Under the dark winter sky... alone & with AI

On the thought-provoking dance with AI, watching the stars, & enjoying the first snow. Revelations on creation.

Winter has arrived here in the Alpine region, arriving after a short and delayed golden autumn. The cold now bites, sharply around 0 degrees Celsius (ca. 32 degrees Fahrenheit for our friends in the US). Walks under the dark winter sky have become almost a daily ritual since dusk falls by 4 pm. Sometimes I can see the stars and the moon beautifully reflecting in nearby waters or puddles, sometimes rain and wind blow in my face as I briskly walk home, head down, yearning for the warmth of blankets on the sofa.

I prefer our freezing cold winters here compared to the dampness I couldn’t bear in the UK. As you may or may not remember, my roots lie at the feet of The Alps, the highest and most extensive mountain range in Europe. It stretches about 1,200 km (750 mi) across eight Alpine countries, from west to east: Monaco, France, Switzerland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Germany, Austria, and Slovenia. The mountains ground and calm me I love the perspective they provide, I feel restless in flat landscapes or forests where I can’t see into the distance. And yet I find myself longing for the proximity of the sea, the expansiveness of water and salty wind blowing in my face. Mountain lakes make me happy in the meantime. Are you a sea or mountain lover?

Since Munich, where I’ve been living for the past year, is close to the Alps too, the company I work for sent 15 of us to a gorgeous mountain hotel for workshops. As much as I loved the time together and found our co-creation, vision setting and strategies planning sessions enriching, going on walks at the lakeside (Yayy water for spaciousness I always crave), admiring the mountains and enjoying the snow, socialising and having deep conversations, I am glad to be back home. So glad.
I am in hibernation mode, withdrawing more and more from crowded spaces, noisy online platforms, busy streets and glaring lights. I need more warm stews, tea and sleep. Science supports the idea of needing an extra hour of sleep during the colder months.

Have you noticed your sleep patterns and socialising needs shift?

Blessed with snow and a bit of sunshine in between. 📍Somewhere in the German / Austrian mountains

Resting under the dark winter sky

Beneath the winter's shroud,
Where stars in icy splendor crowd,
Rest beckons with a quiet sigh,
Underneath the dark winter sky.

Snowflakes dance in tranquil flight,
Blanketing the world in hushed delight.
A stillness settles, soft and deep,
As nature wraps itself in sleep.

By the stream, a liquid melody,
Sings a lullaby to the land and me.
The water's tune, a gentle hum,
Underneath winter's silent drum.

The wind, a tender, whispered kiss,
Caressing my hair with a wistful bliss.
It carries secrets from afar,
Underneath the winter's star.

In the earth, a slumbering embrace,
Seeds of life in a hidden space.
Covered by snow, a promise lies,
To bloom in spring's sweet surprise.

Nocturnal whispers fill the air,
A poem for creatures everywhere.
The moon, a gentle, guiding eye,
Casting shadows 'neath the dark winter sky.

In this quiet, frozen embrace,
A respite found, a sacred space.
Where time slows down and dreams draw nigh,
Underneath the dark winter sky.

So lay your worries, lay them down,
On the quilt of snow, where dreams abound.
In the hush of night, where spirits fly,
Resting under the dark winter sky.

The poem was inspired by the above and below photos and my experiences being in nature:

My dance with AI - how I turned my relationship with ChatGPT from avoidant to friendly co-creation.

What if we didn’t have to figure it all out alone? What if we didn't have to carry everything on our own shoulders?

I wrote about why we all need mentors and wholeheartedly believe in the power of our communities. We need humans to hold us, witness us on our journey, and hold up reflective mirrors. The reality is that no mentor, friend, teacher, or personal trainer can be omnipresent, and from a practical standpoint, it might not be a wise investment for most of our bank accounts to hire someone 24/7.

So I turned to AI.

In the dance between heart and machine, I, as someone working in the Silicon Valley tech bubble (not in the US but abroad) and in the wellbeing space with my private offerings simultaneously, wholeheartedly believe that ChatGPT doesn't replace; it enhances, refines, and sometimes surprises. ChatGPT is a collaborator in the symphony of words and makes my day-to-day office job a whole lot easier, too.

I know this may be triggering and confronting for some and music to other people’s ears.

Throughout history, the tools for artistic creation have consistently evolved. Today, with AI, we encounter a new frontier in artistry - a realm we must master first to produce meaningful creations, I would argue. With AI, like any tool, the output is in proportion to what we invest: effort, knowledge, content, emotions, intention, and connection. Like learning how to use a calculator at school to find answers to complex mathematical problems or investing in high-quality paint brushes that we know sit well in our hand and don’t lose hairs in the paint.

The synergy between our human investment and AI capabilities paves the way for a unique and nuanced form of artistic expression. As I traverse linguistic landscapes in my writing, I create in a language that is not my first. And as a recovering perfectionist, I gratefully embrace a second opinion or proofreader sometimes, a teacher, mentor, or guide. Other times, I struggle with logic, a red thread, recipe ideas, itinerary questions etc.

When winter whispered its serenity, and my photos from above told stories I wanted to capture beyond pixels, I turned to ChatGPT to weave those winter tales, my experiences and emotions into a poem. I am not skilled in rhymes beyond a few lines. I also found it hard to memorise poems as a child. However, I love reading them as an adult. My writing flows differently as my strengths lay elsewhere. Hence ChatGPT has become a companion for me at the crossroads of inspiration and innovation, aligning with my values of simplicity, intention, and beauty in the spaces between words. We can create a ChatGPT sounding board, co-worker, friend, or mentor and build on or create with what was shared. Always asking tough questions is key, since we would never follow people in our day-to-day blindly either (I hope). And above all else, not asking for co-creation before the first ideas have came from our own heads and hearts.

We need to be ethical. I share transparently when ChatGPTs words flow through my (digital) pen, like today in the poem above. I believe we can embrace the potential for co-creation, where humans and AI can dance in tandem rather than nurture a toxic relationship of fear and avoidance.

I would love to hear your perspective. Your thoughts, worries, and love stories with AI. Please share in the comments - a safe space for open exchange.

I believe everyone, no matter whether we are creatives, artists, writers, mothers, employees at large corporates or small startups and in any industry, can embark on this journey. Leaning into the unknown of this collaboration with an open heart and mind, as an honest and ethical human being.

After all, it is still my voice, it is still me. My ideas, my heart, my blind spots, my brain, my hand. My creations.

If you would like to explore how you can use AI in your day-to-day please reach out. I am happy to help you co-create your own vision with AI at your own pace and capacity.

🌟 Mini Announcement 🌟

If you would like to enjoy Alchemy Crystal Singing Bowl sound baths, discounted well-being workshops, resting circles or 1:1 sessions with me, all while giving back to society and positively impacting our future generations… I have something special for you:
I have turned on paid subscriptions with all money going to charity.

As I am bringing in-person offerings back again, for the first time since my burnout 2 years ago, I am feeling all the feels.
A big, heartfelt thank you to

Claudia Wilde

Christine Marie

Elizabeth Hannam

Kat River

Jodie Melissa Rogers

Lauren Barber

Nikko Kennedy

for sharing how they would prepare for the return.

Read their wise words here for inspiration:

Take care, slow down and nourish yourself.

Speak soon