Back to Basics

Hi, friends:

We’ve made it past the halfway point of 2020 and I say that’s a cause for celebration! I think we need more celebrations in general. We oftentimes work tirelessly and overcome our fair share of tribulations, yet don’t take enough time to appreciate and enjoy our accomplishments in the in-between.

Let this be a little reminder to congratulate yourself — whether that’s simply for making it this far in the year, or whether there’s something you just conquered that you should be proud of. Take note of how far you’ve come and allow yourself to bask in the wonder of future possibilities.

This year has been tough, so I’m making it a point to revisit the basic principles of my spiritual practice. Years ago when my interest in self-development started to peak, I began by exploring the law of attraction. I pondered concepts such as,“your thoughts reflect your reality” and “perspective is key.”

While I don’t personally believe that we are entirely in control of the reality we live in, I have experienced firsthand how powerful a mindset and perspective change can be. Picking up beliefs such as, “the universe is working on my behalf” or questioning, “what is this experience trying to teach me?” amongst the face of adversity allows me to breathe easier, trust in the process, feel taken care of along the way, and milk each experience for gold.

The reward in using a challenge as means for personal growth is wisdom, self-knowledge, and creative expression — whether that’s sharing my story through these newsletters or creating any type of art. All experiences, whether I initially judge them as “good” or “bad” have become a source of inspiration and catapulted me to the version of the person I am today. And why not celebrate who you’ve become from time to time?

The foundational practices that have served me the most are to seek out the positive in each outcome and remain grounded in gratitude. This is not to say: avoid difficult emotions. We must feel to heal that which arises. But I’ve noticed recently that I have to be more cautious of where I’m causing myself unnecessary stress and pain through worry or negative thinking patterns.

In that same vein, it is so important to dream. Grappling with the uncertainty of times, I’ve really had to take things day-by-day. While that served me for a while, I sensed my enchantment for the future begin to fade, resulting in less passion for life.

It’s time to realign to what I naturally am: a dreamer, someone who loves to think up and work towards large goals and aspirations. I’ve found it key to always have something to look forward to in life. Most importantly: a purpose.

I hope that in this newsletter you can find a little inspiration to hit the “reset” button as we enter the start of the month. No matter how smart or spiritually developed we may think we are, sometimes reminding ourselves of basic principles that once helped us out of a rut is hugely beneficial.

May this be a time where we can reflect, congratulate, and dream.

Love,

Gabriela

The Year of Door Closures

At first glance, 2020 has been the year of door closures. But you know what they say, “another opens.”

Plans and ideas of what life would look like have continually changed, some becoming completely irrelevant by now.

My friend Anna and I took a trip to southern Utah a few days ago to visit some parks. Finding ourselves both jobless and fed up with life indoors, we planned the trip out in a matter of days and quickly executed. It was something that wouldn’t have otherwise gone down with such haste.

Hiking and surrounded by the dramatic landscapes of earth-red cliffs at Zion Park, I asked her, “What would your life look like right now if COVID had never happened?”

I pondered the same. I would be in New York, at the same job, grinding, and probably still in my long-distance relationship. Maybe I would’ve stayed in New York for years to come. Or maybe I would’ve eventually moved back to Utah to be with my boyfriend. It was a decision I was always mulling over in the back of my mind. So much so that my existence in New York often felt threatened by a potential move. New York or Utah? I lived between two worlds.

Then COVID happened and I was laid-off overnight. This was my chance to leap into the other path — back to Utah where my partner patiently awaited me. “It’s like the world is bringing you back to me,” he said, after I excitedly told him I was returning for an undetermined amount of time. It was romantic, and finally, that nagging question of where I should live seemed to find an answer.

“I have a feeling my life is about to really change,” I predicted to my friend Jess as I packed a suitcase. It just felt so obvious at the time. Being back in Utah would bring my partner and I closer together, and I wouldn’t want to leave again. I was being led to build a permanent life out west. This was the easy path. So I thought.

Rewind to a couple weeks earlier.

I’m sitting at McCarren Park in Greenpoint after work, basking in the much-needed sunshine after a long New York winter. I’m talking to Jess on the phone and contemplating whether I should fully commit to the city or move back to Salt Lake to basically settle down and start a family. It was all being offered to me if I just returned. But New York was my dream, the place I’d longed to be in since I was a kid. And finally, I was there, in a job that I liked, finding my footing in that crazy city. “Salt Lake would be the easy choice,” I told her. “But I’m not usually an easy choice type of person.”

