The Importance of Reinventing One's Self

It is said that we don't live for long enough. Life comes and goes in the blink of an eye. Yet, on the other hand, life is long and full of chapters. I teach Shadow Work on Preply, and one of my clients recently talked about how her life has had distinct chapters. When I think of my own life, I can see that there have been chapters or phases in life. These are childhood, early adulthood and college, having a child, and living abroad. These phases could be broken up further if I wanted them to.

In life, I have often made changes that have made life interesting. I have moved a lot. I used to worry that this was something negative, but now I have learned that psychologically if one does not change their life, life tends to become routine and seems to go quicker. That is why people oftentimes say that their adult years fly by, whereas childhood lasts a much longer time. 

In addition to living in various cities, states, and areas around the world, I have dabbled in new hobbies, and careers, and even changed aspects of myself. For a while, I was very open-minded, and then I became more close-minded in comparison to when I joined a very legalistic religion. Then I left that and became very open-minded and started to reinvent myself. During this time, I made a lot of friends, and then something happened, and I had a relapse and ended up alienating a lot of people. That was a shame, but it is also a part of my growth. Many people whom I knew were still friends with me, but quite a few left and were angry at me. I don't blame them. 

I think that reinventing one's self can be a positive part of life that can add so much joy and beauty to life. In this life, things change, we change, our relationships change, our jobs change, and circumstances change. Why be the same person throughout life? I don't believe that anyone is really the same person throughout life. I am so different from who I was as a child, a young adult, or even two years ago. It's amazing to see all the changes that have taken place in life, and I love that I can easily change, adapt, and recreate who I am. 

Recreating yourself means taking control of your own narrative instead of being passively shaped by external forces. This sense of agency—that you can change your mindset, habits, identity, or direction—leads to greater self-confidence and inner strength.

Many people live in patterns inherited from childhood, trauma, or social conditioning. Consciously choosing to redefine yourself allows you to break free from those limiting patterns—whether it’s people-pleasing, perfectionism, or self-doubt—and replace them with healthier beliefs.

The ability to adapt your self-concept means you are more resilient in the face of change, crisis, or loss. Instead of falling apart, you can pivot. This flexibility is strongly linked to better mental health and lower levels of depression and anxiety.

As people mature, their values often shift. Recreating yourself helps you live in alignment with who you are now, rather than who you used to be, or who others expect you to be. That alignment leads to a deeper sense of purpose and fulfillment.

Everything in nature evolves—including us. Clinging to an old identity that no longer fits creates suffering. Recreating yourself is a way of saying: “I accept change, and I will evolve with it.” That attitude builds psychological harmony rather than resistance.

When you consciously recreate yourself, you’re declaring that your past doesn’t define you. You don’t have to carry the shame of old mistakes, roles, or failures. This opens space for self-forgiveness and growth.

When you change your life from the inside out, you become a walking permission slip for others. You show that it’s possible to grow, heal, and become more authentic, even if it’s messy or slow.

I can't imagine being the same person every day, every year, or during every phase of my life. I love to consciously make changes to who I am, and I hope that it inspires others to explore all that is possible during life. 💜

A Locked Door Still Guards A Path

Peace is within me. Every day, I choose peace. I choose peace now. 
Today is a new day. Every day is a new start to a new life.
Beauty surrounds me in all that I do, see, think, and feel. 

❊I saw a quote that said: "A locked door still guards a path." I have decided to draw an image with that quote, as I see it as powerful and worth meditating on. 

Many doors have been seemingly locked to me (or so I thought). But I realize that in life, nothing is truly locked. People find their ways into areas that they never dreamed of entering. Even in regards to the past, the things and places that I saw as closed doors could open. I don't know if they will. I have spent a lot of time thinking or saying that they would never, but I wonder if that was the right mindset.

We never know where we will end up in life. 

For example, when I was a child, I never imagined I would actually live in Egypt. Nor did I imagine that I'd live here in Georgia or Ukraine. Yet, those things happened.

I never imagined my life would turn out as it did. Nobody knows the future, so how can they say if a door has been locked. It's easy to say that something will not happen, but we don't know what will or will not happen. Life is a mystery. That's what makes it so interesting.

I believe that those whom I have hurt will forgive me. I believe this because the world is better when forgiveness takes place. I am sorry for the things that I said. Time heals many wounds. Nobody truly wants to walk around feeling low. People don't want to live in a world where they feel remorse or anger. There are reasons why those feelings are so repulsive to us. 

