Tag: therapy

Radical Magazine

Issue 13 of Radical – Healing, Art, & Poetry

Impower You

Hello all you wonderful, fantastic, compassionate, creative humans. I’m stoked to share issue 13 of Radical Zine! Ooooh, that rhymes. – The summer issue honors artist and visionary Storme Webber and features a new section sharing some extra awesome articles. – Creative contributors include Jasmine Farrell, Lauren Elizabeth, Esmeralda Robles, Dee Words, Daisy Salinas, Iris Orpi, Kat Cassar, Samuel Gratton, Myself, and Steve Pleich. – The DIY healing lesson is about rediscovering our wildish femme centered natural self! I hope you enjoy this issue

Read it free on Issuu.com/RadicalArt.

Thank you to all my patrons on Patreon for supporting this community project to support artists and writers along with radical self-care resources. A special shout out to Deb Bailey of Women Entrepreneur’s Radio and Daisy Salinas of Muchacha Fanzine.

D.I.Y. Therapy, podcast

Episode 8: Calm Your Anxiety

Impower You

Listen to Episode 8 on my Breaker.audio page!

This podcast is about calming anxiety and taking control of your life. If this process doesn’t work for you, please continue researching for one that does. Below is a summary of my anxiety action plan.

Step One: Change your thoughts when you start to feel anxious.

Stay away from ‘What ifs’. Imagining the worst-case scenario doesn’t prepare us, it makes us anxious and scared.

Challenge negative thoughts with positive thoughts.

Stop overthinking. When we overthink, we live too little.

Step Two: Write a mantra that resonates with you.

This is the mantra I tell my anxiety: “I RECOGNIZE WHAT IS HAPPENING. MOVE OVER ANXIETY! I CHOOSE TO BE HEALTHY. I AM SAFE. I AM LOVED. I AM OKAY!”

Step Three: Take a break or continue on.

Slow your breathing back to normal and either continue with my task at hand or take a break and focus on something peaceful. Remembering positive experiences where you took control of your life or successfully completed a project really helps to KNOW that you really are okay now and will be okay no matter what happens.

I hope you find this podcast helpful on your own healing path. THANK YOU PATRONS for supporting my healing projects!!! If you aren’t a patron you can signup at Patreon.com/Loviedo and get rewards like e-books, journal questions, and art.

Peace and hugs, Leah

podcast

Episode 4: Losing My Codependency

Impower You

What is your self-care win this week? In this mini-podcast I talk about my self-care win of not being codependent. After a lifetime of acting codependent. Here is a story of how I lost my codependency last summer.

Listen to the podcast on Breaker.com

When a few of my friends moved away last summer, I was feeling sad and lonely. One of those friends didn’t say goodbye. I was hurt. For about two weeks I felt sorry for myself and wondered how soon I could make new friends. Then I remembered the quote “Just because you think you’re stuck, doesn’t mean you are.” (Coincidentally this was from a codependency group.) I meditated and set boundaries. I removed the phone number of the friend who didn’t feel the need to say goodbye and stopped following her on Instagram. The first two weeks were rough. I wanted to reach out, but I knew that I had reached out enough. I knew deep in my bones that it was time to let them go on with their journey. This happened quickly, but in reality it was years of therapy that brought me to this point.

Six months later, I haven’t feel codependent towards them or any of my friends. When I occasionally start feeling the need to reach out I first search for other options, like going for a hike by myself, or stopping at a cafe for a drink and a book or language study session. It’s amazing because I never realized that I could feel this way. I didn’t know that I was codependent or that I needed to work on this issue, but I am feeling like a real winner about it.

  • What is one if your self-care wins?
  • How are you at setting boundaries?
  • How often do you place your needs first, second, third to others?

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Thank you to all my patrons for supporting this podcast. Whether you give $1 or $32 per month, your support is inspiring. I hope you feel good about supporting the free healing projects I share with others. If you’re not a patron, consider becoming one for as little as $1 per month at Patreon.com/Loviedo .

podcast

Episode. 3: I’m a Fat, Ugly Loser

Impower You

I challenge you to stop that thought right now. Go look in the mirror and tell yourself “I am not a loser. I am a unique, beautiful, imperfect being and that is the truth.”

