Amber Rae

This is how we Saturday. // In a conversation with @shantell_martin a few weeks ago, she mentioned the notion of putting yourself into a situation where there isn’t time to think or plan, so that the true you can come to the surface. That’s what happened with @farhadini today. Over the last few weeks, I’ve had a recurring dream about painting people with colors and words. Then, in a meditation, I saw the possibility of bringing someone from a state of Worry into a state of Wonder by combining dialogue, paint, music, and play. All of those dots connected today when Farhad became the canvas and me painting him became a space for his one guiding question to come to the surface. “What would Love do?” is the question that guides him. #WonderOverWorry 🎨❤️

(at Brooklyn Bridge)

This. Always. #ImWithHer

#WonderOverWorry (at Brooklyn Bridge)

👁

#WonderOverWorry #ArtbyARae (at DUMBO, Brooklyn Bridge Water Front)

You all, some real talk about this #WonderOverWorry launch process: I have a crazy passionate perfectionist worry voice. She’s constantly breathing down my neck about whether or not what I create feels right and is good enough.

Maybe you can relate?

It’s taken a lot of time, practice, and deep breaths to learn how to channel that energy for good, and to continue taking action in the face of uncertainty.

When I hit publish on my website last week, I was lying in a bed with ice on my sprained ankle and ice on my right hand that was numb from many nights of writing until 3 a.m. I had sharp pain shooting from my wrist to my shoulder, and circles under my eyes. Hours later, I let out a big scream and then broke into hysterics because I felt so stressed, tired, and in pain. It was not my finest hour, and certainly not how I imagined launch day going.

Now that I’ve had a few days of rest, and time to reflect, here’s what I’m learning: birthing anything into the world requires a devotion to a mission and message, the discipline to show up each day, and a current of energy flowing from within. It takes a willingness to go beyond what’s comfortable to realize what’s possible.

In reflection, I wouldn’t have changed a thing. I loved every second of the creative process. I enjoyed discovering how possessed I become about design details and word choice. I smiled icing my right hand while using word dictation tools with my left. While I’m not advocating for exhaustion and pain, those states are fleeting, can be useful in moderation, and the contrast is powerful to witness.

Then, launch week happened and beautiful notes rolled in. One woman called me her “spirit animal.” Another said my words “spark a fire in her hearts and shine a light in her soul.” One man shared that rather than trying to "fight or reject his worries,” he’s learning to “embrace and have compassion for his full self.”

These stories are why I’m here doing this work. You are why I’m showing up every day, using my voice and creativity to be a catalyst in your path. I feel lucky I have the opportunity to share my gifts with you, and I’m honored we’re on this journey together. ❤️

(📷 by @pollyshot) (at DUMBO, Brooklyn Bridge Water Front)

A poem for you:

I used to dim my light,
worrying that I’d shine too bright.

I used to hide what I saw as magical,
worrying those views would seem too radical.

But then I discovered a clue:
You are me and I am you.
I am you and you are me.
Can’t you see?

We are
the light
the magic
the possibility.

There is room for us all to shine bright
So please, my love, bring forth your magic and light.

#WonderOverWorry

p.s. Have you seen the new site yet? Head to: http://amberrae.com ❤️ (at 3 ROOTS)

A world of possibilities is open to you.

In every moment and interaction, you have a choice:

Be more loving toward myself, and others — or create separation and distance?

Be curious about the here and now — or busy myself with the past and future?

Believe that “clues” and magic await — or let skepticism lead the way?

Which will you choose?

I choose Love.

Love,
Wonder

Want to start your day with Wonder? Sign-up for (free) daily clues like the one above at amberrae.com/clues. It’s part of a new brand + website reveal today. 💓💓💓

What If Wonder Led The Way? Today on 7/11 at 11:11 a.m., I am OVER THE MOON to share my new website and brand at amberrae.com. 🔮💃🏻✨🎉💓

A bit of background, if you’re curious:

About a year ago, I started asking the question: What if wonder led the way?

I noticed that the voice of self-doubt, which I think of as “Worry,” was hanging out way too much in my creative process. As a result, either I wasn’t going after or finishing the projects that meant the most to me, or the entire creative process felt like hell.

I wondered: Is there a better way?

I wondered: What if Wonder navigated the negative self-talk? What if Wonder designed my day? How would Wonder approach writing a talk? How might I enter this difficult conversation from a lens of Wonder? And so on.

I noticed that too often worry was leading the design of my life and creative pursuits. This led me to suppress my deepest desires, rush around in the pursuit of enough, and say “No” when I really wanted to say “Yes.” It led me to avoid confrontation, take feedback personally, and fear speaking my truth. It led me to try to do things perfectly, prioritize external recognition over internal joy, and get caught up in the way things are already being done.

Maybe you can relate?

As I discovered Wonder, I began questioning my worried outlook and experimenting with ways to switch up my approach. So far, it’s taking me to far more rewarding, enriching, and eye-opening places. I’m pursuing the things I’ve always longed to do in my heart, and my level of motivation, energy, and alignment is flowing like it has never flowed before.

As part of this, today I’m launching a brand new website (oh happy day!!!), filled with inspiration, resources, and tools to support your wonder journey as I continue exploring mine.

Check out all the magic at amberrae.com.

