Finding Your Creative Voice: Highlights from another week of Creative Self Expression Journey
Starting small is key
A blank page, much like an empty canvas, can feel intimidating. The thought of filling it with 500, 1,000, or even 2,000 words can seem overwhelming. Starting small, however, can break the ice—a single sentence capturing a thought or feeling, gradually building from there. Today is day 28 out of my 100-day journey of recording daily reflections and sharing moments of creative self-expression, one thought at a time.
Here’s a selection from the past 10 days.
Living in a technology-driven world, we’ve never seen a clearer lesson than the recent events in Spain's Valencia region. When the power goes down, everything collapses, highlighting just how dependent we are on electricity. It is also patently clear the incompetence of the local authorities and state once as well. Meanwhile, those in power continue their geo-engineering experiments, seemingly playing God with our environment. It’s a twisted reality where the responsible are rarely held accountable.
What if we simply stop following what every guru says? What if we turn down the volume on all those offerings? Imagine giving ourselves the space to enjoy our unique view of the world and expressing it—writing, talking—just as we want to, regardless of what the specialists say. How would that feel? What impact would it have on our well-being, on our creative flow?
Sipping a cup of tea on a quiet Saturday morning, I'm reflecting on social media, followers, and the endless chase for more. Have you noticed how we’re all constantly pushed to sell, sell, sell? Everything has become commercialized—our food, how and where we spend our time, our hobbies, dreams, even our pain and personal experiences.
Everywhere we turn, there’s a new offering, a course on how to "sell efficiently," the most "impactful" words to use, the ideal times to post, and advice on changing what we write about if followers don’t come fast enough. Why are we all being nudged to be salespeople? It feels like we're in a nonstop cycle, pressured to get better at it, try harder, and chase more.
But I wonder, what if we stepped back? What if we let go of the constant push to "market" ourselves and simply shared, created, and connected in a way that feels true?
Yesterday, I read an article about workplace bullying, and the similarities to my own experience were astonishing. You really do gasp for air when you read about such a horrendous situation. One thing that truly unsettles me is that I never even heard the term "workplace bullying" in Romania during the 35 years I lived there, yet in the UK, I've encountered it, experienced it twice, and hear about it often. What’s wrong with people? Sometimes, personal circumstances make it impossible to leave a toxic workplace, and even when you finally do, it’s like navigating stormy waters all over again. What drives this pervasive culture of bullying? The experience leaves people feeling fragmented.
Felt the need to draw an apple today after writing my next chapter of the Naked truth series and in between sending more job applications. An apple - it gave me the idea for my next blog entry — Cinderella and how looks are so deceitful - I will be covering the topic in the narcissistic abuse context.
I find myself more and more often holding back in conversations, forcing a sad smile as I wonder if tolerance has vanished—or maybe it was never truly there. The world feels increasingly divided, manipulated, traumatized by absurd narratives. A lack of education and understanding of history has left many vulnerable to dangerous fanaticism. Visual self-expression through symbols has become a way to convey one’s voice, embedding hidden messages to be seen and understood by those who look closely.
When narcissistic abuse has shadowed much of your life, taking control of your own path can feel like trying to catch a fish with your bare hands—slippery and elusive. Gentle reminders along the way are essential.
How do you refill your cup when facing bullying in the workplace? It’s a genuine question, and here’s why. In such an environment, your nervous system stays in a near-constant state of fight or flight. You’re on high alert, like those cartoon mice, cautiously sniffing the air to detect any lurking danger. Once you've been hurt, there’s no returning to 'normal'—you become vigilant. The energy drain is monumental, and showing up each day becomes an act of courage that words can’t capture. Please know that I understand. So, how do you fill your cup? What helps you keep going? I wonder.
Time and time again I enter in conversations with friends and talk about … writing! Many times I heard… ooo when I retire I will write, paint … such an illusion! Life is so unpredictable and postponing is like playing the Russian roulette!
If your narcissistic parent punished you with silent treatment, you were taught from an early age that love is transactional, it can be taken away to control you. Some might call it discipline but trust me it is emotional abuse.
Narcissists often make even the simplest expressions of love and care feel conditional. Sometimes, physical displays of affection might not have been part of their way of showing care at all. If this was your experience, it’s no surprise that self-love and affection may feel foreign—almost as distant as a walk on the moon. Begin by gently giving yourself a hug now and then. It may feel unusual at first, but with time, it can bring real comfort.
One of my dreams is to write a novel, inspired by real events but with a touch of fiction in it. Will it happen? I don’t know! Writing as and when I find the energy and time while navigating the choppy waters of life.
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Naked truth chapter 9 - The Price of Silence: A Story of Growing Up in Isolation and Finding Solace
What is the price of silence? What is the toll of keeping quiet? The cost of enduring abuse with nowhere to turn to? Recently, Martha found herself wondering—was there ever an escape from the situations she was trapped in? Was there someone, somewhere, who could have listened, who she could have run to for help, for guida…
Dearest Karina, you're pages are lovely as always. I marvel at how you find the images in the lines. You inspire me with your art.
There are three great images in your post today, two are pictorial, the third is the impression created by your words. At the start of the post you publish two great images which give a sense of contemporary art created on stained glass. Towards the end of your post you publish one of your great photos of autumnal East Sussex, picture postcard stuff. Lastly, your narrative, it leaves me both sad and reflective, that you came to England full of hope and goodwill from a peaceful Romania, only to find yourself being bullied in both of the workplaces you have found yourself in. Images of alpha males on their foreign holidays tells a lot about us. Keep posting, it’s important. P