Melisa McKenna is a talented illustrator whose vibrant and uplifting artwork inspires women around the world. Born in Istanbul, she moved to England more than two decades ago to pursue her studies in Fashion Design and Business Management. Since then, Melisa has used her creative voice to empower women, helping them recognize their worth and embrace their unique strengths.
Through her colorful and dynamic illustrations, Melisa encourages women to reach for their goals, show up for themselves, and step into their full potential. Each piece celebrates confidence, ambition, and self-love, reminding women everywhere that they are powerful enough to fulfill their dreams and become the best versions of themselves.
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#1
“Sometimes, life throws unexpected challenges our way. In the moment, we may not see the bigger picture—we think it’s unfair, painful, or even a setback. But every experience, good or bad, is a lesson and a journey leading us back to ourselves. Be grateful for everything that made you love yourself more.
Stop giving second chances to people who don’t appreciate your worth. Forgive, close the door, and don’t let them back in. Your focus should be on you—your growth, your career, your body, your skills. Elevate yourself, learn, educate, and pour love into who you are becoming. Because when you truly love yourself, you glow from within, and that energy attracts abundance and positivity into your life.
Stay away from people who create their own problems and then act like the victim. It’s okay to vent, but if someone remains stuck in a cycle of toxicity and refuses to change for months or years, don’t let their energy drain yours. And remember—if they gossip to you, they’ll gossip about you. Cut them off. Set firm boundaries. Protect your peace.
If you’re waiting for the ‘perfect’ moment to start something, stop waiting. You’ll never feel 100% ready—just start. The more you do, the more you learn. Success is built through action, passion, and persistence. Your glow-up is inevitable. Keep moving, keep growing, and watch your life transform.”
Image source: melisa.illustrations
#2
“‘This season is all about joy, peace, and showing up fully as myself.’
She’s not doing too much—she’s just finally doing her.
The illustration is hand-drawn in my signature style—soft, expressive, and full of quiet confidence.
Carry beauty, fullness, and that calm, powerful energy with you everywhere you go.”
Image source: melisa.illustrations
#3
“The stars never ask, they just glow!
Sophia Loren was the kind of woman who never needed to raise her voice to be heard. Her presence did the talking.
She carried herself with elegance, yes, but also with control, depth, and an unshakable sense of self. That’s what real dark feminine energy looks like: not chaotic or showy, but quiet power rooted in certainty. It’s not about being soft or harsh; it’s about being sure. Sure of your boundaries, your standards, your pace. Women like Sophia don’t enter a room needing approval. They enter aware of their value, and that changes the energy around them. Embodying that kind of energy isn’t about performing confidence; it’s about stripping away anything that makes you second-guess your instincts. It’s knowing that you don’t owe anyone sweetness in exchange for being respected. That your silence can be just as powerful as your words, and that withholding access is not cruelty, it’s discernment.
If you’ve ever been told you’re too much, too distant, too mysterious, good. It means you’re protecting something sacred.”
Image source: melisa.illustrations
#4
“Delete. Glow. Repeat.
Sometimes your glow-up isn’t loud. It’s quiet. It’s choosing peace over proving your point. It’s deleting a message mid-reply, not because you ran out of words, but because your higher self whispered, ‘We don’t do that anymore.’
Remember: they can’t dim what they didn’t ignite. That fire is yours. So yes, you are the mood, the moment, and the miracle.
And if you’re feeling a bit extra today? Good. You should. Because the woman you’re becoming didn’t just happen by luck — it’s boundaries, alignment, self-worth, and a few deleted messages for spiritual reasons.”
Image source: melisa.illustrations
#5
“Stillness is the plan today. Wishing you rest, reflection, fun, and full permission to just be.”
Image source: melisa.illustrations
#6
“Stop scrolling — text your best friend right now.
Life gets busy, but good friends are pure gold. I’m so grateful for the amazing people in my life who make the chaos sweeter.
This is your reminder to tell your friends how much they mean to you. It matters more than you know.”
