Before I started journaling and blogging, I kept asking myself if it was a waste of time and what the point was.

Journaling and writing are very different.

Journaling is about processing and understanding yourself and what’s happening in your life. I use journaling to view situations from other perspectives, process my emotions, and plan for the day ahead.

Taking time to write in a journal is meditative and healing. You learn things about yourself and how you can be more effective in other areas of your life.

A like-minded creative individual told me that you should write, journal, and create for yourself and yourself only. If you inspire or help one person, that’s an enormous benefit for you and that person.

With all the health issues and near-death experiences I’ve endured in my forty-two years of life, I often question what the meaning of life is, and I explore this in my journal and on my blog.

I believe life is about what you do and what you inspire others to do.

When I started sharing my watercolor paintings online, people were getting inspired by my art (I didn’t realize that was happening until people reached out and let me know). Honestly, I didn’t think anybody was following my art channel.

On my YouTube channel, I’ve received comments from perfect strangers who told me they hadn’t picked up a paintbrush or a pencil in years. Those comments change my perspective on purpose and what it means to live on purpose.

Writing and journaling can help you not only find your purpose, but also inspire and motivate others to do the same. It’s rewarding and makes waking up every morning worthwhile.

Engaging in a creative outlet like writing or another activity will feed your soul and benefit your mental and emotional health with enrichment, wisdom, and hope.

Any creative activity, especially writing and journaling, provides healing. You become your own therapist and self-helper.

Blogging may reach people facing similar challenges and obstacles as you are. Without realizing it, writing can give you and others comfort and assurance that everything will work out no matter what is going on.

You’ll realize that challenges and obstacles lead to self-improvement and growth.

Suffering is part of life, though it’s never pleasant. Right now, I am battling significant health issues that are preventing me from getting adequate sleep every night. It’s a struggle.

Even though it’s difficult today, I know it won’t always be like this. Journaling especially gives me hope that I’ll get treatment and feel better soon.

I’m doing what I can to make this difficult time as enriching as I can.

Concluding Thoughts

Writing and journaling should help you first and foremost. You should do these activities every day for the wisdom, hope, and comfort you can gain from them.

A creative outlet truly benefits your mental and emotional health. The more time you devote to writing and journaling, the more you become your own therapist and an exceptional problem-solver.

You’ll recognize what’s working for you and how to resolve tough issues.

If you are afraid of running out of ideas, once a week, jot down a list of topics and create a mind map.

Explore the articles that attract you and expand on them. Research the topics that aren’t being talked about enough and fill those gaps.

Thank you for reading. If you are new to my blog or have been with me for a while, feel free to comment and introduce yourself. It always makes my day when I know people are reading my blog.

Please subscribe to my blog to receive my articles by email. Thank you for reading and supporting me!

Before you go, check out my YouTube Channel, Tessa Koller Art, where I teach watercolor and colored pencil media and discuss marketing, creativity, wellness, and various lifestyle topics. I hope you subscribe and follow along!

Just before I turned forty, I blamed the neurological symptoms I was having on women’s issues such as hormonal fluctuations and perimenopause (I’m not in perimenopause).

I also blamed these neurological symptoms on the genetic condition I live with, known as 22Q11.2 Deletion Syndrome. November is 22Q awareness month, and I’ll be talking about this disorder as much as I can.

These neurological symptoms have become a major interference in my daily (and nightly) life.

A year ago, I discovered from an MRI that I have an adenoma pressing on my Pituitary Gland.

The Pituitary Gland is part of your endocrine system and regulates growth, hormone regulation, and body temperature. Other functions of the Pituitary Gland include regulating metabolism and responses to stress and trauma.

The adenoma was the culprit behind the hot flashes, cold sweats, and other various neurological symptoms I was dealing with.

These are the seven neurological symptoms that you shouldn’t ignore.

Headaches That Feel Different

One of the first neurological symptoms I experienced was a headache. The behavior of my headaches shifted as this Pituitary Gland came on the scene.

My headaches used to begin with ease, but now, they are intense the second they occur. I’ll be sitting at a table with family members or friends, and all of a sudden, it feels like a little gremlin in my brain just hit my head with a sledgehammer, and I’m done for the day.

Headaches that suddenly occur with extreme intensity are a classic sign of a Pituitary Adenoma. Though adenomas are typically benign, in rare cases, they can bleed internally. That hasn’t happened with mine yet, at least, I hope it hasn’t.

Frequent Lightheadedness

Lightheadedness is another classic neurological symptom of a Pituitary Adenoma. I started having lightheadedness while eating meals, and now I experience lightheadedness three or four times a day.

If you experience episodes of lightheadedness, don’t ignore that. Symptoms are information and alert us that it’s time for medical testing.

