Danielle and I are sitting in a small vegan cafe in Queens. We are attempting to be adventurous in our meal choices. We decide that we are going to try a whole vegan meal – from drinks to our main course and dessert. Before we dive into the interview, we chat about our families, adulting, and her approaching college graduation date.
As cousins, this conversation is nothing new to us. But, as we dive into the questions, we discuss the intersections between health, urban planning, Caribbean culture, and millennial burnout. It’s uncharted territory for us but Danielle is as bold and upfront as ever. Since we were children, she has always called it likes she sees it. This interview is no exception.
This interview was recorded in November 2018.
This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.
Isabelle: Where did you grow up and where do you live now?
Danielle: I was born on Long Island and then when I was five I moved from North Babylon to East Flatbush, New York. So, I guess you can say I was born on Long Island and raised in Brooklyn.
Isabelle: How do you feel like Brooklyn or where you are in Brooklyn has affected your health? And health can be defined by whatever health means to you…
Danielle: I would say my area isn’t necessarily a food desert but compared some of the other neighborhoods in Brooklyn you find more corner stores and bodegas and liquor stores as opposed to markets and you know…it is Brooklyn and there is public transportation. But, in certain parts of Brooklyn, it’s easier to walk to the market and grab produce and it’s more readily available. But, where I am, I go to a supermarket that has everything – we have to have a car because lugging all that stuff on the bus is hard. And my area, my side of Brooklyn…a lot of residents depend on public assistance, that or they are elderly and they depend on a fixed income and with their benefit card that limits how far they can go and where they shop because fresh groceries can be kind of expensive.
Isabelle: Do you feel like your community has had any effect on your health?
Danielle: As a kid, from my house to my school, with whatever pocket money I had, I would pass five corner stores and there was one on every block and we would pick up juices, chips, crackers, and just junk food.
Isabelle: When do you feel like you made the switch in realizing that this wasn’t working?
Danielle: High school and college – just forcing myself to appreciate healthier choices and vegan choices because it’s like…if we are able, we shouldn’t put things in our bodies just because it is the only thing we have available.
Isabelle: Can you talk about the importance of mental and physical health and how they intersect in your life and in your community’s life?
Danielle: In my senior year of college, what I’ve learned not only for myself but for others…before you can take care of yourself physically…you have to be there mentally. So, I feel like mental health plays a huge factor on physical health and also on an emotional level and a social level…So, if you don’t have that mindset to say “Oh, let me take care of myself mentally…” you won’t have the motivation or the discipline to take care of yourself physically.
Isabelle: How do you feel like you take care of yourself mentally?
Danielle: I don’t take as good care of myself as I should. I’ll get my hair done and nails did and that’s the least end of it. I’ll maybe sneak in a small spa day if I can. But, all those things cost money. But, I feel like in the hustle bustle of a city-life environment…it keeps you active and it keeps you moving. But, it’s also a lot more stressful because there are different things that most people don’t think about.
Isabelle: Do you feel like West Indians and Costa Ricans have different views on health? Or, are they similar viewpoints?
Danielle: Mental health is not something that is really discussed or acknowledged. It’s like “Oh, you are stressed out or sad? Get over it…that’s part of life.” It’s not really seen as an issue. If you say something about it, you are being dramatic or they might start bringing God into it. It’s not simple. And, it’s like, you feel like you don’t have anyone to turn to because you feel like nobody gets it. Instead of making your life easier, it makes your life harder because you are full of frustration and nobody is really taking you seriously or doing anything to help. It’s just like they belittle your emotions and although they are a loving community…but if too much love is shown, it’s seen as a weakness.
Isabelle: Do you have any mental health or physical health goals that you have set for yourself in 2019?
Danielle: For this new year, trying to be a bit more physically active and it’s the consistency. You know…school two days a week, work two days a week, and home life. At the end of the day, all you want to do is sleep. So, I want to set more boundaries. I want to go on walks and go back to Planet Fitness.
Isabelle: What advice would you give to someone who is in your position that is having trouble upkeeping their mental health?
Danielle: I would say just learn to say no…because I’m always trying to bend over backwards for everybody. But, where is the line between helping others and taking care of yourself? Who is going to help you? Like working out…someone can’t give you the time. Prioritize and time manage and make to-do lists.
Isabelle: Who is Danielle – ten years from now? Who is she physically? What are the mental goals she’s accomplishing?
Danielle: I want to be more confident in the decisions that I am making…instead of second guessing myself. I’m not saying I’m disgracing the family name but maybe something like getting a tattoo. Maybe married by 30 or 32 and in a more positive space and less stressed and happier. Not feeling like every move is going to be criticized and judged. I am walking more now but I am trying to focus less on the number on the scale but more so about how I feel. Mental health and decompressing. My friend recently told me about this app called Headspace to try to calm down and breathe more.
Isabelle: How do you feel like you’ll get there?
Danielle: Pushing boundaries and putting my foot down.
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