Totally brilliant, Karina. This post deserves sharing big-time. That's beyond me to achieve as I opted out of engaging with this world years ago. May I make just one suggestion, are you able, to turn this post into a poem, a reflection on life today. It it would come easily to you, please have a go. Society needs such work. P
Yes its been close to a year since i deactivated from meta & i feel so much better no longer being gaslit & shadowbanned. After years of their manipulations i finally got an answer. They are against me being so civic minded & refused my participation on there because i am. Pwh! Wish folks would wake up to their bs but no longer my game to play. They dont deserve to monitize from me anymore.
Dear Fanona I agree with you! From my point of view they play games really! Games with the mind. How many hours, days, months maybe we wasted on that platform! How many unread books, un listened music, how many walk we missed because of that and more. I suspect there are pretty sinister systems behind social media and waking up is not bad! Thank you for your comment!
Dear Rebecca, thank you for your message. Oh yes I cannot even compare. I would never share what I share here on Facebook. It's a mega strange world there. I was sharing educational - from my point of view - things about Russian culture and Romanian and traditions and generalities about trauma (after years of entertaining with daily art and my explorations) but oh boy if you don't destroy the latest enemy hmm you become the enemy. Should have left a long time ago hmmm. I found my tribe here and I am grateful!
Dear Rebecca I am a subscriber and will definitely read your work. Found you on YouTube as well and look forward to hearing and seeing you as well. I have recently decided to share thoughts about trauma and recovery - using creative avenues - on YouTube as well as well. It is important.
Dear Karina, I hope that some of those who oppose your voice are doing so from a position of fear of expressing their own. It takes a tremendous effort to acknowledge pain and emotional injury. Rejecting it in oneself seems to cause some to publicly reject acknowledgement in others.
So why on earth would I hope this?
Your art, writing, and witness may be planting the idea in others that one can personally as well as publicly address their own pain. I'm hoping it moves others past denial and to a place where they can embrace change and recovery, and ultimately become agents of change as well
Your words touched me deeply—thank you. You’ve articulated something I often sense but struggle to put into words: how the rejection of another’s truth is often rooted in fear of facing one’s own. Your reflection gave me a moment of peace and a sense of being truly seen.
It never fails to amaze me how, in the past, people would look at my art and assume it was born from immense joy or a life of abundance. That always shocked me. It’s such a narrow and limited way to interpret creative self-expression—as if only happiness and ease are worthy or beautiful enough to be shared.
In truth, much of my creativity has emerged from grappling with pain, longing, and the quiet determination to find light in the darker corners. To assume art equals joy is to overlook the full spectrum of human experience that often fuels it. I’m grateful that you see the depth behind the work.
The same applies when we look at glimpses of various cultures or historical moments—so often, the views are incredibly one-sided. It’s shocking how little people read or explore for themselves. Instead, many seem to adopt whatever the majority accepts without question. It leaves me thinking… hmmm.
And this is exactly why I feel so passionate about sharing and supporting others on their own journey—helping them feel validated, heard, and gently supported as they begin or continue their healing. If what I do can hold up even a small mirror for someone else to see their truth more clearly, then it’s worth every moment.
Thank you for encouraging not just me, but all of us, to honour the truth of our experiences and to keep witnessing, creating, and planting seeds—even in difficult soil.
There is little free speach..people are not alllowed to say any ist things…sexist, racist etc..they might think it tho. People avoid some subjects with friends for a quiet life.
On an art front I am part of a group which says they want to know about the process for the art. The moment I put my art therapy hat on they did not want to know..my stuff is often a flow of conciousness..I met with some art therapy course friends yesterday…they talked of similar. I was particually noticeable when I did a picture inspired by the monthly theme ‘farmer as artist’…the word farmer congers up the betrayal of those you have cared for, dominion over nature…making animals a commodity rather than aprt of Gods creation….they (not all) really did not like this…its the dark stuff…stuff that makes peope feel uncomfortable. They agreed i could put such explanations in an attachment.
But I avoid dark films…darkness comes unbidden in all our lives…I do not search it our…films can be about life but it has to have hope…so no to Memoirs of Snail, yes to Le Havre. …both meaningful…but one is not gentle.
Many people avoid certain subjects, especially when they carry emotional weight. But I believe some truths need to be spoken — not to stir conflict, but because denying ourselves the right to express our ideas and experiences costs us far more in the long run.
As for art — oh, he he he — I have stories to tell there too! I get you. You’re a free spirit, just like me. And in this area, well... most people are used to painting dogs, boats, and houses, with very little variation. Nothing too bold. Nothing too different.
The ones who are different? They rarely stay. They quietly leave, because they realise they don’t belong in a space where playing safe is the norm. People want easy — nothing controversial, nothing that rocks the boat.
It’s a reality I observe with a mix of sadness and humour. I’ve had to accept it — but I won’t let it shrink me. Not anymore.
And just like you, I can’t watch dark films anymore. I simply can’t. Life has given me enough darkness — now I choose light, colour, honesty, and connection.
Totally brilliant, Karina. This post deserves sharing big-time. That's beyond me to achieve as I opted out of engaging with this world years ago. May I make just one suggestion, are you able, to turn this post into a poem, a reflection on life today. It it would come easily to you, please have a go. Society needs such work. P
Hmmmm good idea about the poem! I might when I have the energy! Thanks for your suggestion!