Nightly Vivid Dreams and Nightmares

Six months ago, I started having nightly vivid dreams and nightmares that were interfering with my REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep. I blamed these constant interferences on hormonal fluctuations and ageing.

If you’re having dreams and nightmares every time you’re sleeping, that means something is pressing on the Hypothalamus part of your brain.

I believe my adenoma could be pressing on that structure of my brain. The Hypothalamus regulates body temperature, hunger/thirtst, sleep-wake cycles, the autonomic nervous system, the endocrine system, emotions, and stress.

Now that this adenoma is affecting my sleep and multiple body systems, it has to go.

Vision Disturbances

The first vision disturbances I dealt with were blurred vision and double vision. I blamed my vision issues on ageing and hormonal shifts.

I also started having kaleidoscope vision, which accompanied a headache, though not every time.

Exhaustion That Is Worse Than Fatigue

Exhaustion and fatigue aren’t the same. The kind of exhaustion I’ve been having is making me nod off here and there throughout the day. Yesterday, I was in my kitchen and literally fell asleep on my counter.

Exhaustion feels worse and more intense than general fatigue. My eyes feel heavy almost all the time, and as the day goes on, this extreme tiredness is impossible to ignore.

Depression (That Doesn’t Feel Right)

When I started having depression, it didn’t feel right. It felt discordant, like I shouldn’t be depressed. Everything in my life is in order, and I am content with everything despite my health.

This adenoma, I believe, is responsible for this weird depression I’ve been feeling for the past six months. Constant sleep interruptions can cause depression and exacerbate anxiety.

The Things You Love Doing Seem More Difficult

I’m an artist and writer. Always have been. Lately, creating art and writing have become more challenging. Writing is more challenging because of this Pituitary Adenoma that I hope I can get rid of.

That’s one reason I got back to blogging: I want to exercise my brain. I’m also focusing on creating something every day and pursuing a new hobby.

Concluding Thoughts

If you’re dealing with any of the neurological symptoms I listed in this article, don’t ignore them. As someone with a genetic condition, I must undergo medical evaluations regularly, like every six months.

Ignoring these symptoms won’t help, and they won’t just go away. They will become more intense over time.

This week, on the fifth, I will have a brain MRI to see what my Pituitary Adenoma is doing. I may also have a sleep disorder, which I hope isn’t the case. I’m exploring these possibilities so I can get adequate treatment.

Thank you for reading. If you are new to my blog or have been with me for a while, feel free to comment and introduce yourself. It always makes my day when I know people are reading my blog.

Please subscribe to my blog to receive my articles by email. Thank you for reading and supporting me!

Before you go, check out my YouTube Channel, Tessa Koller Art, where I teach watercolor and colored pencil mediums and discuss marketing, creativity, wellness, and various lifestyle topics. I hope you subscribe and follow along!

We are officially at the peak of the fall season. The days are colder, and the sunlight is scarce. The clocks were set back an hour, and I’m never as thrilled as I should be about getting an extra hour of sleep.

I never thought I dealt with Seasonal Affective Disorder, but I do. To make matters worse, I have a benign brain tumor that is interfering with my REM sleep every night, so I’m not waking up rested.

I’ll see my neurosurgeon this week, and we’ll discuss the possibility of removing my Pituitary Gland Tumor. Something else in my brain could be going on, and I’m exploring other possible issues.

Seasonal Affective Disorder can make life difficult in obvious ways I won’t get into in this article. But I wanted to write a post about all the ways to effectively cope with S.A.D. and make these colder months more enjoyable.

Stick To A Sleep Schedule

Despite my sleep struggles, I stick to a schedule, even on weekends. My sleep schedule is: I’m in bed at 10:00 P.M., and I wake up at 7:30 A.M. Nine hours of sleep is something I take seriously.

Additionally, I follow a sleep hygiene routine that keeps me off my phone.

This (benign) brain tumor I have is causing nightly vivid dreams and nightmares and other neurological symptoms during the day. It must go. I’m sure I’ll experience loads of relief when it’s removed, although I have to undergo a sleep study to make sure I’m not developing a sleep disorder.

Pursue a Creative Endeavor

The colder months are the perfect time to delve into a new hobby. Yesterday, I spent two hours learning how to knit. I did a terrible job because I didn’t have the right yarn, but I learned something new.

Learning a new skill activates the brain’s reward center. Mastering a skill boosts endorphins and gives you free dopamine spikes. It’s beyond satisfying to create something with your own two hands.

Take The Right Supplements

Make sure you are taking the right supplements. I take Magnesium Oxide every night, though you may want to take Magnesium Glycinate. You may want to seek advice from a doctor who can guide you on the best supplements for your health.

Magnesium Oxide helps me with chronic pain symptoms and keeps my digestive system moving. I also take B vitamins (B3 and B12) and Vitamin D. Aside from supplements, nutrition from food is essential. Eating whole foods will boost your brain health and mood.

