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I’ve always been fascinated by the subconscious mind. Over the years, I’ve dived into books, attended workshops, and explored how this hidden part of the brain shapes our lives. One thing that stands out is how much the subconscious resists change. This isn’t just about mindset; it’s biological. The brain avoids forming new habits or beliefs because it takes effort. Sticking to what’s familiar is its way of saving energy. What some call “laziness” is really the brain’s way of protecting us from discomfort and uncertainty. This protective response goes back to how our ancestors survived. They stuck to routines that worked, avoiding risks that could put them in danger. Today, our subconscious works the same way, treating any change, such as starting a new job, learning a new skill, or questioning a belief as a potential threat. This triggers discomfort, stress, or self-doubt, often making us want to stay in our comfort zones. While this was helpful for survival in the past, it can now hold us back from growth and achieving what we really want in life. The good news is that we can overcome this resistance with small, consistent steps. Over time, these steps help the brain form new pathways, making change feel easier and more natural. Techniques like visualization, affirmations, and repetition are great tools to rewire the subconscious. Once we understand that resistance is just our brain’s way of protecting us, we can learn to work with it instead of fighting it. And I am reading some great books about this-more to come. 
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As an artist, it’s so important to welcome those wild, chaotic days of childlike creativity—the kind where you throw ideas around without worrying if they make sense. Those moments are vital because they help you shake off any rigid/fixed patterns or blocks and open up space for fresh and new inspiration. But there’s one thing: growth doesn’t just come from that free-flowing energy. It comes from adversity, challenges, and even the frustration of structure. These moments force you to push yourself, question what you’re doing, and eventually learn something deeper about your craft. This is especially true for artists who are self-directed. When you don’t have someone else giving you deadlines, critiquing your work, or setting rules, you have to take on that role. You have to balance the free-spirited exploration of creativity with the discipline of showing up, doing the work, and holding yourself accountable. Being your own teacher means setting boundaries and creating ways to allow your creativity to thrive, even when it isn’t easy or fun. Discipline isn’t the enemy of creativity—it’s what makes it sustainable and transformative.  Every morning is a fresh start, a new beginning in our lives. The successes and failures of the past are very well put away in our backpacks, but this day is untouched, unique, and will never come again. It’s a blank canvas, ready for us to paint whatever picture we desire. Imagine yourself as a painter, an artist, presented with countless choices, feelings, and possibilities, each represented by colours and brushes on your palette. Some are bright and vivid, others soft pastels, and some are dark and heavy. You have the power to choose any colour and brush of any size. Today, you might make bold and vibrant strokes with vibrant colours, or perhaps you focus on the darker, moodier shades. Whatever you create, it’s your choice—the colours you select and the design you make are entirely up to you. You are the creator of your experience. Each day, you decide whether to invite joy or sorrow into your life by your choices. If you don’t like what you’re creating, you can always change the brush and select a different colour. Picture yourself doing this—choosing something brighter, lighter, and more joyful. The power to shape your day and your life is always in your hands.  I’ve lost count of how many times I had both feet pressing the gas and the brake at the same time, stuck and going nowhere! I so wanted to release the brakes but was too afraid to do it. Today, I choose to let go and allow a higher power to handle the problem. However, before surrendering to "God," I made sure to take action first. I did everything within my power to improve my situation and then handed over my worries to the "Universe," waiting to see what would unfold. Almost always, things worked out for my highest good. Stepping out of my comfort zone, taking action, and getting out of my own way have proven to be some of the most powerful strategies for moving forward and creating flow in life.  Personal growth is a gradual journey that takes time and effort. It can't be rushed, so it's important to work on it little by little every day. Trying to take shortcuts might seem tempting, but those paths often lead nowhere. They provide only temporary satisfaction that fades after a few hours or a day. Once that initial excitement is gone, you might find yourself seeking another quick fix. Remember that you may/may not have enough time to become the person you want to be. However, don't settle for less than what you believe you deserve or what you know you are capable of achieving. Life is about growth and striving for more, so aim high and keep pushing yourself. Along the way, you will face challenges and struggles, but don't let them discourage you. It's natural to encounter obstacles, but giving up on yourself is not the solution. Instead, embrace the difficulties as part of your growth process. You are stronger and braver than you realize, and you possess more intelligence and capability than you might think. Trust in yourself and your abilities, and remember that you can achieve far more than you ever imagined. Keep moving forward, and never lose sight of your potential.  