I always believed that every single individual was born with at least one innate ability. I also believe that life is mostly about discovering our innate abilities that give us a big advantage.

No matter what roadblocks or barriers may stand in your way, part of life is discovering the abilities that make you who you are.

The only ability I had since I was seven years old was drawing. I can draw anything — babies, kids, adults, animals, and everything on this green planet.

Growing up, I didn’t think the creative abilities I had mattered and that I wouldn’t make a difference.

Even when I was in high school and earning money drawing portraits of people, everyone I encountered told me not to go into art and that college would be a waste of time.

At age forty-two, I am still using my college degree.

Many of the publications — magazines, journals, and blogs I’ve written for required authors to have at least a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. Without it, I couldn’t be the author I became today, and I wouldn’t have been able to teach art in my community and online.

I understand how different times are now, with Artificial Intelligence overthrowing everything and decreasing opportunities in the job market. In the days of A.I., I will not use it or do anything with it.

Creating things by hand matters more to me, and it should to you as well. Why?

Because handmade products (any products) are made with heart and soul. Handmade products or an art piece produced by hand is far more timeless and sacred.

I started this article by talking about the importance of discovering our innate abilities and how that can give you an advantage.

When I returned to creating art full-time, people started commissioning me to draw their family members and pets. It is the most fulfilling career, and there is a HUGE market for pet lovers who want artists to recreate a picture of their favorite pets.

I’ve also heard people say that they don’t have unique abilities. Trust me, you do.

One of my family members is an accountant and didn’t think he had a creative bone in his body. He does. He takes beautiful, stunning photographs.

He didn’t realize the level of expertise he had already reached in photography.

He could take close-up photos of a subject and knew how to get that dreamy blurred background. That impressed me, so I recommended that he take a photography (enrichment) class. He did and learned a lot.

Whether you make something of your innate ability or not, having hobbies and activities you enjoy, for the sake of doing them, matters even more.

Concluding Thoughts

An innate ability is a skill you’ve had all your life and are a natural at. I believe we all have an innate ability, whether we practice it regularly or not.

Whatever skills you possess (they don’t have to be creative skills) can give you an enormous advantage in life. By pursuing your creative abilities, you’ll become hard to ignore, and people will want to work with you.

I’ve met people on and offline who quit their jobs to give their full attention to their talent. You don’t have to quit your job, though.

You can pursue a fulfilling, enriching hobby on the side, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised by what you may gain from it.

When I started earning commissions on my artwork, I got to say this to a lot of people: “I told you so!” And that felt great.

Consider spending one hour a week exploring activities that make you feel most like yourself. Enrichment classes in your community can help with that exploration.

Thank you for reading. If you are new to my blog or have been with me for a while, feel free to comment and introduce yourself. It always makes my day when I know people are reading my blog.

Please subscribe to my blog to receive my articles by email. Thank you for reading and supporting me!

Before you go, check out my YouTube Channel, Tessa Koller Art, where I teach watercolor and colored pencil media and discuss marketing, creativity, wellness, and various lifestyle topics. I hope you subscribe and follow along!

Over the last two weeks, I had so many medical appointments that I was starting to feel more like a guinea pig and less like a person. Since I have a genetic condition and I’m over forty, I’m never surprised when my health acts up.

When my health acts up, I find myself in situations where I think I’m bored out of my mind.

Yesterday, I experienced a crash in my blood pressure with various symptoms such as skin discoloration, cold skin, and chest pain, and I was rushed to the emergency room.

I can’t tell you enough how much I hate going to the emergency room by ambulance. Utterly hate it. Those visits take hours — hours of waiting, hours of tests, and wondering if something is happening to me.

Obviously, if you’re having trouble with your blood pressure and it’s causing symptoms, go to the emergency room. Don’t ignore that. I actually had two blood pressure crashes yesterday.

While I was lying on a bed against a wall where loads of nurses, doctors, and others were trafficking by, I reshaped my perception of boredom.

As someone who constantly creates, films, and produces, being in a situation where all I can do is sit or lie down for hours is no fun.

But our bodies have a way of telling us when it’s time to dial back and just rest.

Boredom doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with boredom. By that, I mean doing nothing and being still is more necessary and beneficial than we realize.

Just as our bodies demand exercise, it also demands grounding, slowness, and stillness.