Daily Walks To Adjust To The Cold

No matter how cold it is outside, if it’s not raining, I’ll go for a fifteen-minute walk. Walking outdoors, even on a cold day, helps you adjust to falling temperatures. Nature walks benefit your mental and emotional well-being.

Establish Evening And Morning Routines

Every morning and evening, I follow a routine, though it changes every day depending on my schedule. My mornings are for getting ready for the day ahead — I eat a healthy, high-protein breakfast, write a blog post, and make a list of what I need to focus on that day.

In the evenings, I devote time to knitting, a puzzle, or I’ll spend time with my cats.

Make Time For Laughter

Every day, I make time for laughing. You can watch silly animal videos on social media or discover new comedians. Hang out with a goofy friend who gets you laughing.

Laughter changes your body’s physiology and rewires your brain. When I’m feeling blue, I’ll watch a silly video that gets me giggling, and that transforms my state of mind immediately.

Concluding Thoughts

Seasonal Affective Disorder comes with its set of challenges. There are a bunch of activities you can do to get through these cold months. Pursuing a creative hobby or activity that stimulates and rewires your brain will make a major difference.

Sticking to a sleep schedule is the most effective way to cope with Seasonal Affective Disorder and regulate your circadian rhythm. Taking a brief walk outside can help you adjust to the cold weather.

If the sun is out, get that Vitamin D and spend at least twenty minutes outside. Allow the sun to reach your eyes, not directly, but enough to benefit your brain. If you don’t want to go outside, sit next to a sunny window while you work.

Cook your own meals and spend time with your pets, if you have pets.

If you have other ideas for coping with Seasonal Affective Disorder, I’d love to know.

Thank you for reading. If you are new to my blog or have been with me for a while, feel free to comment and introduce yourself. It always makes my day when I know people are reading my blog.

Please subscribe to my blog to receive my articles by email. Thank you for reading and supporting me!

Before you go, check out my YouTube Channel, Tessa Koller Art, where I teach watercolor and colored pencil mediums and discuss marketing, creativity, wellness, and various lifestyle topics. I hope you subscribe and follow along!

After I turned 42, I wanted to build emotional resilience because life will keep happening, and I want to be prepared. You can acquire emotional resilience and make it a part of your daily practice and discipline in a number of ways.

Emotional resilience means that you can manage daily stressors or crises and can bounce back without becoming overwhelmed. Daily stressors can include cancelled plans, family drama, struggles in your profession, or various issues at work and at home.

I want to emphasize that emotional resilience isn’t about not feeling or responding to emotions — it’s about how you respond to life events.

Choosing not to throw a fit when inconveniences occur and having the capacity to look at situations from every angle means you are in control of your emotions. Crying and getting upset are normal parts of the process when done appropriately.

Emotionally resilient individuals don’t react to uncomfortable encounters or situations that have gone awry. They don’t behave violently or resort to physical aggression to get a message across.

I’ve witnessed people in public overreact and become borderline dangerous to be around when something happened that wasn’t on their agenda.

Lowering your expectations for all people and situations will eliminate the shock factor after something falls apart.

The holidays, for example, are right around the corner. I have zero expectations for how Thanksgiving and Christmas will pan out.

By that, I mean, I don’t expect anything from anybody in my family which means I am also prepared for the usual. I am the youngest of six siblings but I know that being an adult doesn’t change a darn thing when it comes to goofy sibling antics.

In addition to expectations, as someone who is notoriously inconvenienced by my health and other nonsense, I’ve come to learn that staying in tune with my emotions and not reacting wildly makes everything much better.

You don’t want to say or do something you’ll regret, and that can have a lasting negative impact on your life and overall well-being. Very rarely, if at all, do people think about the consequences of their words and actions.

Building emotional resilience takes time and requires implementing daily habits to get there. These are the daily habits I focus on that prevent me from getting overwhelmed:

Journaling

Journaling has improved my ability to assess situations and things happening inside and outside my environment. Journaling can make you more emotionally resilient over time because writing helps you process your emeotions.

Writing daily, even for five minutes, can keep you even-keeled when life throws curveballs. And, believe me, life will throw curveballs.

Getting overwhelmed is almost easy for me because I always have so much going on with my health and other random stuff. Now, when health stuff pops up, I am reminded that my genetic disorder is responsible for it and not something that should surprise me.

When I receive bad news, I take a break to process it and breathe, which leads to my next one.

Meditative Breathing-Five Deep Breaths

When something happens that may trigger a reaction, try deep, diaphragmatic, and meditative breathing. Inhale and count to five, hold and count to seven, exhale, and count to eight. Follow this breathing method for those times when you feel overwhelm creeping in.

Nothing and nobody is worth your time, attention, or reaction, and that rewires my thoughts almost immediately.

