From my diary written on July 21st, Friday: between Milan and Seoul

Hello beautiful people.

It's been awhile. And I guess the Blogger isn't such a popular platform anymore, but I needed some space to continue sharing my emotions, experiences and inspiration while my website is under construction, so here we are. I hope you've been doing well. And I hope you'll find my little notes interesting to read.

_____

July 21st, Friday.

Good morning from Milan, Italy.

- The tap water tastes here almost like a mineral one (of course I've boiled it before drinking).

- People are generally happy and use many gestures while speaking.

- Most of them are tanned, friendly and wearing colorful clothes. Sometimes you can pass by the ladies wearing sexy black dresses and heels.

- No need to wear a bra. Seriously, why do you need it? If you want you can free the nipple freely in Italy. I've seen many women braless here, it is especially noticeable after living in a "modest" Korea, where not wearing a bra would be something highly inappropriate (though I still do this from time to time, just keeping the attention to how it looks and make sure it is appropriate).

- It is hard to find a tea / matcha / herbal tea in the cafes - only coffee. Many types of coffee.

- People enjoy conversations and smoking over a cup of espresso.

- Smoking. Many people are smoking and I am struggling.

- Streets are mostly wide and city's color palette is a bit warm - different shades of yellow, orange and red. And "architectural" colors of course - dusted beige, peachy, cocoa - colored buildings will be around you. It is quite hard to find something gray or white sometimes... And since I prefer the colder tones, I've been running around the city to find the perfect spots for a picture.

- Hot weather. OK, it is also hot in Korea, but you always have an air con at home. Here - only the fan. Not helping that much.

- Fresh veggies and fruits. Huge variety of fruits. Cheap fruits and reasonably - priced fruits. It's like a heaven for me.

- Good quality fresh food. Oh, and wine. I don't drink, but I guess for someone who does  it would make a difference.

- I hear the church bells 3 times a day. Sometimes 4 times.

- Italy feels like a foreign country to me now.

- The rain here is cold comparing to Asia even though the temperature is pretty much the same. 

- Husband days Korea is cleaner and more "polished". Streets over here are full of graffiti and sometimes you can see overgrown grass that makes it look unkept.

- Cicadas aren't that loud here though they exist. For me the cicadas associates with Asia, especially Japan and Korea. Here you can't hear them that much either because of the traffic or the birds singing.

- Oh, yes! The birds are singing quite loud and beauty, especially early in the morning.

- Italia is relaxing. Sometimes I wanna lay in bed and do nothing.

- I enjoy cooking here.

See some pictures here >>>

Stepping out of darkness

This year has been incredibly taugh for me.
I think I've mentioned that a million times already. Not because I want to point on that, I'd like to tell  you that even if you have the darkest times you can get through it. Yes, it will be hard, but you can, I promise.

So, I've tried to figure out why it was like that for me...
No, there weren't any tragedies in my life or anything like that. And I'm actually so thankful to the Universe for that.
I've just been in a constant depression mixed with artistic crisis for very a long time... And that darkness has been so deep that I almost believed that there's no way out and I was stuck with no goals, no purpose, no art.

I wasn't happy with my work, I wasn't happy with my way of living and  I was constantly thinking about it.
So, after being tortured by myself for quite a long time, I've finally came up with the simple truth: no one can save me from that feeling except myself. Because I've created this cage of thoughts inside my head, I've created this situation.

You know our thoughts are the most powerful weapon. And the way we think actually creates out reality. We either build a strong wall in our head, getting away from the world, hiding deep inside being afraid of everything or we use our thoughts to build the comfort zone inside and out. Starting with the self love, care and compassion.

Start thinking of yourself as of a friend, who needs help. And what would you tell your friend in the situation like this? Would you yell at him and tell how miserable he is having no real broblems (like everything is basically good, there's no war, no starvation, no economic crisis going on), but having problems in his head, being silly? If you're a good friend you would rather try to calm him down, be kind and help him get through this, have a little talk or a long conversation... Right?

So, let's imagine that you are your own friend. No, there's no need in imagining that, just become your own friend right now. Just listen to yourself. What do you need at the moment? Do you need help, do you need comfort, love, care? Right now, right here.

If you have no one to talk to or you're afraid having a conversation about that, start talking to your diary. Write down you thoughts, try to figure out why it's been happening to you...

Be kind and patient.

And I think that's enough for this post. I will be continuing this conversation though.
Meanwhile, let me know your thoughts about it, I will be happy to hear it.

Be kind and have a lovely day.

