Alchemizing into Flow State

It’s my day off but really that just means a day to focus on my purpose. Lately, I’ve been super intentional about my time. I use it to heal, to grow, and most importantly — to create. 🙂

It’s blissful to finally be in the groove with my soul’s work. You guys have witnessed my ups and downs with productivity; fighting and eventually coming to terms with the lulls in my creativity. I finally managed to surrender and rest. And through that journey, I came out on the other side, to this highly inspired chapter. I can’t lie — though I honor all of my seasons, the season of “doing” is my favorite.

I’ve been bursting with inspiration and actually taking action on it. I can’t do everything at once, but I have a solid list I’m working towards. Each day that I’m not at my job, or each morning that I’m free, I’m happily chipping away at those projects. I’ve been reflecting lately on what I went through to finally reach this flow state.

I took time to rest, to sit back as ideas moved through me that I couldn’t find the words for. I critiqued myself for not producing, and learned to love myself harder through that. I became deeply frustrated with my day job and looked for ways out that didn’t align with my purpose. I had some trauma resurface. I fell, diving head first into my calling.

I didn’t really have a choice, because creating is what I need to heal. That is how I know this is my purpose. Because through this work I make sense of things, bring light to my own darkness, and hopefully inspire you to seek within as well.

The only way out is through. And as I navigate some difficulties with the goal of alchemizing them into something useful and beautiful, I naturally realign. By that I mean: I remember who the fuck I am. I am a creator, and so are you.

Each season has a purpose. Each feeling matters. Each experience is a teacher. May we continue to alchemize them into something beautiful — whatever that means for you.

xxGabriela

Latest Work:

Video: My Breathwork Experience

In this video I talk about my experience with breathwork (thus far). I have tried doing it with an online course, and recently in a class format. I share my current experience with some troubling emotions & how breathwork has helped me. I also discuss why it’s important to tune into our bodies and to process our feelings.

Also available on the Freedom-Based Living podcast via anchor or anywhere else podcasts are found.

Watch

Ep. 18: Appreciating the Journey

In this podcast I talk about how we can appreciate where we currently are in life. Constantly chasing success can sometimes cause us to lose touch with the gifts of the present. I offer some advice on how to get in touch with where we are today.

Listen

Curiosity Feels

I struggled to come up with a topic for today’s newsletter, primarily because I’ve been going through some decision making and feeling unclear.

I like to share clarity and positivity when I write these emails, but that’s just one part of me, which is less prevalent on some days.

If I’m honest, there are just as many parts of me that are unsure, scared, saddened, angry, apathetic — you name it. And it is generally more difficult to accept and hold space for those emotions which we may deem as “negative.”

Generally, we are all more comfortable in the light, and may struggle to truly experience the discomforts of certain feelings — which is why it’s a lifelong challenge to create room for their expression as they emerge.

I’ve found that in some ways, the more I work on myself and the more aware I become of how powerful the mind is in shifting my experience, the more responsibility I bare on my shoulders to think and be positive.

While I definitely advocate for all the goodness that comes along with a positive mindset, it’s just as important to witness and be honest with our current experience, whatever that may be.

Rather than trying to bypass it and immediately reach for a positive thought and feeling, we can begin to get curious about the emotions that come up.

Some questions to ponder are:

What am I feeling right now and how is it showing up in my body?
What does it look like?
What thoughts, if any, lead me to that emotion?
If this feeling were to talk, what would it share? (Allow yourself to get playful with this. You can give different parts of you names, voices, and whatever modes of expression you want to explore).

Oftentimes it’s more than one feeling or part of you that comes up , so be mindful of that, and feel free to explore the unique characteristics of each.

All feelings are equally valuable and can teach us something important. For example, anger can often indicate where there’s room to shift and honor our boundaries. Uncertainty shows us that there’s a realm of possibilities and opportunities available to us.

And sometimes, we just don’t know what they are trying to teach or how to even move forward, and that’s something to witness, too.

The more curious we get, the more the judgement fades away, creating space for the feelings to move through freely so they can begin to shift.

I hope this can be helpful to some of you. It certainly was the reminder I needed myself.

Like always, feel free to reach out! And remember to stay curious.

Tipping the Scale

I recently recorded a podcast about creativity, intuition, and co-creating with higher source.

It was inspired by a desire to express my creativity in different forms. While I have a little routine down of writing and making videos, my intuition led me to see what other ways I could share my message, and I was called to try podcasting again, which felt very fluid and free.

It’s good to step out of our comfort zones as creatives, to play, and to not be so rigid with our work and ourselves. As I have shared, I’m working on dropping the strict demands I have on myself to create a certain type of content on schedule (when it isn’t feeling good or aligned), and to let my work feel energizing and fun!

