Have you ever introduced yourself with a different name—just for fun? Maybe in Vegas, maybe on a spontaneous night out with friends? For me, it started just like that, but it became something more.
My name is Monica, but for 15 unforgettable days in the British Virgin Islands, I was Tiffany.
It began as a playful decision. I was joining a trip with strangers, and in the spirit of adventure, I thought, Why not become someone new? “Tiffany” had always been my go-to “Vegas name,” a carefree alter ego used in lighthearted moments. But this time, I fully committed. I created a Facebook profile, a backstory, and stepped into Tiffany’s flip-flops for two whole weeks.
Tiffany wasn’t just a name. She was bold. She wore things I wouldn’t—like a two-piece swimsuit. She rolled in the sand for a photo shoot, wore goofy costumes, laughed too loudly, drank a little too much, and didn’t hold back her words. She was confident, raw, and fun.
And surprisingly? People loved her.
Even more surprisingly—I loved her.
Tiffany was a divorced veterinary technician from Huntington Beach with two kids. That detail wasn’t random—I had once been a vet tech decades ago, so if anyone asked, I could keep it real enough to be believable. My best friend and the trip organizer were in on the secret, but the rest of the group only knew Tiffany.
For 15 days, I was free. Free from expectations, labels, and the endless questions that follow when people find out you’re a female firefighter-paramedic in a male-dominated profession. Questions like “Do you carry ladders like the guys?” “Have you gone into a fire?” “What’s it like being a woman in that job?” “What’s the worst thing you have ever seen?”
Not exactly what I want to be talking about on a beach in paradise hold a cocktail with and umbrella hanging off the edge of the glass. It’s exhausting. And it often overshadows who I really am.
Tiffany allowed me to just be a person. Not a career. Not a stereotype. Just a woman on vacation, living her damn life.
And here’s the real lesson: I didn’t need to be Tiffany to have confidence. She showed me what I already had inside. She wasn’t reckless or wild. She didn’t “sleep around” to feel empowered. She knew her worth. She laughed, connected, and showed up fully—without shame or filter.
When I finally revealed my real name and identity, it wasn’t dramatic. People were surprised, sure, but they didn’t love Tiffany any less. Because they weren’t loving a made-up character—they were loving the unfiltered, unburdened me.
So, do we need to change our names to be the version of ourselves we really want to be?
No. But sometimes, pretending to be someone else helps you uncover the parts of yourself you’ve been hiding. The parts you’ve silenced to make others comfortable. Tiffany reminded me that confidence isn’t about appearances or approval—it’s about showing up as your whole self, unapologetically.
We all have an “inner Tiffany.” Maybe yours has a different name, but she’s there. She’s the version of you that doesn’t shrink, doesn’t apologize for laughing too loud, and definitely doesn’t care what others think of her swimsuit.
Let her out once in a while. Let her remind you who you are when you’re not worrying about the job title, the judgment, or the expectations.
Live boldly. Laugh too loud. Wear the damn swimsuit. And book the trip!
Be your Tiffany.