When my siblings pick on me or try to embarrass me in public, I don’t react or respond. Most of the time, I say nothing and walk away. If someone is trying to push your buttons, ask them what they are after. Put them on the spot and make them think about what they’re saying or doing.

Devote Time To An Activity That Quiets Your Mind

Devoting time to an activity that quiets your mind will help you build emotional resilience. Check out my last blog post about the brain-boosting hobbies you should consider pursuing.

With the holidays fast approaching, I am forcing myself to devote at least two hours a day to a creative hobby that silences my mind.

Being creative is my way of keeping my emotional health strong and in good shape. I’ll spend hours drawing or painting, even after life has thrown a curveball. Overthinking and obsessing over situations only feeds stress and drama and doesn’t solve anything.

Sometimes, I don’t want to deal with things right away. Of course, I don’t always have that option, so if I can’t escape for a bit, then I’ll take a few breaths before speaking.

Concluding Thoughts

Emotional resilience is about strengthening your emotional responses to life events and not getting so overwhelmed that you can’t function.

If you are feeling overwhelmed or like things are piling up, take everything in small doses and steps.

Journaling, meditative breathing, and focusing on a hobby during the day are ways you can practice building emotional resilience.

The next time you’re in a situation where someone is trying to push your buttons, don’t react or respond right away. Instead, breathe and remember that overreacting is far more damaging than simply walking away.

Thank you for reading. If you are new to my blog or have been with me for a while, feel free to comment and introduce yourself. It always makes my day when I know people are reading my blog.

Please subscribe to my blog to receive my articles by email. Thank you for reading and supporting me!

Before you go, check out my YouTube Channel, Tessa Koller Art, where I teach watercolor and colored pencil mediums and discuss marketing, creativity, wellness, and various lifestyle topics. I hope you subscribe and follow along!

Hobbies can do more than add flair to our lives; they boost our brain health in surprising ways.

People think the drawing, painting, and writing I do are hobbies and that I don’t need a hobby. Actually, those creative endeavors are also my profession. I create something every day to teach on YouTube or because I have commissions to finish.

This year, I wanted to pursue a hobby that impacts my brain health more, and you should too.

A hobby should be something you do for your brain health. Engaging in a creative activity for a few hours on the weekend or whenever you have time has loads of benefits, which I’ll get to.

These are the hobbies you may want to dabble in this fall and winter, and why you should:

Knitting

I’ve always wanted to try knitting because I miss making things. Knitting has a profound impact on the brain. Not only does the craft silence our minds, but it immediately puts us in a flow state.

Multiple studies show that knitting is a full neurological workout and exercises every part of the brain. I’m not going to throw scientific brain terms at you, but you should know all the brain-boosting benefits that knitting provides.

Knitting exercises the brain’s prefrontal cortex, which controls executive functioning, planning, sequencing, and active problem-solving. That’s one benefit I wanted to mention.

Drawing/Doodling

You don’t have to be an artist to draw or doodle. Drawing benefits mental and emotional well-being while easing symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Drawing also activates both hemispheres of the brain and ignites your imagination. If you’re experiencing creative blocks, drawing can remove those blocks so you can get back into a flow state.

Watercolor Painting

Next time you’re bored, instead of turning to your television, consider dabbling in watercolor painting. You don’t have to have fancy paper or brushes. You can spend a half hour or less experimenting with this medium.

Producing a painting, even a small piece, will leave you satisfied and eager to create more. It’s a relaxing activity and will make you feel centered and more grounded.

Adult Coloring Books

When I’m sitting in front of the television, I pull out a coloring book and colored pencils. Coloring doesn’t have to stop after the age of twelve. I know many adults over forty, myself included, who benefit from coloring a fun pattern.

Like all creative hobbies, coloring quiets the Amygdala in the brain. The Amygdala controls the fight-or-flight response. Coloring activates the Parasympathetic Nervous System, which regulates bodily functions such as digestion and heart rate, and lowers blood pressure.

Cooking/Baking

Cooking and baking have similar brain benefits as other creative hobbies. What’s great about cooking is that it’s all about sequencing and measuring. It forces us to be mindful and slow down.

What I love about cooking is how quiet my mind is and how focused I am. Cooking also activates the brain’s reward center. It’s rewarding to take small ingredients and create a big, delicious pastry or meal.

Photography

Photography is a calming and relaxing activity. Even on cold winter days, I’d bundle up and go to a nearby forest preserve to photograph cranes, herons, and other types of birds.

Birdwatching reduces stress, anxiety, and depression and increases mindfulness. You’re not thinking about anything else or obsessing over past mistakes. You begin to appreciate slower, mindful living.

Being in nature remedies emotional trauma and grief.

Origami/Paper Art

Origami or paper art is so much fun to experiment with! Folding paper and creating shapes or structures improves your focus and stimulates the brain’s reward center.

