The powerful way of saying no

I no longer live for Fridays; instead, I live for Mondays. Many people live for the weekends and holidays. I used to be one of them, not just that, obviously. Yes, occasionally I would treat myself, but often the reality was different. I was too tired to. When I came home from work. I needed to relax. I often didn’t feel in the mood to do something. I would unconsciously postpone tasks to the weekend. Later, I realized how much that behavior drained my life force energy and negatively impacted my quality of life. Today I shifted. I live for Mondays. What does it mean? It was not a radical shift. It was a gradual shift I had to become used to. I started by eating the breakfast I’d usually have on a Friday; I had it on Monday. At first I thought, like, who am I? I almost felt bad for treating myself on a Monday. Something that should be customary, to approach each day as if it is your best, felt uncomfortable to my former self. Then I started dressing like I’d dress on holidays. That doesn’t mean I wore my most extravagant dress. No. But I would wear the earrings; I’d usually think they’re too much for a Monday. But clearly, they’re not. They make me feel positive. Then I started putting on the perfume I’d usually wear on Friday. I remember a friend who once told me she’d have two perfumes. A cheaper one for every day and one for the weekend. While there’s no right or wrong and I completely understand this approach too, I started using the perfume I felt like wearing. Sometimes it was the one I’d usually wear on a Friday. I wore it on a Monday when I felt like it. It doesn’t mean you should force it. But it allows you to shift your identity from low self-worth to your actual worth. You deserve a good life and to treat yourself whenever you want—every day, without needing others' approval or without feeling bad for it. People like me who used to live for the weekend came to a point where life often didn't feel aligned. It can feel like something is missing. And yes, exactly that. Life itself was missing. The vibrancy. The aliveness. Aliveness doesn’t happen when you only allow yourself to be treated on the weekend. Then one day, even on the weekend, you become too tired or simply feel bad for treating yourself. You deserve it though. Since I allowed myself to treat Monday like my Fridays, my life upgraded. And that’s the true lesson I learned. Life just doesn’t happen on holidays. It’s not always the big things, the major life successes that count. It’s the little things in daily life that bring a lot of quality. It’s not always necessarily the big things that change a life; rather, it is often the small, consistent actions and moments that accumulate over time to create significant change. It’s the consistent little things in daily life. It’s a myth to change an entire life overnight. But if you change one habit or an inner attitude today, you’ll be surprised how much this little shift can already change in how you perceive and go through the days. Sometimes the biggest shifts are silent. They seem mundane, but they have a bigger effect than you may imagine. Sometimes the biggest wins are not the ones where people clap, but the silent contentment you feel on a Monday morning with your favorite perfume and your yummy breakfast, thinking it’s a Friday in your holiday. No, it’s Monday. It doesn’t matter what day it is. You deserve it whenever you feel like having it. It’s not because you may have nothing to do, but rather because you choose consciously to take time for that, as you know this will truly upgrade your daily life. Not just one day when you think you have more time to enjoy life; that moment may never come. Of course it doesn’t mean you always have to treat yourself in big ways, but when you feel like it, you unapologetically do. Why? Life is too short to postpone your happiness until Fridays, holidays, or events that may never materialize. You can’t expect sweet moments to come from living life by default day in and day out. You have to create those sweet moments. And if you’re thinking my life feels tough. Then that’s a sign to treat yourself even more.

