demasiado, a special issue for Juntos, celebrates Latinas who are reclaiming what it means to be "too much." Read the stories here.

I've been told my whole life that I'm "too much" — que soy demasiado. I've been told that I'm "too loud," "too talkative," and "too opinionated." I'm too political because I've always cared deeply about human rights and the harms of discrimination. I'm too aggressive because I refuse to sit silently as a woman. I'm too assertive, too confrontational, too blunt, too passionate, too emotional — I've heard it all. Throughout my life, family members, friends, men I've dated, and even random acquaintances have told me this, as if these qualities were flaws I needed to fix.

But I've learned over the years that I am not alone in this experience. So many Latinas also carry this weight, this burden of being "too much," especially here in the US where patriarchy, misogyny, and racism run wild, often keeping a tight grip on us. So many of us have been told throughout our lives to shrink, to soften, and to be less. Over the years, I've had to really sit with myself and ask: what if I don't want to be less? What if I actually want to take up all the space that I need — proudly and unapologetically?

I began to transform and truly thrive as a human when I stopped shrinking myself and caring about lo que dice la gente, when I let go of worrying about who others thought I should be. The moment I embraced literally everything I had been told was "too much" about me, I finally began to stand in my power and step into my purpose as a storyteller and an advocate for my community. I look around now and see so many other Latinas doing the same — no longer dimming their light to fit into anyone else's comfort zone. Today, I don't care if people think I'm "too much." I've let go of code-switching or hiding certain aspects of myself to appear palatable to others. And it's been one of the most rewarding decisions I have ever made for myself.

To my fellow Latinas reading this — who still feel boxed in by labels of "too much," who feel held back in their careers, relationships, or communities because of these unfair judgments — know that you are not alone. Maybe you've been denied job opportunities, leadership roles, or funding to launch your business, or you've been underpaid, underappreciated, or undervalued in relationships, because you have been labeled "too much." I want you to understand that you don't have to give power to those voices, to the ideologies that have for centuries tried to convince us that we don't fit in. For way too long, these expectations have been placed on us, our mothers, our abuelas, our bisabuelas, and our ancestors before them. And sadly, with everything happening in the world right now, we will continue to face adversity just for being. So now more than ever, it's time to finally let go of those confines and embrace the fullness of who we are — unapologetically y con orgullo!

In our special issue for Juntos, we are claiming and embracing Soy Demasiado. Through personal essays, opinion pieces, and profiles, we capture the transformative journeys Latinas have taken to overcome stereotypes, societal expectations, and self-doubt to focus on what truly matters — our happiness, growth, and individuality. You can start reading here.

For every Latina reader who comes across Soy Demasiado, remember that anyone who tells you that you're "too much" simply isn't enough to handle your bright and powerful light — and don't ever forget it.

Con amor,

Johanna Ferreira, Juntos Content Director

Johanna Ferreira is the content director for PS Juntos. With more than 10 years of experience, Johanna focuses on how intersectional identities are a central part of Latine culture. Previously, she spent close to three years as the deputy editor at HipLatina, and she has freelanced for numerous outlets including Refinery29, Oprah magazine, Allure, InStyle, and Well+Good. She has also moderated and spoken on numerous panels on Latine identity.