Image source: melisa.illustrations
#7
“We made it through the week (barely holding it together with coffee and dry shampoo). Walking into the weekend like it’s a runway, with a little extra sass and a lot of gratitude.
Remember: stress does not go with your outfit, so leave it at the door. Wishing you laughs, love, and maybe a glass of something sparkly tonight.”
Image source: melisa.illustrations
#8
“Be the woman who wakes up and chooses her worth, every single day!”
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#9
“Let this be your reminder to start the week with unstoppable energy and a mindset ready to conquer it all!”
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#10
“Just because someone looks put together and smiles often doesn’t mean they have it all figured out.
We all carry silent struggles. We all have moments where we say ‘I’m fine’ just to keep going.
This month, take a moment to slow down. Be kind to others, and just as importantly—be kind to yourself.
Ask yourself:
What triggers me?
Where am I holding tension?
What do I need that I keep ignoring?
Mental Health Awareness Month is a reminder: We’re not alone. We’re in this together. Let’s lead with softness, not judgment.”
Image source: melisa.illustrations
#11
“Don’t waste your depth on shallow understanding! Being misunderstood isn’t always your fault; it’s their limit.”
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#12
“She’s Got a Ticket to Ride… and She Doesn’t Care!
That’s my Monday mood, walking into the week with Abbey Road energy, main-character stride, and zero doubt about where I’m headed.
Legends don’t wait for the spotlight; they create it.”
Image source: melisa.illustrations
#13
“Don’t hold back! Magic happens when you start doing things you’re uncomfortable with because it can lead to personal growth and development.”
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#14
“Give yourself a break. You deserve it!”
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#15
“Walking away from toxic relationships is liberating. Don’t stay just because you’re afraid to be alone. You deserve so much better.”
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#16
“Me vs. Me, always.
Comparison is noise. Progress is personal. I’m only racing the person I was yesterday.
Last year? I played it safe.
This year? I’m showing up for myself — unafraid of the unknown, letting go of anything and anyone that no longer serves my higher self.
That’s the real glow-up.”
Image source: melisa.illustrations
#17
“Taking the action you usually avoid.
Choosing the new pattern before the old one kicks in. You don’t need a bigger plan. You need a bigger why.
And you already have it. You are stronger than your excuses. Even when it’s hard. Especially then.”
Image source: melisa.illustrations
#18
“How you speak to yourself isn’t a small thing; it’s everything.
This is your daily reminder that the way you speak to yourself matters. No more inner mean girl energy, we’re only accepting love, softness, and self-celebration from now on.
You wouldn’t talk down to your bestie, so don’t do it to yourself.
Wrap yourself in the kind of words you’ve always needed to hear; you deserve nothing less.”
Image source: melisa.illustrations
#19
“Because rest isn’t a luxury — it’s a love language.
Sundays are for stillness, softness, and just five more minutes. No alarms. No rush. Just me, my blanket, and a well-deserved pause.
Let this be your gentle reminder: slowing down is productive too.”
Image source: melisa.illustrations
#20
“If you know, you know!
Bank holiday? School holidays? Or just back to work like it’s a normal Monday? Whatever kind of start you’re having — I see you.
For the mums on snack duty (again), the parents juggling a million
things, or anyone trying to reclaim 5 minutes with a warm drink —
you’re doing brilliantly. Don’t forget your water, your caffeine, and
a little bit of kindness for yourself today.
Here’s to surviving the chaos with a biscuit in one hand and some
sanity in the other.”
Image source: melisa.illustrations
#21
“Standards. Not Apologies.
Sometimes we shrink ourselves to be more ‘digestible.’ We lower our standards, quiet our brilliance, or question our worth. These quotes are a reminder to do the opposite.
Believe in yourself — loudly.
Set high standards — unapologetically.
Take up space — fully.
And remember: you’re the star of your own story.
You don’t need permission to shine — just the self-trust to keep going.”
Image source: melisa.illustrations
#22
“Feeling a little off or overwhelmed? You’re not alone. Sometimes, what we need most is a gentle pause, a moment of stillness to reconnect and breathe again.