Sometimes we’re used to shutting down. Not expressing our true feelings often feels safer. Sometimes it comes from old experiences or our own upbringing to keep ourselves contained. Sometimes it even comes from religion or our culture, which makes us believe we always have to be friendly and kind. And ideally, if you’re truly balanced, I believe every person is friendly and kind deep within. However, reality can look different. People and situations can trigger us and truly make us angry. For a long time I used to believe it’s not okay to be angry. I learned to suppress my anger. I learned to process it on my own. I would sometimes smile at the exact person who made me angry and later process it on my own. It’s left me with a lot of internal burden without being aware of it. Until I could no longer bear it. I felt exhausted without knowing why I felt exhausted. I had heavy internal conflicts no one on the outside would ever know I had. It’s a part I kept to myself. On the outside, I may have appeared calm. Deep within me, I was overwhelmed by a storm of anger I could barely process. Until one day, I could no longer bear it. I came to a woman who is a psychic, which means she can read energies, and she highlighted this to me. She said, "Laura, you’re emotionally exhausted. You swallowed so many emotions.“ For the first time I felt so shocked. I wasn’t even aware I was doing it. Until I spotted the pattern of rarely communicating how I rarely felt. Vulnerability can be scary. It’s still something I’m learning or at least improving. Being vulnerable means you express what you truly feel. It’s like an open bonbon that you rather keep wrapped in safe paper. Being vulnerable doesn’t mean to overshare your entire internal world with everyone. It means opening up when you feel it’s too much for you to carry alone. Some people have become so independent. They navigate every emotion, every fear, and every challenge alone. While this can work for a while and a certain internal work comes with your own internal processing, sometimes the burden gets too heavy. Especially when we try to appear strong or calm, deep down, we may sometimes feel insecure, confused, or even lost. I remember when I first started to communicate more of how I truly feel. It was with a mentor I had back then who helped me navigate my energies. After a while, I couldn’t see the results I wished. Instead of swallowing and processing my emotions internally, I expressed it externally. My fears, my concerns, my disappointments. You cannot believe how relieving that was. I allowed myself to communicate how I really felt. You cannot believe what I got from that. It made me learn that you don’t always have to carry your emotions alone. When you feel lost, it’s ok to ask for help or express it. You don’t have to appear to be strong and have it all figured out all the time. Especially when we’re expanding, no matter if personally or in our business, there can be times of confusion right before the next path is revealed. I remember every time I went through a major internal shift, I felt a period of heavy confusion. There’s such a relief in not pretending to be someone you’re not. And if you’re going through a hard time, the easiest way is to connect with others. At times, you may wish to keep to yourself. Other times, the burden feels too much. Then you know what? Don’t hold back. Say it. Even if people don’t reciprocrate your feelings or think you’re dumb, 1) By letting it out, you free yourself from emotional burden. 2) You'd be surprised how people will listen and start relating to you. Now when someone knows how you really feel, they can be more supportive. 3) Emotional breakdowns are nothing to be scared of. They’re part of the human journey. Anger, disappointment, and frustration have taught me more than joy ever has. They become a true barrier if you either stay stuck in those emotional roller coasters or start to act emotionally. 4) The connection deepens through vulnerability. I remember when people would suddenly open up on how they really feel or what they struggle with. Suddenly, you connect to someone on a deeper level. It’s not so much about small talk and talking about the shallow stuff; you get to know someone much better.

