E22: Sarah Bahbah - Addiction, Intuition, Success

Jan 22, 2019 1h 12m 13 insights
Artist Sarah Barber shares her journey of overcoming childhood trauma and addiction through self-discovery and art. She emphasizes the power of intuition, emotional processing, and authentic expression, revealing how these principles shaped her unique creative approach and rapid success.
Actionable Insights

1. Comprehensive Trauma Healing Protocol

After experiencing trauma, implement a multi-faceted healing protocol including consistent therapy (initially full-time), physical training, and changing your living environment to support recovery and uncover repressed memories.

2. Cultivate Self-Belief by Trusting Intuition

Develop strong self-belief by trusting your inner ‘inkling’ or intuition to act on ideas, even when uncertain about the outcome, and embrace the unknown rather than succumbing to self-doubt.

3. Confront Emotions Directly

Instead of using distractions like phones, binging, or substances to escape feelings, consciously sit with your emotions, allow yourself to feel them fully, and cry if necessary to process them.

4. Act on Intuitive Urges Quickly

When a strong intuitive feeling or creative urge arises, act on it immediately (e.g., within 24-48 hours) without overthinking, as this rapid execution can lead to significant breakthroughs and creative output.

5. Establish Phone-Free Morning & Evening Routines

Improve mental health and rest by putting your phone on airplane mode 1-2 hours before bed and not checking it for an hour after waking, allowing for self-connection and a grounded start to your day.

6. Manage Anxiety Through Self-Connection

Address anxiety by understanding its root (often from feeling unprotected or unheard) and actively engaging with it through meditation, deep belly breathing, and checking in with your inner child.

7. Prioritize Authenticity in Creation

Create from a deeply personal and real place, sharing your genuine story and healing journey, as this authenticity resonates profoundly with others and fosters connection beyond curated perfection.

8. Redefine Luck as Persistent Effort

Understand that perceived ’luck’ is often the result of consistent hard work, strategic planning, and sustained energy invested in an idea over time, rather than a random fortunate event.

9. Maintain Regular Therapy Check-ins

Even after significant healing and progress, continue regular therapy sessions (e.g., bi-weekly) to maintain mental well-being, have a consistent support system, and prevent regression.

10. Process Emotions Through Creative Outlets

When overwhelmed by strong emotions, use creative expression (like writing one-liners in phone notes) to process feelings in real-time, rather than delaying self-reflection until a later burst.

11. Implement Regular Digital Detoxes

Engage in structured digital detoxes (e.g., for a weekend using a ‘brick’ method) to foster real-world connections, recharge mentally, and reconnect with yourself without constant digital distractions.

12. Set Clear End Goals

Define clear end goals for your projects and career paths to create motivation for moving on to new challenges and prevent stagnation, embracing the idea that creativity shouldn’t be limited to one thing.

13. Foster Child Development Through Observation & Mentorship

If raising children, observe their innate strengths and interests, give them freedom to express, and provide specialized mentors to develop their unique skill sets.