While I was sitting in the emergency room, ideas started flooding into my mind. I used that gray area, that downtime, to plan my schedule for the following week, regain the inspiration I lost, and summon more blog post ideas.

Reshaping how you perceive boredom is important because, sometimes, our brain, mind, heart, and hands need rest and time to reset.

This week, I’m penciling in thirty minutes of nothingness. Absolute nothingness. No writing, no drawing, no painting, and no knitting.

Taking more frequent breaks during the day prepares us for the times when we can’t do anything and prevents agitation or negative, spiraling thoughts.

According to the Mayo Clinic, boredom or inactivity stimulates imagination and helps you become a more effective problem-solver. Learning to be still teaches us to regulate our emotions, practice patience, and meditate.

Oftentimes, I must remind myself that I’m not an art-making machine that must go, go, go, twenty-four-seven. Though I meditate morning and night, I need moments during the day when I’m not creating or producing.

Going on a nature walk every day is lovely, but what I’m talking about is actually doing nothing at all for a certain amount of time.

The longer you can remain in a rest-and-digest state, the better you’ll feel emotionally and physically. Activating the parasympathetic nervous system allows your digestive system, heart rate, and other body systems to relax and function more smoothly.

The next time you’re bored, reshape your thoughts.

Remind yourself of how doing nothing can provide a plethora of mental, physical, and emotional health benefits.

Concluding Thoughts

For those times when boredom strikes, don’t perceive it as boredom.

If you’re feeling bored, remember that it’s just a feeling and something you may need to include in your daily routine for balance.

Your health and body may also be trying to tell you something — to slow down, practice stillness more often, and troubleshoot other issues that may be occurring in your life.

Practicing mindfulness and grounding yourself in the present moment refuels your brain with inspiration and ideas, and facilitates effective productivity.

Consider challenging yourself by penciling in thirty minutes of stillness and nothingness. You might be surprised by how amazing you’ll feel afterwards.

Thank you for reading. If you are new to my blog or have been with me for a while, feel free to comment and introduce yourself. It always makes my day when I know people are reading my blog.

Please subscribe to my blog to receive my articles by email. Thank you for reading and supporting me!

Before you go, check out my YouTube Channel, Tessa Koller Art, where I teach watercolor and colored pencil media and discuss marketing, creativity, wellness, and various lifestyle topics. I hope you subscribe and follow along!

All my life, I dealt with significant self-esteem and confidence issues. As someone with chronic illnesses, I could never fully accept myself, my limitations, and the fact that I’m different.

A shower thought I had a while ago made me realize that every single person is different or has differences —that's what makes each of us an individual.

I fought against my individuality for twenty-something years.

While pursuing fashion, I discovered the power of being unique and different. Even then, I was constantly trying to prove to myself, friends, and family that I could do anything and achieve just as much as the next person.

What never occurred to me was how diminishing, belittling, and stress-inducing those thoughts and pressures I put on myself were. Those issues stemmed from a lack of self-acceptance, self-esteem, and self-confidence.

This past week, as I’ve been struggling to get into a flow with knitting (I’m a beginner), I caught myself feeling like I wasn’t capable of learning how to do it and got extremely discouraged.

When I begin to notice my self-esteem and confidence dropping like flies, I rely on these ten mood-boosting phrases.

“I’ve achieved more challenging things in the past.”

“I am capable of learning and doing anything I set my mind to.”

“When I perceive life’s challenges as opportunities for growth, anything is possible.”

“My brain is uniquely powerful and fully capable of trying new things.”

“Growth is more powerful and important than any amount of success.”

“Life should be about inspiring others to do what fills their cup.”

“Life passes by in a flash — do what you want and silence the fear that doesn’t even exist.”

“Success isn’t a real entity but a false persona derived from popular culture and faulty belief systems.”

“I am interesting, funny, and fun, and people like me.”

“Success doesn’t define anyone’s character or destiny; kindness does.”

Bonus: “You have the power, wisdom, and right to make your life the way you want it to be.”

Concluding Thoughts

Every day of my life has felt like a challenge, but I realized that how I think matters more than what I do.

How you think matters more than what you do. How you think determines what you do.

