Monthly Review - November 2025
Scorpio Season has been good to me.
As a Scorpio rising, the dark feels like home. I’ve been cleaning, rejuvenating, sleeping - finding new ways to make life as cozy & comfortable as possible. Hermiting while diving into many interests and deepening the few meaningful relationships currently in my life.
Right at the New Moon - as if the revelation was waiting for me to finish cleaning - I received the inspiration to create this monthly review that you are reading right now.
To my surprise, the process of creating this post itself felt like a spiritual practice.
Collecting all the fragmented pieces of me and blending them together into one unified piece of art.
What’s the point of intersection between metalcore, psychedelic research, heels dance, Gene Keys, Figma & nature?
Well, they have all fallen victim to my obsession this month, which is why I can’t wait to share.
Enjoy reading!
City Adventure
I took myself out on an artist date in a furniture house! Getting inspired by different color, spatial and textual arrangements and enjoying a good meal.
Color Palettes Inspired by Interior Design
Reading
Cosmos & Psyche by Stanislav Grof
Grof opens doors to mystical experiences, offering a new language for the ineffable. His explanations are coherent and precise - translating non-ordinary states into words with a skill born from insatiable curiosity and deep reverence for the mystery.
A pioneer in consciousness research, Stanislav Grof synthesizes over 40 years of work with psychedelic therapy and Holotropic Breathwork in this book. He explores fundamental questions about existence, revealing how non-ordinary states of consciousness point to a cosmic creative principle that transcends time, space, and duality.
At its core: the recognition that individual consciousness and the universal Divine are ultimately one - the secret at the heart of all spiritual traditions.
Reading about death strangely comforts me. When I’m confronted with scary situations in everyday life, I remind myself that there’s more to reality than what I can perceive in that moment.
I’m not the fear that rushes through my body, manifesting as tension, shallow breath, and racing heart.
I’m not the worst-case scenario thoughts.
I’m not a fearful victim of emotions and thoughts.
I’m not in potential danger.
I’m the observer behind all of that, behind the reality that simply IS. Not good or bad. It simply is.
Contemplating non-ordinary states connects me with awe and a humbling recognition of something infinite. I still experience agony, frustration, anger - but it’s easier to let them be. It’s part of the human experience and completely normal. And I’m learning every day how to release and transform them. No need to hold on or run away.
Knowing that this life will end one day and my soul will continue on another adventure somewhere grounds me. Non-ordinary states are windows to what lies behind this physical existence and I’m deeply grateful for Stan’s work on bridging spirituality & science, finding words for the indescribable.
I recommend any curious soul to explore his work - whether to deepen a spiritual practice or expansion of horizon of what’s possible.
Fitness
The biggest blessing about being in Germany right now is having access to an incredible variety of physical activities. Through Urban Sports Club’s monthly subscription, I can explore movement in all its forms.
My current weekly workout routine is a result of an intuitive approach:
- 2-3x heels dance/pole dance/gymnastics
- 2-3x gym/calisthenics skill progression
It’s the perfect mix of sensual feminine flow & technical strength. Each discipline building mobility, flexibility & body control in its own way.
Following my body’s intuition, instead of rigid structure.
Progress is slower, but sustainable.
Actively working on
ring muscle up, split, stronger leg + core, handstand variations
Skills I occasionally do
human flag progression, exercises for aerial, handstand pushup progression
Achievements of this year so far
press to handstand, six bar pull ups, 65kg 70kg(!) deadlift, dancing with more confidence
13 Activities in November
(took more rest days this month)
- 6x gym
- 3x heels dance
- 2x gymnastics
- 1x pole dance
- 1x swimming
Slow down, soften, listen and pay more attention to the essential in your life – the people you love, nature, your body and the wonder of the passing moment.
- The Pathway of Love, Richard Rudd
Kitchen
Made my infamous pumpkin cookies with coconut oil & christmas spices.
While writing on the Root-Seeking Journey project I missed authentic soybean milk and tried it out myself for the first time.
Music
I rediscovered some rock/metal/metalcore bands I haven’t listened to in ages. Got so excited to reconnect to an older version of Nina again.
Had a phase where I refused to listen to anything that was not ‘high-vibrational’, and I’m glad that I now enjoy art again in its totality, instead of dissecting pieces.
Best Purchases
I’m trying to be as conscious as possible about my consumption behaviour these days, purchasing fewer items with more impact on my life.
iPad 11 (2025, A16 series)
Less than 350€ for such a powerful device seems to good to be true. I’m very late to the tablet & pencil game, but now feels like the perfect timing to get started. I’m still figuring out how to add the tablet to my workflow, and mostly enjoy using Procreate for now.
Magic of I Almanac 2026
This is my 3rd Magic of I almanac and certainly won’t be my last. From the packaging to the design details, I absolutely love working with this almanac and have gotten many insights into the influence of astrological events on my life over the years. The pomegranate special edition comes with a luxurious velvet binding. Looking forward to infusing the new year with magic & intention.
the almanac came with a free journal
Spiritual Practice
Building my first altar of the year laid the foundation for meditating more regularly again.
I don’t know if I’ll ever go back to meditating for hour-long sessions again, as I did during my spiritual community days, but 5-minute breaks and occasional 30+ mins work well for now.
It’s ironic that meditation, when living in nature, comes so naturally, yet in the city - where I need it the most - I tend to give in to some of the endless distractions.
The Triple Flame App has released this tracking feature this month, which is really motivating.
I use it for both silent meditation and prayers (my current favourite: The Holy Incantation of Solace).
I feel called to create a stricter, more committed daily spiritual practice for the last month of the year.