Human interactions can be challenging at times, no matter if they are in business, romantic relationships, family, or with strangers. Sometimes there are situations where people trigger, hurt, or disappoint us. We may not feel appreciated or entirely understood with our opinions. And there’s a general, often unconscious pattern that often plays out: Justifying. Fighting. Now we do not feel seen; we start a fight. Not because we want to start a fight, but we want to make our opinion clear. And in certain situations this approach can be the way forward. Honest communication about your feelings can take away misunderstandings. However, there’s a subtle difference when it makes sense to communicate openly and when it’s time for a much more powerful path. The path of moving away silently. There’s a real power in this approach. And this method only makes sense when we feel the relationship no longer makes sense. At times, we outgrow old situations and relationships with people. We feel something no longer matches. We hold on due to familiarity or politeness, or a fear of losing them. But here’s the point. If you don’t feel entirely understood, seen, or appreciated, or if you don’t share the same values and hobbies and feel like your identities have shifted, the question becomes omnipresent: do I want to keep that relationship up for the sake of it? I’m not speaking of running away from rough situations. I’m talking about relationships, encounters, or situations where we repeatedly feel less. In these situations, we often leave feeling unmotivated and drained, time after time. That doesn’t mean the person is bad, but simply their attitudes, communication style, or general preferences may differ. Life changes and so do we. What's behind the power of walking away silently? It happened to me once. I remember it was someone I knew and whose services I occasionally booked. Until my treatment as a customer or mentee felt misaligned. Although I appreciated the person. But with increasing discontent, I stopped justifying my needs. I simply walked away to where I could find someone who would meet my needs. The truth is the more we justify or beg for something, the more energy and time we put into that. And if it’s something where you don’t feel understood, that can take tons of effort. That night something powerful within me shifted almost like a new perspective opened up. If they fail to meet my needs, appreciate my perspective, or are willing to meet me halfway, they don’t deserve my time and energy. I want someone who I resonate with. Suddenly I no longer tried to fight for making something happen, which I had been trying for the past 3 times. I raised my standards of what I’m willing to accept and moved away silently, recognizing that I deserve relationships that align with my values and expectations. For the first time I realized I usually see the potential in people instead of the reality of who they are. If their behavior doesn't match the values or what they promise continuously, why waste time and energy to make it clear to them? The power of walking away silently from relationships that no longer align with the path forward makes you break subconscious cycles. 1) The need to be right: sometimes the desire is so unconscious. We want to be right. And so we justify. Right. Prove that our opinion counts. But it’s useless. When you no longer wish to be right, you make space for the things that feel right for you. And those things come effortlessly. You don’t have to fight for them. 2) There is a need to be seen and accepted. Sometimes we argue or express our opinions because we desire to be acknowledged and valued. We may unconsciously crave someone's validation. But in that moment when you remind yourself to give yourself that validation and see your worth instead of begging for it from another one, something shifts within you. You rise from within. 3) Clinging to old people without reason. The old feels familiar. You know about people and services. Places you know. Situations you know. They all feel familiar. Familiarity means safety. But the familiar events are not necessarily where the growth happens. It’s not really that those familiar partnerships always make you feel good or help you grow. Sometimes misaligned relationships or partnerships of any kind need to fall away so the new ones can appear. And when you have a strange feeling about them, that can be a sign. If you no longer try to attach to the old for the sake of it, you let go. You allow to fall away what needs to fall away. What’s meant for you will stay. And people who were never meant for you can’t stay. If you allow what needs to fall away without attaching, controlling, or forcing anything for its sake, something powerful shifts deep inside. You realize you don’t have to be dependent on anyone. You realize how much you hold on because it’s familiar or you got used to it. That’s the moment when you ask yourself, do I really want to nurture this business or person or relationship anymore? If this person doesn’t meet my needs or no longer aligns with my values, do I really need to put my time, effort, and energy into writing that particular email or having that specific conversation? You breathe in for a moment, and in your mind you close the door behind you, and you just walk away silently. That’s a true power. No energy. No effort. No time. Instead, you trust that the universe will align you with new people, opportunities, and situations that match your values and your new identity. You are no longer in a place where you have to endlessly fight to feel seen. This is not an attack on someone for doing things in a particular way. You allow them to be who they are, and you choose to walk away. That’s how you make space for the new. You no longer move in endless cycles and karmic patterns; you are finally on a path of expansion. That can feel as exciting as it is creepy, as you may have no idea where you’re headed, but trusting in a new door opening can be far more aligned than constantly revisiting the old. You no longer try to change someone else or make them change their minds or attitudes; you choose who you allow to interact with. You upgrade yourself by no longer begging for the things you wish for, which leads to darkness again and again.