I would like to explore what it means to be a “hard worker” in a much different way. To view my projects as “play” and as a time to connect with higher source, using my passions as a form of mediation. Perhaps by tipping the scale in this playful direction, I will actually find balance between freedom and tangible results.

It’s a process that requires intuition, self-compassion, enthusiasm, and drive.

If you yourself are a creative, or are just curious about exploring your own intuition when it comes to creating or making decisions, then check out the podcast here.

On Change

We’ve all heard it before: change is inevitable. I tend to seek change before it comes looking, sweeping the rug of comfortability from under me. But this time, change came before I was totally ready, stirring some fear and doubt in me that feels oddly new.

I’ve moved from El Salvador to the U.S., Cali to Ohio, SF to Hanoi and then to SLC. Throughout all the relocations I was always excited to pack up my things and try something new. I looked forward to unknown horizons and experiences, sometimes in ways that boggled and worried my friends and family. Boredom and complacency is my #1 enemy, yet the older I grow, the more comfortable I get with the comfortable.

A few weeks ago I got news that I’ll be transferring from LA to NY for work (Though I live in SLC, I commute into LA). This news would have had me jumping up and down with glee a couple years ago. Living in NY has been a dream of mine since I began religiously watching Sex and the City at 12. But in Salt Lake, I finally got to build a home for myself. One that I felt warmth, love, and support in, in a place that’s beautiful and peaceful. What more could you want, really?

The thing is: I’ve noticed myself flatlining in Salt Lake. My life is so comfortable that I don’t stir up any change. I’ve become such a homebody, savoring the sweetness of my space and my lover, sitting on my porch and watching the mornings go by. I’m basically eighty years old. All jokes aside, as peaceful as it is, this isn’t all that my soul wants for me right now.

My soul desires an environment that inspires, challenges and excites me so I can develop my talents and creativity. It desires a community of artists, healers, and teachers to offer support on my entrepreneurial journey. It desires an environment where I can be most of service to others.

I know these truths to exist within me, but it’s hard for my mind to jump onboard when I seemingly have something good going already. As good as it is, my heart is too aware of the possibility of something great ahead.

So I took a gamble. I applied for a transfer, putting down SLC as my first choice (which would have made my life oh so easy), and NYC as my second. I told myself that if I got NYC, I would finally move there.

I let the universe decide, and it chose growth.

Now I’m dealing with the repercussions of that decision—the saying goodbye to a phase in life that gave me the opportunity to restore, to rest, and to appreciate the pleasantries of safety and simplicity. I truly have appreciated it, and that’s something that makes it much easier to accept change—when you’ve taken the time to enjoy what’s ultimately a passing phase.

All the details will fall into place, and I guess the thing that gives my mind anxiety is wondering if the right decision has been made. I won’t really know, until I’ve experienced both possibilities. But I do know what I fear the most: the never knowing nor experiencing what could have been.

So here’s to change—to letting it transform you even if you don’t feel ready. Trust your soul is.

Gratitude, Patience and Trust

I’ve been riding a wave since my last newsletter—one of flow, acceptance, and trust. It’s been blissful really, not feeling resistance to where I currently am in life, and enjoying the journey as it unfolds.

When I last wrote, I talked about tapping into the feeling of “freedom,” which is my #1 motivator in life and essential to my well-being and happiness. There were times when I viewed my circumstances as a barrier to freedom, but I’ve been able to change my perspective by tuning into the abundance of freedom I already have. A change of perspective is everything, and in this case, I’ve noticed how much more chill I am about reaching my goals.

It’s not that my ambition has decreased in any way. Simply put, I’m taking the time to smell the roses on the way to where I’d like to eventually be. I’m no longer in a state of rush or frustration because I can tap into whatever it is I want to feel now. There’s less stress and more fun. Less worry about the future and more presence to the beauty of this moment. There’s confidence that this is where I’m supposed to be now, and that it is glorious in its own way.

I call this being in flow. Finally swimming with the stream and not against it.

To boil it down, I’ve found the mindset shift into flow consists of three pillars: gratitude, patience, and trust.

Gratitude for all the blessings and opportunities you currently have.
Patience towards the journey.
And trust that all is unfolding as it should and that your success is inevitable.

I hope that you can enjoy where you are today and have more fun as you make your way towards your desired future.

Align to That Which You Seek

Today I’d like to invite you to challenge the way you were taught to seek happiness, or whatever feeling it is you desire to find.

We grew up believing that we needed things, experiences, accomplishments, and even people to make us feel happy, validated, and complete. We chased titles/careers, material wealth, and relationships only to find another ladder to climb at the end of each goal completed. Have you noticed that the seeking never really ends? You can get what you really wanted and shortly after, feel like there’s something else to reach for in order to be fully satisfied.

