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Being blunt can actually be a really helpful tool when it comes to cutting through the noise of everyday life. We all have our own way of communicating, but sometimes, we get caught up in being overly polite, people pleasing or even being fake to avoid conflict. Being direct can save time and energy and help others understand exactly where you're coming from. There are moments when people wish they had heard certain truths earlier in life. Whether it's a hard piece of advice or a reality check, hearing it straight up could have made a massive difference in their decisions or mindset. Instead of beating around the bush or sugarcoating things, getting to the point can open up a clearer path forward. Of course, there's a balance to all of this. Being blunt doesn't mean being harsh. It's about being clear, honest, and respectful without unnecessary fluff. When we can embrace this kind of communication, we can cut through confusion, save people from wasted time, and even help them avoid mistakes they might otherwise make. 
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Life has a funny way of giving back exactly what we put out. If you’re constantly searching for negatives—complaints, flaws, or reasons to feel disappointed—you’ll undoubtedly find them. That’s just how the mind works; it’s like a magnet for whatever you focus on. But here’s the flip side: when you make the conscious choice to look for the good, the small joys, and the silver linings, those start showing up, too. It’s not that life magically becomes perfect; it’s that you’re tuning into a frequency that helps you see the positive side of things. Whether it’s appreciating someone’s kind gesture or noticing how great the sunset looks tonight, those little moments can completely change the way you feel. So, here’s the question: where do you want to spend your energy? Life is short, and time is precious. Do you want to waste it digging for reasons to be upset, or do you want to use it to seek things that uplift you? This doesn’t mean ignoring real problems—it’s about focusing on what fuels you rather than drains you. Start small. Maybe tomorrow, just find one good thing in your day and really savour it. Before you know it, that habit of looking for the good will snowball, and you’ll see life in a brighter, more fulfilling way.  Have you ever been caught in a loop of negative thoughts, letting one bad moment define your entire day? It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when you feel stressed, angry, or sad, making it seem like they’re a permanent part of who you are. But here’s the liberating truth: you are not your thoughts, emotions, or experiences. You are the observer behind them. Think of your mind as a stage. Thoughts and emotions are like actors, each playing their role in the story of your life. But you? You’re not one of the actors. You’re sitting in the audience, watching the performance. This shift in perspective changes everything. Instead of embracing every thought or feeling, you can step back, observe, and decide how much attention each one deserves. Recognizing yourself as the observer helps you to detach from negativity. It doesn’t mean ignoring your thoughts or suppressing your emotions. Instead, it means seeing them for what they are: temporary visitors that don’t define you. For example, instead of thinking, I’m an anxious person, you can say, I can see I am anxious right now. This shift creates space between you and your feelings, allowing you to respond rather than react. This isn’t about disconnecting from life—it’s about engaging with it more fully. When you realize you’re not your thoughts, you stop being controlled by them. You no longer cling to the past or fear the future, and you find peace in the present moment. It’s like watching clouds drift across the sky. Some are light and fluffy, while others are dark and heavy, but all of them eventually pass. You remain constant, like the sky itself. To embody this idea, try a few simple practices. Pause when you feel overwhelmed and remind yourself,-I’m just noticing these thoughts. Visualize your emotions as leaves floating down a river, letting them pass without holding onto them. Or spend a few minutes each day meditating, focusing on your breath, and watching thoughts disappear. Understanding that you’re the observer-not your thoughts or emotions-frees you from the negativity. It lets you experience life with greater calm, clarity, and joy. So, the next time your mind feels like it’s running away with you, pause and remember: You are not your thoughts. You are the awareness behind them. You are free.  Have you ever felt a surge of anger, sadness, or anxiety, seemingly out of nowhere? It might be because of emotions you've tucked away deep in your unconscious mind. Our psyche has a natural defence mechanism designed to shield us from discomfort. When we experience painful emotions such as shame, fear, anger, or grief-we often suppress them, locking them in a kind of 'warehouse' in our unconscious. While this may provide temporary relief, those emotions don't disappear; they stay with us, waiting to be acknowledged. Unprocessed emotions have energy. They're alive in a sense, and they want to be expressed. They eventually rise to the surface if we continually refuse to confront them. Suppressed emotions can manifest in various ways, depending on factors like upbringing, environment, and mental health. For some, they may show up as chronic stress, physical ailments, or patterns of self-sabotage. For others, they may take the form of sudden emotional outbursts, anxiety, or feelings of being stuck. The more we suppress, the louder these emotions try to make themselves heard. Think of it as trying to keep a beach ball submerged in water- the harder you push it down, the stronger it bounces back up. Our emotions, especially the unpleasant ones, demand attention. They're not here to punish us; they're signals, asking us to process what we've experienced so we can heal and move forward. We all carry suppressed emotions. Life brings challenges, and no one escapes without pain. However, healing begins when we allow ourselves to feel, process, and release these emotions. This might mean sitting quietly with your feelings, journaling, or speaking to a trusted friend or therapist. Practices like mindfulness, meditation, or sound healing can also help create space for emotional release. The truth is that suppressed emotions only have power over us when they are neglected or unseen. By gently bringing them to light, we not only release their hold on our lives but also gain deeper insight into ourselves. This process isn't easy, but it's worth it. Facing our emotions, no matter how uncomfortable is one of the most courageous and liberating acts of self-care we can undertake.  We've all been there: you attend a motivational seminar, watch an inspiring video, or read a powerful book. You feel energized and ready to take on the world. 'This time', you tell yourself, 'I'm gonna make it happen.' But then, after a few days or weeks, that fire fades. Old habits creep back in, and suddenly, you're back where you started. What gives? The issue isn't your lack of willpower or effort-it's how your brain is wired. Deep down, your mind has a blueprint or programming that decides how you think, feel, and act. This programming is built from years of experience, beliefs, and habits. And one of the brain's/ego's top priorities? Keeping you safe. Unfortunately, safety often means sticking to what's familiar even if those familiar habits aren't helping you. For example, imagine you want to start a new fitness routine. After attending a motivational talk, you're excited to hit the gym every day. But if your internal blueprint includes thoughts like, "I always fail at sticking to a plan" or "Working out is too hard," those beliefs will eventually resurface. Motivation might help you take the first few steps, but without addressing the deeper programming, your brain will pull you back to what it knows: skipping workouts and staying in your comfort zone. So, how do you break this cycle? It starts with awareness. Take time to reflect on the beliefs and fears that might be holding you back. Journaling, meditating, or even talking it out with someone can help you pinpoint what's going on beneath it all. From there, focus on small, consistent actions that build new habits. Celebrate small wins, and be patient with yourself as you rewire your mindset. Motivation is great for getting started, but lasting change comes from reshaping how you think and act daily. It's not about flipping a switch; it's about rewiring the whole system. With time and effort, you can create a new blueprint that supports your goals and keeps you moving forward.  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.  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.  |
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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