𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐲, 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐲.

23/01/2025

An Open Letter on Inner Child Healing, Self-Care, and Mindful Spending

Dear you,

If the idea of ‘healing your inner child’ has led you into a cycle of buying one thing after another, I want to invite you to pause and reflect not to judge yourself, but to gently explore what’s really going on beneath the surface.

Sometimes, turning to purchases or external solutions can feel like taking control, soothing deep emotional pain, or creating a sense of progress when healing feels unclear or overwhelming. These actions aren’t wrong because they’re simply ways of coping, ways of trying to heal yourself in the best way you know how at this moment.

I also understand that some of us genuinely enjoy shopping as it brings joy and excitement. There’s nothing wrong with this, but it’s important to check in with yourself. Is this truly fulfilling your need for growth, or could it be a distraction from the deeper wounds you’re trying to address? Spending impulsively in the name of self-care can offer temporary comfort, but it can also leave you feeling financially stretched, creating stress that may make healing even harder.

Genuine healing doesn’t come from endlessly seeking external solutions. It’s found in moments of introspection, in learning to sit with discomfort, and in gradually addressing the things that hurt most. Healing doesn’t need to be expensive. Some of the most meaningful steps are journaling, connecting with loved ones, or practicing self-compassion that are free.

Social media often romanticizes healing, making it look effortless, even glamorous. But real healing is messy, quiet, and deeply personal. It doesn’t come in the form of the next big purchase but from a compassionate willingness to look inward, step by step.

Be kind to yourself on this journey. Your desire to heal is a beautiful thing. Just remember, you are enough as you are, and you don’t need to buy your way to wholeness.

Sincerely, Carley. 🥀

07/01/2025

I’ve been reflecting on this a lot, especially during the holidays. I came across posts saying things like, “Only greet people who greet you,” or “Only visit those who visit you,” like the ‘reciprocation’ era and at first, it felt like an understandable approach. But the more I thought about it, the more it made me wonder on what happens to real connection if we all live this way?

It’s a little funny because, honestly, I’m someone who often falls into the habit of not reaching out as much as I’d like to. Life gets busy, I retreat into my own space, and sometimes I forget to check in with others. So, in a way, I’m guilty of the very thing I’m questioning here. But that’s exactly why I’ve been thinking about it: when we start measuring connection only by who initiates it, we lose the chance to create meaningful bonds. Genuine connection isn’t about who made the last move; it’s about the effort we’re willing to make, even when we feel like we’re the only ones reaching out.

At the same time, I completely understand those who feel tired of always being the one to reach out first. It can be draining to feel like you’re putting in all the effort while others don’t seem to reciprocate. I’m not saying anyone should feel obligated to constantly reach out or that it’s always easy. But maybe the key isn’t to keep score. Instead, it’s about choosing to connect when we can, not because we’re expecting something back, but because it feels right.

So instead of following these “rules” of only giving when it’s given first, maybe we should just focus on what feels right. Greet someone because you want to, visit because you miss them, support someone because you believe in them. Connection is about more than just reciprocation, it’s about choosing to care, even when no one else does first.

That said, this is just a sentiment of mine. I’m not saying you have to agree with me, or that my perspective is right. It’s simply something I’ve been thinking about as I try to figure out what connection and kindness mean to me.

Sincerely, Carley.

20/12/2024

Women have come so far in gaining opportunities to work and thrive outside the home. Yet over the years, these rights, which were meant to ease burdens, have instead evolved into additional responsibilities. Many women now find themselves balancing careers, household chores, and child-rearing, often carrying much of the load on their own. It’s a sad quiet weight that deserves more recognition.

Praying and hoping with mutual respect and understanding, we can create a future where responsibilities are shared, and everyone feels seen, supported, and valued.

Sincerely,
Carley 🥀

17/12/2024

People have become so fixated on social media interactions that they now measure the depth of friendships based on who reacts to their posts or stories, forgetting that real connections exist beyond a screen.

True connections are built on meaningful interactions, trust, and shared experiences, not on who reacts to posts or stories. Placing too much importance on digital validation can undermine the deeper bonds that truly matter.

05/12/2024

I was walking in the park yesterday, and it hit me—I’m living the life I used to pray for, the one I dreamed of. The simplicity of it all, like having a park to walk through and gather my thoughts, experiencing the beauty of four seasons in a new country. But instead of feeling fulfilled, I felt this strange emptiness, like something was still missing. Then I stopped, took a deep breath, and just stood there. Feet on the ground, feeling the autumn breeze and noticing the fallen leaves around me.

That’s when it clicked: it’s not that I’m missing something. It’s that I’ve been doubting myself, letting the noise of others dictate who I should be. I’ve been carrying the weight of other people’s energy, and social media doesn’t help—it affects how we perceive ourselves by encouraging constant comparison.

Back in our social psychology class, as humans, we have an innate need to belong, to feel like we have a place in society. Unfortunately, we often measure our worth by comparing our lives to others. When we see people achieving things, it makes us question our own position in the invisible hierarchy we live in. The truth is, this comparison is a never-ending cycle. Someone’s success doesn’t take away from your own potential, but it can make us forget that.

To overcome this, we must first recognize that social media shows only the highlight reels of others’ lives, not the full picture. Stay grounded in your values and goals, and let them guide you instead of the fleeting, external validation from social media. Your worth is not determined by anyone else’s timeline.

In that moment, I realized the life I dreamed of isn’t incomplete—it’s simply waiting for me to claim it.

18/10/2024

Gentle reminder to protect your peace 🍃

09/10/2024

Good morning! ✨

20/02/2024

10/10/2023

Autumn 1 🍂🍁

29/05/2023

dreamcatcher + suncatcher ✨

18/03/2023

tiny Japanese apartment = cozy home
🤎🤍🫶🏻

14/03/2023

2023 checklist: To have an intimate birthday
what’s yours?