Hi Reader,

Cold winter days and nights. How do you cope with them and everything else happening in the world these days?

Here are some updates and thoughts for February:

1. Thriving on Your Own
2. Job Search & Career Advice
3. Relationships & Communication
4. Business & Entrepreneurship
5. Mind-Body-Spirit Connection
6. Hobbies

1. Thriving on Your Own

Whether we want to thrive on our own or with others' help, the desire to evolve and make a positive impact is always there. It’s what actually drives us as introverts, however each of us defines "impact."

The journey toward a meaningful goal is worth exploring because we discover so much about ourselves and others in the process. "What if I don't know what I want?" some might ask. That's part of the process. I bet no one knows all the time, and that's okay, too.

Life gives us "signals" along the way. Do you pay attention?
I was first inspired to design "wearable art" when a friend gifted me a handmade necklace. "I can make it better," I thought, then realized that I enjoyed the process. I designed and sold more. "You can't continue to focus on this; it's just about external appearance, and you focus on more meaningful things," my inner saboteur said. And I stopped.

Later, I found several reasons to return: self-expression (creativity) is a life force. If we ignore it, we become "robots" moved by others' norms and ideas. What do you prefer?
Since my creative expressions take various forms and I enjoy them all, I circled back to jewelry design during these long winter evenings. There is another, more meaningful reason that pushed me into this recently, as I explained on the new collection page of the books website. Do you like "wearable art"?

2. Job Search & Career Advice

What does self-expression mean in the context of a career?

People are usually taught at a young age to choose one path and stay in that "lane" as long as they can. Many force themselves to stay in that lane because they already have experience or don't know how to switch to something they’ll enjoy more—something more aligned with self-expression. If you're in this boat, let's talk!​

I've navigated several career paths driven by my commitment to becoming more aligned with myself. Sometimes I combine the skills and expertise I’ve accumulated; other times, I enjoy learning and discovering new ones.

In a world where AI is taking over more aspects of our lives, being true to ourselves and our self-expression (our humanity) is the most important differentiator—and the area where AI will eventually struggle to compete.

3. Relationships & Communication

Would you like to change someone's behaviour? That is hard—or impossible—if they don't want to. Force or manipulation might show some results, but they lead to more inner resistance, which makes the relationship worse over time.

The reason someone is part of your life now is often that they (unconsciously) act as a mirror to help you understand what parts of your own behaviour need to change if you want a better life. Hard to accept that, right?

However, when you look beyond the surface—to understand your relationships through a self-growth lens—you might be surprised by what you discover.
​Want an example? A client seemed to be very accommodating. When we went through the "Mirror" coaching exercise, he had an "Aha" moment: what he didn't like in his partner was actually revealing that he didn't know how to stand up for himself. He stopped blaming her controlling behaviour (which he despised), and started working on himself. He soon noticed positive changes in the relationship as well.

If you're curious about what you can learn about yourself from what bothers you in others, reach out and let's talk. Or, you can explore this self-coaching book first: "Navigating the Relationship Landscape (with ease)"

4. Business & Entrepreneurship

Did you know that introverts prefer collaboration, while extroverts lean toward competition?

No wonder many believe that extroverted behaviour is the key to success in the business world. However, there are many successful introverted business owners. One of their keys to their success is collaboration with like-minded people.

Introverts love to help others. Staying in touch, brainstorming, or collaborating with other introverted entrepreneurs can help everyone involved without relying on behaviour that feels unnatural.

That's why Introverts Academy is bringing back the Mastermind for Introverted Entrepreneurs, with sessions every other week starting February 9, 2026 (next week).

Interested? It's flexible: you can attend one or more sessions—your choice!

5. Mind-Body-Spirit Connection

I recently met Fredric Abramson via Alignable. He uses DNA testing to help people improve their lives and avoid potential accidents caused by predispositions identified in their DNA.

"Did you know there is a gene for being shy?" he asked. I didn't. He went on to talk about the app he wants to design based on his research. "DNA doesn't change," he said at one point, which triggered my "inner alarm."

I got curious. If DNA can't change and people are "forced" into certain predispositions all their lives, how is it that people change over time and some can heal themselves?

The more I looked into this, the more I found evidence for what I have come to believe through my life experience and meditation practice. While we are born in a certain way, what we do with our lives still has an impact. There is now scientific evidence that spiritual evolution through meditation and other mindfulness practices can actually turn certain parts of our DNA "on" or "off." What's your opinion on this?

6. Hobbies

With everything happening in the world around us, we need to make a more conscious effort not to let stress accumulate, so we can be present and navigate these times with better discernment.

Having one or more—or activities you enjoy—can significantly reduce stress.
​Are you using this "natural" stress reliever?
​Or do you keep telling yourself that you don't have the time or money for it?

Best,
Gabriela

Gabriela Casineanu, MSc, MBA​
Founder / CEO of Introverts Academy • Award-Winning Author​
—

Did you like this email?
​Feel free to forward it to others who might also appreciate wholistic tips, and reflection-based resources that nourish mind and spirit. They can subscribe here.

​​​​​​​