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So… Is Your Higher Self the Same as Source?

By The Artful Woman
  Not exactly. Think of it like this: Source is the origin —pure consciousness, God/Goddess/Divine Light, whatever you want to call it. It’s the everything-and-nothing energy from which all things come. Your Higher Self is your personal bridge to Source. It’s your soul in its purest form , untainted by fear, ego, or human distortion. Your Higher Self is you , just on the zoomed-out level —the version of you that remembers the full story, all lifetimes, all lessons, all missions. So: Source is the sun. Your Higher Self is the sunbeam that still holds its essence but is uniquely you . Is Your Higher Self Your Soul? Pretty much— but here's the nuance: Your soul is eternal. It’s the part of you that has lived countless lives. Your Higher Self is like the fully awakened version of your soul —the one not currently squeezed into a human body trying to pay bills and avoid family drama. When you're in human form, you're kind of like the tip of the i...
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Breaking the Cycle: My Journey From Financial Betrayal to Abundant Living

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By The Artful Woman

There’s a quiet shame that comes with being scammed, manipulated, or used—especially when it’s cloaked in the language of “abundance,” “positivity,” or so-called “personal development.” I didn’t realize until recently just how deeply these betrayals had imprinted on my nervous system, how much they contributed to the fear and hesitation I still feel when it comes to investing in myself or trusting new paths.

What follows is my story—but it’s also a lesson in how betrayal can hijack your inner compass, and how reclaiming your power is possible.

The False Promise of MLMs & Financial Shame

At first, the promise seemed real. The “opportunity” was wrapped in smooth talkers who spoke of empowerment, mindset shifts, and abundance. But behind the buzzwords was manipulation—designed to hook your trust, take your money, and leave you questioning your own judgment.

I lost more than money. I lost self-trust. Confidence. Even my sense of safety in my own intuition.

The difference between true empowerment and toxic positivity became crystal clear: one lifts you up, the other pressures you into submission under the guise of growth.

The Aftershocks: Why Trauma Makes You Second-Guess Yourself

I was someone who had modeled confidence, made independent choices, and trusted her instincts—yet this experience left me hesitant, scared to invest in myself again. Betrayal leaves energetic imprints on the body; trauma doesn’t just live in the memory, it lives in your nervous system.

This wasn’t just a bad decision. It was abuse. Naming it for what it is—manipulation, shame, humiliation—was the first step toward reclaiming my power.

Protecting Your Heart Without Closing It

The real lesson wasn’t about never trusting again. It was learning discernment instead of building higher walls. Boundaries instead of isolation. And discovering that being heart-led is a strength, not a flaw.

I’ve learned that protecting my energy doesn’t mean closing off to abundance, love, or opportunity—it means knowing my worth and refusing to settle for anything less than what aligns with my soul.

Breaking the Cycle

Now, I’m shifting the energy in my life intentionally. Sound healing, boundary work, and nervous system repair are part of my daily practice. I’m building a sanctuary—small steps, big courage—and returning to that place of knowing I once lived in: that I am worthy, I am abundant, and I am safe.

This story isn’t just mine. If you’ve ever been caught in a cycle of manipulation, financial betrayal, or energetic drain, I can help you break it. Together, we can clear the patterns that attract toxic situations, heal your energetic boundaries, and reconnect you to your divine right to abundance.

Contact me at Artful Living Coaching to start reclaiming your power and living the life you were meant to have.

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Location: Dana Point, CA, USA

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