Cozy at Home
Just a cozy day at home baking some Swedish chocolate balls and feeling Leiana's good energy.
An Inner Strength
Did you know that honeysuckle is Bohuslän's provincial flower? It's called Vildkaprifol in Swedish. It represents strength and adversity in the toughest of external conditions. For me the honey suckle represents knowing your own worth so you can walk down your authentic soul path in life. I am blessed to have this wild flower growing in my garden. There is still one left, hanging on as the cold winter sea winds come to greet the land.
Since returning home from the grounding retreat, I look at my surroundings with more presence. I feel excitement in my belly. Like a curiosity a child feels seeing the world for the first time. Curious about the earth and my gifts. I have always wanted to express but I felt a creative lock for a long long time. Probably, since I was a teenager. I have feared creating and expressing myself. It didn't feel safe. I lacked a sense of self.
In my young adult years, I bought into the false belief that money and a fancy office job would make me happy. It didn't. My life felt meaningless. During this time I sought comfort in romantic relationships but it never truly fulfilled me. I had a void that needed filling. I was the only one who could fill it. I craved true connection, fresh air, and a job where I could express myself creatively. So here I am, jumping into the unknown world of entrepreneurship. I feel free for the first time in a long time!
Of course, with my art business I would like to bring in enough income to sustain this lifestyle. I feel a freedom now to create, born from a courage in my heart. I don't know if this business will be successful, but I believe it can be with hard work and consistency. I always had this courage but it was layered with years of fear. Fear that I felt I released at the meditation retreat I went on last month. At the retreat I learned how to nature gaze and allow the power of nature to heal you. It really helped me release something stuck inside. Like a door that was locked and cob webby. Now something let go inside me and my soul can finally sing.
So much about being an artist is having a healthy mindset. Most artists are highly sensitive, so emotional wellbeing is a very important foundation, otherwise it can block creativity. It's important to keep the flow open, to stay present and breathe in moments where you notice your brain is misleading you.
In the last five years, I had to teach myself about healing and growing emotionally. I have now reached an emotional maturity and an awareness of self that I never thought possible five years ago. Back then I doubted it was possible, but I longed to become this woman who feels fearless and free. And now I'm here believing anything is possible. We are art after all.
In the face of adversity and twists in life, I still found my way forward. Just like the Vildkaprifol. Vulnerable and free.
I hope you are having a beautiful Saturday ꨄ
Cloud Gazing
Tonight the sun was bursting through the clouds. A reminder to keep the fire in my heart alive. As I was editing this photo I started to see animals and interesting shapes in the clouds. I'm curious to know what you see? What do you think the clouds are telling you?
Supernatural
For years I have been fascinated by Norse mythology. I always explored this theme in art school. It seems to be an interest that hasn't left me. I'm curious about my Scandinavian ancestors and the way they lived. It helps bring me new perspectives and ways of looking at the world today. On my Mum's side I'm Scottish and Irish, which also fascinates me. As I child I was fascinated by Celtic symbols and music. I have an old Irish ring, which I've had for years. I love embracing both my heritages.
As a child I loved dressing up for Samhein, our modern day Halloween. It was truly a time where my ancestors believed the veil between the two worlds were the thinnest. You never knew who was a spirit, hence the mischief of knocking on people's doors on hallow's eve.
The Norsemen, who lived in this area where I live today, believed that cats possessed supernatural powers, acting as guardians against evil spirits. When Leiana is around, I feel safe and my home feels protected.
Last night the wind howled leaving a spooky quality to the entire night. At one point lying in bed, I thought the roof was going to blow right off. But then I reminded myself that the people who built this house built it to fight the strong coastal winds and Thor's thunder. The thought brought a smile to my face, and then I fell quickly asleep.
Creative Inspiration
Hello loves!
I just wanted to pop in here and spread some positive energy. I hope you have a beautiful day. Sending you lots of love and creative inspiration. I'm also editing a little vlog from my weekend that will go live on Friday. I hope you find it inspiring.
Speak to you soon ♥︎
The Fire of Creativity
Good evening to you!
This weekend, I experienced a new kind of creative energy, one that resonated deeply with the changing nature around me. As Autumn settles in with its beautiful mix of warm colors and crisp air, I spent time both in nature and in my art studio, reconnecting with my soul. It felt grounding and transformative, as if the scenery mirrored an inner warmth and an inner fire. A renewed passion for painting and a drive to create that I haven’t felt in months.
