Frühlingserwachen und alles ist neu

Und hier ist er, der erste Eintrag in Deutsch. Ich hoffe, dass meine englischsprachigen Leser nicht allzu frustriert mit dem Google Übersetzungs-service sind - es ist für mich wirklich einfacher, meine Gedanken und Empfindungen in meiner Muttersprache auszudrücken; welche Erleichterung.

Der Frühling kommt langsam, aber sicher - auch wenn es im Moment draußen noch wärmer aussieht, als es eigentlich ist, die Sonne wird immer kräftiger.
Wenn ich um diese Zeit draußen spaziere, spüre ich richtig, wie alles erwacht und immer grüner wird. Im Moment höre ich sogar recht wenig Musik, wenn ich unterwegs bin, weil diese Lebendigkeit so wundervoll ist - einfach leben. 

Einige von euch werden bestimmt das alte Design vermissen - glaubt mir, ich tue das auch ein wenig. Der Grund, weshalb ich mich wieder einmal für etliche Nächte an den html code gesetzt, bis ich viereckige Augen hatte, ist, dass ich nie damit zufrieden gewesen bin, wie wenig die Bilder zur Geltung gekommen sind - und das, obwohl die Fotos eine Leidenschaft von mir sind.
Ich liebte zwar das alte Design und diesen gewissen mittelalterlichen Touch (von dem wir alle wissen, dass ich ihm absolut verfallen bin - habt ihr schon einmal mein Zimmer gesehen? *lacht*), aber dass der Hintergrund dann doch von den Bildern ablenkt und sie außerdem in der Größe einschränkt, war es mir dann doch wert, ein bisschen umzustrukturieren - der moderne Elf darf ja kreativ und flexibel sein ;) 

Diese Woche steht auf jedem Fall ganz im Sinne des Ausklangs einer ziemlich stressigen Phase, es tut wirklich gut, nicht mehr vollkommen in Arbeit zu ertrinken. Ich fühle richtig, wie meine Kreativität und meine innere Ruhe wieder zurückkehren - ich habe sie vermisst.

A new chapter

Greetings, dear reader of this blog.

As you know, this page has been very silent ever since I started with youtube - you probably can imagine why *winks*
Right now, a lot of things are changing and even more things are yet to change - it feels like I have openied up a new chapter with the turning of the seasons past. I also tried aroud a bit with balancing my work- and leisuretime, as well as being in touch with you guys and it feels like I am finally starting to get a hang of it, now that the first term at the new Uni is done.

And lately, I feel inspired to write more. Maybe posts on their own, maybe posts to go with a topic I am convering in one of my videos; but for the first time in a while; the motivation and inspiration is there :)

BUT (there is always a 'but'...), one thing will be very different: I will not be writing in English anymore.

The Google translate header will remain, and you can have my German glibberish translated into any language you please - I know it is not the same, but technology is getting better and better (but definitely feel free to share possibly really fucked up sentences in the comments with me).
The language of my videos, my instagram, facebook page and direct interactions with you will still remain in English, it is just the writing language of my blog that is to change.
I might even leave my headers in English, so it is easier for you guys to see what a post is about when you access it through a facebook link.

Before you (possibly) flip your table upon why I want to torment my readers with funky Google translate sentences, here is why:

I have noticed, that oftentimes, the reason why I am not writing a post, is because of English.
Personally, I adore this language (and I also find it a lot more elegant than German in some ways), but nevertheless; it is not my mothertongue. It does take that extra bit of focus and energy, that I sometimes don't have.
Another reason is that 80% of my readers are German speaking anyways. This is just a small extra "reason" why I am taking this step, my main is that I just want to write freely, directly from the heart and I feel like I cannot do it in a foreign language - it doesn't feel like me and a lot of times I end up not being happy with the endresult or trash a finished post because it feels weird (because of English).

My layout and design might also get a wee overhaul *winks*, so you could say I am setting this thing up anew entirely :3 I am still pondering about if I want to move it over to wordpress or not; but I will decide when I am back from Iceland next week.

I hope you guys are well, do let me know about how you feel about this, but I really hope you can understand.
I won't stick with English as my blogging language, but I also want to hear your concerns and your feelings towards this and regognize them.

Now back to cuddling the cat; read you again in German - or which ever language you choose in the Google-thingy!


Lots of Elflove,
Rica

Swimming in the ice | Feeling the present moment and facing yourself~

I have always loved the cold: the icy wind towards the end of october, when winter's breath turns everything to glass, the snow, and icy air in my lungs.
For me, the cold has something fascinating and magical about it. It is chance, to face yourself and become stronger than you think you are - to get to know yourself on a new level. It is almost, as if these icy temperatures are a reflection of our own selves.
How we react in uncomfortable situations, how we deal with stress and how we take unexpected turningpoints - all this is reflected in our attitude towards the cold.