A break

I've realized that it's been a year break.
A break from posting anything here.
Like a silence...

No, I haven't been silent for all this time, I've  been using other social media sites and apps like instagram. And I've been living my life. A bit messy life though.
This year is a hard one, but it's getting better and better with time. And I'm really excited. I'm getting better.

I want to live in a real life, in this momen.
I love the Universe and the Universe loves me.
And no, I'm not crazy horoscope fan or anything, but I've been feeling really spirutual lately and I love this positive energy of my mind, I love these vibes, this thrill and the calmness.
I enjoy writing down my thoughts.
I enjoy being naked.

Minimalism as a lifestyle

About minimalism as a lifestyle & inspiration.

I love being focused on my life and travel, not on the material things. But you don't have to be too extreme about it. Sometimes it's hard for me being "fully minimalist" ( I mean my mind sometimes whispers it to me) due to my job - I'm a fashion photographer, stylist and graphic designer. To make it short - I'm an artists, so it's especially hard for me.

And yes, - I do have a lot of things because of it: my camera & photographic equipment, make-up (sometimes I do it for the shoots), pencils and paints for drawing, basic clothing for styling models and etc.

When I see all of these things, sometimes I get a little bit sad, because I want it to be more compact. I would like to take less things with me when I travel. But I realize that having all those things is actually necessary for me, for my job, it doesn't make me less minimalist nor a bad person.

You just need to find what works best for you and realize that that everything has to be in modelration, you don't have to too hard on yourslef. Just enjoy your journey.

And what works best for you? I will be happu to hear your opinion in the comments below.
Hugs.

Читать на русском языке >>>

Nostalgic mood. The Diary

I've been in some kind of nostalgic mood recently. 

I miss that warm air, when it's so hot and sometimes it feels like you can't even breathe. Heavy rains, the spices and exotic fruits. I love Asia, I love its atmosphere, it's mood. Sometimes I hate it though... But it's a coming-going thing like everything else in our lives... I mostly hate it because I still feel an outsider when I'm there. And I will always be. 
But it's OK. I still can observe it and get inspired by it. I still can love it and appreciate it's beauty. Sometimes I feel like I was born in a wrong place. Everybody wants to live in Europe, but when I stay there for several months, I feel like a prisoner. I get bored of that calmness... I need to shake my mind and fill it with some Asian craziness...   

Далее на русском >>>

In transition

A winter without snow, a gentle touch of frozen flowers.
In transition...
A period of hopeless dreams and crushed expectations. The birth of new reality - strange, dark and captivating... Let's prase the new begginings, let's feel it deep inside.

Зима без снега, замерзшие цветы...
Переходный период.
Время безнадежных мечтаний и рухнувших ожиданий. Рождение новой реальности: странной, глубокой, темной и захватывающей... Время  новых начинаний, восхваления и наслаждения.

Fall inspiration

Fall is the strangest time of the year: its calmness is captivating and frightening. 

Seductive and inspiring, it’s the time to enjoy the spicy tea, stay warm in your bed and hold the love ones… Enjoying the warmth of memories, feeling either deeply depressed or full of energy to pursue your dreams.

Fall is the perfect time to make a new step in your life, look at it from the different angle and write down your goals, have a diary full of secrets. It’s a new beginning.

My fall mood board consists of calmness of the breeze, quirky fire and the bold thoughts.

Stay gold and wild, enjoy the colors of the wind and big city lights.

See more photos  >  Далее можно прочитать русскую версию и посмотреть фото >

Summer inspiration

After being silent for a long time, I want to share with you a splash of emotions and inspiration.

I'm really excited about upcoming summer and already feel the mood of happiness, refreshment and freedom.

Summer is a small new life: time for adventures and travel, experiments and fun. My perfect summer is minimalistic and simple, full of details, bright and cold at the same time. I like it to be unexpected and spontaneous, a little bit vintage. I fell in love with style of  80s and early 90s with its bold and sexy swimsuits and tanned  athletic models.

On the other side, my perfect summer girl is mysterious and cold, a lover of unisex style and monochromatic palette. The ideal landscape is foggy beach, and the summer breeze is the only accessory she needs.

My eternal summer is Gauguin's world: Tahiti, color

Movies to watch: The pool, The Chinese Botanist's Daughters, Eat Pray Love

Summer goals: being open minded, fearless and free. Create, think clear and enjoy every moment.

Hope you'll enjoy these photos and have a perfect summer holidays.

Далее можно прочитать русскую версию и посмотреть фото >