I hadn't touched a canvas since January, but returning to it now felt like picking up a long-lost conversation with an old friend. Back then, that last painting brought me clarity and led me to Sweden, a move that’s reshaped my world. Standing before the blank canvas again this weekend, with paintbrush in hand, I felt both a twinge of hesitation and an overwhelming sense of excitement. The fear that I’d somehow “lost it” lingered, yet the desire to create intuitively burned even stronger. And it turns out that’s the beauty of passion—it grows fiercer, overcoming the small doubts that hold us back.
As I worked on setting up my art studio, something magical happened. I’d been meaning to give this space some love for a while, organizing brushes, mixing palettes, putting up inspiring pictures, and arranging the colors I want to use in my next pieces. The studio felt like a metaphor for what’s happening within me: a need to clear the way, to create a nurturing space where I can freely express myself, letting go of distractions and anxieties. Each small step I took to set up this creative sanctuary felt affirming, as if preparing the ground for something beautiful to emerge. My vision for this space is to create an environment that feels like a true reflection of where I am now.
The air outside this weekend was chilly but refreshing, with fog lingering in the mornings and the earthy scent of leaves filling the air. It’s as if Autumn itself is a lesson in transformation, a reminder that things need to shed their old layers before they can grow again. And in that stillness, I felt my own growth, my own readiness to dive deeper into my creativity, knowing that the uncertainty is just part of the process.
Painting that first stroke on canvas brought a flood of memories from my last painting back in January. How much has changed since then! That piece helped me see that moving to Sweden was right for me. I can almost feel how my inner and outer journey this year has changed my approach to art. Each brushstroke this weekend felt rooted in something deeper—a new sense of belonging, a renewed commitment to my creative voice. I know there’s still so much to explore, and that feels wonderful.
This weekend, I carved out that time, making space not only for painting but also for reconnecting with the joy of creating. That choice felt like a small victory, a statement to myself that my artist soul deserves time and space. And as I painted, the fear I’d carried—fear that I might have lost my touch or that my creativity wouldn’t flow as it once did—slowly began to melt away. Each color I chose, each line and layer, reminded me that creativity isn’t something that disappears; it stays with us. It's a voice that deserves to be heard in each moment.
After setting up my studio, I sat for a moment, looking around and feeling grateful for this small but cherished space that reflects my current journey. There’s an undeniable peace in having a sanctuary like this, a place I can return to whenever I feel the need to express, explore, experiment, and heal from life's unexpected events. It’s where I can let the changing natural world outside inspire me, and where I can bring my own feelings to life on the canvas.
After this weekend, I feel more confident to approach my art with more curiosity and playfulness. Autumn, with its vibrant colours and promise of a quiet winter, reminds me that embracing change is essential, even if it feels daunting. My passion for painting, for creating something new and meaningful, continues to grow stronger—like the roots of a tree that sink deeper as the old leaves fall away.
Thank you for reading about my journey as I find my way forward in both my art and my life ♥︎
Autumn Warmth
Good evening sweet hearts!
What a cozy day it has been. A whole day cozy at home with the fire burning all afternoon while it rained and howled outside. It was a real Autumn day, cold outside but warm inside.
It's currently 23:30 and I'm about to tidy up and get ready for bed. I spent most of yesterday cleaning and today was spent by the computer getting on top of admin. I feel like admin is one of those unwanted but needed projects. I've decided to dedicate one hour a day for admin so I can spend the rest of the day on creating. Without no art there is no business admin, so it's important that I find a balance. There will always be admin to do, so one hour a day will be a good shift in my work flow.
How has your week been? Any fun plans for the weekend?
In my effort to overcome perfectionism, I am pushing myself to post a blog post every day. Even if in my mind I don't have the best photos. There will come a time and place to showcase that work, but for now, like I've said before, this is more of a daily artist/human diary of this phase of my life 🙂 Who knows where it might lead. I have a dream vision but I'm open to what comes to me. I'm ready to receive and fulfill my soul purpose in this life. It's never too late.
One exciting thing that I did today was to finally unbox my new camera. I talked about it in a previous YouTube video and thought it was time. Today was the day I unleashed my new friend. I can't wait to take it out on adventures. I hope it's a nice day tomorrow so I can take photos and film for my next vlog. This camera is really good in low light conditions, so with the darkness coming now this camera will be perfect for capturing moments at home and outside when the light conditions are not so good.
