In this episode of The Mettā Interview, host Anne V Mühlethaler welcomes Julia Astok, a passionate multidisciplinary artist based in Estonia. Inspired by nature's poetry and having a keen eye for the extraordinary within the ordinary, Julia's collaborations extend globally with a sincere commitment to storytelling through meticulously crafted visual language, thoughtfully tailored to encapsulate and convey the essence of each project, whether in fashion, lifestyle, art or travel. Beyond commercial work, Julia creates deeply personal portraits that help people reconnect with their own essence and see themselves through a lens of compassion.
Julia traces her journey from childhood play-acting with her cousin in imaginary fairy worlds behind her grandmother's forest home, to discovering photography at age 10 as a means of expression when words felt insufficient.
She opens up to Anne about how photography became a lifeline during her teenage years when she experienced depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts following traumatic experiences. She describes how the practice evolved from dark, escapist imagery to becoming a tool for healing and self-discovery. Her journey took her to London at 20 to study fashion photography, but it was returning to nature - literally and metaphorically - that helped her reconnect with her essence.
A pivotal moment came during a 2020 COVID lockdown shoot where she accepted to photograph a friend’s entire ready-to-wear collection on herself, given that traveling or hiring a studio and a model locally was out of the question. This experience of turning the camera on herself became both a trigger and a catalyst for deeper self-acceptance, forcing her to confront her self-image while editing photos of herself.
The conversation explores Julia's central question: "How can we help people see the magic and beauty and wisdom within themselves?" This inquiry drives much of her current work, particularly her portrait sessions with women who arrive feeling uncomfortable with their appearance and leave seeing themselves in a new light.
Julia shares practical wisdom about healing through nature connection, viewing our bodies as nature rather than separate from it, and the importance of cycles and rest rather than constant productivity. She advocates for seeing ourselves as "works of art" and "works of nature" - appreciating the textures, changes, and imperfections just as we would in the natural world.
Their exploration touches on the difference between being behind the camera (her safe space) and in front of it, the universal female experience of disconnection from our bodies, and how photography can serve as both mirror and medicine. Julia's approach to success has evolved from productivity-focused achievement to alignment with her inner nature and presence in life.
The episode offers both philosophical insights and practical tools for anyone seeking to reconnect with their essence, accept their body as their "soulmate," and find healing through creative expression and nature connection.
A deeply moving conversation about transformation, self-acceptance, and the power of seeing ourselves through nature's non-judgmental lens.
Happy listening!
Selected links from episode
The Mettā Interview:
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Connect with Anne V Mühlethaler:
Website: https://AnneVMuhlethaler.com
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LinkTree (events & free Metta course): https://LinkTree.com/annvi
Connect with Julia:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julia.astok/
Website: https://www.julia-astok.com/