❊A locked door still guards a path❊

Behind every door is an opportunity. Many doors we don't try to open because we can't imagine what is on the other side. We think that we know everything. That we can judge what will be. This is sillyness though. Live with an open mind, a mind open to wonder. Live with the expectation that you can go and be anywhere. So much of what we experience in life is a reflection of our beliefs. If you believe you can't be somewhere, you will never be there because you will hold yourself back from even trying. Yet, if you believe that you are welcome, that you are destined, that you belong, then you can find yourself in that place. 

Even the act of trying to open one door may open a better door. I have found opportunities in life by asking, seeking, and searching. Sometimes, just talking to someone can open a door. Sometimes, applying for a job that you can't imagine yourself being in can open a door. The more opportunities that you take advantage of will bring you to paths that you never imagined.

For example:

✨My work in Ukraine was brought on by just sending an email. That brought me to teaching English and eventually led me to Egypt and here to Georgia. Had I never sent that email, I would be on a completely different life path.
✨I have been given positions by outright asking for them. Had I never asked, nothing would have happened.

Life is a journey of different paths that we embark on. So much of life is a mystery. Be open to the reality that any path can open up at any time. Never tell yourself "this won't be." That only leads to frustration and anger. I used to think that I'd never return to my former job. Then I wondered if I wanted to. Now I know that it is possible, but there are many other paths open to me, and I want to go down those paths. I want to seek and explore, and be free to discover things that I could have never dreamed of. That's the joy of life. 

❊Written in Batumi, Georgia  

It's Time To Start Over - A Blog About Light Work and The Joy of Life

✨Hi new reader! Did you know that I used to have another blog? Actually, I've had many. And none of them lasted too long. My last blog was a disaster, to be honest. An experiment that I got carried away with, and in the end, I decided it was time to throw it all away.

I've had other blogs, too, though. I had a blog about social media addiction with over 1 million views. It's now gone. I had one that was a critique of law school with hundreds of thousands of views. It's long gone. I have had many smaller, more personal blogs, but in the end, I don't keep them. Only one of my blogs is up, and that one has over 11 million views.

This is going to be something completely different, I think. Something that is exciting and new, and just for me. A place where I will write about what is on my mind, but in a more positive way. But first, I want to talk about my last blog and what didn't work.

My last blog was an experiment with shadow work. It got about 6,000 views before it went the way of the sweet dodo. I created it as a way to be completely honest, open, and transparent with the dark thoughts that sometimes wanted to get out of my head. I learned a lot about psychology in the process, but at the same time, it was a bit too dark at times. The worst part was that it alienated people. That was not my full intention, but it kind of morphed into that. I don't want this blog to be that.

This blog will be focused on "light work" and perhaps my travels in life instead. Light work refers to practices or actions aimed at healing, raising consciousness, and spreading love, compassion, or spiritual awakening. That's what I want this place to be about. I want to share the beauty of my life, good thoughts, affirmations, and joy through my words. I think that it is more suited to me than a blog about things that annoy or anger me.

The truth is, we all have these things that eat at us, and there has to be a way to work through them. One way that I have discovered is by not giving them too much thought. It's easy to ruminate on the things that upset us and make a mountain out of a molehill. Some things are best ignored. In "The 48 Laws of Power" by Robert Greene, the author states in Law 38:

❊This law teaches that showing interest or frustration over something you can't have gives it power over you. By disdaining or ignoring what is out of reach, you keep your dignity, appear self-sufficient, and avoid looking weak or desperate.

❊Instead of obsessing, complaining, or chasing what eludes you, turn away from it completely,  and redirect your energy. The less attention you give something, the more insignificant it becomes.

One of the ways that I have learned to focus my mind on the positive aspects of life is through creativity. Art has become my most recent passion. In addition, I have enjoyed other forms of creativity such as photo editing and writing. Writing has long been a tool that sometimes took me to a dark place. I don't want to ever go back there, and I am making a conscious decision to never do that again. I want my words to bring peace and joy, love and kindness, and create a deeply introspective place where ideas are born. 

Over the years, I have written much that has been harmful, and for that, I am sorry. Instead, it's time to use this gift for something positive and full of joy. Each day is a new chance to start a new life, and today I am starting something new here. I am excited about this journey. 

❊Written in Batumi, Georgia