Today we’d like to introduce you to Kayla Adreene Widdes.
Hi Kayla Adreene, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My story was pretty run-of-the-mill middle class white girl until I was nine years old. That is when I really became aware of my clairvoyant abilities. I could hear and sense all of the energies within our 1800’s northern California home, and not all of them were benign. My family chose to raise me in the First Baptist Church at that time, so any kind of “supernatural abilities” were viewed as demonic and forbidden. I also recognized that I was pansexual and my sexual orientation was certainly notchurch approved. In short, I was programmed at a very young age with the belief that being myself was not only wrong, but punishable by way of eternal hellfire. Obviously, this belief system made self-love…. challenging at best. The first tool I found to cope with existing as myself was alcohol. It partially blocked out my abilities and helped me numb out enought to temporarily avoid my self-loathing. The problem was this “tool” gave me a temporary fix, and not a real solution. So, I added in other substances and self-harm later, trying to be ok with just being.
When I was 16, I emancipated. Once I was on my own, I decided to lean back into my curiosity about the spiritual world. But with no methods for grounding or protection and a ton of unaddressed trauma, my sanity was on unstable ground. I had created a recipe for psychosis without knowing it.
All it took was one intense breakup, a Xanax pill and some THC for me to completely detach from the human experience. It was 2012, and I became sure I was the next “Messiah” here to rescue humanity from the end of the Mayan calander. I wound up in some very dangerous situations I won’t go into, but I am lucky to be alive. When I came back to Earth, I surmised that I just couldn’t play with anything spiritual anymore if I wanted to drink and use; and I wasn’t done with substances yet.
I wouldn’t get sober until 2016. How I was able to stop drinking and using those substances is still beyond me. I still remember that moment of clarity I was gifted from a power far greater than myself. Today I describe that energy as Unconditional Love.
I believe that is what helped me pick up the phone and call the woman that would become my first mentor and say, “whatever it takes, I just can’t do this anymore” after I had realized I wanted to die but wouldn’t kill myself.
One day at a time, through doing some deep inner work and amends, with support from others, I began to heal myself. I finally truly understood the importance of whole-istic wellness for the first time. By whole-istic, I mean not just physical, but mental and spiritual as well, and the interconnection between the three. I finally felt inner peace, confidence, and excitement for life.
On top of all that, once I was sober, I was finally able to safely tune back into my gifts. I leaned into any and everything metaphysical and mystical. I started doing Oracle Card readings for friends and family. I had thought I wanted to be a traditional therapist, so I enrolled in college at National University. I studied Integrated Psychology while working as an Academic Coach and being a mother.
Quickly I learned I was not able to separate my personal insight and experience in a way that is necessary for traditional therapists. I use personal experience and vulnerability to create a safe space, but that is not an appropriate method for a therapist. I was stuck, I was unsure of where to go next.
On a whim, I wrote in a Vegan Mom Group on Facebook “I’m putting on my oracle hat on if anyone wants a card pulled”. The response I got was overwhelming, over 100 women responded. I did readings for all of them. All of the positive and validating feedback I got was so affirming that my eyes were opened to the fact that I could actually make a living out of this. It didn’t feel like enough though. It wasn’t yet fully in alignment with my path and purpose.
In 2018 I began to channel the method I now call “DFL”. When it was complete, I had designed a 5 Pillar Program for empowerment. I knew applying this to help others heal from issues and traumas was in full alignment with my path. I moved from donation-based readings and slowly scaled up my services. In June 2021, I left my job at the High School, officiated my business, Designs for Loving, and became a full-time Intuitive Guide and Mystic Mentor.
Fast forward to today, nearly a year later. I have had the honor of guiding nearly 100 Goddesses, Gay’s and They’s as they step into having empowered Aura, Breath, Emotions, Intuition, and Chakras. On top of that, I hosted my first wellness retreat in Sedona, with the next one in the works to be hosted at my husband’s Air BnB in Joshua Tree this Fall!
I truly believe in magic. I have faith in the power of love. I live by the DFL motto:
Love Yourself. Love Life. Find Love.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Ha! No, it has not been smooth if I am being totally honest. However, I have learned the more I lean into my tools in those challenging times, the less challenging they are. I have down days, I have breakdowns, I have breakthroughs. I have integrated my Shadows, but they are still there. It’s not “all love and light” and that’s ok!
I was also totally unprepared for the realities of being an entrepreneur. I have had some tough learning lessons. Some of which nearly cost me my business. I had months I was doing really well and months my income wouldn’t even cover my rent. I had to learn balance, really trust the process and rely on the Divine Abundance of the Universe – then pair that with affirmative action.
I say life is like the ocean, learn how to ride waves on the stormy days and bask in the sun on days of stillness.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I specialize in DFL and I am known for Intuitive Guidance and Mystic Mentorship. My method is a combination of Integrated Psychology and metaphysical practices. This may include doing Inner Child Work or Shadow Work with clients, and always includes the empowering the 5 Pillars of DFL: Aura, Breath, Emotions, Intuition, and Chakras. Sessions are catered to the individual or group goals and needs. I work exclusively with Goddesses, Gays, and Theys (Women, Gay Men, and Non-Binary Folx). I am most called to work with those who have experienced sexual or religious trauma, Imposter Syndrome, Depression, or Anxiety. Especially in cases where those individuals have already tried traditional therapy but feel they need something more.
I am proud to say that I honestly LOVE what I do. I’m doing what brings me joy and lights me up AND helps do the same for others as they become fully empowered and get into alignment with their higher path and purpose.
If my story resonates in some way and you are a match for my services based on the above information, please reach out via Instagram @designsforloving or email designsforloving@gmail.com
Remember, nothing changes if nothing changes.
Reaching out for help is the first step into empowerment.
You are worth it; you can live a magical and empowered life. I know there is space for everyone to live a life in which you: Love Yourself, Love Life and Find Love!
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
Oof. Yes! I found it interesting to see how many people became open to new ways to focus on their wellness. I also noticed that whether consciously or unconsciously, humankind was forced to lean into our intuition. I learned crisis always provides opportunity for growth, but that is not always clear during the crisis. I really saw more clearly than ever the two sides of the same coin, the duality within and throughout this planet. I learned to focus on the positive without bypassing the negative. I learned that when human beings lose the sense of purpose, floating anxiety and anger form without meaning. I have a newfound deep appreciation for technology and a renewed appreciation for intimacy and human connection.
Pricing:
- $50+
Contact Info:
- Email: designsforloving@gmail.com
- Website: https://linktr.ee/designsforloving
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/designsforloving/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/designsforloving
Image Credits
Raw Images Photography