Maybe there never is an easy choice. Maybe each choice comes with as many blessings as it does predicaments. Maybe you think you’re choosing the easy path but really by doing so you create the pain of denying your potential. Or perhaps, all paths — temporary and shifting, eventually lead towards a deeper knowing of yourself and of life.

When I lost my job and decided to fly back to Salt Lake, I thought the universe was kindly throwing me a bone and letting me take the easy route — giving me a break from the incessant striving towards my full potential, the embodiment of New York.

Nah. It was yet another opportunity to grow. Salt Lake was not easy. COVID has not been easy. But it forced me to look at unhealed parts of myself and to bring tenderness to them. So in that respect, life was loving to me.

My relationship did not make it, and that felt like a door closing. A path no longer available.

I arrived back in the Bay Area yesterday — back at my mom’s, a square one that was always waiting for me.

Amidst all the fall outs, I can’t help but to come up with another plan, another idea of what life could be. Each redirection feels permanent as it happens, but I should know by now they never are.

This time the plan is so vague maybe it can’t really be called a plan. A hope, a desire that burns deep within my chest. The taste of freedom. Sun-drenched skin and sea-washed hair. Words and creativity.

Ties to places have come undone. The open road emerges past closed doors.

She cannot be contained.

xxGabriela

Social Distancing. Wisdom & Creativity

Despite the social distancing happening right now, there have been moments I’ve felt a greater connection to all, as we collectively experience history in the making. There have also been moments where the isolation feels gloomy, and the desire to physically gather is palpable.

As we feel the world halt and change, we are all in some way, being pushed up against or totally outside of our comfort zones, forcing us to adapt, and thereby, to grow. This moment has taken us on a self-development journey whether we like it or not, as we face ourselves and face society in new ways. It’s powerful.

I pray that the lessons learned from this chapter will better our world in some way as we better ourselves. And as an eternal optimist, that is what I choose to believe. My personal coping mechanism to life, grief, and uncertainty is to mold the fuck out of it. To see a challenge as a way to practice what I’ve learned. Each experience can be alchemized into medicine if we let it.

My medicine lately has been learning to accept where I’m at each and every day; whether I want to be a sad (or happy) couch potato, or finally finish projects long overdue. I’ve been practicing listening to the desires of my body and intuition, the way I often listen to my mind without question.

There is a new gentleness in that, a new adventure. My body has been loving early bedtimes and daily exercise. I’ve never been a runner but I started jogging around the park regularly, and have fallen in love with it.

I relish the fresh air as it infiltrates my lungs, an accelerated heartbeat, and the sensation of my feet bouncing on the wood chips along the track as it brings me closer to the finish line.

And sometimes, it just wants unadulterated rest — sweatpants, snacks, and movies.

As for my intuition, I’ve been tuning into its guidance to decide what activities to partake in throughout the day. Lately it’s been a lot of cooking. I’m enjoying expressing my creativity within the boundaries of resourcefulness, using only what I have available to make beautiful meals.

And I suppose that’s a metaphor for this experience, and generally, for life. We use what we’re given. It’s through creativity, and the intention to make something beautiful, that we find the nurturing we need.

What are you cooking up?

Radical Optimism

It’s a gorgeous day in New York today. The sun has broken through winter and the air is refreshing rather than bitter cold. My body is singing.

I’ve been working on a new website and thinking more about “my story” and what has given me the courage to make moves in life. Why have I lived in various places, traveled (oftentimes alone), given my all to love, and “put myself out there” in ways that were sometimes scary and uncomfortable? Why do I dream big and why do I believe in myself? It feels a little scary to admit, but I do, and I wish that for you, too.

Oftentimes it’s good ‘ole optimism! Whenever I take a leap of faith, I believe things will work out for the best, and that if I do come across any challenges, that I can find the silver lining in them and grow.

I’m the type of person who is more afraid of regretting what I didn’t do in this life rather than what I did do. Meaning, I’d rather lunge forward and try a lot of things/see a lot of places, then to play it safe and stick to what I know. I consider myself to be a risk-taker and make decisions based on my heart’s desires.

It’s not always easy to live this way. I have struggled with feeling misunderstood by others, as though my choices were a little crazy sometimes. My family has worried for me plenty of times, and though they truly love me, I’ve felt pressured to make “safe” choices, mostly when it comes to my career. A steady 9–5 was always more rewarded than trying to create my own business or taking time off to travel and live abroad.

I’m highly stubborn though, and know what I am capable of: creating a life by design. I believe that we can (and should) thoughtfully make choices that move us closer to our ideal lifestyle, regardless of how those choices may look like to others. This is about creating our own definition of a good life. Not society’s. Not our family’s, nor our friends’. For me, it means having the time and the luxury to be creative everyday, sharing my message with the world, inspiring and helping others on their journey to an authentic life.