When I moved to my new house in 2018, something inside me clicked. The change in environment was exactly what I needed. It's like a switch was flipped, and I found myself painting like a mad woman. The creative energy just flooded out of me, and I couldn't stop. It was as though all the ideas and inspiration that had been waiting in the wings finally had the space to breathe. Before making this leap, I spent about six months studying and preparing myself. I wanted to feel confident in my craft and truly understand what it means to start painting and living an artist's life (including my day job ;). That time of learning was essential, but it was only after I took the plunge that I really found my rhythm. And since then, I've fallen in love with the process. I also have a background in Fine Arts— I took a year of studies at university eons ago, which planted the seeds for my creative journey. Though it feels like a lifetime ago, those classes shaped somewhat (or not at all) the way I approach art today. Being an artist isn't just about painting—it's about expressing myself, exploring new ideas, and experiencing the world through my art. I feel more connected to who I am than ever and the magic I always crave in life. Life can be tough, and sometimes, we feel like we're not enough or not where we "should" be. It's easy to get caught up in the idea that we need to be better, smarter, more successful, or just different in some way. But here's the truth: rejecting yourself right where you are, in this exact moment, only chips away at your self-worth. We all have that inner voice-the one that says, 'You're not doing enough,' 'You haven't achieved enough,' or 'You're not good enough.' It pushes us to constantly strive for something outside ourselves, often leaving us frustrated or falling short. But this mindset is toxic. It teaches us to value ourselves based on some future version we think we should be,rather than appreciating who we are right now. When you reject yourself where you're at, you're sending the message that you're not worthy as you are. This is damaging because self-worth isn't tied to where you are or how much you've achieved-it's inherent. You are valuable because you exist, not because of your accomplishments or potential. Every time you tell yourself that you're not enough, you're diminishing your own confidence and sense of self-worth. Each day you reject yourself is another day you chip away at your belief in your own value. Over time, this can lead to feelings of inadequacy, self-doubt, and even depression. The first step in breaking this cycle is to accept yourself where you are. No, that doesn't mean giving up on growth or settling for less than you deserve. It means recognizing that you are enough as you are right now, with all your imperfections, struggles, and strengths. It means treating yourself with the same kindness and patience you would offer a friend. When you accept yourself fully, flaws and all, you can begin to heal the negative self-talk and let go of the need to prove your worth. You can shift from a mindset of 'I am not enough' to 'I am worthy of love and success, right where I am.’ Remember, growth doesn't come from constant self-rejection, but from self-compassion and acceptance. Much love.  Empathy is an incredible gift that allows us to deeply connect with others, but it's also a quality that can be exhausting if not managed properly. Empaths—people who are especially sensitive to the emotions of those around them—often experience the world in a uniquely emotional way. They can sense the feelings of others just by being in their presence, picking up on body language, tone of voice, or even a person's mood without words being exchanged. This deep sensitivity means empaths tend to be highly compassionate, nurturing, and eager to help others, often offering a listening ear or a supportive shoulder without needing to be asked. Some of the most common traits of an empath include being intuitive, emotionally available, and often selfless. They are the people who can instantly tell when something's off with a friend or loved one, and they often feel others' pain as if it were their own. This can make them excellent listeners and compassionate healers. However, this level of emotional awareness also means they absorb the feelings of others, sometimes to the point of emotional overwhelm. Without firm boundaries, empaths can easily become emotionally drained, which is why it's so important to find ways to balance their ability to care for others with taking care of themselves. On the flip side, many empaths have an intense connection to nature and animals, finding peace and solace in the natural world. They are often drawn to careers that allow them to help others, such as counselling, healthcare, or teaching, where their natural empathy is seen as a strength. However, being an empath also means learning how to manage this gift—setting boundaries, practicing self-care, and finding grounding techniques to avoid burnout. Mindfulness and meditation are powerful tools for empaths, helping them stay centred and preventing emotional overload. By developing these practices, empaths can continue connecting deeply with others without sacrificing their well-being. If you're an empath or know someone who is, remember that it's a beautiful, powerful trait—but it requires care and attention to thrive.  