Hi Reader,

March is often a transitional month between the colourless winter and the sunnier, more vibrant days of spring. It is a time when many of us feel an urge to move forward, even if we’re still feeling the weight of what's going on in the world. Today I’m sharing some personal stories about navigating fear, changing environments, and finding new ways to express our creative life force.

1. Life as an Introvert
2. Relationships & Communication
3. Job Search & Career Advice
4. Business & Entrepreneurship
5. Mind-Body-Spirit Connection
6. Hobbies

1. Life as an Introvert

A while ago, a client suggested I title this section “Thriving on Your Own,” and I have used that since. However, life is not only about thriving or doing everything by yourself. Sometimes it is more about dealing with stressful situations, hence the new title: “Life as an Introvert.”

Take the situation a client was in recently. When we started our session, I noticed and felt her “frenzy” energy; she was dealing with a difficult financial situation (already behind on bills), and the stress was affecting her mental and physical health. She was anxious and agitated, couldn't focus, and had sleep problems. While I couldn't help her improve her financial situation directly, we focused the session on shifting her energy to a state that helped her be more “functional.”

Using somatic coaching methods—anchoring her in the body and shifting her mind from what was causing the anxiety to more helpful thoughts—she became calmer and started to brainstorm actions she could actually take to improve the situation.

I love these methods more than just talking during coaching sessions because people (especially introverts) have usually already thought a lot about their situation before reaching out for help. If that swirling thinking didn't help yet, why focus on it during the coaching?

If you’re overthinking a situation and would like to move ahead instead, reach out. I still have a few spots available for the March offer: one coaching session for $95 (normally $150).

2. Relationships & Communication

If you're open to sharing, which social media platform do you find yourself scrolling through or using most to connect with others?

Since I and Introverts Academy are essentially "one" for now, I’ve been posting short videos almost daily on my TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook profiles on topics related to introverts, with occasional posts on LinkedIn (I plan to do more there soon).

​Today I posted this video about introverts feeling misunderstood or not appreciated.

Would you like to connect on social media?

3. Job Search & Career Advice

With AI penetrating almost all aspects of our lives, I wrote a blog article using a systems-thinking lens: The Job Interview Blind Spots: A Three-Dimensional Perspective for Hiring in the Age of AI. I’ve looked at the hiring landscape from the perspectives of both candidates and employers, since each may have biases and blind spots that affect job interview outcomes.

4. Business & Entrepreneurship

Do you visit or have a booth at trade shows? I find them insightful.

I was at the Toronto Home Show yesterday and stopped at a local small business booth. Since I know the owner, we chatted a bit until other visitors came. “You know, with current world events, I’m afraid...” she said nervously.

Growing a business is not an easy task, and I totally relate to her concerns. “Don’t,” I found myself answering. “Take one day, one moment at a time.” She smiled, looking a bit relieved.

Fear is a sign. It’s in our power to find ways around it or let it paralyze us. And sometimes, the “window” to choose is no bigger than a split second.

I, too, struggle sometimes with fears (and financially) while building the Introverts Academy. I take it as part of the entrepreneurial journey. If I get a job, it might be easier than navigating the uncertain business environment. But a job would also “eat” my time and energy, derailing me from focussing on something I’m truly passionate about: building a better world by tapping into the valuable introvert strengths. So, I also apply the thinking I shared with her to myself.

In time, I have learned, discovered, and developed more methods for dealing with fear and overwhelm. Reach out if you want to know more.

5. Mind-Body-Spirit Connection

Stories are powerful—whether fiction or true—because they touch something deeper in us. They affect each of us differently, depending on what we resonate with or where we are in our individual journeys.

I particularly love the story about Diego Gonzalez in the audiobook The Penguin Lessons by Tom Michell. Described as an introspective and unathletic 13-year-old Bolivian student struggling with homesickness and academic challenges, Diego proved to be excellent when the right opportunity and environment revealed he was a gifted swimmer. He showed "exceptional elegance and proficiency" when he finally took the chance to swim with the penguin (named Juan Salvador) in the university pool. Once his skill was recognized and encouraged, his self-confidence increased rapidly. He didn't just lead the university athletic team to victory; he also excelled in his academic scores from that point on.

The environment we immerse ourselves in can have a huge influence on us.
​Are you paying attention?

6. Hobbies

Do you consider "longtermism" when you choose your hobbies? Longtermism is about choosing our actions in a way that can build a better, more robust, and enduring future for humanity. As philosopher William MacAskill said in his book What We Owe the Future: “Future people count. There could be a lot of them. We can make their lives better."

Intentionally choosing our hobbies with a positive intent, or embedding meaning into what we do, can have that kind of impact.

I love to paint intuitively, but I stopped in 2015 (after my second solo exhibit) because I didn’t want to put more hours into promoting my paintings; nor did I have space to store more. It seemed useless. I did include them, however, in my self-coaching book, Spiritual Concepts: A Visual Representation.

Creativity is the life force in action. Not expressing ourselves in a creative form blocks or limits that life force flowing through us.

I still wanted to find another creative way of expression with minimum effort and positive intention. When we’re clear about what we want, we find a way.
Recently, I discovered ACEO (Art Cards, Editions, and Originals)—miniature pieces of art—which got me excited about painting again. I also like challenges, and this time, the challenge is “packing” my painting hand movements into a card of only 2.5 in x 3.5 in. Challenge accepted! :-)

What form of creative expression excites you?

Best,
Gabriela

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