Self-esteem and confidence issues are relative — at one time or another, everyone has experienced that. Giving up is the worst thing to do, but when you recognize how powerful and capable your brain and mind are, you will get to where you want to be.

At times, our thoughts lie to us and tell us we can’t do what we know we’re capable of.

Self-esteem and confidence issues also come from deeply rooted doubt. Journaling is the best tool for eliminating that doubt and recognizing your greatness.

Thank you for reading. If you are new to my blog or have been with me for a while, feel free to comment and introduce yourself. It always makes my day when I know people are reading my blog.

Please subscribe to my blog to receive my articles by email. Thank you for reading and supporting me!

Before you go, check out my YouTube Channel, Tessa Koller Art, where I teach watercolor and colored pencil media and discuss marketing, creativity, wellness, and various lifestyle topics. I hope you subscribe and follow along!

As someone who has had numerous brushes with death, life got much easier when I realized one thing.

Before I dive into this one thing, I’ll give you a couple of examples.

One time, someone snapped at me, and instead of reacting, I replied, “I hope you feel much better about yourself.” They didn’t respond, so I stood up and walked away.

On another occasion, someone said something, attempting to belittle and undermine me. I replied, “How nice of you to think I lack basic intelligence,” and left the room without giving them a chance to respond.

Recently, I realized how I used to make everything unnecessarily difficult without intending to. I never knew why, or if that was mindlessness in chaotic situations. When I became aware of this problem, I started practicing mindfulness to resolve that issue.

In any situation, especially where tension is rising, saying and doing nothing yields the best outcomes. Responding aggressively or using any form of (mild to moderate) violence won’t solve anything and will cost you a lot more.

It’s tempting to snap back and join a battle of wits and sarcasm with someone who is trying to push your buttons.

Continuing to fuel the tension, stress, and discomfort of an already unpleasant situation will lead to saying things both individuals may regret later.

Saying and doing nothing does more than we think. It sets boundaries and draws a clear line.

Walking away signals that you’re not willing to participate in someone else’s drama or issues. Walking away will make them rethink their words and actions and, at the same time, recognize your emotional intelligence.

But I understand how challenging it is not to react, reply, and walk away. Believe me, I know how tough that is. Nothing is worth burning bridges or making someone feel bad for whatever selfish reason.

Like on social media, people sometimes want you to react and do something that makes you look foolish.

Being aloof, like an apathetic cat, is the perfect remedy for leading a less stressful and much easier life.

When I’m in an uncomfortable situation, I picture a stop sign with two arrows —one arrow reminds me to go another direction and not engage. I also picture a wall behind the stop sign, knowing that if I continue engaging, that’s what I’ll hit.

There’s always another direction you can go no matter what’s going on.

Visualization is another tool that will give you power and control in just about every situation.

Concluding Thoughts

When someone is trying to push your buttons, the best thing you can do is not react or reveal what you’re thinking or feeling. Many people are very bothered when you don’t participate in their craziness.

Consider not reacting, responding, or walking away from people and situations that don’t serve you. Silence is the best medicine for rejecting button-pushing tactics.

This year, especially during the holiday season, I’m practicing mindfulness, slowness, and silence. With all sorts of events on the horizon, I’m relying on journaling and meditation to maintain control of my emotions.

If you’re dreading festivities and gatherings that are coming up, look for ways to make everything wonderful. Interact with children and surround yourself with people who make everything fun.

Thank you for reading. If you are new to my blog or have been with me for a while, feel free to comment and introduce yourself. It always makes my day when I know people are reading my blog.

Please subscribe to my blog to receive my articles by email. Thank you for reading and supporting me!

Before you go, check out my YouTube Channel, Tessa Koller Art, where I teach watercolor and colored pencil media and discuss marketing, creativity, wellness, and various lifestyle topics. I hope you subscribe and follow along!

Leaving your comfort zone isn’t easy, especially if you’ve spent too much time in it. During these cold months, I want to curl up on my couch and work on a knitting project or draw a pet portrait.

My couch is dangerously comfortable, but I prefer to leave it as often as I can.

Being an active member of my community (in the arts) motivates me to do every possible thing that makes me uncomfortable. Maybe it’s the nature of being a creator and craving adventure, which I often do.

A few years ago, I manufactured a type of marketing and promotion called Creative Marketing.