Everyone talks about dreams, but people rarely discuss scattered dreams turning into regret or longing. Usually you hear people tell their story. It starts with drama or a massive problem or something that felt terribly wrong, and then people move through it and tell you the happy end. It makes you want to copy their strategy or learn more about how they do it. And by all means, that can help. But what no one rarely talks about is the scattered dreams and failures. The missed opportunities. The things you craved for but never had. Not necessarily because you’re late in life or behind others. But it’s the feeling it can give you. It’s a silent ache deep in the heart, almost hard to access. Sometimes it comes as loneliness. Sometimes it comes as guilt. Sometimes it comes as the feeling of failure. Sometimes it comes as the feeling of not being good enough. No matter what it is. Romantic love, a business opportunity, travels, or an entirely different aspect — I find that it’s an increasing phenomenon a lot of us experience, especially if you approach your 30s. Sometimes it hits you later, sometimes earlier. Social media doesn’t necessarily improve it but worsens it. You see others in a perfect relationship being happily married and having a kid. You see others at perfect travel destinations and think to yourself, "Why didn't I travel earlier in life?" You see others in perfect businesses, wondering why you didn’t take the opportunity. And while I moved through a similar experience of suddenly grieving certain experiences I never had earlier in life, I learned a couple of profound lessons. 1) Grief manifests in waves. Grief is not just about losing a person. It can be about a lost or missed opportunity or the feeling you missed out on something or deep down you crave something you never had and only become aware of it now. 2) Grief isn’t bad. Whenever we grieve old experiences we may never have had, it’s important to do so. Too often we were taught to be happy and never feel any "weird" emotions. However, ignoring emotions that feel too uncomfortable to experience may provide temporary relief, but it ultimately does not lead to long-term improvement. The emotion wants to be felt. 3) Grief or the feeling of a lost opportunity or missed chance can upgrade your timeline. As tough as grief is, there can be a wave of sadness sweeping over; it’s important that every experience serves a purpose. We’re never late or behind. Each life is unique. And sometimes a missed opportunity teaches you exactly that. They become your greatest teacher. They show you your pain points. They show you where you couldn’t be yourself, where you didn’t fully stand behind yourself, and where you acted out of the limited self. While the realization can be painful, it’s as eye-opening too. Finally, you realize it. You’re no longer tapping in the dark, living your life unconsciously like most humans do. Only when you notice your patterns and what went wrong can you get closer to identifying what it exactly is that holds you back from living your dreams. 4) This type of grief can make you come closer to your true inner desires. Once you allow yourself to feel the grief and any heavy emotions that may arise, you slowly start to spot the patterns. That’s when you start moving from an emotional state to a more accepting one of what is kind of state. You come to the point where you finally realize what you truly want and what you are no longer willing to tolerate. Even if the exact opportunity may not come back, for some, there may be a similar experience just in a different setting. 5) The ideal image of a perfect life. Sometimes the grass always looks greener on the other side. Behind the perfectly crafted love stories on social media are most likely also discussions and moments of doubts. Behind the perfect travel stories and images you see on social media are most likely also certain challenges, be they financial, emotional, or mental. It’s easy to compare ourselves to others, but we only see a small part of it. It's about to leave behind the ideal image of a perfect life. No life is perfect. 6) You develop a stronger love for yourself. Now you move through the grief, you spot your patterns, and you stop the comparison; you realize all is good. You realize that there is no room for "what ifs." You have to accept reality as it is. You come to a point where you may ask yourself, "What do I really wish for and why am I postponing it any longer?