If it's another rainy day then I plan on filming setting up my art studio and getting back to my childhood passion, painting. I have felt really inspired by the rocky landscape here on the Northwest coast of Sweden, and recently thought about creating a rock inspired photo and painting series. I have always felt that these ancient rocks are alive and have a powerful spirit of their own. I wrote on my recent Instagram post that I feel that they carry wisdom. I always go to the rocks and lie on them to feel grounded, to seek answers, and to feel their strength. I've done it for years. Since I have a tendency to overthink, I need to find ways to ground myself to the earth, and connect to the strength I know I have within. These ancient rocks help me feel grounded and connect back to my heart. I see how the rocks can help reflect the inner strength and calm that we all have.
As a child I was fascinated by rocks and would collect them. I have a whole collection on my window sill by the dining table that I'll show you in a future post. Right now I'm too tired to photograph it hehe
I took a few rocks back with me from Mallorca where I went on my meditation retreat. A suitcase full of rocks haha Just kidding, it was two or three really beautiful warm brown rocks and one that was white. It looked like a quartz crystal. I found them when we were out on our silent nature gazing hike. What a beautiful experience. I still need to tell you about it! I mentioned some things on my latest YouTube video but I feel I could talk about this experience for hours. The moment that really stood out to me was when I looked up at the sky during a grounding ceremony in nature, and I saw not one heart shaped cloud but a heart shaped cloud in a bigger heart shaped cloud! Amazing! I felt the magic and faith return to my heart, like my soul came back to me that night.
I better get to sleep so I don't miss the beautiful morning light. Plus it's getting close to "witching hour" as my Grandmother used to say.
Goodnight and sweet dreams ♥︎
Smögen i min Hjärta
This is something I have always said. It means Smögen is in my heart. I remember when I was in middle school school, it was always during the most nerve-recking period, summer exams where I would long for Smögen the most! I could almost taste the salty winds from the exam hall. During the exams, on my desk I would have a picture of the view outside my Dad's house on the island. Going to Smögen every Summer was the highlight of the year. Each year, I pushed through school only to have another magical Summer on the island. It was there I felt most creative and most free. And after 20 years, I still feel that way.
When I was 14 years, old I was out for a walk on the rocks on the magical island of Smögen. The answer came to me so clearly. I knew it then and I remember the day and the feeling like yesterday. It was so clear to me in that moment that I wanted to be an artist and live on this island when I finished high school.
I wanted to study art at a UK University remote, and live on this island while I studied. I believe the only school that was offering a BA art program was Hertfordshire University. Of course, it was possible back then and looking back, it would have worked out. But from a spiritual perspective, it wasn't my path then. On the other hand, if I had the support and encouragement to do what I wanted to do back then, it would have been possible. But that thinking puts me in a very negative emotional state. It makes me angry to think about. It's a waste of energy because I can't change the past, I can only learn from it. And these low frequency emotions aren't good for the planet. So I focus on the positive lesson instead and apply it in my life today.
The biggest lesson I've learned from this experience is to not doubt myself and surround myself with people who support me unconditionally. I knew deep down within myself what my heart wanted. I forgive those who didn't support me the way I needed. They only did what they thought was right at the time. Since I was a child, I've always been a very innovative thinker. When I was 12 I remember telling my Grandmother that one day we will have mini televisions in our pocket. And don't we with smartphones? Even wanting to study remote for University back in 2009, and now everything is remote. Working and studying remote is now considered normal. If anything, this reflection has given me so much confidence that anything is possible if you have faith and commitment. And also to embrace my forward thinking despite the fearful thoughts of others. Eventually it will become the new normal. I think most people are afraid of change and uncertainty, it's just having the courage to push through. To think and live differently. To be a dare devil, a free-spirit, and let your heart lead the way. And then let your brain figure out the details to make your dreams come true. Never let your brain talk you out of your dreams. I recently read that practicality is a mask of fear. Don't let fear run your life.