More than that, paper art makes you appreciate the intricacies of creating structures from an unlikely material.

Folding paper to create geometric shapes improves hand-eye coordination and focus.

Concluding Thoughts

Before 2026 flits by, consider trying a new hobby for your brain health. If you’ve found yourself saying, “I’ve been wanting to try knitting for months but have no time for that.”

Do what you can to make time.

I am guilty of thinking the same thing — that I want to try knitting or another creative hobby but have no time. So I’m forcing myself to spend one hour a day, maybe in the evenings, to try something different.

The best time to engage in a creative activity, I think, would be during your evening routine. I’m going to give this a try and see what happens. You can follow along more on my creative journeys on my Instagram at Tessa Koller Art, if you wish.

Thank you for reading. If you are new to my blog or have been with me for a while, feel free to comment and introduce yourself. It always makes my day when I know people are reading my blog.

Please subscribe to my blog to receive my articles by email. Thank you for reading and supporting me!

Before you go, check out my YouTube Channel, Tessa Koller Art, where I teach watercolor and colored pencil mediums and discuss marketing, creativity, wellness, and various lifestyle topics. I hope you subscribe and follow along!

The last time I went through a big life change, a life coach gave me the best advice.

I met this life coach in 2019 when I became single, relocated to another state, and had to figure out how to live at home after fifteen years of living independently.

It was a big, big change.

Nothing in life stays the same. I know that, at some point, I’ll go through another big change.

Stuff happens. I try not to get too comfortable and recognize that, every day, different things are happening. When I make a plan and think things will go a certain way, something else pops up.

This is where the mindset shift becomes effective. I’ve always viewed every change as bigger than me and more than I could handle.

Two years ago, a family member of mine had a terrible accident, my twenty-two-year-old cat passed away the next day, and I was preparing for a rug to be ripped out from under me.

Thankfully, this family member is okay, and the rug wasn’t ripped out from under me.

I’m watching my parents age while I’m dealing with my over forty-something health issues. I’m dealing with more than the average forty-something could probably cope with.

This life coach said that when it comes to perspective, don’t perceive any change as big or small. A change shouldn’t be about size. That was my faulty mindset.

My health is always changing, and on occasion, I get overwhelmed trying to keep up with everything — medical appointments, new diagnoses, commission work, and other miscellaneous obligations that sneak up on me.

So, when life changes occur, consider taking everything in short, simple steps. Find ways to simplify your daily life with easy-to-check-off lists and by making time for wellness or a new hobby. Do what you can to quiet your mind and reduce the intensity of what may feel like a shock.

Journaling and meditation can be effective resources for reframing your thoughts.

When life creeps up on you, picking three or five simple things to do each day will lift your spirits. Do activities that take your mind off whatever drama is occurring in your life.

Change the way you view change, and life will get much better.

Concluding Thoughts

I’m not sure if you can relate, but I discovered not long ago that I used to overcomplicate every aspect of my life without realizing it.

How? It was about how I used to think and perceive everything that was happening to and around me. When something comes up, I do what I can to make things more manageable.

The life coach I met back in 2019 told me that change shouldn’t be about big or small.

You can shift your perspective on change and recognize that some things in life are out of our control. But you can control your actions and how you think about and perceive the situations that arise.

Thank you for reading. If you are new to my blog or have been with me for a while, feel free to comment and introduce yourself. It always makes my day when I know people are reading my blog.

Please subscribe to my blog to receive my articles by email. Thank you for reading and supporting me!

Before you go, check out my YouTube Channel, Tessa Koller Art, where I teach watercolor and colored pencil mediums and discuss marketing, creativity, wellness, and various lifestyle topics. I hope you subscribe and follow along!

Three days ago, I experienced the worst inconvenience. Before I get into this bizarre story, I want to mention that the worst inconveniences, I believe, teach us lessons about life and ourselves.

This past Saturday, I was supposed to take the train from Chicago to Milwaukee for a much-needed break. The train was scheduled to depart from Chicago that Saturday morning at 8:25.

An announcement said the train was delayed due to maintenance issues, so I produced an art piece while I waited.

Then, another announcement said the train was cancelled, and we were directed to the departure gate to take a bus instead.

There was no bus.

The last announcement over the intercom shocked everyone: the train was cancelled with no alternative transportation available.

I had never heard so many people, over 100 individuals, drop the f-bomb simultaneously, but I felt bad for those who were angry and upset. I was very angry and upset too, but I didn’t react.

Meanwhile, I was helping a woman translate all the announcements from Spanish to English, texting my friend about the cancelled train, and trying to come up with another plan on the spot.

The woman (I was helping) and I trekked to the front desk, and I asked the cashier not to refund my train ride home.

Without knowing it, the mindless cashier refunded my return trip home.