To Wonder! xo

#WonderOverWorry

Work work work work work. Getting ready to launch launch launch launch launch. New website + brand coming TOMORROW. Here’s a sneak peak. #WonderOverWorry (at Greenpoint, Brooklyn)

I’m feeling all the feels, facing all the fears, and experiencing all the nerve-citement that comes along with a whole new brand and website launch. I’m work-work-working and putting on the final touches for LAUNCH DAY ON MONDAY, JULY 11. (!!!) For the last few months, I’ve poured my heart into creating something special for you, and I cannot wait to share. To be first to hear, sign up at heyamberrae.com/subscribe <link in profile>. Early email announcement coming at you on Sunday. 💓💃🏻🔮

#WonderOverWorry (at Maman Greenpoint)

When I reflect on the theme of independence and freedom, and our celebration of it on this day, I notice a feeling of tension in my chest. On one hand, our “land of the free” brought my love into this country 31 years ago, when he and his family fled the Iranian revolution. For me, I was privileged to grow up in an environment where following curiosities, creating freely, and sharing my truth was encouraged. For that, I’m filled with immense gratitude. On the other hand, we still have a long way to go on the equally front for all Americans and global citizens. That, I cannot deny. There is one thing, though, that I can surely wave a flag for, and it’s this: No matter the limitations, constraints, and conditioning that’s impressed on us externally, freedom is something that we all can cultivate from within. Each of us can take a look at our reflection in the mirror, and break out of whatever we have been conditioned to believe about ourselves. I’m reminded of what Albert Camus says in this moment: The only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebellion. // A question I’m reflecting on today, and one I invite you to consider too: What does freedom mean to you?

#wonderoverworry (at Big Daddy’s Antiques Inc.)

“What is the point of life?” … “To impress your soul.”

ADORED my time this morning with @kympham as she stops over in New York en route to a global road trip adventure. I’ve watched and cheered on Kym’s adventures over the years as she architects a path of mystery and meaning. As our conversation shifted from creative pulls to relationship curiosities to global adventures to the meaning of life, my heart sang with gratitude for the time we live in and the revelations that can emerge when we choose wonder.

On knowing when to stay or go, Kym said: “It’s when my curiosity is greater than my desire to stay.”

#wonderoverworry (at Upper West Side)

With a black marker and blank canvas, @shantell_martin took us into her world of stream-of-consciousness lines, faces, and words tonight at her closing New York exhibition, “Gone.” With a spirit of play and “following the marker,” Shantell shows us how emergent the creative process can be when we allow no plan to be the best plan for expressing our unique self. On knowing when the piece is finished, Shantell likened her lines to a rope coming out through her. “The rope wants to get out and I don’t stop until it tells me it’s done.” 📿 (at China Town, Manhattan, New York City)

I woke up in @amykarr’s apartment, and these words keep creeping in my psyche as I make final touches on a project I’m about to launch.

“Where am I making things unnecessarily complicated?” I wonder. “How might I make them more simple?”

In looking at my list of actions yet to be completed, I realize I’ve been avoiding certain items because, very simply: they feel overly complicated. They require an enormous amount of energy and time, and I’m wondering: Is it worth it? Is that aspect of the project the most deserving of my energy? And, how can I execute more simply?

I’m reminded of the notion of Essentialism which involves doing less, but better, so we make the highest possible contribution. It’s not about about getting more done in less time or getting less done, it’s about getting only the right things done.

This begs the question: What makes up a “right” thing?

I’ve read a dozen books and talked to a number of “experts” about what makes up a “right” choice. I’ve created decision-making frameworks and filtering criteria. While those tools can be useful, the most directive guidance I keep returning to is simple: my body.

For me, what’s “right” is a feeling. It’s a feeling of lightness, ease, expansiveness, and opening versus heaviness, tension, contraction, and constrain. It’s when my nose tingles, my chest opens, and a feeling of “Mmmhmmm” vibrates through my entire being. That’s when I know.

Said simply: The light way is the right way.

#wonderoverworry (at Union Square Park)

My whole body is smiling big right now as I sit in Madison Park, soaking up the sun and sounds of live jazz. The sounds of children dancing and birds chirping fill the air. I’m sitting here feeling all the feelings that come with walking out of a meeting that went better than I was expecting, taking me one step closer to the dream I’ve had in my heart my whole life. Gratitude is an understatement.

#WonderOverWorry (at Madison Square Park)

I LOVED speaking at @theshinemovement last night, sharing the #WonderOverWorry story, the role Wonder and Worry play out in our lives, and how we can move beyond our fears and doubts through real-time “Wonderventions.”

Curious? The next time you hear a worry voice in your head getting loud and bringing you down, try this: name the voice, create a character around it, and have a conversation. The thing about our worries is that they are like an inner child throwing a tantrum. They want to be seen, heard, loved, and acknowledged.

For me, when my perfectionist shows up, for example, I know “Grace” is hanging out. I’ve characterized her as a 30-something British woman who’s wants things neat and perfect the first time around. By naming her, I create distance from the voice in my head to a person I can have a loving dialogue with. I can say, “Hey Grace. I know you want me to create my very best work today. I appreciate the standards you push me toward. And, I want room to explore and be messy and make mistakes. Can you give me some space please?” It’s amazing how that kind of dialogue can create space and ease, and invite play.

If you try this process on, I would LOVE to hear about it. Also: Several people have asked me about workshops lately. SOON I’ll be hosting a Wonder Workshop in New York, where we’ll dive into this interactive process together. More details on that to come! ✨ (at WeWork Bryant Park)