Music Mondays

Mondays might be dreading, especially when that alarm is set to wake you at inhuman hours. Music is and always will be one of my most important sources of empowerment, inspiration and that needed push to get me through any situation. It easily overrides the head and reaches the heart, where all life flows from. So I wanted to dedicate Mondays to sharing this passion of mine, letting you in on what's on my playlist, who I am excited and influenced by and maybe helping you get through that Monday with the simple power of good music.

Today I wanted to celebrate that spring seems to finally have landed in Finland! We haven't had snow in weeks and the sun has slowly but surely risen from her winter sleep. Breakbot's Baby I'm Yours embodies perfectly that little skip in my walk and constant smile on my face that these rays of light inflict. Not only is the beat gripping with it's groovy chords but the video is fabulous as well, be sure to check. it. OUT!

xxx

Fear(less)

I still remember the moment I discovered these jeans at London's Selfridges. They spike up any outfit and give the perfect roughness a cozy sweater like this needs.

My Acne booties have been my go to item this past season and I can't wait to pair them with dresses and shorts once the weather finally warms up.

This past week I've thought a lot about fear. I was walking home in a horrible snow/slush storm when suddenly this thought pierced my mind… I don't have to be afraid of anything.

Why do we fear?
We've reduced fear to a natural and even healthy feeling of self protection that our ancestors needed to stay alive, but I've found it plenty of times more paralysing and limiting than in any way helpful. It has fed on my peace, eaten my confidence and consumed my joy. For some reason I've believed that there is something good in being afraid.
Rational fear keeps us alive, is what I've been taught. I need it, so that I won't put my hand into a hot oven or walk alone late in a dangerous neighbourhood. But why do I need fear as the motivator? Aren't we "evolved" enough to take care of ourselves, without using fear as motivation? What I've also noticed is, that when I let fear into my life in one way, it's not satisfied with just a small part, but wants to grow and slowly, but surely, take over. Leaving me stressed out and afraid for the most ridiculous reasons.

The thought of not having to be afraid has been a "truth" in my life for a long time, but it didn't become reality until that moment when it traveled from my mind to my heart. I'm not saying that I was somehow liberated of fear altogether, but I got grace to choose to not to be afraid on a whole new level. It became a personal truth, a part of me, instead of something externally learned.
Even though there are solid reasons to be afraid, I'd like to suggest that a huge part of our fears are not protecting but rather preventing us, from taking those risks that lead us to our dreams and eventually, living life to the fullest. Giving up fear also means giving up control. It's letting go of the things that are out of my hands (in the end the only thing I can control is myself!) and trusting that my life is truly governed by someone greater.

Letting go of fear is not an easy task, but it is rewarding. I've purposefully gone after the things that have intimidated and scared me in the past. In the end, I've only discovered greater levels of freedom as my fears have turned into actual strengths and what used to hold me down turned into the very stepping stones to my destiny.



xxx

Photos by Adriana Dobrin

Sweatshirt: H&M

Jeans: Karen Millen

Boots: Acne

Upgrade

This down jacket saved my social life during the coldest weather. Without it, I would have always opted for a hot cup of tea and a cozy night in instead of putting even one foot out the door.

Anyone who has lived in a cold country or state, knows that keeping your feet warm is key. That's why I got these bad girls! 

It's only a few weeks from when we took these pictures, but the weather and atmosphere has already changed a lot. It was about -20C (-4F) and the Gulf of Finland was frozen so that we were able to walk on its ice. Now, almost all snow has melted and spring is starting to rise her head. Just as the earth is revealing itself, new thoughts and ideas surface and what used to work just doesn't seem to feel right anymore. I think we've been created to constantly grow and evolve and that often times means letting go of what has felt comfortable or even safe in the past. The transition phase can be tough, since all you're feeling is out of place. Before I used to hate that feeling and try to "fix it" (usually just with a packed calendar so that I didn't have time to think about it) , but I've learned the value of it. It has been the force moving me forward, driving me out of my comfort zone and not letting me settle. I  don't know if I had moved to a different continent, quit my job to pursue my passions or started to change my lifestyle to be healthier without that subtle, but persistent sense of restlessness. So don't get frustrated, if the old ways of doing things aren't effective anymore. 

It might be time for an upgrade.

xxx

Photos by Adriana Dobrin

Down Jacket: Woolrich

Shoes: Wolverine