Taking a cold shower. For many, this is something that is almost unthinkable, in a world that is built to fit our comfort zone.
When, however, do we ever experience adventures from within that zone? When do we thrive, while being comfortable and cozy?
There is a beautiful quote that says: "Life begins at the end of your comfort zone" - so why not live a little?
Becomming friends with the cold takes persistency - it is just like workout; both for your body, and for your mind, as it is first and foremost a matter of your mindset.

For a long time, I've only known icebaths from being an athlete and I still perform them about once a weak to help my recovery after an intense workout.
That there are people, who step into frozen lakes and glaciers for other resons tha just physical regeneration, has somewhat opened my eyes a little. Just like most, I've grown up with the the firm belief, that "swimming outsie in winter is something you just don't do."
Many doctrines from our childhood still influence us subconsciously, sometimes even creating a fear we didn't know we had. It is stopping us from making our own experiences and through them seeing, what we are truly capable of. Breaking these fears is liberating.

As you step into the cold water, you barely feel the cold after a few seconds. I don't freze - not even goosebumps - which may sounds paradox, but as a matter of fact; my entire body feels warm. 
What I love the most about bathing in icy water however, is the way how it imediately brings you right into the present moment. It is a feeling of awareness torwards yourself and your own body, that at least I usually only have during meditation.

For me personally, bathing in a frozen lake almost feels spiritual. When the first rays of the sun (or in my case: raindrops) gleam through the bare branches of the trees, crisp and cold air and singing birds all around you, as you submerge into the water, you are attentive for even the smalles of noises. this creates a unique feeling of peace.
And once you step out of the cold again, it almost feels like you've become anew; as if all the stress and heaviness of the days past have been washed away and, frozen under the surface of the lake.
Ice swims are very energizing, usually I have to keep myself together to not go right into the cold water again imediately.

Personally, I love icebaths. Fully surrendering to the cold and allowing it to embrace you in a frosty hug, whilst feeling your own warmth - it is wonderful. It is about so much more than just about hardening yourself or regeneration.


Jonna Jinton - has definitely inspired me with her beautiful  Video about ice swims, to just take my icebaths outside and was kind of a good veto against to my inner dogma about "going into the ice = no." that I didn't know existed until that moment.

At this point, I also want to mention, that I am already used to cold water and low temperatures. I would not recomment to anybody, to step into a frozen lake without properly knowing your body and knowing how it reacts in situations like this (and especially not to do it on your own).

For all who want to learn more, Wim Hof, the Iceman, has a lot of further information about icebath.

Have you ever swam in the ice? And if no - would you?

How long has it been?

Honestly, I don't want to check - it's been embarassingly long!

Main reasons being many huge changes in my life that have turned everything upside down and now I feel like everything has settled in again and I'm slowly feeling like I've got my life back.

Lets's start from the beginning:
It all began with what I fondly refer to "the term of hell", where I somehow survived thorugh a 70hrs week for half a year but oh it was so not worth it.
But it led to some grand things, that is for sure.
It all began with a social media break/thing because reallife had become so intense, that it had a very negtive effect on my creativity and overall inspiration. At first, I took the time "off" to get myself back together and make room for time off.

Eventhough I'm now officially back to posting regularly (on Instagram), I'm still not as active as I used to (and the algorythm keeps reminding me with a pathetic reach - thank you, Instagram algorythm!), but I am sure it will all even out once I have fully settled in with the many new changes.
All in all, the last year has been a grand journey of self-discovery and aligning myself back with what is actually important to me.
It is also what has led to my change of usernames, as I had felt that my content doesn't need an artistname anymore (nowadays I do almost anything but art *laughs*). Especially my time of absence has made me even more sensitive to how important it is, to be real on a platform , where most people try to be perfect.
I am of course fully aware that this is not exactly something that is going to improve your reach or follower count, but I couldn't care less and I also encourage you, to start caring less about the amount of people following you and more about what kind of content you provide them with.
Winter is a good time for reflecting.

I've also started to finally boost YouTube again - had been planning to do this about a year ago already but then the term of hell  happened and well...

Right now, I'm in a really good place - both mentally and physically.
I've finally taken the courage to change University (which was the best decision ever), gotten back to being vegan after three years or so of not wanting to fully commit and/or label myself and started to work for an amazing company that really tickles all of my creative fancies!


And now, that life has calmed down, together with the arrival of winter, I'm finding myself rediscovering the joy for writing - I'm not going to promise anything but we'll just see where it leads.

