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The Future I Wanted So Much

May 1, 2022 Melanie Hawken

by Erica Paiva

Have you ever found yourself looking into the future imagining what it could be, how it could be, and how happy you can be and years later, living that future, looked back and saw how much you lost? How much did you not feel? How much were you deluded by the dictates of society? Ehhh this is normal and very common believe me. 


There are few who relish the now and the already, and many live clinging to the past and others in the hope of a better future. As a result, we forget to look at ourselves and celebrate our momentary victories. We follow a system, we don't live our projects, we choose everything based on the public's opinion as if we were society's little puppets, and as a bonus we complain about society itself saying how cruel it is.

Let's see, there is a predefined system - however, respecting it doesn't mean I follow it blindly. The crux of the matter is to do everything that suits you but without leaving the limits of the same system. Imagine those clothes of yours that can apparently only be used for a special dinner, and then you have decided to dress in them for work? No? Why not? It doesn't look good, right? They'll think it's ridiculous and then six months later, you have a dinner and discover that the dress or pants are either too loose or too tight - see the irony?

You can wear your tuxedo or your dress whenever you feel like it, and no one will make fun of you as long as you clearly accept that it's all part of you. If you're not confident in your choice, the others won't be either and you'll be a clown, and in the end you will say that the universe is cruel. No my dear, you are cruel to yourself, society left their rules and these rules can be shaped, perfected by you. So live your present intensely, as long as it's not just a tantrum to show everyone that you can be a person intense and liberally cool.

Do it for you, live your life today right now. Remember, the day has 24 hours for some reason. Everything can be lived, as long as we accept to live our true self and without history. Now if you feel that you are not ready to live your life your way now, relax and revaluate yourself. It is not an obligation but your duty, and believe that today leaves a sweetness in every step which will leave your soul flooded with happiness.


Erica Paiva is a creative woman entrepreneur from Mozambique who decided to use her own unique skills as a tv host, writer, actress, master of ceremony, and event planner to create a niche, personal brand in the marketplace. Erica’s brand has been in the market for 7 years, but she has been working for a total of 15 years. As well as planning and producing events, Erica is also a Master of Ceremonies and an actress. Her business has a social media department that creates live streams with guests on Facebook called Descomplicando Sentimentoscom a Erica Paiva.

More about Erica Paiva

In Guest Blog Tags Erica Paiva, Entrepreneurial Mindset
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Tech FoundHER AFRICA CHALLENGE

MEET THE 10 FINALISTS — We look forward to announcing the winning women founders on 19 November 2025.


CELEBRATING 10 YEARS


LATEST PODCASTS

Lioness Radio Show Interview: Listen to Mr Jules Ngankam, Group Chief Executive Officer of the African Guarantee Fund, discussing the journey from Bias to Bankable - AGF’s Case for Financing Women Entrepreneurs.

Lioness Radio Show: Five Mozambican women entrepreneurs share their experiences of building successful green businesses and creating green jobs for local people. From an environmentally-friendly, high-impact skincare brand, to an innovative green transportation business transforming marine waste into bicycles, these Lionesses are making waves in Mozambique. Listen to their stories, learn from their experiences, and be inspired by their tenacity.


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LIONESS WEEKENDER COVER STORY
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Vanessa Mhlom, a South African wellness brand builder
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Dr. Phindi Cebekhulu-Msomi, an agripreneur focused on climate-smart solutions
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Retang Phaahla, a pioneer for South Africa’s indigenous teas
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Dr Margaret Kemigisha, a publishing entrepreneur passionate about childrens’ literacy

IMAGE OF THE DAY. CELEBRATING WOMAN MADE IN AFRICA.

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Statement lighting… from Dounia Home, the home of innovative, handcrafted and ethically made Moroccan lighting and home decor founded by Dounia Tamri-Loeper. Her company designs, produces and brings to market hi
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Award-winning furniture design…We are big fans of talented South African designer Thabisa Mjo, founder of Mash. T Design Studio in Johannesburg, and these fabulous side tables are firm customer favouri
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Sustainable Home Decor…If you want to make a statement with your interior design and home decor, and at the same make a contribution to supporting eco-friendly enterprise, then these unique decor pieces from Qu
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Silk Sensation…Nothing is quite as luxurious as silk, that’s why we love the ‘Africa on Silk’ collections from Eki, founded by Hazel Eki Osunde. Eki is known for its signature soft silks and ethereal c
Image of the Day / ‘57 Chocolate