Creative Marketing is the process of marketing and promoting your artwork in a unique way. I spice up my reels on various social media platforms and put my spin on showcasing my visual work.

That’s what makes content creation fun — getting creative with how you showcase your artwork or whatever it is that you create.

In this blog, I’m going to spill my six marketing secrets that draw clients to my creative services and how you can start getting clients as well.

Effective Videos And Reels

Whatever creative services you offer, being a content creator is a must in the digital age.

I draw and paint cats, dogs, and exotic animals so it’s crucial to make effective videos and reels for social media with links to your website (with contact information.)

The video editing program I use is CapCut and it’s very easy to use.

Promote Your Services Locally

Consider joining local art organizations and you’ll meet lots of people. Volunteer your time and creative abilities and your audience will find you. Participate in local festivals and events all year round.

Word of mouth is still the most effective marketing strategy.

I learned word of mouth was working for me when random people off and on social media began recommending my pet portrait services to others.

Collaborate With Local Businesses

Bring your business cards to the places where your potential customers go. If you are a knitter, submit your designs to businesses that offer selling items on consignment.

If you draw or paint animals, reach out to local shelters or pet stores and give them your business cards.

Cross-Market Wtih Individuals In Other Industries

When I’m creating an art piece, I always let my followers know the music artists I’m listening to. I actually promote these music artists and many have promoted me — people appreciate shout outs and love it when their music is reaching many ears.

Cross-marketing gets your creative services in front of loads of people.

Create Art In Public

This is my biggest and most important creative marketing secret: create art in a public place. Usually, I mostly draw in places such as libraries and coffee shops. Every time, people stop me and take my business cards and, boom, I’ve got clients.

Take Advantage of Social Media

Taking advantage of social media means you are looking at what’s trending or not yet trending and putting your own spin on things. Social media is all visual and perfect for artists.

If you draw pets, draw famous pets. Their owners might promote you. That happened to me on Instagram and got hundres of followers after the owners shared my artwork.

One morning, I woke up to 500+ notifications and it was wild.

Concluding Thoughts

Artists must create their own opportunities to spread the word about their creative services and thrive. In the digital era, there are millions of artists, knitters, designers, and it’s a big, huge, saturated world of creators.

Being unique in your approach to marketing will attract people to your work.

When I’m posting to social media, I spend ample time searching for the right music or voiceover to pair with my videos.

Thank you for reading. If you are new to my blog or have been with me for a while, feel free to comment and introduce yourself. It always makes my day when I know people are reading my blog.

Please subscribe to my blog to receive my articles by email. Thank you for reading and supporting me!

Before you go, check out my YouTube Channel, Tessa Koller Art, where I teach watercolor and colored pencil media and discuss marketing, creativity, wellness, and various lifestyle topics. I hope you subscribe and follow along!

Working from home isn’t always fun and can add more demands to your priority list. Managing my time used to be difficult until I created rules and systems that helped me accomplish a lot in a day.

Because of my health, I’m mostly at home producing one art piece after another. This past week, I needed to do a five-day cleanse for a medical procedure, and it taught me about discipline and time management.

I had four medical appointments in five days, so I needed to figure out how to simultaneously meet deadlines and attend to my health. While sitting in waiting rooms, I drew my pet portraits and checked off my to-do list even faster than I normally would working from home.

Now that this past week is over, which I’m so glad it is, I need to restructure my schedule and stick to my time-management rules.

If you are a creator like me or are preparing for upcoming ventures that require meeting deadlines, I hope you try implementing my three time-management rules.

My Two-Hour Rule

These cold, fall winter-ish days are perfect for limiting distractions and abiding by my two-hour rule. For two hours, I’ll work on one project, like a pet portrait. I’ll take a one-hour break and watch something fun to clear my mind.

In the afternoon, after lunch, I’ll spend two hours on a watercolor painting and take another hour-long break. In the evening, between 6:00 and 8:00, I’ll work on a knitting project and ease into my evening routine.

Twenty-Five Minute Idea Walks

In the middle of the day, when it’s warmer and the sun is out, I bundle up and go for a twenty- or twenty-five-minute idea walk. Being in nature floods me with ideas and lowers stress.

Walking outdoors may light up the imagination and spark ideas. I’ve found that when I’m not stressing about producing work, ideas come to me with ease.