I agreed to keep helping the woman translate, but we parted ways when we thought we had found an alternative way to get to Milwaukee.

I walked ten minutes to the Greyhound station, which was mobbed. More than half of the people on that train were already there waiting for a bus.

I was still S-O-L for a way to Milwaukee, with plans I had made months ago hanging in the balance. The last thing I wanted was for everything to go to waste.

Eventually, I found a way to Milwaukee. My friend sent me a text and told me something I never knew about myself. I pivot well, and I think that’s a life skill everyone should master.

What I learned was that plans can change in a flash. Throwing a fit, like a toddler, won’t fix or change anything. Overreacting solves nothing.

Inconveniences happen all the time, but I think they serve a bigger purpose.

These are the four ways that an inconvenience can be a source of inspiration and growth:

You Become Skilled In Pivoting

There was a time when I couldn’t pivot with ease. In my twenties, I was everyone’s worst nightmare when plans abruptly changed, or something inconvenienced me. But I was young and always impatient.

Now that I’m in my forties, life has thrown enough curveballs for me to know that if you plan for sun, you’ll get rain. If you plan for everything to go perfectly, something might go awry.

Stuff happens.

I’ve been training myself to go with the flow, even when something happens that infuriates me.

An Inconvenience Can Teach Us To Get Creative

If you’re in a situation that forces you to wait, get creative. While I was waiting for the train situation to resolve, I pulled out a pad of paper, colored pencils, and finished an art piece.

People noticed I was drawing a portrait of a dog and asked for my business card. I’m not sure if those interactions will result in commissions, but the thought is fun.

It helps to have something to do when everything goes awry. Drawing made me feel calm and productive.

You May Find Humor And Adventure

When things get flipped upside down, consider finding the humor and adventure in situations that may otherwise cause stress.

Being in the position to change plans quickly can feel disastrous and utterly stressful.

After that train debacle, I laughed and viewed it as an adventure. I met some cool people that I might never see or speak to again, but everything worked out in the end.

An Inconvenience Can Become An Entertaining Story

Our best stories come from the surprises life throws at us. I’ve never been in a situation where a train was cancelled, but I’ve experienced all kinds of disasters while traveling.

An inconvenience can reshape the way we think and make life more humorous and adventurous. You might meet great, like-minded individuals, which can make life more interesting.

Concluding Thoughts

When an inconvenience arises, remember that the best stories and adventures can come from it.

While I was sitting at the train station, I chatted with perfect strangers in the same situation and realized how connected we are, even to people we don’t know.

The last thing I wanted was to stress out about finding another way to get to Milwaukee on a time crunch.

What I didn’t realize was how positive and adventurous an inconvenience can be, like a Catch-22.

Thank you for reading. If you are new to my blog or have been with me for a while, feel free to comment and introduce yourself. It always makes my day when I know people are reading my blog.

Please subscribe to my blog to receive my articles by email. Thank you for reading and supporting me!

Before you go, check out my YouTube Channel, Tessa Koller Art, where I teach watercolor and colored pencil mediums and discuss marketing, creativity, wellness, and various lifestyle topics. I hope you subscribe and follow along!

When I started doing art, I was always very uncomfortable. It took me a long time to get on social media, overcome anxiety, and share my artwork.

The funny thing is, I still have immense anxiety about sharing my work. Growing up, I was constantly told that my life was going to be very hard because of my health condition and that I wasn’t going to be able to achieve much.

Before I earned my BFA, a psychologist I saw advised me to consider working a low-stress job, like at a craft store (which I actually would love). I remember laughing and saying that working at a craft store or any retail outlet wouldn’t be low-stress.

I told this psychologist that I know what I’m capable of and want from life, but it took years to silence those thoughts. For at least a year, his words became the small voice in my head telling me to lead a smaller, more sheltered life.

But I refused to listen.

Doctors need to be careful of what they say to their patients.

Using the word “can’t” in conversation is discriminatory and presumptuous. And, aside from my personal experience, I’ve met many individuals who were advised the same way — to pursue a smaller life. He didn’t say those specific words, but that’s what he implied.

I’d successfully silenced those negative thoughts by doing the exact opposite of what that psychologist suggested. I learned how to design clothes, managed a sewing business, and stumbled into a health and wellness journalism career.

That psychologist was right about one thing: designing clothes was wildly stressful and chaotic, and I felt I wasn’t doing that for myself but for others.

In 2019, when a world I manicured fell apart, I was forced to confront the answer to this question: What do I want? Who am I?

I’m an artist and have been for thirty-plus years. That’s what I want to do, and it’s who I am.

So, these are the thoughts you must silence to get the life you want.

Thought One: “Doing What I Want Sounds Uncomfortable.”

I had that thought for too many years.

Posting to social media felt uncomfortable. It still does. Someone once told me that if you want to lead a comfortable life, don’t pursue art. Now, I don’t want to be too comfortable.

