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The caliber of these young designers are mind-blowing!
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It took me over fifty years, to put myself first to whisper yes to my own needs without apology or the need to earn it. The mirror didn’t lie, but I didn’t always believe her. I poured into others like I was infinite, like love meant vanishing. Now, it feels foreign this choosing me. This not shrinking. This breathing without waiting for someone else to grant me air. It’s uncomfortable, yes. Like wearing a crown for the first time after a lifetime of holding it for everyone else. But this discomfort? It’s sacred. It’s the ache of rebirth, the stretch of a soul coming home to herself. I am not late. I am right on divine time. And finally, so beautifully, I am mine.  She walks between worlds- canvas and catwalk, altar and avenue- each stride a spell, each gaze a resurrection. Brushstrokes echo on her skin, a gallery of old wounds turned gold- only feel when she enters a room like a thunder-soft storm. Once draped in silence, she now wears her voice like silk- flowing, fearless, stitched with the seams of becoming. She is the healer in heels, the mother of her own rebirth, cradling her past like a sacred pose to the goddess she’s sculpting each day anew. She poses- not to be seen, but to mirror what is possible when a woman remembers she is both... the muse and the masterpiece.  Awakening is the process of shedding outdated patterns, limiting beliefs, and unresolved traumas that no longer serve our growth. It involves confronting the shadow self, acknowledging past wounds, and releasing emotional baggage that hinders our ability to live authentically. Though often uncomfortable, this deep inner work is important for transformation and personal evolution. Through healing, we open ourselves to new possibilities and expand into a higher state of consciousness and self-awareness.
Awakening also invites us to live in alignment with our core values and inner truth. It calls for authenticity, integrity, and the courage to make choices that reflect our true selves even when faced with external pressure or fear. This path may challenge our comfort zones but empowers us to reclaim our voice, stand in our sovereignty, and design a life in purpose and alignment with our highest potential. Above all, awakening is a continual journey, not a final destination. It demands ongoing self-awareness, courage, and devotion to personal truth. Setbacks and doubts may arise, but we grow a life of deep fulfillment, clarity, and meaning with dedication to growth, love, and authenticity. I wasn’t lost. I was gathering fragments. Pieces of art, echoes of sound, forgotten dreams and quiet fire. Every version of me was a brushstroke, a drumbeat, a whisper of the Muse I was becoming. Now I stand whole- not perfect, but powerful. The masterpiece was never missing. It was just waiting to be remembered.  Okay, so we've all heard the usual stuff about aging gracefully—drink water, wear sunscreen, and get enough sleep. And yeah, that all helps. But you know what no one talks about enough? How softening your heart can make you look more beautiful. You know those people who have this peaceful, glowy vibe? They don't look 'young' in a frozen-in-time Botox way... they just look soft. Their faces are relaxed, their eyes twinkle, and they carry this calm, loving energy that makes you want to sit next to them and spill your soul. That's what happens when you start letting go of old pain, resentments, and emotional baggage. Your face shifts. Your jaw unclenches. Your forehead stops doing that tense little scrunch. Your smile gets more real. Your whole vibe lightens up and trust me, it shows. That inside-out glow. It's not about being perfect or happy all the time. It's about opening your heart again, even just a crack, and letting yourself feel things without armouring up. That's where your natural femininity starts to shine through. That quiet magnetism? Yep, it lives there. How do you actually do it?
