27th year

the good, the bad & the new

My 27th year on earth is fast approaching. I have learned so many valuable lessons this past year alone. It has been challenging, but also very rooting. I have healed, shed, broken open, and begun this cycle again and again.

I have compiled a list of ideals, rituals and routines that I am taking into my 27th year and others that no longer serve me that I am leaving behind. May this be of service to you.

T H E  G O O D

AFFIRMATIONS  |  we create our own reality + our perception of it

The use of affirmations is a huge player in my self care / beauty regimen & routine. Yes, one can say affirmations as a means of by-passing, but the vibrational power of words + devotional, actionable self-love can be healing and transformational.

MEDITATION  |   kundalini yoga, please

This type of meditation reworks the nervous system, helps one practice non-judgement, balances the chemistry of the brain and aligns the glandular system. Need I say more?

JUDGING WOMEN  |   want botox?! cool! into the natural thing?! yes!

I choose to honor all women's individual journeys. One woman's decision to have a c-section, get botox, have an abortion, etc. does not reflect my love for her. period.

REST  |    healing  >  burnout

Please, please, please, please, please listen to your body, mind & soul.

If I am tired, I slow down. I do not need to earn my relaxation; This remembrance is an integral aspect of my self care + self love routine. Burning out can result in panic attacks, decreased mental health or worse. Now, when I feel tired, I rest. I understand it is a privilege to be able to rest, an offering that not everyone has regular access to, however even if it means turning your phone on do not disturb instead of scrolling, take into consideration how that may elevate your mental state.

SEX POSITIVE  |  worthy

I love knowing + understanding that women feel empowered in so many different ways. The ways one can show up unapologetically as a woman are endless: celibacy, multiple lovers, free nipples, covered hair— every option is beautiful, as long as it's coming from a rooted space.

INTEGRATION  |  mind. body. spirit

There is so much incredible information out there. One can read a book, listen to a podcast + go to an exceptional work-shop all in one day. All of these things are great, and I love them just as much as the next spiritual babe, we simply need to remember to embody that which we area taking in. Integration is key. I am working on implementing that which I learn + activating my body's internal compass so that I can intuitively feel my way through life, not just think my way through it.

YOGA  |   flexibility of mind + flexibility of body

If I can't bend, I will break. I am working on being more like a Palm Tree; able to withstand life's strong winds, bending with the blows. 

DAIRY FREE  |   yoga girl  |  from the heart podcast w james aspey

This is the podcast episode that got me to go dairy free cold turkey after years of trying. My reasons for going dairy-free are very personal, and if it doesn't feel right for you, that’s ok.

SIT WITH IT  | you've got to feel it to heal it

No music, no sound, no mantra; just me and my unadulterated feelings, raw, washing over me. Even when it hurts, I sit with it. I have to sit through the pain to get to my power.

T H E  B A D

SORRY  | me:  *walks past woman at the grocery store, not even making physical contact* oh, i'm sorry!

We need to stop apologizing simply for taking up space.

‘ Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn’t serve the world. There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others. ‘ / Marianne Williamson 

COMPARISON  |  ew.

I wish I could wave my magic want and say "I am perfect just the way I am" and poof, I would never compare myself to another woman ever again, and we would all live happily every after. Though, of course, that is not the case. Building deep rooted self esteem takes love, time, care and discipline, but it is certainly something I am working on in year 27. 

Staying off the social media time-line as much as possible, out of the gossip magazines and away from reality television. I’m living out loud, in the real world.

COMPLAINING  |  hello darkness, my old friend

I am working on venting when I am upset, moving the experience through my body & releasing the pain.

*Grief, trauma, racial discrimination, mental illnesses and issues such as these do not fall under this category. Seeking help in many forms is perfectly ok.

PEOPLE PLEASING  |  embodiment through breath

I am practicing the beauty + art of staying in my own body & mind. If I am fully present in my own experience, my inclination to assume what others are thinking will dissolve.

FACE PICKING  |  i have acne scars

I have acne scars from picking at my face, not from having acne. My dad always warned me to keep my paws off my face and scolded me when ever I didn't. I never listened to him. Time has passed, and I now know he was so very right.

Also, picking at my face is self mutilation, truly. I love myself, why would I want to attack my own flesh.

SELF HELP  |  exchange for ' learning, thriving and growing '

A lot of the commentary flowing around the self help world is sprinkled with the commentary that “you are incomplete, but read this and I'll fix you”. I am so over being broken. I am reclaiming my wholeness.

UNFOLLOW  |  first world problem

I have unfollowed so many people this year (specifically on instagram) simply because their presence gave me anxiety as I scrolled through my newsfeed. I am reclaiming my personal (and digital) space and energy.

T H E  N E W

ACUPUNCTURE  | catch me after February 7th, my first appointment!

ASKING FOR WANTS AND NEEDS  |   me: sure, you can absolutely underpay me for that service i provided simply because i am incapable of speaking up for myself and declaring my needs.

This is no bueno. There should be a class in grade-school teaching children how to speak up for their wants & needs. Parents who are reading this, please take note. Our kids need to learn this one. 

GOOD POSTURE  |  shoulders down & back. chin up. chest lifted

This was a message I literally received from the angels. Listen wisely.

THE UNKNOWN  |  curiosity

As I write this, I have butterflies in my belly just imagining that which my future holds. There was a time not too long ago when this would have terrified me; now, I am leaning into the uncharted and honoring that voice of curiosity and intuition within.

HEALERS  |  energy/body/past-life

There is healing that needs to be done within my self that is beyond my scope of expertise. I am willing and ready to let the masters do their thing.

NON-ATTATCHMENT  |  and so it is

I am not detaching myself from the material world, I am simply practicing the art of feeling + surrendering. I will continue to take aligned action I regards to my personal life and the community at larger, however I am also learning to surrender control, at times. The universe has a perfect way of orchestrating everything towards a beautiful outcome. She has bigger and better plans than I ever could.

MOTHER EARTH  |  reduce. reuse. recycle. 

I am shopping in bulk by using mason jars and reusable produce bags. Finding super cool, sustainable clothing companies is one of my favorite hobbies. Dropping the plastic straw and plastic wear is of the utmost importance to me. Bringing my own water bottle to the function is the new cool. I intend to carpool, bike and walk as much as possible. I love using (and even creating) toxic-free household products when I can. Donating to pro-environmental causes is an excellent use of my discretionary income. I am using more tupperware and dropping the ziplock bags. It's all so very worth it. 

As always, I love you all,

Carly Yolanda Trujillo