Here are a few soft mental health rest day quotes to remind you:
You are enough, even when you’re resting.
Healing isn’t linear, and rest is part of the journey.”
Image source: melisa.illustrations
#23
“POV: You’re the main character, and this is your golden hour scene.
Happy weekend, lovelies!
Remember how important you are; you are the priority, the first, the best. Never feel guilty for putting yourself on a pedestal… You deserve it.
I hope you enjoy a weekend full of joy. If you’re working, I hope it goes smoothly — luck and good vibes are on your side. I appreciate you all so much!”
Image source: melisa.illustrations
#24
“Healed. Unbothered. Thriving.
That Friday feeling when you realise how far you’ve come in your healing journey…
From dodging toxic people to spotting gaslighting a mile away, the glow-up is real.
It’s not just about moving on — it’s about moving up.”
Image source: melisa.illustrations
#25
“Chic. Smart. Magnetic.
Here’s to a fabulous Monday — may your week be filled with bold moves, strong coffee, and just the right amount of sparkle.”
Image source: melisa.illustrations
#26
“You’re becoming. You’re enough. You’re growing.
If this spoke to you, save it for the days you forget how far you’ve come.”
Image source: melisa.illustrations
#27
“This is your reminder: You don’t have to earn your rest.
It’s okay to rest.
To stay in bed a little longer.
To drink your coffee slowly.
To not answer every call.
To feel luxurious… even when no one’s watching.
You don’t have to earn softness.
You don’t have to be ‘on’ to be worthy.
This illustration — ‘Woman in Bed with the Cup and the Crown’ — is more than just digital art. It’s a reflection of a truth I’m still learning:
Peace is powerful.
Presence is productive.
And doing less doesn’t make you less.
I created this piece to romanticize your quiet moments. To make you feel seen when you’re unbothered, offline, and pouring into yourself.”
Image source: melisa.illustrations
#28
“Star Role Only, Never Extra.
There’s a certain confidence that comes when you fully understand who you are. When you know you’re the key, you stop waiting for things outside of you to unlock your potential. You stop chasing what doesn’t see your value, because deep down, you know exactly what you bring to the table, and it’s not something anyone can copy, compete with, or replace.
You carry power in your presence. Intelligence. Soul. Creativity. Vision. And the kind of love that transforms every space you enter. That’s not something you beg to be recognised. That’s something you own. You move through life with the quiet certainty that if something ends, if someone walks, if a chapter closes, it’s not the end of you; it’s a redirection toward something more aligned.
You’re not worried about what didn’t work out. You’re not looking back. You’re focused forward. Because you’ve already proven to yourself what you’re capable of creating. And now you know you can do it again; with more wisdom, more alignment, and more self-trust than ever before.
You know you’re the prize. You know you’re the source.
When a door closes, you don’t take it as a no. You trust that everything is always working in your favor. You hold the vision, ground in your worth, and let your energy lead. You don’t chase. You attract. Because you’ve already decided: you are the key, and there’s nothing you can’t create.”
Image source: melisa.illustrations
#29
“Sunday Reminder: Rest is productive too.
Some days, healing doesn’t look like journaling or a walk in the sun. Some days, it’s staying in bed, sipping tea, and letting the world wait. You don’t owe anyone an explanation for how you care for your peace.
Today, choose softness. Choose quiet. Choose you.”
Image source: melisa.illustrations
#30
“BOOM! Are you feeling it? That swift drop in your spirit… that fire in your chest… that quiet voice telling you ‘everything is changing for me now’?
You are in the season. The season of alignment. The season of detachment. The season of glow-ups. The season of power. The season of overflow.
This isn’t about waiting for your life to finally begin. It’s about realizing: it already has.”
Image source: melisa.illustrations
#31
“Pause. Breathe. Renew.
Sundays remind us that rest is not wasted; it is the space where peace, joy, and gratitude quietly grow.”
Image source: melisa.illustrations
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