Becoming a flight attendant was a goal I really wanted to accomplish not too long ago. I begged the universe to help me land this opportunity and worked my butt off preparing for the interviews. I thought this job would be the perfect addition to my life; that I would no longer feel “lost,” or “stuck” and be set free with the opportunity to travel.

Yet, once I got it, it was entirely too easy to focus on the problems and difficulties within the industry. That “stuck” feeling continued to haunt me despite having obtained what I thought was the answer. I felt confined by my schedule and all the time away from home, and when I was in a place I really enjoyed, it was tainted with the sadness of having to leave shortly after.

These were some of the reasons not to be happy yet. And that’s when I realized I was in a perpetual state of suffering: always wanting more or something different in order to feel free.

Freedom is one of my most important values, the motivation behind so many life decisions, and what I always seem to be chasing.

But I decided that if I were to lead a fulfilled life, I would have to put an end to the never-ending chase and tap into all the ways that I’m already free. A.k.a.“align with the vibration of freedom.” When I talk about aligning to a vibration, what I mean is getting into the state of your desired feeling, in order to attract that which we want in life (Law of Attraction).

I pulled out my journal and started a list of different ways I’m free, discovering so much I’d taken for granted. I’m free to consume the books/films/music I choose; I’m free to dress how I want, I’m free to journal and mediate, I’m free to laugh and play. On a larger scale, I have total creative freedom (like writing this newsletter and making videos) which is so so valuable to me. Plus my job does allow me to travel and see the people I love around the world, which is the closest thing to teleporting I can get right now.

I was so taken aback by the incredible amount of ways I’m already free. I sat with that appreciation and let it light me up. It felt like I could finally ease into the adventure of this very moment. I could finally perceive how everything was flowing naturally and working out for me.

Since then, my attitude towards work has totally changed and in turn, I’m having more fun on a daily basis. I am finally sitting back, enjoying the journey, and appreciating the gifts picked up along the way.

It’s human to have this insatiable thirst for more; to believe that something else has the key to our happiness and completion. But as we grow, we learn to find that which we seek is already in our hands. We have the power of emotion and of perception, which once cultivated and tweaked can shape how we experience our reality.

And in my reality, I am finally free. How about yours?

Creative Blocks and Comparison

Hey friends:

I’m back with a topic for my fellow creators and creatives out there who may be feeling blocked or weighed down from the pressure to create.

Recently I experienced a lot of internal pressure to write, to make videos etc. for the sake of consistency, and fueled by comparison. There are people online who I follow and admire that constantly create and it’s so easy to feel like I’m falling short sometimes when I compare myself. My body and mind truly needed rest after working so much, and I was having trouble admitting that some days are better than others when it comes to creativity and productivity and that I have my own process and journey to go through when it comes to creating that can’t be compared.

If you can relate and struggle with some of the same things, I made a video yesterday that covers how we can move through feeling stuck in our creative blocks, embrace the process and honor our own individual methods and ways of creating.

You can check it out here:

I’m happy to report that I’m more inspired and in flow now because I gave myself the time to feel, to introspect and to share the lessons learned without overthinking it.

Hope it’s helpful, I would love to hear your thoughts on this topic!

Love,

Gabriela

What Is Abundance, Really?

Good evening, friends!

If you’re anything like me and consume media in the realm of self-development or spirituality, you’ve probably heard the word “abundance” thrown around a lot, sometimes in phrases such as “abundance mindset” or “living abundantly.” It typically refers to living a full, rich life surrounded (and in appreciation of) the things you love, rather than focusing on lack and what you don’t have.

Part of my own journey has been to create an abundant life for myself—to gift myself with all the experiences I desire, and to work towards a life that allows me the freedom to travel, eat well, and have plenty of fun.

I used to think that in order to make all those dreams come true, I would have to earn tons of money. Ironically, while trying to create “abundance,” I ended up feeling a lack of it when my desired income wasn’t reached.

My limited perception of abundance prevented me from appreciating all the blessings that had fallen into my life which hadn’t necessarily arrived in the form of money.

For example, I recently realized that one of my biggest dreams came true. I used to day dream about being able to walk into the airport and spontaneously travel to any destination I desired. I thought that in order for this to happen, I would have to be rich.

As a flight attendant, my company allows me to travel wherever they fly, either for free or at very little cost. I could literally do this whenever I have time. It blew my mind to really sit with that and appreciate it as a dream come true.

I already have so much of what I want and experience joy regularly without having met my “income goals.” What we truly want is usually a feeling rather than a thing. If I have joy, if I have love, and freedom and a passion for living (all the things I thought money would buy), then why limit myself to feeling abundant only when a certain amount of money is reached?