Walking outside is a pleasant way to divide up your schedule and find balance, which leads to my next tip.

Finding The Right Work-Relax Balance

Finding the right work-relax balance doesn’t need to be a challenge. With deadlines in the equation, it can be difficult to pull yourself away from an unfinished project.

What helps me is setting an alarm for two hours and seeing how much I can finish in that time. Whether I’m satisfied with what I accomplished or not, I stop, take a break, and relax my mind and hands.

To relax, stretching and meditation may benefit you, or watching something funny will quiet your mind. Taking breaks makes it easier to transition from one project to the next.

Concluding Thoughts

Time blocking is another effective way to manage your time if you have a lot to do. I’ll jot a list of projects I want to focus on and divide my daily schedule into two-hour segments.

Dividing your schedule maintains a sense of adventure and excitement in your daily life while working from home.

Idea walks can act as a tool for resolving a creative block and not falling into the trap of binging Netflix television shows and movies.

Believe me, I had a difficult time staying off Netflix and Hulu as the season changed. Balancing my daily life helped me feel like I could get everything done and have some fun.

Thank you for reading. If you are new to my blog or have been with me for a while, feel free to comment and introduce yourself. It always makes my day when I know people are reading my blog.

Please subscribe to my blog to receive my articles by email. Thank you for reading and supporting me!

Before you go, check out my YouTube Channel, Tessa Koller Art, where I teach watercolor and colored pencil media and discuss marketing, creativity, wellness, and various lifestyle topics. I hope you subscribe and follow along!

I never thought I was interesting. In fact, I always thought my life was mostly about battling my health. Much of my time is spent in waiting rooms or at home in my studio, except once or twice a week when I create art in public or go out with friends.

Throughout my twenties and thirties, I designed clothes and made new friends left and right. I became part of a thriving community of like-minded, creative individuals and collaborated with people outside of the fashion industry.

In my forties, even though my life slowed down, I thought I had lost what made me interesting and fun to be around. I’ve always seen myself as a creator, someone who enjoys making things.

What I didn’t recognize was how my creative abilities set me apart from everyone; I mastered all four skills and built a more interesting life. If I can do these things, you can too.

Though I changed my profession from fashion to art, life still feels interesting and exciting, especially when I create stuff.

Being an artist gives me hope and confidence and relieves my social anxiety and depression. When I create art in places like libraries or coffee shops, someone always stops me, wants to chat, and takes my business card.

Pursuing life goals or creative hobbies attracts people. You become a magnifier without much effort.

These are the four skills I mastered and, in time, you can too:

Daily Blogging/Writing

Daily blogging or writing has tons of benefits. It’s one way to focus on your brain health while exercising your mind.

According to multiple publications, writing sharpens visual literacy and intellectual growth. Additionally, blogging affects the brain’s Frontal Cortex and improves critical thinking and decision-making. Blogging structures chaotic ideas and thoughts while reducing stress and anxiety.

Blogging attracts people from places you wouldn’t expect. Sharing your knowledge and expertise may motivate or inspire others to do the same. Creating content daily or as often as possible makes you a magnifier, so consider becoming a content creator before this year runs out.

Knitting, Sewing, or Crafting

Knitting, sewing, and crafting will make you and your life extremely interesting. Bringing something to life with your bare hands influences others to do the same.

Knitting, for example, is a skill that you don’t need to master, but it’s exciting to take a ball of yarn and make something small but practical. I’m learning how to knit right now, and even though it’s difficult, I’m determined to get into an ebb and flow.

Creating Something (Online Or In Public)

Creating something online or in public will make you very attractive to others. Creating in public connects you to your audience and to those who are just curious about what you’re doing.

I’ve met great people and made new friends doing art at a coffee shop or a library. It’s an amazing feeling.

If you feel you don’t have a creative bone in you, trust me, you do. Watch lots of YouTube videos on art and crafting and find the activity that piques your interest.

Creative Marketing

Creative marketing is a skill you can develop and expand without much effort. It means that you are uniquely and creatively marketing your hobby or work on and off social media.

Many creators produce beautiful and intriguing videos of their creations. I’ve seen the most interesting reels and videos lasting less than twenty seconds. If you’re pursuing a hobby, find ways to market it using your unique vision.

