Author: Impower You

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
Art

Video Tutorial: How To Make Zero Waste Art

Impower You
 I love creating art, but I don’t like all the waste that I create when I use pens and paint. Thankfully I stumbled upon a zero-waste alternative in the outdoors. Nature offers us a plethora of art supplies.
 Not only is outside art non-toxic, it is free. Anybody can create art and by capturing it with a camera, can sell prints of their art. I’m definitely not the first person to realize this, but I am grateful to have the experience of stumbling across a giant peace sign and heart that had been made of rocks and bricks, and left in the canyon by my house. Those random pieces of art inspired me and sent me on a new journey with art. 
 Here is a short video of my process.
What are you waiting for?
Peace and hugs, Leah
P.S. See more of my art on Redbubble or Get art in the mail every month on my Patreon page.

I’m an artist and writer on a mission to bring healing arts into the mainstream. If you would like to support my heart work, please consider becoming a monthly patron on Patreon.com/Loviedo. For $1 a month, you can fund programs like my D.I.Y. Therapy: Healing Depression E-course, my bi-monthly zine, “Radical” and other creative healing projects, like “Cultivating Radical Self-Love: A Collaboration of Healers, Artists & Writers“.

 

Travel

Returning Home

Impower You
On one hand, being in another country for six weeks didn’t seem very long to me after traveling nonstop for several months.  On the other hand, six weeks in a country I had never visited where the majority spoke a language that I barely grasped, seemed way too long.Now that I have returned to San Diego, I feel like six weeks was just perfect for my first adventure in Costa Rica. Yes, I could have stayed a little longer, but I feel so fresh and rejuvenated that I am experiencing an exorbitant amount of gratitude for that time. While I was there, I painted a mural, built a garden fence, helped build a foot bridge and made new friends. Monkeys climbed trees outside my room, toucans were as common as seagulls and I saw a pizote, an animal that doesn’t exist in North America.

My life before Costa Rica consisted of hours in front of a computer or tied to my phone, constant activities, errands to run and a feeling of never doing enough. For the last six weeks, I had none of that. Instead I experienced a slower pace, a different culture and a physical renewal from living in the jungle. I was relaxed on a daily basis. This latest adventure was uniquely beautiful and uniquely quiet. I didn’t zipline across the jungle or summit mountains. I wasn’t there for thrills. I was gifted an opportunity for something new and I never want to forget that.

With my return and my gratitude, I will give a little extra to all of my patrons. This May when you receive your perks in the mail, you will receive a bonus art print. This print is of a nature piece I made while in Costa Rica(image below). You will either receive a print size of 5×7 or 8×10, depending on your contribution level. (If you aren’t a patron, sign up today to receive art prints delivered to you each month).

To all my patrons, thank you so much for supporting my art and writing these past months. Without your support it would be much more difficult and not as inspiring.

 

I’m an artist and writer on a mission to bring healing arts into the mainstream. If you would like to support my heart work, please consider becoming a monthly patron on Patreon.com/Loviedo. For $1 a month, you can fund programs like my D.I.Y. Therapy: Healing Depression E-course, my monthly “Radical” e-zine and other creative healing projects, like “Cultivating Radical Self-Love: A Collaboration of Healers, Artists & Writers“.

D.I.Y. Therapy, Journal Prompts, Poetry

Cultivating Support – Journal Prompt

Impower You
As I embark on an adventure in Costa Rica, I have started journaling what I need for the next six weeks. Whether you are going on an adventure or just need more support in your daily life, I encourage you to start journaling. Write and manifest the support you need for your emotional and physical health.
  • What do I need to feel loved?
  • Am I receiving sufficient support from myself?
  • Which of my needs require support from others?
  • Who can I call for support when I feel sad or apathetic?
  • Which people in my network are able to support specific goals?
  • How can I reach out to my support system? Via phone, text, email or in person?
  • How much alone time do I need and how much socializing do I need?
  • Which self-care tools do I enjoy the most?
  • Do I need to set stronger boundaries? If so, where?
These are just a handful of questions that can help you focus on what you need. You don’t have to answer all at once, but the deeper you dive into your self-care/recovery work the more you benefit. This is a journal prompt you can do more than once. Bookmark this page in your journal to remind you that is okay, in fact it is necessary to feel supported and to ask for support when you need it.
Peace and hugs, Leah
If you like this journal prompt, you can read more on my Patreon page.  You can have access to even more once you become a patron. Be sure to check out the rewards you can receive when you pledge $3 or more each month.

