
Eva Šmite
Bio
Model, writer, mental health advocate. Instagram @eva_smite
Stories (27/0)
The cost of true freedom.
"None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free.” Johann Wolfgang Von Go. Freedom is one of my core values, and I have given it a lot of thought. Additionally it is a major theme for the collective, especially since the beginning of 2020 . On the surface level it seems that the recent events highlighted and temporarily limited our liberties, such as the ability to travel the world, eat out, or to even simply hang out with ones friends, have a sovereignty over ones body when it comes to medical choices, and so on. But the concept of “freedom” goes much deeper in my opinion. If anything, the unique limitations that were imposed globally, created an opportunity for many to reevaluate their lives, and examine all the ways that they were not free in during the years or decades leading up to now, despite the ability to roam the world freely, having financial means etc .
By Eva Šmiteabout 6 hours ago in Motivation
Why we should celebrate our differences.
As long as I can remember myself, I have always felt very different from other people, and to a younger me it was a tragedy. Children desperately want to belong , to be accepted by the group, they need this experience in order to feel safe, as on a basic animal level not belonging literally means death. For our ancestors it was impossible to survive in the wilderness if they were rejected by a group, hence why for a developing psyche the experiences of not being accepted can be very overwhelming on a biological level. Additionally , as a result of feeling rejected in our formative years , we tend to develop all kinds of limiting beliefs, as children are more likely to assume that the problem lies with them, not with the situation. I remember so vividly how I had wished I were someone else , someone “normal” and part of the group.
By Eva Šmite3 months ago in Motivation
Self-love upgraded.
It has been more than three years since I published my article about self -love. A lot has changed in my life and psyche since then, a lot of self-love hashtags used on Instagram, a lot of reflecting and learning has happened , and so I feel it is time to rewrite that chapter.
By Eva Šmite12 months ago in Motivation
Thankful Thoughts
Gratitude is something I return to time and time again - both in my writing and in daily life. It is also something I need to keep reminding myself about, as it does not come as naturally as fear, worry, and other self-preservation instincts. Instincts that served our species well when our ancestors had to survive in the wilderness of the ancient world. The world has changed, but our physiology in many ways stayed the same, and we are still wired to remember the negative experiences more easily and with a much greater intensity than the positive ones. The evolutionary reasons for this are clear, we do so in order not to repeat them and survive. The irony with this, is that while animals have a way to discharge stress and negative energy (so it does not linger in their system for years after the traumatic event,) humans due to a more complex neurological make up, tend to hold onto it. This in turn, weakens the very defence they need in order to live a healthy life - the immune system. On the other hand, scientific research indicates that a daily gratitude practice strengthens immune system, as well as improving sleep and decreasing the risk of disease. While it might seem like an impossible task to feel thankful this year, due to the amount of overwhelming information we are exposed to on a daily basis, it is achievable with a little discipline. It might not be easy to feel it at first, and to begin with it could be a purely cognitive experience, but with time and practice it will become more heart felt.
By Eva Šmiteabout a year ago in Motivation
Creativity as an antidote for challenging times.
“When nothing is certain, everything is possible.” Mandy Hale The year of 2020 is an eventful one to say the least. The intensity, the chaos, the bizarre changes in the society, which at times feels surreal, resembling an apocalyptic movie more than the reality. According to many ancient texts, however, there is a bigger picture at play, something that has been gaining its momentum since 2012, namely the end of one age and the beginning of another. Everyone remembers the “end of the world” prediction connected to Mayan calendar, apparently it was not supposed to be taken literally, and meant the end of the world as we know it.
By Eva Šmiteabout a year ago in Motivation