Yes its been close to a year since i deactivated from meta & i feel so much better no longer being gaslit & shadowbanned. After years of their manipulations i finally got an answer. They are against me being so civic minded & refused my participation on there because i am. Pwh! Wish folks would wake up to their bs but no longer my game to play. They dont deserve to monitize from me anymore.
Dear Fanona I agree with you! From my point of view they play games really! Games with the mind. How many hours, days, months maybe we wasted on that platform! How many unread books, un listened music, how many walk we missed because of that and more. I suspect there are pretty sinister systems behind social media and waking up is not bad! Thank you for your comment!
Facebook / Meta is a joke. I hope you are having a warmer reception of your true self here on Substack.
Dear Rebecca, thank you for your message. Oh yes I cannot even compare. I would never share what I share here on Facebook. It's a mega strange world there. I was sharing educational - from my point of view - things about Russian culture and Romanian and traditions and generalities about trauma (after years of entertaining with daily art and my explorations) but oh boy if you don't destroy the latest enemy hmm you become the enemy. Should have left a long time ago hmmm. I found my tribe here and I am grateful!
Good to hear. Don't know if you follow me only (versus subscribing) - I just sent this post out on transgenerational trauma you might be interested in: https://familyscapegoathealing.substack.com/p/family-genograms-in-scapegoat-recovery
Dear Rebecca I am a subscriber and will definitely read your work. Found you on YouTube as well and look forward to hearing and seeing you as well. I have recently decided to share thoughts about trauma and recovery - using creative avenues - on YouTube as well as well. It is important.
Good to hear!
Dear Karina, I hope that some of those who oppose your voice are doing so from a position of fear of expressing their own. It takes a tremendous effort to acknowledge pain and emotional injury. Rejecting it in oneself seems to cause some to publicly reject acknowledgement in others.
So why on earth would I hope this?
Your art, writing, and witness may be planting the idea in others that one can personally as well as publicly address their own pain. I'm hoping it moves others past denial and to a place where they can embrace change and recovery, and ultimately become agents of change as well
Peace, Mike
Dear Mike,
Your words touched me deeply—thank you. You’ve articulated something I often sense but struggle to put into words: how the rejection of another’s truth is often rooted in fear of facing one’s own. Your reflection gave me a moment of peace and a sense of being truly seen.
It never fails to amaze me how, in the past, people would look at my art and assume it was born from immense joy or a life of abundance. That always shocked me. It’s such a narrow and limited way to interpret creative self-expression—as if only happiness and ease are worthy or beautiful enough to be shared.
In truth, much of my creativity has emerged from grappling with pain, longing, and the quiet determination to find light in the darker corners. To assume art equals joy is to overlook the full spectrum of human experience that often fuels it. I’m grateful that you see the depth behind the work.
The same applies when we look at glimpses of various cultures or historical moments—so often, the views are incredibly one-sided. It’s shocking how little people read or explore for themselves. Instead, many seem to adopt whatever the majority accepts without question. It leaves me thinking… hmmm.
And this is exactly why I feel so passionate about sharing and supporting others on their own journey—helping them feel validated, heard, and gently supported as they begin or continue their healing. If what I do can hold up even a small mirror for someone else to see their truth more clearly, then it’s worth every moment.
Thank you for encouraging not just me, but all of us, to honour the truth of our experiences and to keep witnessing, creating, and planting seeds—even in difficult soil.
Peace back to you,
Karina
There is little free speach..people are not alllowed to say any ist things…sexist, racist etc..they might think it tho. People avoid some subjects with friends for a quiet life.
On an art front I am part of a group which says they want to know about the process for the art. The moment I put my art therapy hat on they did not want to know..my stuff is often a flow of conciousness..I met with some art therapy course friends yesterday…they talked of similar. I was particually noticeable when I did a picture inspired by the monthly theme ‘farmer as artist’…the word farmer congers up the betrayal of those you have cared for, dominion over nature…making animals a commodity rather than aprt of Gods creation….they (not all) really did not like this…its the dark stuff…stuff that makes peope feel uncomfortable. They agreed i could put such explanations in an attachment.
But I avoid dark films…darkness comes unbidden in all our lives…I do not search it our…films can be about life but it has to have hope…so no to Memoirs of Snail, yes to Le Havre. …both meaningful…but one is not gentle.
Dear Liz,
You’re so right — and I feel this deeply too.
Many people avoid certain subjects, especially when they carry emotional weight. But I believe some truths need to be spoken — not to stir conflict, but because denying ourselves the right to express our ideas and experiences costs us far more in the long run.
As for art — oh, he he he — I have stories to tell there too! I get you. You’re a free spirit, just like me. And in this area, well... most people are used to painting dogs, boats, and houses, with very little variation. Nothing too bold. Nothing too different.
The ones who are different? They rarely stay. They quietly leave, because they realise they don’t belong in a space where playing safe is the norm. People want easy — nothing controversial, nothing that rocks the boat.
It’s a reality I observe with a mix of sadness and humour. I’ve had to accept it — but I won’t let it shrink me. Not anymore.
And just like you, I can’t watch dark films anymore. I simply can’t. Life has given me enough darkness — now I choose light, colour, honesty, and connection.
With love and laughter in the middle of it all,
Corina