I’m an artist and writer on a mission to bring healing arts into the mainstream. If you would like to support my heart work, please consider becoming a monthly patron on Patreon.com/Loviedo. For $1 a month, you can fund programs like my D.I.Y. Therapy: Healing Depression E-course, my monthly “Radical” e-zine and other creative healing projects, like “Cultivating Radical Self-Love: A Collaboration of Healers, Artists & Writers“.

Like the image above? It’s in my free coloring book, “Peace, Love and Weirdness”. Click Here to Download the Free PDF and color away.

Radical Magazine

Update: April Issue of Radical

Impower You
Because of my trip to Costa Rica and my need to rejuvenate my heart and soul, there will not be an issue of Radical for April this year. Radical will resume publication in May! In the meantime, if you want some radical inspiration, check out these previous and regular contributors to the zine.
Inisa Fajra – Instagram.com/phenowomenally
Iris Orpi – Twitter.com/irisorpi 
Kendal Fong – Instagram.com/kendalistrash 
Blanca Vergara – Blancavergara.com 
D.I.Y. Therapy: Healing Depression – Impoweryou.org/healing-depression 
Thank you for subscribing to Radical. You can read all the past issues in the post area on Patreon.com/Loviedo, on my blog: Impoweryou.org/radical, and follow on Facebook.com/radicalzine.
Peace and hugs, Leah

I’m an artist and writer on a mission to bring healing arts into the mainstream. If you would like to support my heart work, please consider becoming a monthly patron on Patreon.com/Loviedo. For $1 a month, you can fund programs like my D.I.Y. Therapy: Healing Depression E-course, my monthly “Radical” e-zine and other creative healing projects, like “Cultivating Radical Self-Love: A Collaboration of Healers, Artists & Writers“.

Empowering Discussions

Mindful Eating Practice – Filling Your Plate With Mindful Intention

Impower You
Food is so ingrained in our daily lives that it’s easy to eat without being mindful of what exactly we are putting in our bodies. This week I encourage you to pay close attention to your diet.
My diet used to revolve around three goals; eat to be full, buy the cheapest food, and buy tasty/comfort food. When I chose to spend a month not eating meat, I noticed changes in my body. For me, eating vegetarian felt better. I had more energy and didn’t feel indigestion as often. I chose to stick with a vegetarian diet. As my knowledge about food progressed, I begun to pay more attention and eventually cut out dairy because it doesn’t agree with me.
Now I choose to be more picky when it comes to what I consume. My diet revolves around three new goals; eat nutritious food, buy organic as often as possible, and be conscious of the waste created by my food choices.
Here are some notes and questions to cultivate a mindful food practice:
  • When eating, slow down and savor the taste and texture of your food.
  • Notice whether you have a preference for salty or sweet foods.
  • Notice how different foods make you feel.
  • Why are you eating? Is it because you are hungry, anxious, or bored?
  • Do you eat on a schedule or do you often skip meals?
  • Do you snack without thinking or plan your snacks ahead?
  • Are you eating for nutrition or comfort?
If you want to dive deeper into what you consume, journal about your food for a week or a month. Record what, when, how and why you eat, and how your diet makes you feel.
Peace and hugs, Leah
If you like this mindfulness practice, you can read more on my Patreon page.  You can have access to even more content once you become a patron. Be sure to check out the rewards you can receive when you pledge $3 or more each month.