I’m radically optimistic that we can have it all.

Instagram Inspo:

Optimism is a guiding light; a perspective that opens doors, and lends you the courage to take massive action and leaps of faith. Optimism has ignited me to move, to travel the world, to fall in love and to take creative risks among many other things.

There’s been plenty of times I’ve felt the pressure to be more “realistic,” whether it was coming from individuals or society as a whole. There’s a push to settle for what’s safe and known rather than to venture out and choose your own creative path, building a life that’s authentic to You. Doing You, Being You, and living a life by design is a form of rebellion. Knowing you were made for greatness is a form of rebellion. Shoot your shot. Be the light. The world needs your optimism.

Looking Back at Now

I’m honored to share that this is the 50th Weekly Motivation! Wild! Thank you for joining me on this ride—for reading, sharing, and supporting!

I’ve mentioned the theme of slowing down in a couple newsletters, and I’m especially feeling that lately. Truth is, I’m tired. Maybe it’s the transitioning or the long winter. Maybe this is a new type of tired — “A New York Tired,” one gets from keeping up, from all the people and all the energy, from the hustle-culture. Being here is inspiring, but there are moments when I’ve had to step back and wonder what exactly I’m trying to keep up with.

I’m blessed to report that I’m finally at a job I love showing up to. A true win. Yet, sometimes I continue to push myself into the “next step,” — full blown, entrepreneurship, as if there’s some type of looming deadline.

I’m happy where I currently am — and maybe that’s something we all need to get better at; the actual enjoyment of our lives, presently.

There’s no real rush to reach the next milestone, or the big goals I’ve set out for myself, which will continue to grow bigger and bigger, I think. I’m at a point where I can do what I love for the pure love of it. Doesn’t have to make me a living right now; I don’t need a different “title” or party pitch, that’s all really in my head.

While ambition and drive are qualities I truly admire in both myself and others, sometimes it gets thrown off balance. We may find ourselves constantly running towards goals without taking time to unfold into our current reality — to realize that one day we may look back at this time with a type of nostalgia.

Some day you’ll admire the perseverance you had today, and how you gracefully balanced the imperfect pieces of your life. You will give thanks to the unwavering love you had for yourself, which gave you permission to dream with fervor. You will honor the valor in putting one foot forward each day.

There are days when I feel so humbled and grateful for all that I have and all that I am in this moment. And there are days where I curse my life in a shared, tiny apartment. Sometimes it’s dreadful to lug groceries on a crowded train, or carry half my weight in laundry down the street. Sometimes it feels like this is not enough yet, and that I’m climbing up a never-ending hill.

And then, in a moment of grace, I remember. I remember where I am. You’re in New York, bitch!,my inner-voice hollers. Where you always wanted to be! And you’re doing it on your own!

A huge smile comes across my face in the middle of the street, or in the stillness of my cozy room. I appreciate the unfolding of a miracle, one of my greatest manifestations yet.

And I know, how I’m going to look back at this time. I’ll remember the days of graceful and humble perseverance. Of newness and brave aloneness. One of gratitude, for all things perfect and imperfect. When I decided I made it, even though there was so much more to come.

Simplifying Into 2020

Winter is in full bloom in New York yet I’m still very happy to be here. Just the other day I was in Puerto Rico for work, contemplating whether I should move abroad somewhere sunny near the water, and though nothing is really off the table for me, I know that I am in the right place at the right time now.

I’ve been melting into some sweet time off, refusing to fly anywhere else. It’s nice to feel as though I actually live in this great city and to enjoy the pleasantries of ordinary life — my own bed, in my little brick-walled room, taking the subway to different parts of the city, writing at my go-to coffee shop, and meeting with friends! Shout out to my supportive friend Ali, who just moved here and made my world a little brighter, too! 🙂

Traveling a ton and not really having an ordinary life (whatever that really means) has increased my gratitude for simplicities — but above all, for the sensation of being grounded in a place and in myself. Routine and familiarity can be really good for the soul. I think we just need to be aware of becoming complacent & overly comfortable with something that isn’t serving us. That is when we reassess & rearrange. Despite our trying though, life is always in flux, so we will eventually need to adapt ~ and that keeps things exciting.

As you might tell, themes of stability, grounding, and simplicity have been flowing through my mind lately. (My last newsletter was about revisiting core needs — check it out here if you haven’t read it).