Nothing positive or good can happen in your comfort zone. It helps to take small steps to move yourself from a place of comfort to a place where you are thriving.

Thought Two: “The Things I Want To Do Sound Too Stressful.”

That thought nearly stopped me in my tracks.

What I wished someone had told me was: if something seems too stressful, do what you can to make it not stressful, although I’m not sure how realistic that sounds, either!

Recently, I changed my relationship with stress and the concept of it.

By that, I mean, I view stress as a self-induced obstacle. After some reflection, I realized most of the issues in my life were caused by me and me alone.

Try taking baby steps each day until you get closer to a big goal.

Thought Three: “I’ll Never Be Able To Create X, Y, Or Z, Like So And So.”

In college, I learned about these fabulous artists dating back to the 1800s and got overwhelmed by how stunning their creations were.

I’ll watch other artists creating watercolor paintings or ink drawings on social media and think, “My art sucks!”

Admittedly, I still catch myself doing that from time to time, until I realized everyone has a unique background and set of skills that set them apart.

Now, I strive to create my own artistic style, and I stop looking to other artists for inspiration. Instead, I spend time in nature and with animals for inspiration and motivation.

Thought Four: “I Could Do What I Want, But It’s Not The Right Time.”

I spent a good chunk of my life stalling and waiting for the right time to do what I wanted. It was never the right time.

Stalling won’t get you anywhere but, well, stalled. Stuck. I’ve been there, too. There were projects I kept saying I wanted to do and had to force myself to make time for them.

For many of you, that’s what it might take. I know people who only have time to create art or pursue their hobbies on weekends. Whatever you need to do to make time for yourself, do that.

Thought Five: “What if Others Judge or Poke Fun of Me?”

Let them judge you and poke fun at you. Most of what prevented me from doing what I wanted was the fear of my siblings, friends, and people in my world poking fun of me or passing judgment on me for pursuing my creative goals.

As it turned out, when I started creating daily, nobody gave me grief. My family and friends were always supportive and continue to be.

If you’re worrying about what those closest to you will think, silence that thought and recognize it’s self-induced silliness. Most of our thoughts come from fear that isn’t even real.

Concluding Thoughts

You don’t need life to kick you in the teeth to ask yourself what you want from it. You also don’t need everyone else’s opinions or beliefs about you to stop you in your tracks.

I’m not sure this applies to everyone, but my brain actively tries to keep me comfortable and from changing. I notice that pull, so I do the opposite and focus my energy on creating art and doing the things that make me uncomfortable.

If that sounds like you as well, simply do small things each day to get you closer to living the life you want and deserve.

Remember that you are far more powerful than any negative thought.

Thank you for reading. If you are new to my blog or have been with me for a while, feel free to comment and introduce yourself. It always makes my day when I know people are reading my blog.

Please subscribe to my blog to receive my articles by email. Thank you for reading and supporting me!

Before you go, check out my YouTube Channel, Tessa Koller Art, where I teach watercolor and colored pencil mediums and discuss marketing, creativity, wellness, and various lifestyle topics. I hope you subscribe and follow along!

There is a lot to this post, so I’m going to dive right in and share my five non-negotiables:

Not Being a People-Pleaser

Not being a people-pleaser is a non-negotiable for me, though I was notorious for doing that in my twenties and thirties. I wanted everyone to like me and collaborate with me.

I was terrified to say no, especially to friends or those closest to me. When you reach a certain age, you start to recognize the cost of always being the one who goes along with everything.

It took me too long to realize that life consists of disappointments and rejections. Life also consists of good things, but you don’t need to be the person who is always keeping everyone happy and comfortable.

If a situation isn’t serving me or making me feel bad about myself, I walk away. Is that challenging at times? Yes. But you need to protect your energy, mental health, and every aspect of yourself.

Saying No More Often

For too many years, I was the yes girl. When an opportunity came up, I was all about it. I always bit off more than I could chew and couldn’t manage the stress and chaos that followed.

If you struggle with decision-making, consider writing a list of pros and cons or journaling. When an opportunity arises, I ask myself if it will create too much stress or have a positive impact on my life. That’s how I make decisions now.

Not Responding To Societal Pressures

These days, I refuse to give in to societal pressures and do things that everyone else is doing.

About a year ago, I delivered a speech at a community event where I introduced Creative Marketing and got the strangest response from one individual in the audience.

After my speech, someone came up to me and asked if I was still single. I asked this individual why they were curious about my personal life and should’ve responded differently.

That wasn’t my first encounter with someone who wanted to know my marital status.

I’m not against relationships, but I prefer to be single. Could that change in the future? Possibly.

But right now, my heart is set on being single and pursuing art and writing. I have plenty of wonderful friends and connections with all kinds of people inside and outside of my community.

