Healing through art & therapy! I used to be depressed and codependent with very low self worth and many unhealthy habits. But several years ago I started the healing process and am sharing what I learned with gratitude and hope for each of us. Peace & hugs, Leah
My self love practice includes learning about the parts of my heart I don’t understand. It’s not an enjoyable process, but I know from experience that it creates more peace in my life.
Is your self-love practice more than manicures and meditation? Are you stretching yourself?
I know how difficult it is when you don’t have a support group close by. Mine is quite scattered. I feel lonely very often, but I know that I am worth the moon and the stars. We, the lonely people need and deserve to love ourselves completely, totally, fully as much as anyone does. Keep trying and I will hold your heart in my heart.
If you desire extra support, check out my free D.I.Y. Therapy E-Course to dive deeper into self-care.
Looking for an inspiring, thoughtful magazine to read? Issue seven of Radical is here.
This issue boasts seven contributors of art and poetry. They are Inisa Fajra, Gia M. Hamilton, Jacq, Iris Orpi, Jasmine Farrell, Amanda Kizemart and Leah Oviedo.
Our theme is self-care in activism this issue. Whether you are creating sustainable change on the streets, a home, or work, it is vital to practice a self-care routine so you don’t burn out. I hope this issue inspires you to love yourself unconditionally and take a moment every day to rejuvenate your heart and mind. You are worth it. You can download the new issue on Patreon.com.
Our world is at a tipping point of changing our global story. We are recognizing the narratives that surround us. We are becoming aware that narratives influence how we perceive not only ourselves, but other groups of people. Narratives can be positive or damaging. The story of “us” springs from many sources, history, religion, culture, education, family and community. The narrative of those who are Black/African-American is being challenged through movements like #BlackLivesMatter. The narratives of those who are LGBTQ is being challenged through political campaigns like marriage equality. The narratives of women and victims of sexual assault are being challenged through movements like #MeToo. These movements are shifting narratives from negative to positive and bringing visibility to those who are oppressed. Our global society needs to become aware of these narratives for a truly equal and healthy society.
We also need to change the narratives in our own lives. If our narrative is centered around self-hate, fear or doubt, then our stories will be filled with negativity. So, how do we change our narrative? The first step is simple. We pay attention to our actions, words and thoughts. The second step is where the real work begins. We have to dive deep into our narrative to realign what we do say and think. We have to read between the lines, search our personal history and recognize our privilege. We each have different narratives including personal and cultural. I encourage you to open you eyes a little wider and discover if your narrative is enriching or diminishing your life.
On my journey of healing from depression and trauma, I had to open up to my narrative. In recovery I learned to take control and change my narrative from being a victim to becoming my own hero. It is a challenge that I consciously choose to accept. Each time I have changed my narrative; from self-hate to self-love, from ugly to beautiful, from poor to rich; my life has improved. This is not easy. It’s been scary. I’ve had to go into my shadowy spots and relive trauma that was painful. Recovery is a process that can take months or years depending on how deep you are into addiction, trauma, or illness. The most obvious reward is a renewed sense of living.
The more obscure reward is connecting to people I never would have met and cultivating a deeper relationship with family and friends. By understanding my own narrative, I am more compassionate and empathetic to the narratives of others. The experience has been beautiful and sorrowful. In the past, learning about inequality turned me toward apathy. However, because of my recovery I can finally rise up and do something. The saying that you can’t help others until you help yourself, is truer than true. Each day I am writing my own future and holding space for others to write theirs.
I was inspired to write this post after learning about the Reclaiming Native Truth project from the First Nations Development Institute. As a grassroots activist in San Diego, CA, I meet a variety of people, but rarely meet Native Americans. Their struggle has always been present in my life because I have relatives and a few friends who are indigenous to this land. I am aware of the lack of visibility in our modern narrative, how they are portrayed in the media, and the struggles they face. This bothers me. I hope that through actions like this, others will be inspired to learn about what it means to be a modern Native American citizen. Together we can change the narrative.
Most days I wake up ready for the world. Some days I wake up exhausted from trying to create a life that I own. Either way, I’m only here today. Tomorrow is not guaranteed. So, I feel all the things, try my best to release what doesn’t support me, allow my friends to have their own space, and give myself hugs each day. I love myself because I am finally making my dreams a reality and I have learned so much.
Be a writer. Check.
Be an artist. Check.
Learn how to heal truama. Check.
Lean how to grieve healthily. Check.
Learn how to be my own best friend. Check.
Learn how to play guitar. Check.
Travel to a foreign country by myself. Check.
I still have a lot to learn, but I can feel pride in knowing what I have learned so far. As the song lyrics go, I don’t know where I’m going, but I know where I’ve been. For you, I hope today you wake up feeling ready for the world. I’ll hold space for you, but you need to hold space for yourself.
I dedicate this poem to all my friends and family who are trying. I love you….
Thank you for subscribing to my blog. I hope you find the content worthy of your time.
I made his heart with seaweed on a beautiful sunny day at the beach. It’s one of my favorite pieces, even though I’m not usually a fan of heart designs. I love creating art outside because it is a calming experience, akin to meditation for me. It is also non-toxic, doesn’t create waste and the supplies are free so everyone can make art.