If the self-trust isn't there, then it's very easy to follow the opinions of others. At the time I was told that it was not possible to live on the island. I heard things like, "there are no jobs during the winter," "you are a young girl who deserves a real university experience," "remote studying is not real studying," "you need a job," bla bla bla
Everyone is a teacher but you are also your best teacher. It's an inner knowing and a destined path that I believe we are all on. There is a verse in the Poetic Edda about this, which I will tell you about later. In 2017, when I read it, it spoke to me deeply. But at that phase in my life, I was filled with self-doubt, and I let the opinion of someone talk me out of it. But now I'm ready to live these words. And I have been wanting to get it as a tattoo for 7 years now! No more waiting.
I believe in the spiritual timing of everything. This thinking brings peace in my heart. So now, after years of emotional maturing and living life's hardships, I am now able to offer a healing quality to my work.
I've seen the other side of life: the city life, the heartbreak, the career grinding, the superficial, the betrayal, the inauthenticity, the sickness, the grief, etc. Despite me feeling ungrounded for over 10 years, I can see the beauty in the hardship and in a strange way it's helped build my self-esteem. It was a challenging time, like I wasn't in my body. Like my soul kept begging to set it free, and eventually it had enough and left me. I feel like I sleep walked my entire 20s. Of course, there were moments of thrill but looking back, they were all dopamine hits. All chemical feelings to distract me from what I really needed. Self trust. Self love. Now that I found it and staying true to that 14 year old girl, I'm here pursuing my dream as an artist. And my soul is back!!! I can feel it.
I hope to offer something beautiful to this world that can be a very stormy and very beautiful place at times. And if you are ever in need of some peaceful and healing energy, this island awaits your arrival. And me too! ♥︎
Smögen is my paradise destination! Many think of paradise as sandy beaches, palm trees, and warm nights by the pool. For me, paradise is this ancient raw rocky landscape, the icy North winds, and the cold Skagerrak Sea. That's where my heart wants to be. If I was a princess in a Disney movie, this would be my kingdom. After reading my story so far, what do you think the movie would be called?
Nine Months Here!
Hello you beautiful shining suns!
I woke up to the most beautiful colours of pink and blue in the sky. My favourite combination. It was so soft and quiet this morning. I spent all day at the computer but I enjoyed it because I finally got to give my blog some love and attention. Can you believe I've been here for 9 months already? It's like making a baby haha It's been so fun to read back on old posts. And this is a big reason why I started my blog, to have it like a diary to look back on and a way to connect with you. I want to thank all the new loyal readers and subscribers on my YouTube channel. Without you I would not have the motivation to continue.
It's just gone 6pm and it's already dark outside. It's getting darker and colder with each passing day. It might be time to get some curtains installed. I can feel the forest trolls peeking in.
Leiana is outside doing her business. Let's see if she stays out all night. She doesn't seem to like the cold too much. It will be our first Winter together. I also feel less safe now that she's outside. I know that if something was to happen, even if she was here, I'm not sure it's in her instinct to defend me. More and more I think about getting a dog. I've wanted one for 10 years now but life happened and that dream was shelved to prioritise other things in life.
Like I mentioned, my blog got a little makeover today. So if you want to go all the way back to the beginning, you can follow my story in depth. I read a lot of it again today and it was like reading a novel. Enough time has passed where I was really able to read it as a reader would, objectively. I learned a lot from this experience. Mostly how much I've grown. And this makes me excited to keep going. I'm curious about what is possible in this lifetime. I feel so good right now. Motivated and inspired. Just need more hours in the day haha Can you relate? 🙂
Never forget you are the leading character of your life! Now go write your beautiful story and be open to all the twists and turns in the road.
Enjoy the rest of your day ♥︎
LOTS OF LOVE,
Annika
The Balance of Life
As some of you already know, I recently lost my Grandmother. It's been nearly two weeks ago that her spirit crossed over. I hope she is having the time of her life! Reunited with my Grandfather, her parents, her Sisters, and friends. She was 88 years old. I miss her dearly but death teaches us a valuable lesson. It's okay to let go. It's the eternal balance of life.
Autumn can be a heavy time but it can be a joyous time. It's about our perspective. So when I think about letting go from this perspective, death no longer frightens me in the way it once did. It teaches me to be present in my own life. To be in the here and now of every moment. All I can do is the best with what I have while I'm alive on this planet. To help inspire others to also follow their sparks of inspiration, their soul path in life, and to feel joy every day.
Sending you so much love and warmth this Season. And if you are also going through a time of loss and grief. My heart goes out to you ♥︎