Abundance is all around us. In the greenness of leaves, in laughter, in the array of tastes we experience in the span of a day. You can find it in the smallest details or in the overwhelm of realizing that you are in a near perfect stage of your life.

If you ever feel down or stressed about money or whatever it is you “lack,” I encourage you to take equal amounts of time and energy into adding up all the little (and big) miracles, joys, pleasures, talents and gifts you’ve got going in your favor. Feel into the appreciation until your heart feels like it’ll burst. Do this as much as possible, as often as possible and tap into your wealth.

Love,

Gabriela

Bringing Presence to Purpose

Happy Sunday y’all!

It’s a gloomy day in LA but I’m happy to have some quiet, alone time before work to say hello!

Writing this newsletter means so much to me and I just want to say thank you for being a part of it 🙂

This newsletter has been a tether that’s kept me connected to long-term goals. I hope to one day have a larger platform, and if the universe will have it, to write a book (or maybe even two). Sending out these weekly emails is a small step I can consistently take, when life seems busy and fast and all the other creative work gets buried under the motions of the every day.

I’m discovering though, that the true importance of this “small step” is to bring me into the joy of the present. I am learning to form ideas from my experiences and give them a place outside of myself. I’m learning to share insights that could also give comfort or guidance to others, the way I’ve found comfort in others’ words and work; teachers I’ve never even met.

I’m realizing how fulfilling it is to accomplish this one task, and that I’d still be happy and complete, if nothing else came of it but an outlet to express. And I believe that’s an indication of finding something good.

In that sense, writing this newsletter is no longer a means to an end, but a purpose on its own. And that perspective gives me the freedom to fully appreciate it in the now, rather than waiting to feel fulfilled or accomplished in an illusory future.

So tell me, is there a passion of yours you could bring more presence and appreciation into today and in this week to come?

xxGabriela

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Reasons to Love or Hate a Place

Good Morning, Friends!

It’s a beautiful morning in Salt Lake City. The snow really came down last night and the trees and houses are lined white and glittering in the sunlight.

It’s views like this that make me appreciate it here, because—it truly is beautiful.

Living here though, (and living anywhere, really) is not always easy. From my experience residing in various cities and countries, each place comes with a list of pros and cons.

The other day, I found my frustrations with Salt Lake City growing. I didn’t feel free here because I don’t own a car and am nervous about driving.

It was easy to get around San Francisco (I didn’t even get my license until I was 26). But relying on the bus, my legs (and the occasional uber and lyft) to get me places here is not always easy (or cheap) —specially in the winter.

The other night I missed my bus stop on my way home from work, and was dropped off about a mile away at the next stop. I was bummed, hungry, and freezing, when I saw a Sonics at the corner of the street.

I thought, “this is the time to get some fast food guilt-free.” To my horror, it was solely a drive-through Sonics (are all Sonics like that? Idk) There was no option to order or eat inside, because the small building at the center of the lot was for employees only.

So, I had to stand next to one of the ordering kiosks outside, and yell out my order while it was 20 something degrees out. I must admit, it was pretty funny and I even made an instagram story about it. I had to laugh at the situation a little.

After my order came out, my hands were awkwardly full, when a man approached me and asked me for some money. I offered him a dollar, but was seriously struggling to reach into my bag to grab it. His friend noticed my struggle, and came by to dismiss me, ordering, “You go on home now with your bags. We don’t need your dollar!” as they walked back to their car.

I dropped some of my food in the snow as I waddled out of there, and by the time I got home my fingers were burning from the cold and I was genuinely concerned I might get frost bite?

It was one of those days that made me hate Salt Lake City. Walking home I went through a long list of reasons not to like it here. There’s no proper public transportation, the streets are too long, it revolves around car culture, State St. is so sketchy, there’s no good affordable food etc.

All this to demonstrate that if you’re looking for reasons to hate a place, or a situation, it is so easy to come up with them! I even kept going with my list until the next day, and let me tell you—it ruined that day, too.

The good news is, it can be just as easy to find things to love about a place or situation. If you think you can’t, start very small and watch that list grow and grow.

Things I love about Salt Lake: How there’s usually parking when we go out, the spaciousness of it, the cute little coffee and retail shops a couple blocks away, the epic mountains, the proximity to beautiful nature, my lovely neighbors, our cute house, etc.

I usually choose to see the good in things, and practice gratitude on a daily basis, but I also fall prey to negative thinking and frustration. And that’s when I have to check myself and adjust my perspective.

In this situation, I also evaluated what was in my control and what wasn’t. I can’t control the transportation system here, but I can adapt by driving. I started practicing again yesterday, and it wasn’t as scary as I thought it would be. It was actually pretty fun when I released the resistance to it. I can already feel how it will drastically change my experience here.

When in Salt Lake, do as the Salt Lakers do.