This mini-podcast is about challenging how we perceive ourselves and changing our inner dialogue. I believed the worst about myself for years and it totally wrecked my life.

Listen to the podcast on Breaker.com

Mirror work isn’t some fluffy idea, it’s used in professional therapy. Here is a link to learn more about mirror work. “Because the mirror reflects back to you the feelings you have about yourself. It makes you immediately aware of where you are resisting and where you are open and flowing…” from Louisehay.com/what-is-mirror-work/

I hope this podcast is helpful. If you have a comment, write it below and I will respond when I’m online.

Thanks to all my patrons for supporting this podcast and all my creative projects. If you’re not a patron check out the rewards you receive when you join me at Patreon.com/Loviedo.

Peace and hugs, Leah

Art, D.I.Y. Therapy, Empowering Discussions, Journal Prompts

Surround Yourself With….

Impower You

Surround yourself with loving words, thoughts, and actions. Just like I surrounded this pine tree with protective pine cones.

– What do I need to do to feel loved and supported?

– Do I have loved ones who support me?

– If not, how can I support myself?

Self-care means diving deep into our mental, emotional, and physical health. You can do this with journaling, meditation, and creativity. Do what feels healthy. Set boundaries with your addictions. If you need extra help, reach out to a loved one or mentor. Don’t hide when you need loving support. Ask for it.

Trunk of pine tree surrounded by carefully laid out pine cones in a circular pattern by Leah Oviedo

Peace and hugs, Leah

Find me on Patreon.com/Loviedo and on Ko-fi.com/Loviedo.

 

D.I.Y. Therapy, Empowering Discussions

Journaling & Art Therapy Course – Try It Free

Impower You

I’ve updated my Dive Deeper course to include more art and journaling. Check it out if you want to expand your self-care & dive deeper into feeling balanced & loved. Try the first lesson for free: .

If you want to continue the 3 month course it’s $9 per month. If not, you won’t receive anything more from me, won’t be added to any lists, and your email address will not be saved.

Banner with words Dive Deeper Course, uncover the root of your depression or apathy.

Empowering Discussions

When You Feel Broke, Friendless, As If You Have Wasted Your Life

Impower You

A friend who is in the heavy part of her emotional and mental health recovery sent me this letter and response post. It resonated with me so much I had to share. 

Here is part of the letter that really stands out to me, “..I truly feel like a ghost. No one knows who I am or where I’ve been. I haven’t kept a friend, lover, or foe around long enough to give anyone a chance. What’s the point? I don’t care for my job. I’m not building toward anything, and I don’t have the time or money to really invest in what I care about anyway at this point. On top of that, society is telling me my value as a woman is fading fast…”

Here is part of the response to a woman who felt broke, friendless and as if she had wasted her life. “When you face your shame with an open heart, you’re on a path to art, on a path to finding joy and misery and fear and hope in the folds of your day….but you can take that feeling and keep it company instead of letting it eat you alive. ” – https://www.thecut.com/2018/11/im-broke-and-friendless-and-ive-wasted-my-whole-life.html

  1. Dive into your emotions, fears, regrets and scars.
  2. Feel your shame, doubt and self-hatred.
  3. Learn why you feel so many unwanted things.
  4. Seek help and research how you can heal.
  5. Commit to changing the direction of your story.

I’m an artist and writer with a focus on art therapy. 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 free creative healing projects, like “Cultivating Radical Self-Love: A Collaboration of Healers, Artists & Writers“.

A multicoolored background with the words "Dive deeper Self-Care Challenge - uncover the root of your apathy or suffering."
D.I.Y. Therapy

Self-Care Win – What’s Yours?

Impower You

Self-care is the greatest idea, especially if you grew into a codependent adult like I did.  Wow has it been a struggle to place my needs first. It’s been one hell of a journey! These days, I succeed 90% of the time. 

For example: When a few of my friends moved away this summer, I was feeling sad and lonely. One of those friends didn’t say goodbye. I was hurt. For about two weeks I felt sorry for myself and wondered how soon I could make new friends. Then I remembered the quote “Just because you think you’re stuck, doesn’t mean you are.” (Coincidentally this was from a codependency group.) I meditated and set boundaries. I removed the phone number of the friend who didn’t feel the need to say goodbye and stopped following her on Instagram. The first week was rough. I wanted to reach out, but I knew that I had reached out enough. I knew deep in my bones that it was time to let them go on with their journey.

