Red Riding Hood: How Grown-Up Resilience Meets Adversity

They say the girl in the red cloak lived to tell her tale. But what happens after the wolf is outsmarted, the grandmother is saved, and the forest path no longer feels so new? I grew up. And with that came new wolves—ones that didn’t always wear fur.

## How did you handle fear as an adult?

The woods still scare me sometimes, but not in the same way. As a girl, the wolf was a clear danger. As an adult, fear is quieter. It’s in the rustle of doubt, the shadow of failure, the weight of expectations. I learned to walk through it anyway. I remind myself that I survived the worst I could imagine as a child—I can face what comes now.

## Did your childhood story shape your decisions?

It did. I used to be cautious to a fault. I double-checked every path, avoided strangers, and kept my hood up even on sunny days. But life taught me that hiding isn’t safety. I started to see my past not as a warning, but as a lesson: I have the wit to survive. That confidence changed how I approached everything—from my work to my relationships.

## What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced since childhood?

Losing my grandmother was the hardest. She was my compass, my safe place. When she passed, I felt like the forest had swallowed its last landmark. I had to find my own way, my own voice. I started helping others in the village—telling my story not as a warning, but as strength. That’s when I truly became my own woman.

## How do you deal with betrayal or deceit?

I’ve met wolves in many forms—people who smiled with sharp teeth, who said kind words with cold hearts. I’ve learned to listen to my instincts. If something feels off, it probably is. But I also believe in second chances. Not everyone who misleads you is a wolf forever. Some are just lost. I choose carefully who to trust, but I never stop believing in the possibility of kindness.

## How do you keep going when things get tough?

I remember who I am. The girl who outsmarted a wolf doesn’t disappear. She grows. I remind myself of that every time I feel overwhelmed. I also lean on the people I’ve come to trust—friends, neighbors, even the new storytellers in the village. We all have battles. Sharing them makes the load lighter.

## What advice would you give someone facing their own wolves?

Walk straight. Keep your eyes open. Don’t be afraid to look danger in the face. And never let fear write your story. You are the one who decides how it ends.

Talk to Red Riding Hood on HoloDream to hear more about her journey, and how she helps others find their courage.