top of page

Reflections of 2023

Ahhh it's already that time of the year?! Wow!


I do hope you had a peaceful, loving last few days. For me it was a bit different than usual as I fully took care of myself and my needs, did nap a lot - had a boundaries of how much alcohol I want to consume, that I need social media break, and overall I was really connected to my body this time, so I would say I had a nice Christmas (even tho my 4 year old did not took well the change in his routine, iykyk)...

But, let's sum up 2023!


ree

2023 was a year of big events and overcoming anxiety, year of celebration and self - love. Year of challenging limited believes and changing negative thinking. Year of pain and learning to move my body again, year of finding true passion, Year of making changes and putting myself first, year of forgiving and accepting... Year of growing.



For me 2023 was the best year if it comes to mental health.

Year ago I went to therapy in person for the first time and it was the most healing thing. I was shaking, I was uncomfortable and wanted to run as fast as possible, but I've stayed with it, and I'm so much better. Now I know that in fact I can face difficulty things and how to cope with them, without breaking. (it's been like 6 months that I didn't had much need to go back for more sessions!)


I challanged my social anxiety by showing up for my passion hosting mindful creativity meetings and making my dreams come true by volunteering in my local community at the same time! Something I wanting to do for a long time, but was never brave enough to do it. Also launched few side projects like Little Mindful Box (creativity and mindfulness activities straight to your doorstep) www.littlemindfulbox.co.uk and "Your Little mindful Life" poem book (with your own space to write, draw and fully express yourself) which is now published with BookLeaf Publishing and available as ebook version or as physical copy from Amazon and Barnes & Nobble (links at the end if interested)


ree

The most challenging thing this year was definitely accepting what is instead of wishing what could be, and start loving and moving my body again - in June I've completed 70% my online yoga teacher training with Yogamu school and stopped due to back pain (not caused by the training), which turns out being scoliosis - with having spine curved to the right I cannot do every yoga pose so I couldn't finish all of my course videos, and was not feeling comfortable to teach others as I fully need to understand my own body again. First I was in shock, then frustration came, then slow healing and then many months later acceptance and understanding that poses are actually only one out of 8 limbs of yoga, that there is so much more to explore and benefit from.

It doesn't mean I will never come back to more physical side of yoga but if I do I will make sure it will be with teacher that understands the challenges that comes with scoliosis.


This year I finally came to the acceptance with having many interest and learned how to bring them together into one to fully serve and help people to get more creativity and mindfulness in their every day life and that really brings me so much joy.


Reflecting back on 2023 now I can see how many things has happened and how much I stepped into my truest self, growing and healing every part - by simply giving my self time, and patience. I really believe that by following those little breadcrumbs of opportunities, conversations, situations and ideas, they will eventually lead me to something greater and I'm only step away to live it.

If it comes to golas and the things I want to achieve in 2024, well... I will see - this year I am going to take it easy and just do what I love to see when it may lead me.


How was your 2023? Take few minutes to fully appreciate those 12 months and see 1st of January as first blank page of your 365 pages to follow, make them an interesting read, not for others but yourself. Follow those breadcrumbs to your soul and rock it 🤘


See



If you need some help with summing up this year and if you don't feel like setting any intentions or goals, that's OK too, there is any other day to do that - new year doesn't mean a thing for our brains or souls ❤️


Loads of hugs!


Greta

YOUR LITTLE MINDFUL LIFE TO BUY ON AMAZON:



Barnes & Noble:



Or as digital version BookLeaf Publishing



*If you are interested in hand made copy from my studio, contact me.



🎊HAPPY NEW 2024!!!! 🎊

 
 
 

All about little mindful box!

Let's talk a bit about Little Mindful Boxes! - what is it, who is it for and rest of the fun bits! Let's dive in!

ree

Little Mindful box is a box that is coming out every quarter of the year to reduce creative overwhelm and help with the biggest transitions... January box with help you to get back to yourself and find some quiet space after busy period, April to get you excited about the spring and get this creative energy flowing, July to find a calm moment in busy summer time and October to let go what no longer serves us in the changing season and focusing on the inner self for guidance.


They are a lovely mix between mindfulness and creativity, you will find about 10 different things to do in the box - no any order to follow or special time you should spend on it, just yourself and present moment.


ree

The first ever box is called Rudeneja and it's ready to buy now!


