To the Girls Who Shine To Bright

Valeria Marquez

By now, many of you have heard about the tragic death of influencer Valeria Marquez. She was murdered inside her beauty salon—while live on social media. Since then, theories have flooded in: some point to a bitter ex, others can’t ignore the strange behavior of the one “friend” who was there with her. But what really struck me wasn’t just the horror of what happened—it was how familiar it all felt. The quiet jealousy. The way she stood out among a group of girls. The eerie silence from the one person who should’ve been screaming. I’ve lived that energy. And while I’m still here, I carry the scars, the kind that made me withdraw from groups, cancel plans, and eventually choose solitude.

But here’s the thing: I didn’t choose to be alone because I liked it. I decided it because it kept me safe. I’ve experienced the kind of betrayal that makes you question what friendship really means. Not just once—but over and over, in ways that taught me early on how to rely on myself. And each time, I had to relearn how to survive. Not through revenge—but through protection. Even before I lit candles or crafted sigils, something always had my back. And that’s what I want you to know: you are never truly alone. If you don’t have a safety net, build one. Spiritually, emotionally, magically. Call on your guides. Light a candle. Speak out loud. You’ll be heard.

Valeria Marquez is a story too familiar to me. I’ve been thinking of her for days now.  Please, do the difficult work of confronting your own demons.  Jealousy, envy, and desperation are all unhealed wounds of someone desperate to be loved.  When you do the work, you learn to love yourself—and that is enough.

May you be in peace Valeria 🕊️