“ Now this stage is not so much old grief, only if you choose to stay stuck in it. It’s not so much about the choices you didn’t take; the question becomes centered around your current life. It’s not so much "If only I traveled more. If only I had searched for a partner earlier. If only I created my business earlier. If only I made peace with my family earlier." Or whatever may apply to your life, the "if only“ turns into: What am I doing right now having that kind of knowledge? Stay stuck in the old pain or move in with a greater awareness? Am I repeating the same patterns by not fully choosing myself or my life, or am I approaching it differently this time? You see here it becomes the toughest part. Because it’s not just about wishing things to be different. It’s about making them happen. It’s about taking bold moves. It’s not about playing small anymore. The truth is this. You can always start over in life. People travel at 20, 30, 40, up until their 80s. Just because you didn’t travel in your 20s doesn’t mean you can’t have the time of your life in your 40s. Having the type of love you crave in your 30s, 40s, or 50s is possible, even if you didn't have it in your 20s. People travel at any age. People find love at any age. People become self-employed at any age. Harland Sanders was 62 years old when he began franchising his Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) recipe. Our mind may give us plenty of reasons. "We're not as beautiful anymore. We’re not as dynamic anymore," but that’s the power of age. You become less dramatic and more experienced. You know what you want. Yes, the younger years, where you may have acted more spontaneously, may have felt more carefree at times, but it doesn’t mean everything was perfect when we were younger. I know people that found love in their 20s, only to split up in their 30s because their values drifted apart. I know people that changed jobs in their 30s because the job they did in their 20s felt useless. Sometimes, we reflect on the past and the "carefree years" with a sense of nostalgia. And that’s the last point. 7) Focus on the here and now. Each age brings you a different set of experiences. The butterflies and excitement we felt in our 20s may also be a significant burden for our nervous systems. Sometimes butterflies don't mean safety. It was more like insecurity disguised as something exciting. For a moment, when you stop comparing your life against any other life, when you stop trying to fit into societal expectations, when you just see your life as if you were the only one living here with no expectations, pressure, or standards, you may even gain a completely new perspective. You may treasure each experience and get excited as you get to spend another day. At that moment, you realize that you can either remain stuck in the past, dwelling on what you did or didn’t do, or you can appreciate each experience and lesson learned, allowing yourself to move forward with greater awareness. You focus on what you have right now or who you have become all along the way. And I guess if you’ve read until the end here, you exactly know how much you’ve grown and that deep down, you’re not so well off after all. Remember there are people at their deathbeds who can’t read this anymore who have far deeper regrets than you may have right now. This is a beautiful testament to our souls' journey, as we deep down know that we are so much more. We hold so much more potential than we give ourselves credit for. We hold so many more heart’s desires than we allow ourselves to live. Deep down, we just crave to feel appreciated, held, loved, and fully seen and chosen the way we are. There’s a deeper trust arising that everything happened for a reason. Every experience served a deeper learning lesson, and sometimes it’s good old karma. Right now, a lot of us are releasing a lot of karmic structures. We’re releasing old energetic chords that no longer align. 8) Let the past be the past. It reminds me of the old mobile phones back in the days. Some of you may remember "Snake" — the game that you may have played on your Nokia. It felt addictive back then. But do I wish to play that right now? No way. So everything has its place. Each past experience has its place, and sometimes you have to put it into that exact place. Leave the old, shut the door behind you, and focus on the here and now. Just like with phones, we have access to so many apps and opportunities like rarely before, and so it is with life opportunities, so it’s really not a time to stay stuck in the past. Recently, I saw a bunch of 80-year-olds having fun, laughing, dancing, and being dressed up like queens. This showed me you can have fun at any age. It’s not about age itself; it’s what you make out of life at any age of your life. Are you let down by it? Or are you making the best out of it? That’s an individual choice.