~How have you been?~ 

Compliments that are based on throwing shade~

Lately I have come to think a lot of something that is pretty dear to me. 

What if we would stop complimenting and motivating each other by putting somebody else down?

It is a habit that I see a lot more often in women than in men (although that doesn’t mean they don’t do it too). It is not a secret I think, that females tend to get a lot more competitive amongst each other – I have seen it first hand at every tournament I participated in (and it was many) as well as when I look deep into myself.

It must be something, that is rooted deep into one’s subconscious mind and I am wondering where it is coming from. 

But seeing other women as a threat is not a good mindset to have.

If I were to count the amount of times a female friend has tried to lift my spirits (be it in regards to appearance, skills, or especially a boy I liked (and who I didn’t like alone)) by throwing some or quite a lot of shade onto another woman (“She looks like a rat”, “Her artworks are pretty terrible”, etc.), I wound need Hydra-fingers.

I just don’t like that.

It makes me feel very uncomfortable, it’s just not right and it doesn’t help anyone. My friends know how fast I can be to make them stop – I know it is good intentions, but I rather not get a motivational speech, than a speech like that. 

Tell me how and why I am great, not that somebody else is bad. 

Is it really a compliment or motivation when it is at the cost of somebody else? 

If anything, the only thing it doesn’t in my opinion is to surround yourself with negativity AND subconsciously lets you develop antipathy for another woman. It makes her a threat and an opponent immediately because you WILL compare yourself to her. (And in all honesty, I  don’t like being compared much in general) 

Instead, maybe it is a better approach to mind your own business and do your thing – and shine.

Why can we not build each other up in a more positive way that doesn’t include hating on the work or personality of another human being? 

Just a thought I wanted to get out there.

One series to bring them all and in the darkness bind them~

Middle Earth is going to be made a series and everybody is loosing it.

Am I really the only one who is actually a wee bit excited? 

Yes, I share the belief that no adaption will ever beat the books - and yes; maybe the Amazon adaption won't be as grand but what if it is? 

And most importantly, what if indeed it isn't - what is the worst that can possibly happen? 

Just because something *could* be bad, is not a reason for me to hate it for that very reason from the start.

I love Tolkien's books and you know what else I love? Talking about it to other people, hearing their interpretation of things Middle Earth and drowning myself in merchandise (thehehehehe) - and this new series will probably enable all of the above.

After all, what is a movie but an interpretation of a group of people - I am excited to see how they visualize it. 

I don't see this as a threat, more as a new chance to have the LotR hype be reborn and let younger generations see how absolutely epic and fantastic Tolkien's work is - and you can bet that this will have more people read his books - look at what happened with Game of Thrones - suddenly everybody had read it.
Also more Elves, armour and Elves. Enough said.

And if it is awful, then so be it - I can always pretend once more that "there has never been a tv adaption" like I did with the Hobbit. Seriously, there has never been one *winks* 

The only person I do feel bad for is the poor soul who is going to see it with me - either way, I think I will be quite the nightmare, switching from "OH THIS IS GRAAAAND LOOK AT-" to "THIS IS A DISGRACE *looses self in details* !! "  within seconds.
I'm pre-sorry already.

The cat news and the battle-plan~

 Because you guys keep asking and I have been avoiding it a wee bit: what is going on with my cat? The Ginnicat will have surgery in the first November days. 

Scary.

He has quite a few polyps in his ear causing the infection and is balance problems and they require removal. During the surgery, his eardrum also has to be removed (yes, he will be deaf on one ear afterwards) and if everything goes fine, I can pick him up six hours later.
It goes without saying that this does make me nervous and that I don't want to talk about it too much, because talking about it means thinking about it and thinking about it means worrying about things I cannot influence.

Talk to the paw~

Lucky enough for me, I have the most fantastic people in my life, who not only are taking really good care of my nerves (seriously, I would not know what to do without you! <3), but quite some of them are also either veterinarians, veterinarian assistants or veterinarians in training, which means that quite a couple of people with the best intentions are coming together, to gather the best ideas and opinions for my cat's health. 

Because it will be a bit of a tricky (because I don't want to say risky)  procedure, I want to take extra care to ensure my little bean is at full strength once the day arrives.

He will be prepared like a prince for coronation.

From high calorie foods over vitamin supplements and giving him as much love as humanly possible - the battleplan is on and I am doing everything elvenly possible to make him feel loved and strong.
(Even if this means sleeping on a nasty mattress on the floor because because he cannot get up the bed with his balance issues and I don't want him to sleep alone).

I hope you guys are doing fine and I wish you a wonderful wonderful autumn evening with sparkle and magic~