No Longer Pretending or Performing

In my twenties and thirties, I was always pretending, performing, and wearing a mask. I was focused on leading a cookie-cutter adult lifestyle, and I did.

I even fooled myself into believing that I was happy and doing all the right things.

Living with a health condition made me feel like I needed to be like everyone else. I didn’t want to look like I had a health condition, but I couldn’t deny it.

In my defense, I grew tired of my health constantly dictating how I should live my life. I wanted other obligations and a busy schedule to distract myself from the realities of my limitations.

The strange thing is that my health eventually stopped me from feeling like I needed to wear a mask, pretend, and perform.

Over time, I learned to accept and embrace my differences and lead a life that is more authentic and within my means.

Being Authentic

Being authentic on and offline is a non-negotiable for me. I have openly admitted that I live with a genetic condition. I am currently dealing with health issues that are making life more difficult and hope to resolve them soon.

These days, I’m doing everything I can to bring meaning and joy to my day-to-day life.

Even when I post to my YouTube channel, if I struggled with an art piece, I let my audience know.

Concluding Thoughts

As a content creator and woman in my forties, the five non-negotiables I swear by have made life much less chaotic and more enjoyable.

For a quick recap, my five non-negotiables are: not being a people pleaser, saying no more often, not responding to societal pressures, no longer pretending or performing, and being authentic.

Life isn’t easy or a breeze for everyone, especially not me. When I was so desperate to lead a perfect, cookie-cutter adult life, it drained me and led to more health struggles.

I actively made my life more challenging to prove a point — that I could do whatever I wanted despite my health problems. I’m done with that way of living.

Life is full of difficult lessons, and I’m always learning things. That’s part of what living should be about.

Each day, I do my best to make life tolerable, enjoyable, and worthwhile. That’s why I create art and write.

Thank you for reading. If you are new to my blog or have been with me for a while, feel free to comment and introduce yourself. It always makes my day when I know people are reading my blog.

Please subscribe to my blog to receive my articles by email. Thank you for reading and supporting me!

Before you go, check out my YouTube Channel, Tessa Koller Art, where I teach watercolor and colored pencil mediums and discuss marketing, creativity, wellness, and various lifestyle topics. I hope you subscribe and follow along!

Since I’ve had to make dietary changes for various health reasons, being forced to say no to all kinds of foods and things that I want inspired this post. Even though I love dairy- well, almost anything containing dairy- I have to avoid it for a few weeks.

I’ve been thinking a lot about the art of saying no, even to the foods and things we want.

It’s not easy. Now is the worst time to restrict myself with Halloween treats and sweet snacks everywhere I turn. But I must.

Someone once asked how I could cut out foods and things I want. A thought came to me. Most of what we want isn’t what we need. Our wants and desires aren’t always aligned with our needs.

More so, I can say no to what I want because I think of the potential consequences afterwards. For instance, if I eat junk food, I’ll suffer symptoms that I won’t list here.

Letting go of what I want is also easier than I thought. In addition to thinking about the consequences of your actions, think about how you will feel after you overindulge in something that isn’t healthy for you.

The foods you eat will affect how you feel. Studies now show that eating too much sugar can cause negative thoughts and exacerbate depression.

I’m not saying that I’ll never eat sweet foods again, but the less I indulge, the better I feel. A sugar high comes with a steep crash, and it’s the worst.

When I stopped consuming starchy foods first thing in the morning, my energy lasted longer throughout the day. Instead of choosing pancakes, waffles, toast, and standard breakfast meals, I’d get creative and make a sweet potato with an egg or a savory potato casserole.

Changing how I eat first thing in the morning transformed everything for me.

Saying no to what doesn’t serve or help us comes with more rewards such as clearer skin, more energy, and so much more.

Concluding Thoughts

Saying no to foods and things you want is challenging, and I don’t want to say it’s not. That would be a lie. It’s a struggle for me, daily, and especially this time of year.

Sometimes, I let go of my desire to eat and do everything perfectly and indulge when necessary, like for a holiday, birthday celebration, or on a Saturday night when I just want to cut loose and have fun. Indulging in moderation is fine.

How you navigate your diet and the decisions you make day to day matters more than you realize.

When I learned how certain foods affect my emotional and brain health, I became motivated to cut bad habits. Thinking about consequences and how those bad habits could affect me was enough to change my ways. Now, it’s much easier to say no to the things I want.

Thank you for reading. If you are new to my blog or have been with me for a while, feel free to comment and introduce yourself. It always makes my day when I know people are reading my blog.

Please subscribe to my blog to receive my articles by email. Thank you for reading and supporting me!

Before you go, check out my YouTube Channel, Tessa Koller Art, where I teach watercolor and colored pencil mediums and discuss marketing, creativity, wellness, and various lifestyle topics. I hope you subscribe and follow along!