Sometimes life flows. It runs so smoothly. Things click, and new insights arrive. It brings you into a state of joy. But what people rarely talk about is the time things don’t click, clarity isn’t there, the next step feels unclear, and you feel left in the dark. Yuck, that sucks! Yet it happens to so many of us. People usually highlight the good moments. But not the moments of inner despair, helplessness, and almost frustration on the inner journey. If you’ve been on the spiritual path, or are intuitive, you may have come across this. And then there’s the silent, if not desperate, question: How do I get back on track? How can I get rid of the mental fog or a lack of clarity? Here are my personal tips that I came across: 1) Calm down. A temporary confusion doesn’t mean failure. It can be a time to re-evaluate. What brought you off track? What was going on over the past few days or weeks? Evaluate the situation to avoid it in the future. 2) Do something you enjoy. The last thing you need is pressure. Pressure creates more resistance. Intuitive guidance comes effortlessly, not when we expect or push for it (I know it’s hard because it’s so tempting and we absolutely want answers and/or clarity!). Do something you enjoy. Don’t focus too much on the mental fog. Go for a walk, paint, or take a bath. Do something you enjoy. That’s when your energy relaxes. Don’t focus on your business; don’t take any major life decisions in that unclear energy. Relax until clarity arises again. 3) Find your own inner rhythm again The intuition and the guidance come back online when you get back into your natural rhythm. Sometimes we absorb other people’s energies, opinions, doubts, or fears. Sometimes we’re overwhelmed by our own emotions. It happens more frequently than we may imagine. Don’t judge yourself for that. Practice a little more compassion. Connect back to yourself. Maybe that means some form of meditation or journaling. Remind yourself of what helps you fall into your rhythm again. Sometimes it helps to take a social media break even just for the evening. Rise from the challenges. Even if it’s tough and a very uncomfortable stage to be in, you’ll most likely get out of it stronger or with more awareness. Sometimes it teaches you something valuable. For example, you may learn the importance of protecting your energy, not neglecting your practices, or using greater discernment. The more you allow yourself to just embrace this stage and slow down, the quicker you’ll move through it. It’s not a time to push further but to slow down. It’s like during a car journey. If your windows are dirty and you can’t see where you’re driving, you stop. You take a break and make it clean. You don’t question your path. You don't judge your car. And yet, it's not a time to keep driving when you don’t have a clear vision. Although we may say we don’t have time for breaks, sometimes if you move in a direction without a clear vision, it can take you further from your path than any stop can. So if I’ve learned one thing, it’s the power of breaks, especially when you feel mental fog or lack of clarity. Whenever I don’t feel clear, I take a break. Even if my mind wants to push through or I feel I have so much to do. Discernment becomes key here. Why A-Z self-help? Sometimes all we need is a word of encouragement. Some form of motivation or inspiration that nothing is wrong with us. That word can get us going again. Sometimes we don’t need big healing sessions or dramatic inner shifts. That’s what A-Z is for. To be a little light in moments of darkness. A place you can return to for guidance and encouragement. Quick, easy to access, and affordable. All the guidance comes from my personal journey, as I’ve experienced as many lows as highs. It’s not about erasing one another but riding the waves and different stages of life and making you become a little stronger with each experience. Together we’re in one boat and can make the journey of life a little more convenient. About Laura I’m an intuitive, empath and for many years pretty much an introvert (a couple of exceptions!). Somewhere along the path I learned it was safer to guard my internal world than to share it. But underneath, many introverts have a rich if not complex internal world which can feel as vast as the ocean. As I learned to navigate my internal world, I felt guided to share more of it openly and what helped me overcome internal challenges.

The deeper meaning of wars on a subconscious level

spiritual awakening, when life crumbles. purpose of life. deeper meaning of life

There is one hobby I loved for a long time. It’s solo travel. For me, solo traveling always felt like freedom. Other people would often give me odd looks. Where I felt excitement, they felt fear. Other people would make remarks such as “I would never do it.” And my answer is “you don’t have to.” There are many different life paths and many different lifestyles and ways of living. Sometimes, as humans, we judge what isn't ours. But we forget that every life path is different. Preferences can differ. Hobbies can differ. And that’s ok. We don’t need to have the same preferences or hobbies. But some people are intrigued. They have done solo traveling or consider solo traveling. 