I’m an artist and writer on a mission to bring healing arts into the mainstream. If you would like to support my heart work, please consider becoming a monthly patron on Patreon.com/Loviedo. For $1 a month, you can fund programs like my D.I.Y. Therapy: Healing Depression E-course, my monthly “Radical” e-zine and other creative healing projects, like “Cultivating Radical Self-Love: A Collaboration of Healers, Artists & Writers“.

 

 

Like this image? You can download it for free on my coloring book page! https://impoweryou.org/color/
Radical Magazine

FREE: March Issue of Radical: Growing Into Our Strengths

Impower You

Personal growth is our theme this month. Inside you can enjoy poetry, art and healing exercises that encourage us to take risks and leaps to discover what we are made of. Contributors in March are Inisa Fajra, Iris Orpi and myself. Download the March issue on my Patreon page.

 

*Call for submissions: If you would like to submit art or writing to a future issue, use the Contact page. The theme for May is Peace. You can submit work between April 18-25.

Read previous issues on the Radical Zine page.

I’m an artist and writer on a mission to bring healing arts into the mainstream. If you would like to support my heart work, please consider becoming a monthly patron on Patreon.com/Loviedo. As a patron, you can fund programs like my D.I.Y. Therapy: Healing Depression E-course, my monthly “Radical” e-zine and other creative healing projects, like “Cultivating Radical Self-Love: A Collaboration of Healers, Artists & Writers“.

Travel

My Bag is Packed

Impower You

I won’t be able to post much the next six weeks as I will be out of the country.

I chopped my hair even shorter and gave myself layers so my curls could bounce. I needed an easy, dry and go hairstyle for the six weeks I will be working in Costa Rica. My bag is packed and I am ready to fly.

I always thought that I couldn’t travel because I didn’t earn enough money. Through Workaway.info, my family, odd jobs and patrons of my art I am finally traveling and doing so with an abundant mindset.

Thank you to everyone who has and continues to support me. I love you. If you need support, check out my free e-course on healing through depression.

I will return to the states near the end of April and be back in SoCal for a while, at least until it warms up. I’m so excited to speak Spanish on a daily basis!

Paz y abrazos, Leah

 

I’m an artist and writer on a mission to bring healing arts into the mainstream. If you would like to support my heart work, please consider becoming a monthly patron on Patreon.com/Loviedo. For $1 a month, you can fund programs like my D.I.Y. Therapy: Healing Depression E-course, my monthly “Radical” e-zine and other creative healing projects, like “Cultivating Radical Self-Love: A Collaboration of Healers, Artists & Writers“.

Empowering Discussions

Printable Poster – Abuquerque Sol – Nature Art/Photograpy

Impower You

Have you heard of printable posters? They are all over Etsy! I love technology. With the ease and quality of home printing, it’s simple to turn almost any photo into a high quality poster from your home printer. Here is my first printable poster, available for a donation amount of your choice. < Click bellow the photo to print the poster. >

Like this poster? It can printed with a standard printer, color ink and glossy paper for a quality poster you can hang up wherever you like. Print it: Albuquerque Sol Poster Leah Oviedo 2018

If you print my art, I always appreciate payment for my work. You can make a one time or monthly art donation to me at https://www.patreon.com/loviedo.

You can also buy this poster or put the design on t-shirts-, cups, clocks, journals and more through my shop on Redbubble.com/people/oviedo

Peace and hugs, Leah Oviedo

…

I’m an artist and writer on a mission to bring healing arts into the mainstream. If you would like to support my heart work, please consider becoming a monthly patron on Patreon. As a patron, you can fund programs like my D.I.Y. Therapy: Healing Depression E-course, my monthly “Radical” e-zine and other creative healing projects, like “Cultivating Radical Self-Love: A Collaboration of Healers, Artists & Writers“.

Empowering Discussions

A Letter To My Sisters Who Are Suffering

Impower You

Please listen to these words. Don’t just hear them, listen.

You are whole. Deep inside you have all the knowledge you need to live healthy and loving. 