Concluding Thoughts

You don’t need to master all four skills to make you or your life more interesting. Just mastering one skill or pursuing a creative hobby will set you a part from others.

Creatively marketing your art or crafting journey benefits your brain, mentally and emotionally, in dozens of ways. You’ll receive major brain-boosting benefits when you devote only one hour to a creative activity.

Being a content creator will draw and attract others to you and the art you’re producing.

If you don’t feel that you are a creative person, consider taking an enrichment class on the weekends. You might find your passion by accident. That’s what I did, and it worked.

Creative individuals are magnifiers and are constantly inspiring others to create art. You can do this, too!

Thank you for reading. If you are new to my blog or have been with me for a while, feel free to comment and introduce yourself. It always makes my day when I know people are reading my blog.

Please subscribe to my blog to receive my articles by email. Thank you for reading and supporting me!

Before you go, check out my YouTube Channel, Tessa Koller Art, where I teach watercolor and colored pencil media and discuss marketing, creativity, wellness, and various lifestyle topics. I hope you subscribe and follow along!

Before I started journaling and blogging, I kept asking myself if it was a waste of time and what the point was.

Journaling and writing are very different.

Journaling is about processing and understanding yourself and what’s happening in your life. I use journaling to view situations from other perspectives, process my emotions, and plan for the day ahead.

Taking time to write in a journal is meditative and healing. You learn things about yourself and how you can be more effective in other areas of your life.

A like-minded creative individual told me that you should write, journal, and create for yourself and yourself only. If you inspire or help one person, that’s an enormous benefit for you and that person.

With all the health issues and near-death experiences I’ve endured in my forty-two years of life, I often question what the meaning of life is, and I explore this in my journal and on my blog.

I believe life is about what you do and what you inspire others to do.

When I started sharing my watercolor paintings online, people were getting inspired by my art (I didn’t realize that was happening until people reached out and let me know). Honestly, I didn’t think anybody was following my art channel.

On my YouTube channel, I’ve received comments from perfect strangers who told me they hadn’t picked up a paintbrush or a pencil in years. Those comments change my perspective on purpose and what it means to live on purpose.

Writing and journaling can help you not only find your purpose, but also inspire and motivate others to do the same. It’s rewarding and makes waking up every morning worthwhile.

Engaging in a creative outlet like writing or another activity will feed your soul and benefit your mental and emotional health with enrichment, wisdom, and hope.

Any creative activity, especially writing and journaling, provides healing. You become your own therapist and self-helper.

Blogging may reach people facing similar challenges and obstacles as you are. Without realizing it, writing can give you and others comfort and assurance that everything will work out no matter what is going on.

You’ll realize that challenges and obstacles lead to self-improvement and growth.

Suffering is part of life, though it’s never pleasant. Right now, I am battling significant health issues that are preventing me from getting adequate sleep every night. It’s a struggle.

Even though it’s difficult today, I know it won’t always be like this. Journaling especially gives me hope that I’ll get treatment and feel better soon.

I’m doing what I can to make this difficult time as enriching as I can.

Concluding Thoughts

Writing and journaling should help you first and foremost. You should do these activities every day for the wisdom, hope, and comfort you can gain from them.

A creative outlet truly benefits your mental and emotional health. The more time you devote to writing and journaling, the more you become your own therapist and an exceptional problem-solver.

You’ll recognize what’s working for you and how to resolve tough issues.

If you are afraid of running out of ideas, once a week, jot down a list of topics and create a mind map.

Explore the articles that attract you and expand on them. Research the topics that aren’t being talked about enough and fill those gaps.

Thank you for reading. If you are new to my blog or have been with me for a while, feel free to comment and introduce yourself. It always makes my day when I know people are reading my blog.

Please subscribe to my blog to receive my articles by email. Thank you for reading and supporting me!

Before you go, check out my YouTube Channel, Tessa Koller Art, where I teach watercolor and colored pencil media and discuss marketing, creativity, wellness, and various lifestyle topics. I hope you subscribe and follow along!

Just before I turned forty, I blamed the neurological symptoms I was having on women’s issues such as hormonal fluctuations and perimenopause (I’m not in perimenopause).

I also blamed these neurological symptoms on the genetic condition I live with, known as 22Q11.2 Deletion Syndrome. November is 22Q awareness month, and I’ll be talking about this disorder as much as I can.

