Meet Bunga Vidanska

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Bunga Vidanska. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Bunga below.

Hi Bunga, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?

For me, confidence and self-esteem didn’t arrive overnight — they’ve been built slowly, through both pain and practice. Growing up, I was often told that choosing an artistic or creative path wasn’t a “real” career. And even as a child, I was bullied for being bold and different. Those experiences planted seeds of doubt in me that took years to unlearn.

Over time, though, I came to realize that confidence isn’t about always feeling sure — it’s about showing up even when you’re unsure. My self-esteem grew every time I created something from the heart, trusted my intuition in my art or tarot practice, and witnessed how my work touched someone else’s life. Seeing my creations light up people’s eyes gives me incredible warmth. In those moments, it feels like they’re handing me permission — opening a door for me to step more fully into my confidence and keep moving forward.

I also had to unlearn the belief that my worth depended on outside validation. I began practicing self-compassion and reminding myself that mistakes and detours are part of the journey. Most importantly, I surrounded myself with people who believed in me during times when I struggled to believe in myself.

For me, confidence is less about being fearless and more about being brave enough to follow my calling, even when fear is still present.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I wear many hats, but at the heart of everything I do is the same thread: using creativity as a bridge for healing and cultural connection. My brand, Bunga Karsa, started with floral-inspired art — from 3D flower paintings and hand-painted secondhand clothing to preserved flower jewelry and embroidery. What began as a personal exploration of beauty and storytelling through flowers has grown into a way to share Indonesian culture and values with the world.

Alongside my art, I also work as a Tarot Reader, Reiki Master, and Meditation Facilitator. My sessions blend intuitive guidance with practical tools, helping people find clarity, direction, and empowerment in their lives. I think what makes my work unique is the way I weave together creativity, spirituality, and cultural roots. Whether I’m painting, crafting jewelry, or leading a meditation with Javanese elements, the focus is always on creating an experience that touches both the heart and the soul.

What excites me most is seeing how these practices — art, healing, and storytelling — can spark transformation. I’ve witnessed people light up with joy when they wear a piece of jewelry infused with intention, or when they leave a meditation session feeling lighter and more grounded. To me, that’s the magic of this work: it’s not just about products or services, but about offering moments of connection and meaning.

Right now, I’m focused on expanding Bunga Karsa by bringing my creations into more community spaces, like local gift shops and art markets, as well as offering more guided meditation classes rooted in Indonesian wellness traditions. I’m also exploring ways to combine my background in public diplomacy with my creative practice, using art and healing as a soft-diplomacy tool to promote cultural understanding between Indonesia and the U.S.

At the end of the day, my goal is simple: to show that creativity and healing aren’t luxuries — they’re essential. And through Bunga Karsa, I hope to inspire others to embrace their own unique paths with courage and beauty.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, the qualities that have shaped my journey the most are critical thinking, grit, and communication — though they didn’t arrive all at once. Growing up, I quickly realized that resilience often starts in the mind. Critical thinking became my tool to navigate detours, solve problems creatively, and challenge the inner voice that doubted me. It helped me see that not every expectation or opinion from others was meant to define me, and gave me the clarity to choose a path that truly aligned with my heart. Without it, I might have stayed stuck, endlessly worrying about setbacks instead of learning from them.

Alongside that, I discovered the power of grit. Ideas and passion are just the beginning — it’s the steady, persistent commitment over time that allows you to hone your skills and create something meaningful. When the journey got difficult, grit kept me showing up, practicing, and believing in my own path.

Finally, I learned that success isn’t a solo effort. Communication, the ability to connect authentically with others, has been essential in opening doors, building collaborations, and sharing my vision in ways that inspire. Without the community I’ve been able to cultivate and the trust built through meaningful connections, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

For anyone starting out, I’d say: question your own thoughts, stay committed to your path, and don’t be afraid to reach out to others. Your connections — and the courage to lean on them — can become one of your greatest strengths.

What would you advise – going all in on your strengths or investing on areas where you aren’t as strong to be more well-rounded?

I believe the key is knowing when to lean into your strengths and when to develop other areas, rather than seeing it as a strict either/or. Your strengths are what allow you to shine and create impact — they’re the parts of you that feel effortless and natural, and often where you can contribute most meaningfully. For me, my creative vision, attention to detail in my floral art, and intuition in healing practices are my strengths, and I’ve learned to trust them fully. Leaning into them has allowed me to build Bunga Karsa in a way that feels authentic and sustainable.

At the same time, I’ve learned that no one succeeds alone, and certain skills — like communication, business planning, or marketing — may not come naturally to me. Choosing to invest effort in these “weaker” areas has been essential for growth. For example, when I first started selling my art, I had to learn how to communicate effectively with clients, organize my inventory, and manage logistics — things that didn’t come as naturally as creating the art itself. By putting intentional effort into these areas, I was able to scale my work and reach more people without losing the essence of what makes my creations unique.

In short, play to your strengths, but don’t ignore the gaps. Improving weaker areas doesn’t mean giving up your natural gifts — it means building a foundation strong enough to support them. For me, this balance has been crucial: it allows my creativity to flourish while ensuring it can have a real-world impact.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bungakarsa.com
• Instagram: @bunga.karsa
• Other: Tiktok @bungakarsa

Image Credits

Some of the picture is taken by Kimberly Kirven