Journeys unfolded: 5 Questions & 5 Facts - part III. with Laura Jane Illustrations

by Brigitta Pasztor - February 15, 2024

Dear beautiful souls,

Welcome back to the third part of my series on the blog: 'Journeys Unfolded: 5 Questions & 5 Facts.' If you've been following along, you know that each article brings us closer to inspiring individuals who embody authenticity and positivity in their unique ways, much like the remarkable guests we've had the pleasure of featuring in parts one and two, and today's spotlight shines brightly on yet another incredible journey.

Today, we're diving into the vibrant world of Jane, an Irish illustrator and content creator known for her brightly colored affirmations and illustrations that lift spirits and spark joy. With a captivating Instagram presence boasting 346,000 followers, Jane spreads positivity through her artwork, her podcast 'Fill Up Your Cup', and her whimsical book 'The Magic of You'. Let's explore her colorful journey and uncover the magic behind her feel-GOOD creations. You can find her on Instagram, on Tiktok, on Pinterest, and you can find her podcast here.

1. question: Your illustrations and affirmations are a burst of positivity! How did the idea for #themagicofyoubook come to life, and what message do you hope readers take away from it?

Laura: When I was creating the Magic of You, I wanted to create a mini guided journey that mirrored my own, where through believing in my dreams and focusing on learning and growth I created a life that was so different from what I thought I could achieve. I wanted readers to be able to pick up the book for a little inspiration whenever they needed it, but purposely divided into sections about self-love, growth, self-belief and more so that readers could also find what they needed most depending on what phase of their own journey they were in.

2. question: Hosting @fillupyourcuppod sounds like a joy! Can you share a memorable moment or an impactful conversation from the podcast that has stuck with you?

Laura: It’s hard to pick one really; when I started Fill Up Your Cup it was really more a space for me to chat about the things I love to talk about in longer form than an instagram caption, I never expected it to connect so deeply with so many other people. Reading reviews from listeners, or getting messages that people are listening to it after a hard day or week, that is what keeps me showing up to it.

3. question: Your page is filled with vibrant and uplifting content. How do you stay inspired and maintain a positive mindset, especially when creating content for others?

Laura: So much of what I share is rooted in my own personal experiences, what I am going through or what I have just worked through. I try to stay as authentic as possible, so it’s not always about maintaining a ‘positive’ mindset but an open one and sharing that with others so that they don’t feel alone. Creating is what brings me Joy and so funnily, when I feel uninspired I find the best way back is to just create something else for the sake of creating and see where it takes me.

4. question: Can you share why you believe in the power of journaling and how it has personally influenced your own journey and creativity?

Laura: I personally am overthinking and I’ve struggled a lot in the past with negative self-talk. Journaling gives me a space to express myself, work through my thoughts and even step outside my thoughts and see them from a bigger picture. Often emotional overwhelm creates creative block, journaling allows my thoughts to flow and I imagine emptying my head into my journal so that there is space for new creative ideas to grow.

5. question: How do you balance the various aspects of your creative journey, and what advice do you have for those looking to express themselves through multiple mediums?

Laura: Balancing all the areas that I share and create as well as all the projects I work on can definitely be difficult at times so I have to be really honest with myself, first from a practical standpoint of what things most need my time and energy right now and why and secondly from an emotional or spiritual place of what am I feeling most pulled towards right now. I also regularly check with myself about what’s working, what’s not and why. For example, when I started my podcast I felt overwhelmed managing both the podcast and regular YT content and so in that moment my gut was pulling me more towards the podcast work and I put YT on pause; this year however I have been feeling a pull towards getting back into video content, so I took a long hard look at home I could make that work without burning out.

My advice to others is to be realistic and be honest with yourself - you can’t do all of the things all of the time, but there are always creative ways that you can show up for the things that you need to do and the things you really WANT to do.

+ 5 facts about Laura

* I was born and grew up in Ireland but moved away when I turned 21. I have since lived in the UK, north Italy and now in Sardinia.

* I LOVE cake and will eat it for breakfast any chance I get.

* When I can’t sleep I rewatch the US Office because it is my comfort show!

* I taught myself how to do my own gel nails in lockdown in 2020 and have done them at home ever since.

* My love of children’s books and the illustrations in them was what inspired me to learn digital illustration when I was still a teacher.

As we conclude Jane's chapter in 'Journeys Unfolded: 5 Questions & 5 Facts,' we've been immersed in the colorful tapestry of her life and work. From her whimsical illustrations to her uplifting podcast and book, Jane's commitment to spreading positivity is truly infectious. Thank you, Jane, for sharing your story and for reminding us all to embrace the magic within us. Stay tuned for more genuine tales in our ongoing series, and until then, keep spreading the joy! 🌟🎨

Who would you like to see featured next? What questions do you have for our future guests? Drop your thoughts in the comments, and let's keep this journey unfolding together! 🌟 #JourneysUnfolded #StayTuned

With love from B ♥

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