After 10 years of embracing minimalism, the holiday “Not-to-do” list is one of my favorite rituals. — Over the last 10 years, I’ve embraced minimalism to illuminate my priorities and simplify my life. This holiday season, I care about embracing the darkness with courage, creating space for creative magic, and showing up well in my relationships. Decluttering helps. Simple life influencers like Courtney Carver, Joshua Becker, Marie…

The last 18 years feel like a winding, evolving, beautiful love story. — Since discovering my highly sensitive nature last year, I’ve peeled back more numbing layers and dove even deeper into body awareness. Through a series of many lifestyle shifts and inner work, I’m growing more grounded, tuned in, and holistically healthy. Next week I’ll be 30 years old, and looking back…

#3. Decluttering still feels magical. — Ten years ago, my then-partner introduced me to minimalism as I struggled to fit all my clothes in a college dorm room. The “less is more” lifestyle mindset stuck and seriously elevated my quality of life ever since. …

Researcher Dr. Elaine Aron advises highly sensitive people (HSPs) on intimate relationships. — In intimate connections, I crave depth yet often feel terrified about getting closer. Discovering my high sensitivity over the last year — and its impact on relationships — has seriously increased my self-acceptance and life quality. As I get closer to my similarly sensitive partner, understanding how our temperaments impact…

Julia Cameron’s “The Artist’s Way” journey transformed my creative process to be more expansive, healing, exciting, confident, and connected. — I create songs to heal and connect. My process consistently ignites fascinating emotional processing and fuller self-expression. From early sex poetry and classical piano to ukulele adventures and an upcoming feature at open mic night, my musical journey keeps expanding.

Terra Crowl believes her years of structured dance and choreography training gave her the tools to fully emote and play with others in ecstatic dance. — Terra dances to communicate. From color guard competitions in high school and belly dance training in Spain to ecstatic communities and big performances, Terra inspires others to embrace their fullest, most authentic selves. I met Terra a few months ago at a post-ecstatic dance picnic. With her calming presence, care…

Gabrielle Roth’s soul-centric movement guidance led my shadow work to deeper levels. — I’ve studied and utilized many forms of shadow work over four years. This year, I’ve prioritized tuned-in free-form dancing as a near-daily practice that catalyzes my inner processing. Roth, author of the bestselling book “Sweat Your Prayers: The Five Rhythms of the Soul,” guides us into an intimate connection with…

Trauma experts define trauma and how creative expression helps us heal. — In 2020 I discovered a series of traumas from my childhood. Since then, I’ve been researching and exploring ways to heal while simultaneously investing in my creative process, primarily inspired by Julia Cameron’s “The Artist’s Way.” Along the way, trauma experts like Bessel van der Kolk and Dr. Gabor Mate…

Dr. Judith Orloff encourages us to embrace our sensitivities and develop strategies to prevent empathy overload. — I’d been enthusiastically immersed in highly sensitive people (HSP) research for months when I asked a favorite yoga teacher if she was highly sensitive. After chatting, she shared Orloff’s “The Empath’s Survival Guide” book. I took Orloff’s 20-question self-assessment and checked every box (unless you consider San Francisco a “large…