Sometimes life gets complicated, our minds run wild, and worry and anxiety can take hold. For me, it often manifests as this sensation of “being all over the place.” When this happens, I’ve found it helpful to sink into some routines: journaling, exercise, cooking, and sleeping at consistent times, to name a few. They remind me to lean into the moment and into the day with steady ease. They ensure I am taken care of before tackling any tasks.

I’ve noticed that lot of my stress and anxiety comes from thinking “I’m not doing enough.” It’s the never-ending “to do list,” a large appetite for creative expression, and the drive to succeed and achieve that both inspires and drives me crazy.

I don’t want to lose the spark to create, but I also want to make life easier for myself, so I’m choosing to come into 2020 with some renewed simplicity.

I recently watched a video by Sorelle called “Work Less and Achieve More” which resonated and inspired me to share some insights with you. In the video she talks about how our society is obsessed with constantly “doing” and when we scale back and actually do less, we can create with more passion, and subsequently, more impact.

These are some ways you can scale back at the end of 2019 & into 2020 in order to support your physical and mental health and ultimately create more joy and impact with the work you do/make. Of course, feel free to create your own list and to adjust as needed 🙂

When it comes to the “to do list”: remove the shit that you’re never going to do/ don’t really have to do. Just.Let.It.Go. Prioritize and set forth three main tasks for the day. If inspiration and creativity call, do that. Have fun.
Prioritize what consistently makes you feel good. Pump your energy into it. For me it’s writing. Despite having interest in other things, like making videos, or podcasts — writing is just what feels most natural and cathartic to me, so that’ll come #1.
Listen to your body. It knows what you need. Rest? Movement? Play? Nourishing food? It’ll let you know if you tune in.
Before starting something new, ask yourself: “What is my intention behind doing this?” Is it out of joy, service, passion, or because it’ll make you feel more worthy and loved? Know that you are inherently loved/beautiful/complete/ beyond measure and nothing can make you any more or any less.

Let me know what you think and how you choose to simplify before 2020.

A Trip Through Time

The greatest perk of being a flight attendant are the travel benefits, which I hadn’t yet used *for fun*. I’d been so consumed in adjusting to this lifestyle, moving, and visiting my boyfriend in Utah, that I hadn’t yet tapped into this blessing.

I finally had the perfect opening, and seized the opportunity to travel to my favorite place in the world: Lisbon, Portugal. On my way back home, I was granted a first class seat that fully reclined into a bed. It was a moment of total gratitude.

I’d imagined that one day, I would travel this luxuriously, but I never anticipated it would happen so soon. I used to think that in order to experience certain luxuries, I would have to be super rich. This experience alone reminded me that abundance can show up in so many fun ways other than a paycheck, and that life is constantly blessing us. I wrote about abundance in one of my previous newsletters, if you’d like to read more on that topic.

Soul City

7 years ago, Lisbon stole my heart. I had been studying abroad in Spain when I took a trip with classmates to Lagos, Portugal and had one of the best weekends of my life. Portugal had never been on my radar ’til then, so I decided to check out Lisbon shortly after. It was the second trip I took on my own, which was very meaningful to me. Solo-travel has changed my life by changing the relationship I have with myself and with the world. I discuss this more thoroughly in my latest video.

Anyways, when I walked through Lisbon, something clicked. It was as if I had found my soul-city — something I didn’t even know existed. It felt warm and familiar, like home — yet it delighted and awakened me, the way hearing a beautiful song for the first time stirs your soul. I returned for my last weekend in Europe before going back to the US, and never imaged it would take so long to get back…

It was naive to think I would have the exact same experience returning. After all, 7 years is plenty of time for a place to shift, and even more so — for my own perceptions to change. I was a little disappointed to see how flooded with tourists Lisbon is now, because I loved how authentic and raw it used to feel. Nevertheless, it still pulled my heart strings the way it always does. On my last day, I followed my intuition and wandered through lonelier streets still seemingly reserved for locals, reconnecting with that authentic and down-to-earth energy I fell in love with.

The biggest take away from the trip though, was reconnecting with my younger-self. I was 21 when I fist encountered Lisbon, and returning allowed me to consider where I was in life back then. I used to think that my 21-year-old-self was so different & unexperienced compared to where I am today. I actually realized how much a past-version of myself could teach me.

21-year-old Gaby was a true free-spirit. She was led by a huge desire to see the world, seizing each opportunity to visit new places. This was the start of a new era, where she began to spend time in new environments alone, learning to dance between loneliness and a fondness for her own company. Though she was experiencing some heart-break, she made sure to have plenty of fun, making some of the most epic memories to date. She let herself be free, sometimes to the point of overindulgence — yet, she bounced back from anything, flowing and perceiving with a positive attitude. A newfound sense was coming over her, of just how capable it was to make her dreams come true.

