#6 Where Focus Goes, Flow Grows 🪭

Hi you 🪶

How are you reaaaallly feeling?

I just came back yesterday from a 5Rhythms retreat in Poland and I am still integrating what happened. For those who don’t know this practice, 5Rhythms is a free-form dance journey through five waves of energy. It helps you express emotions through your body, release tension, and reconnect with your raw, wild self.
Over the days of dancing, I realized the dancefloor is a deeply playful space—one where emotions can move and release without needing to be analyzed.
The energy of the people and the atmosphere of the space became a mirror, symbolizing what was unfolding within me… Just like on the dancefloor, life mirrors us… every person, every moment is a reflection of something awakening within.

This newsletter is offered for free at the moment — if you feel called, please consider donating a few euros here. Thank you so much! 🙏

In today’s newsletter, I’ll introduce you to Charlie Bouquett, an international performer from London who recently made Berlin her new home. You’ll also discover the work of Marta Braga, an Italian graphic designer and illustrator based in Berlin. Plus, I’m happy to share that Jen will continue offering her astrology forecast for the next two weeks. I’ll be sharing reflections and simple exercises on why cultivating focus matters, along with practical tips and journaling prompts to help you reclaim it.

Charlie Bouquett is an internationally acclaimed Variété artist and multi-talented performer known for her bold, boundary-pushing work in burlesque, fetish, and cabaret. As a producer, creative director, and founder of The Sublime Society, a FLINTA-led production company with events currently in London, Paris, and Berlin, Charlie has toured the world with her shows, performing in cities from New Orleans to New Delhi, Moscow to Tokyo, and beyond.

When and what brought you to Berlin?

Last summer, I came to visit a friend, and by the time I left, I’d unexpectedly secured a place in Kreuzberg. I hadn’t planned on moving, but I thought, “Okay, I guess I’m moving to Berlin.” I’d been wanting to leave London for a while, but never imagined I’d end up here. Now, I still split my time between London and Berlin.

What inspired your move from London to Berlin? How has the transition been for you?

The chance to move to Berlin came up last summer, and I took it. I’d already fallen out of love with London, it felt draining, and most of the inspiring people I knew had left already. Those who stayed seem either constantly burnt out and just getting by.
Berlin has completely revived me. In six months, I’ve rediscovered joy, purpose, and revived my creative energy, thanks to a supportive network and vibrant community. The transition wasn’t without challenges (especially navigating post-Brexit bureaucracy alone) but it was worth it.
Now, when I return to London for my shows and events, I feel re-energized, bringing fresh energy to a scene that once felt stagnant. I have no regrets and I am proud of how I navigated it all by myself!

Could you describe your work? What do you do exactly?

I’m best known as an international variety performer,, having performed in over 40+ countries worldwide. Then behind the scenes I’ve worked as an events producer and creative director for 13 years. This year, I launched my FLINTA-led production “The Sublime Society” and am now focusing on mentoring emerging creatives and leading workshops, sharing my experience in cabaret and creative production.

What themes or messages do you hope to convey through your performances?

It’s not always immediately obvious but my performances often carry political messages, challenging patriarchal ideas about how women should present themselves and what’s considered appropriate for our bodies. Burlesque allows me to explore power, sensuality, and rebellion on my own terms, not for approval, but for personal expression. 

What challenges have you faced as a performer, and how have you overcome them?

One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced in the burlesque industry is working with problematic producers who don’t value women. I’ve been undervalued, spoken about in demeaning ways and cast in roles that reflected a cis man’s vision rather than my own.

In response, I left my last production job and founded The Sublime Society, a FLINTA-led company grounded in respect, collaboration, and creative autonomy. As a team of experienced artists ourselves we create shows not for the male gaze, but for ourselves and each other, inviting the audience into that empowered space. The result is work with a distinct energy, shaped by intention, authenticity, and a shared vision.

What advice would you give to someone looking to get into burlesque?

The most important thing I believe is to be authentic. For me, that’s the heart of burlesque and what makes it such a special art form, it stands apart from any other kind of dance or performance. There’s no "right" or "wrong" way to do burlesque; it’s a deeply personal and unique form of expression which is why I love it.