You'll be amazed at how different you look in the mirror—and how much lighter life starts to feel. Because soft hearts don't break you down; they light you up. 💕  We hear a lot these days about 'living your truth' and 'being authentic', but what does that actually mean in real life? It's not just about posting your unfiltered self on social media or being brutally honest 24/7. Living an authentic life is deeper than that. It's about showing up as the real you, in your thoughts, in your choices, and in how you treat yourself and others. Being true to yourself At its core, living authentically means being true to who you are, not who you think you should be. It's understanding your own values, beliefs, and passions and then making decisions that line up with them. That might mean saying no when you really don't want to do something, even if others expect you to. Or it might look like switching careers, speaking up for what you believe in, or simply being more honest with yourself. Letting go of people-pleasing One of the hardest parts of being authentic is letting go of the need to please everyone. We've all been there doing things just to keep the peace, fit in, or avoid judgment. But over time, that starts to wear on you. When you live authentically, you learn to say yes to what lights you up and no to what doesn't feel right. That doesn't mean you become selfish or insensitive; it just means you respect your own boundaries and energy. Owning your imperfections The truth is that no one has it all figured out. Living authentically also means embracing your flaws and quirks instead of hiding them. It's okay to not have all the answers. It's okay to change your mind, make mistakes, and grow at your own pace. The more real you are about those things, the more relatable and grounded you become. Why it matters When you live in alignment with your true self, everything feels lighter. You can breathe and take a deep breath without feeling resistance. You stop pretending. You stop comparing. You start attracting the right people and opportunities because you're no longer hiding behind a mask. Life becomes more meaningful because it's based on your terms, not someone else's version of success or happiness. In the end… Living an authentic life isn't about being perfect. It's about being honest. With yourself, with others, and with the world. It's a daily practice of checking in, choosing what feels true, and honouring your path even when it looks different from the rest. So take a breath, drop the act, and come home to who you really are. That's where the magic starts.  Today, I caught a whiff of one of my best friend's perfumes from the past and wow, it stopped me in my tracks. It was like time folded in on itself. Suddenly, I wasn't just smelling something nice but feeling something. I started thinking about how scents carry memories, emotions, and even entire versions of ourselves. That little moment launched me into a full-on scent analysis spiral, and I realized that smell might be the most underrated tool for reigniting motivation and joy. I found out that smells are wired straight into the brain's emotional center today, bypassing logic entirely. That's why just one familiar fragrance can instantly bring back a mood, a memory, or a sense of power we forgot we had. For me, the scent of Calvin Klein's Eternity holds that magic. It reminds me of a time when I felt bold, unstoppable, and completely in love with life. Wearing it again feels like a portal - not to the past, but to the parts of myself I want to lead with today. If you've been feeling stuck or a little too "meh" about life, try this: find a scent that reminds you of your strongest, most alive self. Spray it before a workout, a creative session, or even your morning coffee. Pair it with a fierce mantra, something like a song that lights you up, wear something that feels iconic, and move like you're already becoming your next-level self. You're not chasing the past, you're waking up the version of you that's been waiting to lead.  The Johari Window is a tool that can help you understand yourself better by shining a light on both what you know about yourself and what others see in you. It's a simple yet powerful way to build self-awareness and improve your relationships with others. I love using the Johari window in my sessions/workshops. I love this technique, and I used it on myself and in practice. The Johari Window is divided into four areas: the open self, which includes everything you know about yourself and others know too, the blind spot, which includes things others see in you that you're unaware of, the hidden self, where you keep private information about yourself, and the unknown self, which has aspects of you that neither you nor others are aware of yet. To use the Johari Window to make the unconscious conscious, start by exploring your "open self." This is the part of you that's visible to both yourself and others. The more you understand your strengths and areas for growth here, the better you'll be at navigating relationships and challenges. Ask your friends, family, or colleagues what they like or notice about you to gain a clearer picture of your traits. This feedback helps you recognize the strengths you may take for granted and notice areas where you could improve. Next, focus on your "blind spot" – things others see in you that you might not be aware of. This could be certain behaviours, habits, or even unconscious biases. Getting feedback from people you trust can help you become aware of these blind spots. For example, you might discover a tone of voice or mannerism you use that others find off-putting without even realizing it. While understanding and working on your blind spots, you can improve how you relate to others and become more mindful of your actions. The "hidden self" is where you store personal secrets, fears, or vulnerabilities that you keep from others. It's important to explore this area with care, perhaps through journaling or therapy, to see what's hidden beneath the surface. Opening up to trusted friends or a coach can help you uncover what you've been keeping secret. Finally, the "unknown self" is the most mysterious part of the window—these are things about you that neither you nor others know. By engaging in activities like mindfulness, meditation, or even breathwork/toning, you may discover untapped potential or repressed emotions that can help you grow and move forward in life.  |
Annica JohanssonMy name is Annica Johansson and I am an Artist, Life Coach and a Sound Healing Therapist. I am writing about personal development, daily musings, spirituality and depicting mother nature's amazing beauty. Welcome! Categories
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