Today we’d like to introduce you to Barbara Joas.
Barbara, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I started as a writer and performer of spoken word poetry and then transitioned into creating platforms for people to share their stories as an effort to form connections and navigate my own healing process. Building awareness around the effects of mental health through therapy, spiritual practices, and training programs have helped me establish language to assist others as well as enhance my desire for personal transformation.
In doing so, I’ve adopted the motto “heal by any creative means necessary.” This manifested itself through my collective work, Poetic Healing, which encompasses a spiritual blog (www.poetic-healing.com), a youtube channel (Created2Inspire), songwriting (Poetic Healing – SoundCloud), and baking (@BBakes4U)! A lot of artists struggle with focusing on one creative avenue, but I believe that by allowing our full selves to be expressed using all of our divine gifts and talents, we release blockages and receive insights on how to move forward. The more we share, the more we heal, the more we grow.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely has not been a smooth road! My perspective had to completely shift regarding what the “path” should look like. I used to give up when things didn’t come easily due to an unrealistically glamorized idea of perfection and the fear of failure. Once I broke out of that shell and began to embrace mistakes and failures as valuable stepping stones rather than defeats, things started to change. Interpretation is everything. During the years, I struggled with writer’s block, mental fatigue, depression, social anxiety, rejection, loneliness, lack of stability and support, I would feel hopeless and out of control. It was familiar to operate in “lack” or victimhood. I had to learn concepts like the power of intentional living, mental strength, self-empowerment, and gratitude. I had to surround myself with positive, motivated individuals. As an artist, a lot of the obstacles are a matter of mentality and movement. My old conditioning around those ideas needed to be purged in order to adopt a new system that would allow for peace and happiness. The new foundation I’ve established for myself includes affirmations, celebrating victories, self-care, and honoring my goals through accountability in order to build and inspire.
Please tell us about Poetic Healing.
Poetic Healing is a way of life for me. I was inspired by a good friend to create sacred meaning in everything I do, so I now consider myself a creative entrepreneur using my poetic voice for healing. Poetic Healing is best understood by the intuitive seeker, the spiritually inclined, the creative being with a desire to break out of limiting beliefs and transform fears into boldness and authenticity. I engage on a soul level to draw out from the root internal truths. I encourage creative outlets as ways to cope and manage emotions. Self-reflection leads to revelations which influence our choices and actions. I’m most proud of the processing I’ve done through songwriting, blogging, and baking/cooking because all the fragmented pieces of those art forms come together to create beauty.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Authenticity, engagement, and commitment are my current pillars. Here are the ways these qualities are directly affected my success:
Authenticity – not being afraid to be vulnerable, sharing my truth and goals, assertiveness, clarity, openness.
Engagement – not being afraid to seek mentorship and guidance, developing community, support & resources.
Commitment – follow through, increase in confidence, emotional & financial stability, creating balance.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.poetic-healing.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @poetichealing @bbakes4u
- Twitter: @poetiksoul27
Image Credit:
@rastafariphotography and @xplorekaishi
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