What have you learned about yourself through your journey in burlesque?

I grew up in a working-class family in London, taught that success meant university, a stable job, and settling down, but that version of success was never meant for me. I dropped out of university to pursue life on stage and never looked back. I've built a global career through hard work, passion, and resilience, performing in places I never even dreamed I'd reach in this lifetime.
It hasn’t always been easy, but my career has been my anchor and greatest joy, and I’m deeply grateful to do what I love and have it embraced by audiences worldwide.

How has the community around burlesque in Berlin welcomed you? 

The community has been incredibly welcoming since my move here in Janurary, I hit the ground running, launching my own events by February at The Knast, a former women’s prison turned cultural venue.
My goal has always been more than just performing; I want to create opportunities for others, especially underrepresented artists, and help sustain Berlin’s cabaret scene, which is facing challenges like venue closures and funding cuts. I also perform regularly at House of Lunacy at Renate and Zum Starken August, two iconic venues that are in their final year due to shifts in the city’s nightlife and I encourage everyone to experience them whilst they’re still here! 

Your favorite places in Berlin and why?

1- Teufelssee/FKK-friendly lakes: As someone who loves being naked, the FKK-friendly lakes around Berlin are my sanctuary. After a long winter, I’m excited for sunny days by the water and exploring hidden spots. In winter, I also love the Sweet & Sweat sauna.
2- Maybachufer Market: As someone always creating new shows, costumes, and décor, I visit Maybachufer Market most weeks to source fabrics and stock up on palo santo, flowers, and herbs. I sip the best chai tea in the city while browsing and enjoy some of the best street food by the water, feet dangling with a book in hand. It’s a ritual I never tire of.
3- Tempelhofer Feld: A place full of memories, sunsets, and both joyful and bittersweet moments. I’ve shared beers with strangers who became friends, stumbled through roller skating, and danced to live music at Stadtacker.

Do you have any new projects coming up?

Yes! I regularly programme events in Berlin at The Knast. Here are a few coming up over the next few months:
An Evening of Tarot and Spirituality → May 28, June 18 & July 9
Seductive Jazz Symphonies → May 28, June 20, July 3, July 17 & July 25
The Sublime Kabarett → May 31 & June 27
🎟 Tickets available here: Eventbrite – The Sublime Society

Also, I host a monthly Shibari Salon at Prinzipal Bar in Kotti, featuring experimental rope performances and curated cocktails. It's become a popular gathering for local artists who sketch the performances. We're on a short summer break, but stay tuned to my social media for updates.

I also regularly host The Sublime Society events in London, and soon, in Paris. Updates and upcoming dates can be found on our website or social media @the.sublime.society

Connect with Charlie:
On Instagram here
Her website: https://www.charliebouquett.com/ & https://www.thesublimesociety.co.uk
Telegram: https://t.me/thesublimesociety

Two years ago, I had the chance to work with Wasserkutsche as a photographer and I got to try their boats on a weekend trip with friends. We slept on the boat, swam in the lake, laughed… it was such a dreamy little escape just outside the city that I would like to recommend!
Wasserkutsche is a small, local boat rental company tucked just by Oberbaumbrücke. They offer beautifully designed wooden houseboats and electric daycruisers you can rent for a day, a weekend, or even a longer trip. You don’t need a boat license—they give you a quick intro, and off you go, floating through the canals, lakes, and rivers around Berlin. What I love most (besides the experience) is to support a small business that really puts love and care into what they do.
Whether it's a sunset cruise with friends, a romantic night under the stars, or a few days off-grid in Brandenburg—this is how you can experience Berlin from a whole new angle!

✨ Special for my readers: Use the code BERLINFLOW to get 10% off any boat rental this season (valid until October 2025).

📍 More info, routes & booking: wasserkutsche.com

Meet Marta Braga, a talented Italian graphic designer & illustrator based in Berlin. Self-taught, she began developing and refining her style by creating artwork for local parties. Through experimentation with different styles, her work has come to feature playful, pop-inspired characters, spacey elements, and bright colors.

