Tag: women

Hand-Painted Affirmation Art, “Be Brave” | A Gentle Nudge Toward Your Own Courage

There are days when the world seems too loud. These are the days when the to-do lists keep getting longer, the dishes in the sink continue to accumulate, and the little, quiet voice within gets lost behind all we should be doing. I created Be Brave for such days, for myself, and perhaps for you as well.

It began because I wanted to release the stress that had been quietly mounting. I was feeling overwhelmed by the need to be everything to everyone. I remember sitting at my cluttered table late one night, the old fan humming in the background, the room dimly lit. Everyone else was asleep. Without hesitation, I let my pencils and brush move over the paper, filling it with flowing lines, swirls of color, and words that had been ringing inside me: be brave. Don’t hide. You are cherished. You are special. And as the drawing took shape, I felt lighter.

Be Brave is more than a fancy drawing; it’s a reminder. A peaceful companion who doesn’t expect anything from you. It exists to hold space for you to gather your courage. I wanted this piece to be a whisper rather than a shout. I wanted it to blend into your space, like sunshine streaming through a window or the soothing sound of a familiar tune. I wanted it to be an art that makes you pause, breathe, and be kind to yourself. 

I think of this piece as a love letter to all women, not just mothers. To the weary mother who worries if she is doing enough. To the dreamer who keeps showing up for her work and her family, even on the hard days. And to any woman who, at quiet moments, doubts her worth or hides parts of herself, despite her incredible strength within. The words weaved within the artwork—courageous, treasured, lovable, don’t hide—are things I needed to hear myself. Words that I had long forgotten belonged to me too. And I know I’m not alone in this. Whether you’re raising children, pursuing a passion, caring for others, or simply trying to care for yourself, Be Brave was created to accompany you in those moments. It becomes a reminder that bravery isn’t loud or flashy. Often, it is in the mundane, steady ways that we keep going and choosing ourselves, even when it is difficult.

Every swirl, dot, and word in Be Brave was hand-painted. There’s something grounding about that process. It felt like I was putting together all of the pieces of myself that had been scattered. I used brilliant, deep colors: rich pinks to reflect tenderness and vulnerability, yellows for strength and resilience, and teals for emotional clarity and inner peace. Each stroke was a color-coded memory, pulled from places I’ve been and emotions I’ve carried. What about the doodling style? That’s my way of playing, allowing art to be flawed and human, just like us.

I’m creating this artwork as a printable wall art in my shop, Olivia’s Atelier. And because it’s a printable, Be Brave becomes whatever you need it to be. A reminder on your office wall, a present for a friend or for yourself, because sometimes we’re the ones who need reminding the most.

Have you been needing a gentle reminder today? If so, I’m glad you’re here. Maybe you’ve been carrying more than you let on, or maybe you just need someone to say: you’re doing okay. Perhaps you have felt invisible, worn out, or unsure. I hope Be Brave reminds you that you already do far more than you give yourself credit for. That you’re allowed to take up space, to rest, to dream, and to begin again. My drawing is a reminder to myself and to you that we don’t have to be perfect. All we need to do right at this moment is to be present and create small moments in our day that remind us that we’re still evolving and growing, and that is a beautiful, brave thing.

If this piece speaks to you, I invite you to check out Be Brave in my Etsy shop. It’s a heartfelt printable made from original hand-painted art, designed for mothers, dreamers, and every woman who needs a reminder of her strength.

Olivia’s Atelier offers printables, templates, and art designed to inspire reflection, healing, and creativity. Visit Olivia’s Atelier for more.

Declining Population Trend In Malaysia | My Perspective

Image source

I recently read a Facebook post that talked about how Malaysia’s population is going down. But it didn’t really surprise me because the birth rate has been falling around the world. Professor Dr. Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh, a local health expert, said that if this trend keeps up, Malaysia could have a population that is mostly made up of older people by 2030. As a woman, I see this trend as a sign of how our lives and expectations are changing because of changes in society, the economy, and culture. Let’s look into what caused this change in the population and what it means for Malaysia and other places.

Mindset Shift

In the past few years, I’ve seen a lot of women decide not to get married or have kids. The way people think about family life is changing. In Malaysia and many other places, the idea that women should be the main providers is being examined again. More and more women want freedom and equality, and this can be seen in the choices they make about marriage and family. Birth rates are going down because more people want to be independent, travel, and find self-fulfillment.

In 1970, Malaysian women aged 15 to 49 had an average of 4.9 children per woman. This rate had dropped a lot by 2021, when it was only 1.7. This big drop shows that people’s priorities have changed. Many women are now focusing on education and jobs, which can be hard to balance with a traditional nuclear family. Women are changing how they think about fulfillment and achievement, and it’s not always about having children and getting married.

Economic Pressures and Career Priorities

As traditional views on family life change, women in Malaysia and around the world are putting their jobs and personal growth first. Pressures from the economy are a big part of this trend. As a mother, I am very aware of these problems. The sharp rise in the cost of living has made it harder for families to raise kids. People in Malaysia are having a hard time with money because more people are moving to cities, and the prices of housing, schooling, and health care are going up. This has caused many people to think about how big their families should be.

Access to Family Planning and Education

Women today have the freedom to make decisions that fit their desires and way of life. This includes making well-informed choices about their sexual health. Women in Malaysia have more power over their reproductive choices thanks to efforts to make family planning programs and sex education easier to access. This gives women more power so they can plan their families in ways that fit with their personal and work goals. This makes the drop in birth rates even greater.

Implications and Future Directions

This drop in population has effects that reach far and wide. In terms of the economy, it could cause a lack of workers, which would mean that foreign workers are needed. It also puts more stress on social aid services because there are fewer young people to help an aging population. In terms of society, this change can affect how communities are formed and how families work together.

As women continue to shape the future, it is important to deal with the reasons why birth rates are going down and make policies that help people match their work goals with family obligations. To solve Malaysia’s demographic problems, they will need to make workplaces more supportive and flexible for parents, offer cheap child care, and encourage a culture that values both career and personal success.

In conclusion, the world’s population is going down. This is a complicated problem that is caused by economic challenges, shifting perceptions about family size, and advancements in family planning. As a woman, I think that knowing about these things is important for dealing with and creating the future. We can lessen the effects of this trend by addressing its causes and backing policies that are fair for everyone, even though it is clear that the birth rate will probably never reach the levels it had in the 1980s and 1990s.

💃 Happy International Women’s Day 2025 💃