The Moth StorySlam: I GOT IT FROM MY MAMA by Raluca Mihalcescu

How much of yourself have you ever hidden just to fit in? In this heartfelt Moth story, told live under the theme "I Got It From My Mama," Raluca reflects on inheriting something much bigger than physical traits—a bold personality, a vibrant spirit, and a presence that has always been impossible to ignore. For years, she believed she needed to tone herself down to be accepted. Be quieter. Be smaller. Take up less space. But over time, she discovered that the very qualities she once tried to hide were the ones that made her uniquely herself. This is a story about embracing who you are, honoring what you've inherited, and realizing that you were never meant to shrink to make others comfortable. Sometimes the greatest gift we get from our mothers isn't something we wear—it's the courage to become fully ourselves. Recorded live at The Moth StorySLAM In Phoenix, AZ at the Cresent Ballroom (Theme: Got It From My Mama, May 14th, 2026).