Bean to bar luxury chocolate… Taste the difference with the finest chocolate lovingly produced by ‘57 Chocolate, the pioneer bean to bar chocolate manufacturer in Ghana, created by sisters Kimberle
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Beautiful bracelets… Introducing The Aruba Bracelets by Katherine-Mary Pichulik, the founder and designer behind the Pichulik line of accessories. Pichulik is an ethical jewellery, accessories and womenswear atelie
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Vibrant textile design…This striking textile design by Eva Sonaike caught our eye this morning. Like the rest of the world, we love the African aesthetic which is increasingly finding its way into global interio
Image of the Day / Adèle Dejak

Luxury statement accessories…We are big fans of luxury jewellery and accessories made with love and passion on the African continent, and Adèle Dejak in Kenya is the epitome of handmade luxury. The
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Traditional craft elevated…We love the impact-driven accessories created by Márcia Nangy O’Connell, founder and artistic director of Dathonga Designs in Mozambique. Since 2010, she has establis Image of the Day / Dounia Home

Statement lighting… from Dounia Home, the home of innovative, handcrafted and ethically made Moroccan lighting and home decor founded by Dounia Tamri-Loeper. Her company designs, produces and brings to market hi Image of the Day / Mash. T Design Studio

Award-winning furniture design…We are big fans of talented South African designer Thabisa Mjo, founder of Mash. T Design Studio in Johannesburg, and these fabulous side tables are firm customer favouri Image of the Day / Quazi Design

Sustainable Home Decor…If you want to make a statement with your interior design and home decor, and at the same make a contribution to supporting eco-friendly enterprise, then these unique decor pieces from Qu Image of the Day / Eki

Silk Sensation…Nothing is quite as luxurious as silk, that’s why we love the ‘Africa on Silk’ collections from Eki, founded by Hazel Eki Osunde. Eki is known for its signature soft silks and ethereal c Image of the Day / ‘57 Chocolate

Bean to bar luxury chocolate… Taste the difference with the finest chocolate lovingly produced by ‘57 Chocolate, the pioneer bean to bar chocolate manufacturer in Ghana, created by sisters Kimberle Image of the Day / Kebe Home

Handcrafted home decor …We are big fans of the work of Manuela Kamadjou, an interior architecture and design entrepreneur who transforms homes and spaces in Cameroon through her business, Kebe Home. Her new Echo V Image of the Day / Pichulik

Beautiful bracelets… Introducing The Aruba Bracelets by Katherine-Mary Pichulik, the founder and designer behind the Pichulik line of accessories. Pichulik is an ethical jewellery, accessories and womenswear atelie Image of the Day / Eva Sonaike

Vibrant textile design…This striking textile design by Eva Sonaike caught our eye this morning. Like the rest of the world, we love the African aesthetic which is increasingly finding its way into global interio Image of the Day / Adèle Dejak

Luxury statement accessories…We are big fans of luxury jewellery and accessories made with love and passion on the African continent, and Adèle Dejak in Kenya is the epitome of handmade luxury. The

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LIONESS BOOK REVIEWS

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Built on Purpose: Discover Your Deep Inner Why and Manifest the Business of Your Dreams by Betsy Fore
Built on Purpose: Discover Your Deep Inner Why and Manifest the Business of Your Dreams by Betsy Fore
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The Magnetic Female Entrepreneur: The Art of Empowered Presence, Rising to New Levels of Impact and Influence, and Financial Success on Your Own Terms by Mary Grant
Women Entrepreneurs Rewired To Rise: Powerful Habits that Break Through Burnout, Silence Your Inner Critic, and Build a Thriving Business from the Inside Out  by Fiona Soutter
Women Entrepreneurs Rewired To Rise: Powerful Habits that Break Through Burnout, Silence Your Inner Critic, and Build a Thriving Business from the Inside Out by Fiona Soutter
Dream Big and Win: Translating Passion into Purpose and Creating a Billion-Dollar Business by Liz Elting
Dream Big and Win: Translating Passion into Purpose and Creating a Billion-Dollar Business by Liz Elting
After the Idea: What It Really Takes to Create and Scale a Startup by Julia Austin
After the Idea: What It Really Takes to Create and Scale a Startup by Julia Austin

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