Thinking back, I realized what a transformative time that was for me, and how much I owe to that younger version of myself. That spark, adventurous spirit, and courage is what propelled me to see and experience so much to this point. I’ve learned I could incorporate more of her sense of freedom and fun-loving ways. As I get older, I tend to take myself more and more seriously, feeling the weight of having to accomplish, succeed, and figure shit out on a certain timeline. What if the path is simply to live, to explore, and to keep the focus on what brings us joy? Where would we go if we flowed a little more, trusting the timing of our lives?

I spent a day in Lisbon hanging out with some girls in their early 20’s from Spain. They were kind, funny, wise (and vegan environmentalists) — all qualities I admire. Unsure of what they really want to do with their lives, they were taking some time off to explore the world, finding creative ways to do so on a budget. We sat down for coffee after a morning of walking through the windy, upward roads of the Alfama district.

The conversation turned to my career, and I shared my ambitions for the future with them. “It’s so nice to hear someone with goals,” one responded.

“Someone who knows what their goals are,” another clarified. It hit me in that moment, that I had in fact, come a long way in that respect. I can finally pin-point what I want to achieve.

“Don’t worry, I didn’t know what I really wanted at your age either,” I related.

But, reflecting now, I think I always knew the gist. Maybe all I ever really wanted was to live a life I’m proud to live.

Balancing Your Ambition for the Future with Appreciation for Your Current Self

Happy November!

I like to celebrate the beginning of months as a fresh start, and as the opportunity to experience some amazing things to come. To me, months are like tiny years. So much can happen in 30–31 days, that it’s good to take a deep breath and think about some of our intentions for this time period. Do you have any goals? What do you hope goes really well in the next month? Also, what was your biggest lesson or accomplishment from October?

As a very goal-oriented individual, I am currently finding my balance between my ambition and drive for the future, and a practice of presence, self-compassion, and encouragement towards the present-day version of myself. I’ve been journaling on recent accomplishments and appreciating the newer, healthy patterns I’ve developed along the way.

Because of this, I was inspired to create a guided meditation which helps you visualize your future-self, five years from now. Afterwards, I guide you through acknowledging, loving, and encouraging yourself as you are today.

I’ve been meditating at the start of my day for some time now, and it’s a game-changer. Dedicating a little time in the morning to connect with myself and higher source is invaluable, and now it’s hard to imagine it not being part of my routine. When my mind is awfully loud, it can be helpful to do guided/visualization meditations, like the one I created. It’s also nice to switch up what types of meditations you do and see what works for you.

If you feel called to, check it out below (it’s on my Youtube and podcast).

And a little disclaimer: the sound quality is poor in a couple parts, which was super annoying, but I decided to put it up anyways, because if I let the perfectionist side of me run the show, I’d probably never share anything 😉

Anyways, have an AMAZING weekend. You deserve it all.

Listen to the meditation on Youtube
Listen on anchor or anywhere podcasts are found

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.

New York Bound

The past few days I’ve been taking some space. Some space to feel through this transition, some space to enjoy Salt Lake City, and some space for self-care. I spent two days at the spa and I have no regrets. Though I could feel on a surface level how my move from Salt Lake to NYC was affecting me, I knew that I had to go deeper and allow myself to mourn and accept this change, as well as to offer myself the support and care I desired.

I noticed a few days ago that I started to get pain in different parts of my body, particularly in my hand. I looked up what emotions hand pain could be linked to, and found that it can indicate trouble letting go. That hit home.

It’s hard to admit that I am struggling with that, because I want to jump into life in New York City weightless, and with open arms. But it’s difficult to leave something you built, even if that was an emotional refuge of sorts.

I experienced so much growth, love, and companionship in Salt Lake, that despite the things the city lacked for me, I know I’ll look back at this chapter with gratitude and some nostalgia. I can now see the beauty in having had something wonderful enough to miss.

When we feel uprooted, we can remind ourselves that home is where the heart is — in you. Each time I move, I’m astounded at the ability to make a home within myself; how one can take refuge in their bodies and being.

Another quote comes to mind: “Everywhere you go, there you are.” It carried a negative connotation when it was first presented to me, like, “You can never run away from yourself.” But, isn’t that perfect, too?

You will always, always have yourself, your one true home. And when we move from chapter to chapter, we’re really just renovating our inner home, using new experiences, connections and energies as building blocks.

When I think of my transition in those terms, it makes it easier to let go of a physical place, and of an experience. Life in Salt Lake changed my inner world, and I take that with me, this time as I build.