You can receive postcards or prints of this piece by becoming a patron of my work on Patreon.com/Loviedo.
“Life presents us with opportunities to love ourselves breath by breath, hour by hour, day by day.” Jason Freeman.
This quote resonated with me so much. After years of hating myself because I thought I was simply a flawed, broken being with no hope of being different, practicing self-love saved my life.
Awkwardly Awesome: Embracing My Imperfect Best, by Jason W. Freeman is worth a read. There don’t seem to be many books that encourage men to practice self-love. At least I haven’t seen any. Usually I see books for men on topics of succeeding in terms of money, careers or romance. It is refreshing to read about Jason’s experience with learning to love himself, find his passion in life, take risks, transform his life and not see his disabilities as bad. Instead he embraces his imperfections so much they have become his strengths.
I bought Jason’s book at his book launch last summer. But I didn’t read it until this summer because I was traveling for the last 9 months. I didn’t have room in my backpack for books which was a painful decision since I can easily read a few books each month. I was pleasantly surprised to see his book when I returned home and unpacked my box of books.
It is an easy read with journal questions and pages with each chapter. I recommend this for any man who feels awkward, unloved, apathetic and ready for a transformation. If you know a man who is searching for more from life, this might be the best gift you can give him. Personally, I am saving this for my nephew, when he graduates high school.
I will start with this disclaimer: Sunny mindfulness doesn’t need to be cheerful.
One of my favorite things to do is when it’s not roasting outside, is sit in the sun and get a warm Vitamin D bath. Last week I turned sitting into the sun into a mindfulness practice. So let’s get started.
Find a place, any place that is sunny, where you can comfortably sit or stand.
Get comfortable, but not so comfortable that you fall asleep.
Start with three deep breaths. All the way into your belly. Make these good, long breaths to help your body slow down.
Roll your shoulders, and gently shift your head from side to side. Wiggle your arms at your side, wiggle your toes and stretch out your legs. Now relax.
Notice where the sun is falling on your body. Is it everywhere or just certain parts? How does it feel? Is it warming you up or do you barely notice it?
Wherever it feels good, breathe into that space. Focus on the sensations in your body by scanning your body from the tip of your toes to the top of your scalp.
Enjoy this moment. Be grateful that you have time to stop and be present.
Listen to the message of your body. Notice where you feel pressure, aches, warmth, coolness, any feeling at all. Notice it, but don’t worry about it. All you need to do now is enjoy the sunshine.
Stay here until you want to move into the next moment of your beautiful life. Once that moment arrives, take a deep breath. Visualize the air moving down into your belly filling you up with delicious oxygen. Watch as it moves up your stomach, through your lungs, into your throat and then set it free.
Wish yourself well, thank the sun, and be on your way.
Thank you for subscribing to my blog. I hope you find the content worthy of your time. If you like this post and want more, become a patron of my work at Patreon.com/loviedo
“Everybody’s life is valuable and we can’t lose sight of that or else we lose our humanity.” Dr. Tom.
This is a quote from a documentary The Heart of Nuba. While I tend to shy away from movies about “white saviors in Africa”, this quote really stuck with me. I like to think I would risk my life for others, but that thought seems completely irrelevant when compared to people who regularly put their life on the line.
This movie follows a Tom Catena, a surgeon from the USA living and working in Sudan, Africa. He is part of a community under siege by their own government. Bombs are dropped regularly, people are maimed or killed, and families are traumatized. This is on top of other health concerns. Tom, along a team of nurses and medical staff is the only surgeon within 200 miles. He seems very committed to his work, despite the danger of being blown up and rarely being able to see his family.
What makes someone stay in a situation like this?
How do some of us choose work that is so stressful, yet has such impact?
Why is it so easy to watch a documentary like this and continue on with our lives as they have been?
He could leave if he chose, but if so people would die. I cannot watch the violence in a numb sort of horror without wondering why our species hasn’t been able to eradicate war.
You can watch the trailer here: https://youtu.be/Iova_etOUeQ Perhaps it will inspire you to be more compassionate towards others.
I’m SUPER EXCITED to share a preview of my upcoming book with you.
I will be publishing my book in October. In this preview, you can enjoy twelve of my original poems and illustrated poems plus bonus illustrations in this free preview. If you want to help me publish this book you can make a one time donation or become a monthly patron. If you give $60, I will send you a signed paperback book one it is published and a complimentary e-book for Kindle or Nook. Visit my Books page to download and give.
Summer is here and I am feeling rejuvenated. During my 8 months of traveling I realized that changes in my life and work were necessary. One of those changes was to improve Radical. I really want this zine to be successful in it’s mission of encouraging self-care practices and promoting independent artists.
The most obvious change is switching to a bi-monthly format. This will give me more time to promote the zine and increase the content. Thank you for reading Radical. I hope it inspires you to live your truth. The theme this issue is peace and includes work by Iris Orpi. You can download the new issue on my Patreon page.
Individual Empowerment 