Follow her work on Instagram

Is the Devil personally dancing on your nerves? What is the temptation? The Sun meets Uranus in Taurus, shaking up foundations, including what you thought was already “sorted.” Psyche, gut, finances, sexuality, nervous system... Like a great cosmic gong vibrating deep into your cells and bones — bringing all the muddy DNA to surface. Moon-Jupiter-Chiron are in a sacred Yod-constellation: an option to stay in victimhood patterns – or step up and provide for yourself. There may actually be no “comfortable” way through it. Are you making a “sacrifice”, or is it perhaps...... mutual support? Honoring small details is key to understand how long-lasting change is crafted.

Venus in Aries trines Mars, while approaching Chiron. A delightful dance of feeling bold and vulnerable, courageous and scared. Mercury and Sun in Gemini bring perspective, but don’t rush to intellectualize things. Let your story metabolize through presence. As Saturn enters Aries while Pluto retrogrades, it’s time to grow up — but not in the punishing, joyless way we were taught. This is mature embodiment. Facing crisis with honesty and intention. Neptune may blur the path forward, but maybe that’s the point. We are meant to walk now with care, not speed. You may feel like something in you is “failing” — in fact, it’s just an old identity burning off. Tip: Your nervous system is sacred tech. Nourish it. Lie on the grass. Cook something from scratch. Let your fear sit at the table, but don’t let it run your life. Small, daily devotion to reality is revolutionary now.

Explore, awaken & connect with Jen:
🔮 Website & Booking 💫 Instagram 🎬 YouTube 🌿 Telegram

In a world driven by too many choices and too many distractions, I realize how focus is becoming one of the greatest skills to master nowadays. What I observe around me, especially in Berlin, is that many people are labeling themselves as having ADHD—which often feels less like a clinical condition and more like a natural response to an overstimulating environment. Our nervous systems are overloaded, constantly reacting to noise, notifications, and the pressure to be everywhere at once. In this chaos, it's easy to lose the thread of our own presence. But maybe what we truly need is not another label, but more spaciousness, more intention, and the courage to reclaim our attention.

It’s so easy to start many things and finish nothing. So many options, so much content, new ideas and paths opening every day. And yet, this abundance can feel overwhelming.

Less is more… Simplify to amplify… These are phrases we hear all the time, but I’m only now beginning to truly feel the depth of what they mean.

One powerful shift is to move from reaction to intention—asking yourself from time to time:
What truly matters to me right now? Can you choose one or two things that feel aligned with your heart?
Focus isn’t about pushing harder or doing more…It’s about doing less with more clarity. There are no right or wrong choices, only experiences to live and learn from. Start small, stay consistent, and be present in whatever you commit to.

Your attention is your most valuable ressource…where you direct it, that’s what expands and defines the quality of your life.

Journaling questions / Exercices:
- What are the top 3 things that drain your energy the most right now?
- What are the 3 most important goals you want to focus on right now?
- What can help you find more focus, and how can you create the right conditions for it?
- What’s one thing you’ve been avoiding that needs your attention?
- How can you set clear boundaries with myself and others to protect my focus?

Tips to find more Focus:
- Use Binaural Beats: Listen to binaural beats while working to enhance focus and concentration.
- Limit distractions: Put away your phone or mute notifications when working on important tasks
- Practice saying NO more often
- Choose 3 Key Tasks: Instead of overwhelming yourself with a long list, pick 3 essential tasks for the day. Prioritize quality over quantity to stay focused and productive.
- Use the Pomodoro Technique: Work in focused 25-minute blocks, followed by a 5-minute break.

Video Recommandation: This is what happens when you finally choose yourself above all else - Carl Jung

Podcast Recommandation: Focus Toolkit-Tools to improve focus and concentration

Book recommendation: "Deep Work" by Cal Newport

If you’re ready to shift old patterns and unlock your true energy, I’d love to guide you on this transformative journey. Together, we’ll create the life that feels authentic and energizing for you. If you’re motivated to take action and embrace responsibility for your well-being, feel free to book a free discovery call here.

📣Join my next Women’s Circles on Friday 16th of May from 7 PM until 11 PM on the topic “Cultivating an Abundance Mindset” here

Thank you for being part of the tribe! 🪶

💌 Love from Berlin,
Sabrina Jeblaoui