These neurological symptoms have become a major interference in my daily (and nightly) life.

A year ago, I discovered from an MRI that I have an adenoma pressing on my Pituitary Gland.

The Pituitary Gland is part of your endocrine system and regulates growth, hormone regulation, and body temperature. Other functions of the Pituitary Gland include regulating metabolism and responses to stress and trauma.

The adenoma was the culprit behind the hot flashes, cold sweats, and other various neurological symptoms I was dealing with.

These are the seven neurological symptoms that you shouldn’t ignore.

Headaches That Feel Different

One of the first neurological symptoms I experienced was a headache. The behavior of my headaches shifted as this Pituitary Gland came on the scene.

My headaches used to begin with ease, but now, they are intense the second they occur. I’ll be sitting at a table with family members or friends, and all of a sudden, it feels like a little gremlin in my brain just hit my head with a sledgehammer, and I’m done for the day.

Headaches that suddenly occur with extreme intensity are a classic sign of a Pituitary Adenoma. Though adenomas are typically benign, in rare cases, they can bleed internally. That hasn’t happened with mine yet, at least, I hope it hasn’t.

Frequent Lightheadedness

Lightheadedness is another classic neurological symptom of a Pituitary Adenoma. I started having lightheadedness while eating meals, and now I experience lightheadedness three or four times a day.

If you experience episodes of lightheadedness, don’t ignore that. Symptoms are information and alert us that it’s time for medical testing.

Nightly Vivid Dreams and Nightmares

Six months ago, I started having nightly vivid dreams and nightmares that were interfering with my REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep. I blamed these constant interferences on hormonal fluctuations and ageing.

If you’re having dreams and nightmares every time you’re sleeping, that means something is pressing on the Hypothalamus part of your brain.

I believe my adenoma could be pressing on that structure of my brain. The Hypothalamus regulates body temperature, hunger/thirtst, sleep-wake cycles, the autonomic nervous system, the endocrine system, emotions, and stress.

Now that this adenoma is affecting my sleep and multiple body systems, it has to go.

Vision Disturbances

The first vision disturbances I dealt with were blurred vision and double vision. I blamed my vision issues on ageing and hormonal shifts.

I also started having kaleidoscope vision, which accompanied a headache, though not every time.

Exhaustion That Is Worse Than Fatigue

Exhaustion and fatigue aren’t the same. The kind of exhaustion I’ve been having is making me nod off here and there throughout the day. Yesterday, I was in my kitchen and literally fell asleep on my counter.

Exhaustion feels worse and more intense than general fatigue. My eyes feel heavy almost all the time, and as the day goes on, this extreme tiredness is impossible to ignore.

Depression (That Doesn’t Feel Right)

When I started having depression, it didn’t feel right. It felt discordant, like I shouldn’t be depressed. Everything in my life is in order, and I am content with everything despite my health.

This adenoma, I believe, is responsible for this weird depression I’ve been feeling for the past six months. Constant sleep interruptions can cause depression and exacerbate anxiety.

The Things You Love Doing Seem More Difficult

I’m an artist and writer. Always have been. Lately, creating art and writing have become more challenging. Writing is more challenging because of this Pituitary Adenoma that I hope I can get rid of.

That’s one reason I got back to blogging: I want to exercise my brain. I’m also focusing on creating something every day and pursuing a new hobby.

Concluding Thoughts

If you’re dealing with any of the neurological symptoms I listed in this article, don’t ignore them. As someone with a genetic condition, I must undergo medical evaluations regularly, like every six months.

Ignoring these symptoms won’t help, and they won’t just go away. They will become more intense over time.

This week, on the fifth, I will have a brain MRI to see what my Pituitary Adenoma is doing. I may also have a sleep disorder, which I hope isn’t the case. I’m exploring these possibilities so I can get adequate treatment.

Thank you for reading. If you are new to my blog or have been with me for a while, feel free to comment and introduce yourself. It always makes my day when I know people are reading my blog.

Please subscribe to my blog to receive my articles by email. Thank you for reading and supporting me!

Before you go, check out my YouTube Channel, Tessa Koller Art, where I teach watercolor and colored pencil mediums and discuss marketing, creativity, wellness, and various lifestyle topics. I hope you subscribe and follow along!