1)Deepening the trust in yourself The first and foremost thing about solo traveling is the confidence you need to have and that will later often deepen throughout your travels. You need to fully trust yourself. This is crucial because you may encounter uncomfortable situations and find yourself alone. A deep trust is what I find highly beneficial. In addition, a good intuitive feeling helps you evaluate if a place is safe or not. I remember I was once travelling in Cambodia a couple of years ago, and at night, I just had an intuitive feeling that I should stay in my accommodation with other travelers. If you don’t really have that confidence or intuitive feeling to trust in, you may risk being exposed to situations that you may not like. And yet, there is no guarantee in life. E ven if you’re at home, you can be hit by a car. Not to picture worst-case scenarios, but just to put things into perspective. What’s safety in the first place? Life itself is an adventure no matter where you are. But if you tend to be at home, you’re surrounded by familiar conditions, cultures, and people, which may provide a sense of familiarity and comfort. 2)Longing for adventure The second reason for solo traveling is often the adventure. Too often we’re put in a box. We may grow up in a specific manner, and society or our culture may expect us to behave in a certain way. So solo traveling can provide this adventure. The adventure to break out of any boxes and dogmas that society lives by. It makes you open towards new perspectives and new ways of life. You suddenly see the world through a different lens. 3)Escape as a way to reconnect with yourself The third reason is not always, but sometimes, escape. Yes, we don’t want to admit it, but let’s be honest. Sometimes we may not really feel comfortable where we are; we may be between two different worlds. Maybe the old reality or world crumbled, and we’re just about embarking on new beginnings. We may not exactly know where to go or what’s next. So this “limbo stage” can be a reason people travel solo. What first appears as an escape from the old reality can later help you reconnect or find a deeper purpose because in the end, you can't escape from your reality. When you leave the safe spot, you’re exposed to different situations. Different situations give you new perspectives. Sometimes you meet people that inspire you. It’s not always the job or profession that inspires you, but especially in an exotic country, as far as my experience is concerned, it’s often the slower life that inspires me. The humbleness people live by. Despite often having much less money than we do in Western countries, the kindness they share with others inspires me. It reminds me more of who I am and what truly counts. It’s beyond making fast money and fame. It’s the easy life we crave. Solo traveling can help you develop or enhance this aspect of your life. 4)The journey back to yourself I don’t want to make it sound dramatic or poetic, but if we’re honest, we’re sometimes stuck in our own thinking patterns. We rely on people, or people rely on us. We may consciously or unconsciously people-please or compromise. Some people live up to the expectations of others their whole life without noticing it. Not that it’s bad; every life is worth living, but there may come a point where you feel tired of it. So solo traveling can help you connect with yourself, with your desires. You can eat when you wish to eat, and you can sleep when you wish to sleep. No compromise. No people-pleasing. Just living by your own terms which can give you time to re-evaluate what you want and what you value. The truth but also myth about solo travel: Solo travel doesn't mean you're alone But of course solo traveling isn't always as fancy. There can be moments of loneliness or helplessness. Although the more experienced you are, the less often you may feel them. Because that’s the myth. Solo travelling doesn’t mean you’re always alone unless you choose to. In fact, during solo travelling, most people open up. You’re alone, so now you become more open to people. You often become a more active observer. Once you overcome the initial shyness or awkwardness that can appear, you actually start smiling at people, and you engage with them. You realize there are tons of other solo travelers or travelers in general. Sometimes you can sit in a bar or coffee shop, and you start a conversation if the situation allows. Something, that groups may not always do as they tend to be involved in the group chat, less on other people. However, as always, this is no generalization. You can meet other people with or without a group. You can experience loneliness with or without a group, and I firmly believe that this is the essence and myth of solo travel. Just because you travel solo doesn’t mean you feel lonely. In fact, there can be such a deep trust. You can develop more self-confidence. You realize how everything and everyone is connected. Then really, the world suddenly becomes home. Of course, everyone may have a place, whether it be a home place or a place of their choice that they may call home, but once you solo travel, you may have the feeling that indeed the world is your home. You realize that people are not so different after all. Of course there are always exceptions and not all individuals may have the best intentions, but overall, no matter where you travel, people usually tend to long for similar things. Happiness. Peace. Health. Kindness. You realize humanity is not so different after all. And then you don’t really feel lonely anymore. Because you realize you can make friends and acquaintances anywhere. If you become your own best friend, and you appreciate yourself,you can become friends with others. That's the most beautiful thing. You first start to connect with yourself and then with others. Suddenly solo travel becomes more than just a trip, it's a way to reconnect back with yourself. As always, those are just my personal views and experiences how it made me become stronger, more adventurous and made me feel more connected to myself. Of course, some people may have different travel intentions and experiences than mentioned here, and that's equally fine.