Rudeneja 🍂

(pronounced ROO-den-Ay-HA) describes the way nature and/or the weather begins to feel like Autumn.


This word is absolutely beautiful and so fits perfectly into changing season and how highly sensitive people may struggle a lot with changes!


Rudeneja box with invite you to slow down after busy season but also help you to accept new, leaving your mind calmer and with greater love for nature and self - as we are one together.


Inside you will find :


A welcome letter!


1. A mindful moment reminder bookmark to slow down in the present moment and breathe.


2. Yoga pose of the box painted by me with benefits & how to do, do you can try in your own time!


3. Autumnal Reduneja poem on seeded paper which you can hang out on the wall + one sheet for your own creation which can be seeded in the soil for flowers.


4. Little Mindful guide on how to write a poem - easy fun guide to get you out of your head and get started in the moment.


5. Selection of 3 teas (tasted and chosen by me, each one represents and can be used with different parts of the box), they are from sainsburys but in the future we are planning to team up with good leaf tea company for greater experience.


6. One vegan chocolate HU + mindful eating guide (point 5&6 are optional, you can choose box without tea and chocolate, which is cheaper)


7. Drawing body scan meditation with figures to draw on great for busy, anxious minds.


8. A5 sketchbook for your drawings, poems, thoughts and ideas (blank inside).


9. A draw to music exercise, no art skills required just open heart and few mindful minutes ( great to try with kids!)


10. Letting go- letting in leaf exercise. The exercise that will use both, the mindfulness and creativity in one, encouraging to try mix media materials from your home! This exercise will help you to let go what no longer is there and appreciate and welcome new.


11. Mindful photography challenge prompts, to use each day for 14 days - for beautiful mindful photography. Your phone is excellent to use in this activity.


12. Autumn season journaling prompts to get you more grounded and discover your own thoughts and emotions that are coming out this season.


All paper based and recyclable, please always consider to reuse whatever you find in the box in a creative everyday life.


All made and packed by small business in South UK!


ree


That's all about this month's mindful box! Next one is coming out in January and the last day to buy Rudeneja will be in December!


You can order them from my Etsy shop -



Enjoy!



 
 
 

How to expres and discover yourself through mindfulness and creativity.

Last two weeks I've was talking about what is the self-expression and self-discovery and this week is all about how to express and discover yourself by using mindfulness and creativity.


ree

I stopped using "mindful art" in my practice as I resonate more with "mindful creativity" - as sometimes we may do journaling or write a poem. Also I don't want to overwhelm people with the word art, as it might bring really negative memories from school and self-doubt won't let us explore or even try.


Mindfulness in creativity takes us to a place where we can explore without the need of being "good at it", sometimes by using techniques like drawing with closed eyes or observing watercolour paint dancing and blending together with other colours. You can express yourself with big or small strokes or fast movements, by using variety of colours or limit yourself and see what may come up.


The expression of your being actually is that playfulness and courage to try what your hands and heart are telling you.


ree

The most difficult aspect in mindful creation is to make a way out of our brain and logical thinking into doing, in our body this is because the

Main purpose of our brain is to keep us safe, so everytime (even when you are not aware) it gets out any negativity stored in our past experiences to keep you alive. If you had any negative experience in arts, which is most likely, it's hard to tap into body creation rather than compare, expect and desire some kind of outcome.


That's the first thing we look at when trying mindful creation, that's why at the beginning of the session I like to do a little gentle intro meditation, which nicely get you back into your body and calm you enough for that courageous playfulness in creative activities.


ree

Then I show you the activity but also invite and encourage to do it your own way. Many times people will ask - can i do it that way? Is it OK to try this or that? That's normal - that's okey, i will always reply "if you want to - it's your creation" . Our brain often look for someone to guide us because that's how we were raised, "always do what teacher say", or being punished for trying something new. So that's the most challenging, not the creation end result itself, and the moment where mindfulness and awareness steps in and give us this longing for just being and creating without a worry in the world.


So that's how you can express and discover yourself with creative mindfulness - just letting yourself be with yourself and not wanting to change a thing. It extremely helped me when I was burned out from my profession and always in my head in art, who's going to like it, if I am going to sell it, what would other think etc... Now I create everyday not caring about anything else than my own happiness and expression - discovering myself again and again each day.


ree




 
 
 
bottom of page