We are officially at the peak of the fall season. The days are colder, and the sunlight is scarce. The clocks were set back an hour, and I’m never as thrilled as I should be about getting an extra hour of sleep.

I never thought I dealt with Seasonal Affective Disorder, but I do. To make matters worse, I have a benign brain tumor that is interfering with my REM sleep every night, so I’m not waking up rested.

I’ll see my neurosurgeon this week, and we’ll discuss the possibility of removing my Pituitary Gland Tumor. Something else in my brain could be going on, and I’m exploring other possible issues.

Seasonal Affective Disorder can make life difficult in obvious ways I won’t get into in this article. But I wanted to write a post about all the ways to effectively cope with S.A.D. and make these colder months more enjoyable.

Stick To A Sleep Schedule

Despite my sleep struggles, I stick to a schedule, even on weekends. My sleep schedule is: I’m in bed at 10:00 P.M., and I wake up at 7:30 A.M. Nine hours of sleep is something I take seriously.

Additionally, I follow a sleep hygiene routine that keeps me off my phone.

This (benign) brain tumor I have is causing nightly vivid dreams and nightmares and other neurological symptoms during the day. It must go. I’m sure I’ll experience loads of relief when it’s removed, although I have to undergo a sleep study to make sure I’m not developing a sleep disorder.

Pursue a Creative Endeavor

The colder months are the perfect time to delve into a new hobby. Yesterday, I spent two hours learning how to knit. I did a terrible job because I didn’t have the right yarn, but I learned something new.

Learning a new skill activates the brain’s reward center. Mastering a skill boosts endorphins and gives you free dopamine spikes. It’s beyond satisfying to create something with your own two hands.

Take The Right Supplements

Make sure you are taking the right supplements. I take Magnesium Oxide every night, though you may want to take Magnesium Glycinate. You may want to seek advice from a doctor who can guide you on the best supplements for your health.

Magnesium Oxide helps me with chronic pain symptoms and keeps my digestive system moving. I also take B vitamins (B3 and B12) and Vitamin D. Aside from supplements, nutrition from food is essential. Eating whole foods will boost your brain health and mood.

Daily Walks To Adjust To The Cold

No matter how cold it is outside, if it’s not raining, I’ll go for a fifteen-minute walk. Walking outdoors, even on a cold day, helps you adjust to falling temperatures. Nature walks benefit your mental and emotional well-being.

Establish Evening And Morning Routines

Every morning and evening, I follow a routine, though it changes every day depending on my schedule. My mornings are for getting ready for the day ahead — I eat a healthy, high-protein breakfast, write a blog post, and make a list of what I need to focus on that day.

In the evenings, I devote time to knitting, a puzzle, or I’ll spend time with my cats.

Make Time For Laughter

Every day, I make time for laughing. You can watch silly animal videos on social media or discover new comedians. Hang out with a goofy friend who gets you laughing.

Laughter changes your body’s physiology and rewires your brain. When I’m feeling blue, I’ll watch a silly video that gets me giggling, and that transforms my state of mind immediately.

Concluding Thoughts

Seasonal Affective Disorder comes with its set of challenges. There are a bunch of activities you can do to get through these cold months. Pursuing a creative hobby or activity that stimulates and rewires your brain will make a major difference.

Sticking to a sleep schedule is the most effective way to cope with Seasonal Affective Disorder and regulate your circadian rhythm. Taking a brief walk outside can help you adjust to the cold weather.

If the sun is out, get that Vitamin D and spend at least twenty minutes outside. Allow the sun to reach your eyes, not directly, but enough to benefit your brain. If you don’t want to go outside, sit next to a sunny window while you work.

Cook your own meals and spend time with your pets, if you have pets.

If you have other ideas for coping with Seasonal Affective Disorder, I’d love to know.

Thank you for reading. If you are new to my blog or have been with me for a while, feel free to comment and introduce yourself. It always makes my day when I know people are reading my blog.

Please subscribe to my blog to receive my articles by email. Thank you for reading and supporting me!

Before you go, check out my YouTube Channel, Tessa Koller Art, where I teach watercolor and colored pencil mediums and discuss marketing, creativity, wellness, and various lifestyle topics. I hope you subscribe and follow along!