Sometimes, we hold onto emotions like anger, sadness, or frustration without even realizing it. Life throws all sorts of challenges at us, and it's natural to feel heavy emotions. But when we don't take the time to release them, they end up lingering, quietly building up inside until they start affecting us in ways we don't always see. Releasing this energy is less about forgetting what happened and more about clearing out the old to make space for something new and healing. Something new and fresh—out with the old, in with the new. One of the simplest ways to start letting go is to be honest with yourself about what you're feeling. Rather than pushing feelings aside or pretending they're not there, just sit with them for a minute. You don't have to fix everything all at once; just acknowledging that you're carrying anger or grief can start to lighten the load. Another way to release those feelings is to get them out of your head and body. Maybe that means writing down what you're feeling, letting the words flow onto the page without judgment. Or maybe it's talking to someone you trust—a friend or even a counsellor—so you can feel heard. Sometimes, we find ourselves bottling things up, but talking about it can be very freeing. Moving your body can also help you let go of stuck energy. Our bodies hold onto tension, so doing something physical—dancing, stretching, or walking in nature (of course)—can help you release what you don't need. Let your body work with you to shake off what's weighing you down. After you've created space by releasing some of those heavy feelings, take a moment to think about what kind of energy you want to bring into your life. Surround yourself with things, people, and activities that make you feel good, grounded, and open to new possibilities. It's an ongoing process of letting go and inviting new energy, one that can bring a sense of lightness and possibility back into your life. Point Break, my favourite movie, and one of its greatest scenes: 21 Self-esteem tidbits! A good list to review today. I call myself a recovered people pleaser. I am a master of reading energies in a room and making people feel comfortable, all of which is extremely exhausting. I am not doing this anymore as it would lead to burn out city rather quickly. The road to recovery has been very long but so worth the investment while figuring out how to build confidence and finding strength in myself. I can fully rely on and trust myself due to my self-awareness, investing in personal development and a four year education/degree of dealing with family history lol. I have accumulated tons of experiences and training but the list I will present will be a doable list that you can use yourself: 1. Read the Tibetan Book of Living and Dying. Life is about suffering and how to deal and cope with it will set you free 2. Walk in nature 3. Helping others, volunteering 4. Sitting with your grief and pain to find the real problem, go deeper 5. Conflict resolution, don't be afraid to open your heart today and state what you need 6. Stop worrying about what other people think about you, they are preoccupied on what they think you are thinking about them. Please unfreeze and thaw 7. Constantly seek feedback and ask for feedback from others. It may hurt but it is the best shortcut to growth which will lead to immediate success if you apply it 8. Apply yourself. Do what you got to do as soon as you can 9. Eat the biggest frog in the morning-deal with the heaviest problem asap 10. Sometimes you just have to put it out there. See what happens and move on 11. Treat yourself to an amazing cup of coffee or tea 12. Tell somebody you love them today. If they aren't open to hear it please do not explain or back paddle why you shared it. Just say you needed to tell them and discard any insecurities 13. Sweat equity, know thyself. Won't be easy but worth all the time in the world. Will save your tons of pain 14. Don't take shortcuts...ever 15. Read and learn all about what puts your soul on fire and then share it with others! 16. Don't buy into what other people are telling you if it isn't constructive feedback. Haters will always hate 17. Treat your heart with tender care. Always. No room for negotiation as you are doing your best to get where you want to be 18. Be honest with yourself and ask for help. You don't need to know everything 19. Read Living in the Light with Shakti Gawain. One of my first spiritual books I found in 1997. Such a yellow and vibrant cover and message! 20. Let go of old thoughts and habits. At least replace negative thoughts with something more effective than sitting in misery 21. Jumping jacks works and the best energy changer ever! Every day brings a chance to tap into your imagination and make ordinary moments feel magical. Letting your mind wander, dream, and explore unlocks endless possibilities. Creativity can turn the everyday into something extraordinary through art, writing, journaling, or simply noticing beauty in your surroundings. When you nurture that sense of wonder, even the smallest things can bring joy and excitement. Sharing your creative experiences with others strengthens their significance, grows deeper connections, and ignites new inspiration. Each person perceives the world uniquely, and by exchanging these perspectives, you invite more magic into your life. Whether it's through a heartfelt conversation or a collaborative project, connecting with others breathes life into your imagination. Even if just one person appreciates your art or ideas, sharing is important sometimes. When you stay curious and open to new experiences, the world becomes richer and full of surprises. Notice the little things, ask questions and explore new possibilities. With a curious mind, every day becomes an adventure—and your imagination can lead the way to moments of joy and wonder.  |
Annica JohanssonMy name is Annica Johansson and I am an Artist, Art Life Coach and a Sound Healer. I am writing about personal development, daily musings, spirituality and depicting mother nature's amazing beauty. Welcome! Categories
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