I’m not saying influencers are harmful. Nevertheless, I’ve observed patterns that resulted from the influencer era that I find critical. Influencers are just manifestations of our subconscious beliefs, and they mirror or trigger them so perfectly. 1) You follow a trend thinking you’re cool. Your blogger posts the cream, the fancy bag? You want it too! They suggest you be cool or be someone! They often trigger our deepest subconscious patterns of not feeling lovable or needing something to be someone. However, it does not address whether the promoted brand operates sustainably or if the cream is genuinely beneficial for your health. Many creams have hormonal substances, which can even harm your health long-term. In the end, the influencer gets money for it. Even if they are lovable individuals, their actions are not solely driven by positive intentions or concern for your well-being. It’s profit. Your money is energy. You risk nurturing companies that destroy Earth. Is that you? Do you want to grow with your energy? Your energy is precious. Choose wisely where you invest your time and money. 2) You get so into a trend you forget your own dreams. You now think you need to follow each trend. But who says that’s your style? Some people do not only move further away from their dreams, but they also move further away from themselves. Who are you , deep down? They follow a crowd, and it stimulates our survival pattern. Belonging. The fear of being excluded. But that’s exactly the pattern: survival. It’s not thriving. Thriving means you act the way you want. It leaves cultural destruction. The blogger or influencer might post about the latest hotel cooperation in a fancy hotel in Bali or Costa Rica. People want to go there. The influencer got the money and has long departed, and the local culture is dealing with tourism influxes. Yes, they bring money to cultures. They can boost local economies, but let’s be honest. The intention to make a positive impact is not always the motivation behind this kind of tourism. It’s often selfish behavior. Now more tourists are coming. The destination is hyped. New hotels are being built, but is this development truly in the best interest of the community? And now you travel to a. Specific place because your influencer moves there? Isn't your intuition the one directing you there? Places hold energy. Intuitive travel can take you to places and activate you. Spark a memory. Touch your heart. If you consistently follow the path of the masses, you risk becoming just like them. You become exactly that. You become a follower of the crowd. Your mind becomes overstimulated. far away from the heart. Then we read in the news that more people struggle from mental illness and feeling lost—well, I’m not saying those are the only reasons, yet does it even surprise anyone? I’m not blaming the influencers; rather, I am critiquing our overall approach to life. 3) Obsession You now become so obsessed with following an influencer that you forget your life and dreams. Some may wake up checking what the influencer does. You focus on how the influencer lives, rather than taking a moment to appreciate yourself. It's important to check in with your own desires and dreams. You start feeling miserable seeing all those people chasing their dreams, but they do the opposite of you. They create. They don’t follow. A follower is a follower. A follower is not a creator. You can be inspired by someone but still choose for yourself what’s truly yours. Choose what truly resonates with your identity. The truth is you don’t need the bag or the cream to be cool or acceptable. It’s what society wants to suggest to you. Happiness and success are when you make as much money as possible and have fame and prestige. However, the true nature of happiness and success is often hidden behind closed doors. Some of the wealthiest people feel miserable deep inside. They portray their lives as perfect. But it’s far from that. They put on a smile for the camera. They often only reveal a grumpy face when the camera is off. I’ve experienced this by observing an influencer who acts that way. I’m not saying all influencers are like that. But let’s be honest: we’re all humans. We have good days and bad days. Back in the day, people went to church to follow or search for answers and follow certain beliefs. Today, it feels like people follow someone else to find something outside of themselves. Why? People have learned to trust someone else more than themselves. They look for happiness and answers outside of themselves. It takes only one day to realize that you cannot find happiness or answers on the outside. The lesson? Let yourself be inspired but don't forget to follow your own dreams. To create the life you want instead of simply following someone else's dream life. Feel free to share your thoughts and observations about it.