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.

Natural State

I hope that today you can find at least a couple minutes to do a little self care, whether it’s taking deep breaths throughout the day, a full on work out class or staying mindfully hydrated. I’m all about the little things we can do throughout the day to take care of ourselves and check in.

I’m taking the time to slow down today, and have come to know that writing this newsletter is a form of self-care for me, which is so lovely!

This week I experienced some stress and noticed how my energy and sense of security was shaken. Throughout the years of learning how to take care of my mind, body, and spirit I have come to create a type of vibration I am truly comfortable being in. My natural state is optimistic and focused on the realm of possibility. I see life as one big opportunity to expand and reach our potential and I am so blessed to inhabit a healthy body which I try to nourish as best as possible. This is not to say that I am anywhere near perfect! Throughout the day my emotional state alters, sometimes I entertain negative thoughts and worry, and turn to less than healthy foods as a form of comfort. But I now have a strong sense of awareness for when I’m altering out of my grateful state — and when I’m at my best, I can hold space for discomfort as it emerges & have patience and love for myself regardless of where I’m at.

My offering to you today is a suggestion to bring awareness to your natural state. What are you feeling (in mind/body/and spirit) most of the time? What thoughts are you entertaining? What do you prefer to feel and what things can you do to get closer to that state? How can you make those things a habit?

The habits which have created my natural state have included: alone time, journaling, creativity, gratitude, exercise, meditation and of course eating as well as possible. It took some shifting and a strong intention to love and nurture myself to turn those things into habits, but it was so so worth it!

And of course, sometimes things may come up that shake that sense of comfort you begin to find in your natural state. Sometimes we may have to make space for grief, or observe as stress and worry work their ways through us. But when we create a foundation of habits that bring us back to feeling nurtured and taken care of, we have a stronger sense of who we actually are and no longer have to fully identify with negative thoughts and feelings. At my core, I am a passionate lover of life, some might even say a reckless optimist. Sometimes the world bumps up against that hopeful joy (or vice versa) and I have to find my footing again. But as hard as some experiences can be, I know how to find my way back home to that soft core, where hope and joy never cease to exist.

Self-Love as Routine

It’s so nice to connect again! It’s my 29th birthday today but it’s also the first day I’ve had to myself since the beginning of the month. All I want to do is that which brings me stability and joy: my routines as well as creating content.

I recently started a new job at a beautiful healing center in New York and have been transitioning out of working as a flight attendant, which has been a huge change! The deciding process took a big leap of faith & the courage to move towards joy even when I had a lot going for me already. The truth is, I wasn’t as happy as I knew I could be, and my heart was begging me to listen and to trust that no matter what, I’ll always be okay. Better than okay.

I’m still processing the change and realizing the ways I can be gentle with myself through the readjustment. This is where routine comes in. It’s becoming more and more apparent how important it is to set some time aside each day to connect with all aspects of myself (my body, mind, and spirit). I prefer having a morning routine that includes stretching & exercise, journaling and meditation.

I highly recommend experimenting with a routine that works for you and allows you to tune in; to listen to your body and obtain the wisdom of your inner knowing. It can be a strong practice of self-love, because you are dedicating time for yourself each day and creating a grounded foundation for the rest of the day to unfold.

When my routine is down and my needs are met, I can have more energy for the rest of the world. Connecting with myself inspires a drive to share my experience with you, and that’s what I intend to do more of this year and beyond ❤

Goal Setting + Self Love Journeys

Hello friends:

In my last newsletter I mentioned how I was challenging myself to work 10 hours towards my creative projects/side hustle. Last week I began mid-week and accomplished 3.5 hours which was under goal. I had planned on setting time during a long layover at the beach (in between dipping + tanning 😉 ), but was instead rerouted and worked non-stop for three days (oh the joys of working in the airline industry).

Sometimes things don’t go as planned but it’s all about how we react to the unexpected trajectories and perceived “failures.” Most importantly, it’ about the relationship we have with ourselves through it all.

In the past, failing to accomplishing a goal would have made me feel like a loser. Like I wasn’t trying hard enough and that it may not be worth it to continue striving. It would have fed a belief that I’m just not good at consistency or “putting in the work.”

But, I’m choosing a different story now. One of compassion and understanding. I am simply doing my best. The fact that I set aside 3.5 hours for my creative work is a win, specially during my first week of being more intentional about time. And this week—and for the many weeks to come, I have the opportunity to keep working towards those 10 hours in a positive way.

I choose to see this as progress rather than a set back. With that, the weight is removed from my shoulders, I can breathe deeper and continue having fun with this—(may I remind myself)—self imposed challenge.

Instead of not feeling valuable until I create a set amount of work, I can use this “challenge” as a practice of self love + compassion no matter what ❤

Working towards those 10 hours per week is more about the journey than the destination. Just like self love.

I’ll explain:

I used to think self love was a goal to reach, at the end of continual self development and improvement. Each time I thought I had finally reached the most ideal relationship with myself, I would be presented with an emotional challenge that revealed just how much more profound my self love could be; how there was so much more room to love and accept myself— in all the crevices that still carried shame, guilt, emptiness, or whichever emotion manifested the idea of not being enough. It’s a never ending journey with an opportunity for more depth at every moment, whether you’re enduring a high or a low.

I know better now than to think reaching a goal can define me or make me feel more valuable; in other words make me more lovable to myself.

The opportunity to truly love every bit of yourself lies in the journey of it all; which includes the imperfections, the failures and the incessant striving on its own. We have the power to feel enough and loved wherever we’re at, and when we do that, every dream and every goal becomes an added bonus—a fun journey to be had.

Let’s see what we can do, and all that we can accomplish from a place of already being enough.

Love,

Gabriela