For the past two months, I haven’t feel codependent towards her or any of my friends. When I start feeling the need to reach out I look for other options, like going for a hike by myself, or stopping at a cafe for a drink and a book or language study session. It’s amazing because I never realized that I could feel this way. I didn’t know that I was codependent or that I needed to work on this issue, but I am feeling like a real winner about it.

What is one if your self-care wins?

How are you at setting boundaries?

How often do you place your needs first, second, third to others?

collage of hummingbird surrounded by

I’m an artist and writer with a focus on art therapy. 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 Journey E-course, my monthly “Radical” e-zine and other free creative healing projects, like “Cultivating Radical Self-Love: A Collaboration of Healers, Artists & Writers“.

D.I.Y. Therapy

DIY Therapy: Biological Response of Love and Love of Self

Impower You

Love is an emotion, a biological response that encourages species survival. With love, parents care for and protect their children and children care for their elderly parents. A love of self is also a biological response that encourages survival in personal self-care. So let’s strengthen the naturally occurring sense of self-love. with daily actions.

Create a daily routine of self-love. If necessary set three reminders per day. Saturating yourself with love in the early stages of healing or recovery will keep you from going down that unwanted, unhealthy space. Set the calendar on your phone to remind you. If you can’t do that, put sticky notes by your bed, at your desk, in your pockets, on the fridge, wherever you will see those. You can even do this with your friends and be support for each other.

When writing affirmations or love-notes your own voice and preferred words. Below are examples for you to use or build upon.

Morning Affirmation: 

“This morning I choose to love myself unconditionally. Today is a gift that I am ready to receive. I choose to let go of drama and anger. I will live this day in love and compassion. I am deserving of self-love.”

Afternoon Affirmation:

“Despite any negative thoughts so far today, I must remember to love myself unconditionally. I know that I am loved and supported by true friends and family. I also know that I am not here to be perfect, I am here to be myself.”

Evening Affirmation:

“Today I practiced self-love because I know that. I am loved, that I am capable of loving myself, and that I am made of love. I choose to celebrate my successes and to accept my failures. I go to sleep knowing deep in my bones that I am capable of creating my best life and that I can handle whatever comes my way.”

It was many years of practice, failure, and success to become a loving person to my self. It was even more years of stretching to share that love with others. Now that I am fully aware that I can be my own hero, I can hold space for others. I hope this inspires you to continue your journey until you also reach this awareness.

Peace and hugs, Leah

 If you desire extra support to stay on top of your self-care practice, check out my 3 month challenge: Dive Deeper Into Self-Care.

I’m an artist and writer with a focus on art therapy. 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 free creative healing projects, like “Cultivating Radical Self-Love: A Collaboration of Healers, Artists & Writers“.

*You can also receive also receive art in the mail for a higher contribution.

Empowering Discussions

Forgetting to Be Present in My Self-Care Practice

Impower You
I admit to failing in my self-love practice. I’ve been focusing on what I don’t have and what is unwanted in my life instead of focusing on what is present. A good friend called me out on what I was saying and doing. She has also been through recovery, and said that for her practicing being present on a daily basis is necessary. She is spot on. I’m always asking people if they are practicing self-care regularly. But am I? Yes and no. I practice mindfulness and positive affirmations daily, and remember to eat healthy and move my body. That’s not enough though. I need to think in the present each day. Solely from her reminder about being in the present, my mood changed. On my walk home I focused on what I have and felt the heaviness that was pushing me down lighten quite a bit.
I journal throughout the week too and that is often when I have a breakthrough thought. These aren’t always huge “Ah-Ha!” moments, but they are breakthroughs when I feel muddled. When I journal, I write everything that comes to mind and eventually it all connects together. I highly recommend journaling.
So the next time you feel stuck, do something; journal, talk with a friend, read a favorite book, break out your self-care tools and find something that helps.
 If you want to dive deeper into self-care or are searching for new tools and resources, check out my free D.I.Y. Therapy E-Course. You can go at it on your own, or sign up for free and have weekly lessons emailed to you.

I’m an artist and writer with a focus on art therapy. 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“.

*You can also receive also receive art in the mail for a higher contribution.