Art heals and empowers - tiny steps
An invitation to express yourself, make your voice heard
Creativity is part of our DNA. Big words? Not at all! Think about the fantastic cave art, the intricate pieces of broken ceramics dating back thousands of years, and the carvings found in the most unexpected places on Earth. Humans have always needed to express themselves. The reasons may vary, but the need to make their voices heard remains universal.
More than ever, during difficult times, self-expression becomes essential. Reaching out to it isn't always easy—I know this because I’ve been there. My invitation to you is to think about self-expression in its simplest forms: taking a photo, creating a small collage, writing a few words about how you feel or what you see around you, painting a little, or drawing. Nothing major—just start small and recognize that this is an act of bravery. Showing up in front of a piece of paper, ready to "speak," is a significant step!
Although it’s not always easy, I strive to walk the talk. Here are a few of my own moments of self-expression.
For years, I kept hearing the same idea—whether from self-proclaimed gurus or well-meaning friends—that every hardship I faced was something I had somehow attracted into my life. The message was always the same: “Change your mindset, shift your thinking, and you’ll move to the next level.” I never bought into this concept, but to avoid conflict, I’d respond with a polite “Really?” or “I see.” I didn’t want to upset anyone or risk losing friends, especially when they were so deeply invested in this belief.
But today, I finally spoke my mind. I’m done with this rhetoric, and for the first time, my voice was heard loud and clear. Ever since I began writing my autobiographical novel, “Naked Truth” I’ve been reclaiming lost pieces of myself—like putting together the fragments of a puzzle. Writing has been my way of healing, and it works one letter at a time.
Sometimes we “write” through images. From time to time, it’s good to ask ourselves questions like:
What do I need today?
What is missing?
Then, pick up a magazine and see which images speak to you!
Writing about 1 December, AIDS awareness day - blog to be released tomorrow - is always emotional for me so a bit of free flow creativity and colour is much needed! You only need a pen, a journal and a few deliciously juicy pens.
You’re trying to find yourself again. It’s a mess but it turns into something beautiful.
The first frosty morning of the season! So much beauty in such stillness!
Whenever I start drawing, I find myself stepping inside a pink bubble—a place where time stops, reality feels like an impressionistic painting, and the mind and soul have a chance to rest.
It’s also where the muse speaks.
Today, she reminded me that December 1st is just a few days away. It’s time to write about HIV/AIDS and remember the ones who blessed my life but sadly left because of this cruel illness
I speak from my own experience. I know how it is to feel voiceless.
“Bullying is never fun, it's a cruel and terrible thing to do to someone. If you are being bullied, it is not your fault. No one deserves to be bullied, ever. “
Raini Rodriguez
Nature heals!
Such vivid colors in the sky this evening made me think of the renowned Romanian writer Mihail Sadoveanu and his descriptive words that speak directly to the soul.
"The sun rose slowly from behind the mountains, and the light descended over the expanses. The frost-clad forests sparkled like giant candelabras, and the valleys plunged into bluish shadows. The river flowed quietly, reflecting the clear and cold sky."
I paint whenever I can, draw, make collages, take photos, go on foraging trips, and cook with joy. I also love challenging myself and have recently started making short videos—for the joy of it and the simple pleasure of noticing and slowing down.
This is an open invitation for you to use the tools you feel closer to and start expressing yourself.
Until next time, be well!
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Art heals and empowers - the journey continues
My journey with brushes began about 20 years ago, during one of many—oh, so many—relentlessly challenging periods of my life: my father’s battle with an aggressive form of cancer. Twenty years. How has it been that long? It feels both like another lifetime and as if it happened only yesterday. Those days were a blur of despair, exhaustion, and sheer hel…
My passion is to empower women to reclaim their voices and rediscover themselves through creative expression and holistic healing practices. Whether it’s drawing, painting, walking, learning new skills, exploring healthy recipes, or crafting your own natural cosmetics, I share practical tools and trusted methods to inspire your journey toward healing and self-discovery.