I can see that truth resonating out of you. I can also see that you have forgotten. It’s okay. You are okay. I forgot too. For so long I thought I was bad, that I made bad choices, that I was unhealthy, unwhole. I thought ‘if only’ and ‘shouldn’t have’, ‘should have’ and ‘why didn’t I choose better?’. We are not bad for thinking that, but we don’t have to think that. We are okay. We are not bad, we are not wrong. We are good and we are deserving.

 You are whole, but maybe part of your mind is telling you lies. Maybe your mental immune system is under attack. Maybe you are seeing things that aren’t there. Maybe you are believing things that aren’t true. I don’t know what you are going through. I can only guess and imagine your pain. Yet I know pain and depression, and what it’s like to have my mental immune system under attack. I lived in fear, depression, doubt and lies for most of my life. One day I chose to heal. I chose to be open to other ways of living.  From what I can feel and see of you, it seems like you might be ready to open up to something new, something beautiful and healing too.

 I will hold your hand and walk with you. I will hold your heart and love you unconditionally. Without judgement I will hold space for you to choose what you need. You are whole and deep inside you know what you need. Deep inside you know how to love yourself.

 

 

I’m an artist and writer on a mission to bring healing arts into the mainstream. If you would like to support my heart work, please consider becoming a monthly patron on Patreon.com/Loviedo. For $1 a month, you can fund programs like my D.I.Y. Therapy: Healing Depression E-course, my monthly “Radical” e-zine and other creative healing projects, like “Cultivating Radical Self-Love: A Collaboration of Healers, Artists & Writers“.

Empowering Discussions, Poetry

Four Actions to Cultivate Body Positivity

Impower You

Every time I walk past issues of Cosmo and other “women’s” magazines, I cringe. Mainstream media has become a teeny bit better about showing different body types, but are still full of ads and articles that body shame, in a sneaky way. I flipped through Cosmo and saw a page encouraging women to not shave their vaginal area. Yet they made sure to sneak in an advertisement for a new razor. Since February is about love (and African-American history), here are four actions you can take to encourage body positivity and self-care.

 You are the only person who can love yourself unconditionally. The choice is up to you. Below are a few practices to guide you.

  1. Start recording compliments. Every time someone, even your parents, compliment you on anything, write it in your journal. Or if you don’t have a journal start writing the compliments on paper and see how many you can collect in a week. The trick with this is that you must read the compliments later. Set a reminder on our phone to read those compliments every 7 days. Do it now! Put this book down and set a reminder to start collecting compliments. Then set a reminder a week from now and set a reminder to read the compliments.
  2. Find or take a photo of yourself when you look your best. Hang that picture up where you can see it daily and remind yourself that you look good! If you don’t have a good photo or your camera sucks, get a professional picture taken or ask one of your friends who can has a good camera.
  3. Stop the butt cycle. Yes, the stinky butt cycle. You know when someone compliments you and you reply, “thank you, but…”? That’s a stinky butt. Stop yourself from saying that. Each time you say that, pinch yourself. When you receive a compliment the only thing you need to say is “Thank you”.
  4. Surround yourself with people who support you. If you have friends or family that put you down, then you need some distance. If someone is consistently hurtful, then you need to cut those ties temporarily or permanently.

This is an excerpt from the new book, Cultivating Radical Self-Love: A Collaboration of Healers, Artists and Writers. Download the free e-book version at https://www.patreon.com/posts/book-launch-self-16085856

If you want to learn more about body positivity and find support, I highly recommend the following resources for creating body positivity: 

The Love Warrior Community: http://www.lovewarriorcommunity.com  

Rae Across America: https://www.facebook.com/RaeAcrossAmerica

Peace and hugs, Leah

I’m an artist and writer on a mission to bring healing arts into the mainstream. If you would like to support my heart work, please consider becoming a monthly patron on Patreon. As a patron, you can use and fund projects like my D.I.Y. Therapy: Healing Depression E-course, my monthly Radical e-zine, future books and other creative healing projects, like “Cultivating Radical Self-Love: A Collaboration of Healers, Artists & Writers“.