Hi, I'm Laura Kate.

I created Stellar Reflections as a space for strong, capable souls who give so much — to rediscover their own light, honor their needs, and create the vibrant life they deserve.

Here, you'll find the path to loving the body you're in, experiencing deeper intimacy in the relationships that matter, and feeling calm and centered no matter what’s happening in the world around you.


MORE ABOUT US

Elsewhere

There’s something about being in Italy that wakes up your senses.
The scent of basil. The daily bread pickup. A chat with the tomato vendor.
It’s simple, grounded, and deeply pleasurable.

But it also reminded me of something I often share with clients — especially when they want to rewire the mind and break old habits:

The mind always moves us away from pain and toward pleasure.

It’s a truth I carry with me — and one I felt so clearly on this hike.
The sea below was still and open, like the mind when it finally lets go of what’s weighing it down.

Coastal trail in Italy with a clear view of the sea — symbolizing the calm and clarity that come from rewiring the mind.

A view from the coastal trail — peace becomes possible when we move toward what truly feels good.

The Mind’s Rule: Avoid Pain, Seek Pleasure

This isn’t just a nice idea. It’s a subconscious rule.
We’re wired to avoid discomfort and lean into anything the mind believes will make us feel better.

But here’s the secret: you can retrain what your mind believes.

The pictures, associations, and meanings you’ve attached to a behavior can be rewritten.
And once that happens, your mind will start guiding you toward better choices automatically.


A Conversation That Changed Everything

While walking with my oldest friend here in Italy, she asked me how to quit smoking.
I told her: “Your mind still thinks smoking helps you. Let’s change the picture.”

I asked her to think of a food that once made her sick. You know the one — just thinking about it turns your stomach.
That’s the mind doing its job: linking pain to a past experience to keep you safe.

Now imagine doing the same thing with smoking:

  • The stale smell on your clothes
  • The tightness in your chest
  • The yellowed fingers or teeth
  • The energy drain

It’s not comforting. Not glamorous. Not needed.
That’s where the shift begins.

But here’s the other piece most people miss:
You also need to link pleasure to the change you seek.

Start flipping the ideas.

What are all the great things about not smoking?

  • Clearer breath
  • Fresh-smelling clothes
  • More energy
  • Self-respect
  • Freedom

When your mind sees more pleasure in the new path — and more pain in the old habit — change becomes easier.
Natural. Even inevitable.

Creating new thought patterns doesn’t have to be hard.
Sometimes, the mind just needs a clear path to walk — again and again — until it becomes second nature.

Path of Love in Cinque Terre overlooking the sea — symbolizing new neural pathways and intentional mindset shifts.

The Path of Love in Cinque Terre: a reminder that we can create new, beautiful routes in the mind, and take them on purpose.

You don’t need to fight your old wiring.
Just give your brain something better — something that feels good, safe, and meaningful.
Every time you choose the new thought, the new action, the new image… you’re laying down a shortcut.
Over time, it becomes the new road your mind prefers to take.


What Italy Taught Me About Pleasure

In Italy, pleasure is woven into the day.
It’s in the walk to the shop.
The friendly exchange with the man who sells figs.
The way food is chosen, prepared, and eaten — not rushed or numbed, but savored.

It’s a quiet kind of joy that doesn’t require escape.
And when your life includes these kinds of sensory pleasures, the need for self-sabotaging habits begins to fade.

Roberto and Rosalina shopping for lunch at an Italian market — honoring daily rhythms, connection, and simple pleasures.

Roberto and Rosalina shopping for our lunch right before noon, just like they’ve always done.

I snapped this photo of Roberto and Rosalina, my Italian host father and his companion, shopping for our lunch, right before noon.
Their rhythm is quiet but steady: fresh food, small conversations, and a pace that invites you to breathe.
It reminded me of something I often teach…


How to Rewire Your Mind Step by Step

Want to try this shift yourself? Ask:

  • What have I labeled as pleasure that no longer feels good?
  • What unappealing truth am I ready to attach to an old habit?
  • What real, sensory joys can I start savoring again?

Your mind will follow the pictures you give it.

So give it something grounded. Nourishing. True.


A Real-Life Shift: The Power of Desire, Belief, and the Mind

Since writing this, I spoke with my friend again…the one I walked with in Italy who wanted to quit smoking.

She hasn’t had a cigarette in almost 3 weeks.

And we haven’t even done a hypnosis session yet.

All she did was follow this one rule:
Your mind moves away from pain and toward pleasure.

By flipping the picture — seeing smoking for what it really is — her mind started doing what it was designed to do: protect her.

We’re planning to do a session together soon, to make the change even more powerful and lasting.

But this shows something important:
The process starts before the session.

It starts with:

  • The desire to change
  • The belief that you can
  • And the decision to work with your mind instead of against it

When you make the things you want feel more pleasurable…and the things you’re letting go of feel less appealing…it becomes easier to rewire your mind and change your habits.

That’s the beginning of transformation.


Need Help Flipping the Story?

If you’re ready to change a habit but don’t know where to start, I’d love to support you.

👉 Book a free 30-minute clarity call here — let’s uncover what’s keeping you stuck and help you rewire your mind in a way that feels natural, kind, and lasting.

Woman standing on a rock overlooking the Mediterranean Sea — symbolizing courage, mindset exploration, and finding new paths.

There’s beauty in the unknown. You’re allowed to explore new directions even if they challenge what you’ve always believed.

Comments +

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *