Happy Monday, Monster fans. I’ve been delighted by our delectable blog themes recently concerning redefining success and writing our own authentic stories— so much so that I thought the topic deserved its very own monster…
So I’d like to introduce you to my new friend, the Sovereign Goblin! This creative cutie is especially helpful when we are mixed up in the muddle of confusion, peer pressure, fear, or those nasty “shoulds” that rear their heads. He reminds us that while there is always going to be people out there telling us how to be and what to do in any given situation (whether well-meaning guidance or unsolicited advice), that we are our own authors and creators. He reminds us to reclaim our self sovereignty!
The Sovereign Goblin by Kristy Fae
While it can be very helpful to get different perspectives from our trusted personal people and professionals alike, at the end of the day, we get to take inventory, reflect, and decide what’s right for us. We also use our past experiences to navigate current ones, yet sometimes this can lead us astray; we must discern whether or not the old story is guiding us or keeping us stuck. It’s important to check in now and then to see if we have any old stories that we’re ready to crumple up and toss into the trash bin.
So over the next few weeks, I challenge you to be aware of what stories are playing like reruns in your mind— then see if any of them can be turned off in favour of a more…well, favourable one! And if you can start to imagine what you want your story to look like, perhaps drawing it would be a great way to start manifesting it into reality…
The monsters and I would love to hear your thoughts below and to see your “new stories” shared on social media with hashtag #artofnonsensenewstory
Happy storytelling!
Play. Create. Discover… Be sure to subscribe to the blog to receive Biweekly reminders when we post! Also find us @artofnonsense on Facebook, Instagram and YouTubeor visit the Art of Nonsense Shop for adoptable monsters and other products!
Do you have impossibly high expectations of yourself? Do you struggle with perfectionism or thinking you’ll never be as good as “everyone else” in your area of expertise? Do you jump from one achievement to the next without taking time to really honour and celebrate your successes? If so, you are most definitely not alone!
Many of us battle with these thoughts on a regular basis as we compare our work or achievements to the plethora of examples on the internet, in the news or around us day to day. We forget that “different” doesn’t mean “better” and that what we offer is also valuable, important and needed! We don’t always see that even the people who appear to be succeeding beyond what’s humanly possible still experience challenges, bad days, hard times and self-doubt.
Furthermore, those of us who take our personal growth seriously can sometimes be the first to think we are not doing enough “bettering” and we place heavier and larger burdens on ourselves continuously. We can neglect pausing to reflect on everything we HAVE accomplished and we focus instead on the unfinished to-do lists looming in the dark corners of our mind. Let’s stop biting ourselves and start to play nice!
The Success Eater by Kristy Fae
This week, I suggest that you make time to pause, breath and get grounded. From there, I invite you to look at how you define “accomplishments”, “success” or “achievements”. Go ahead and write out the definition you abide by, along with examples (from your own life, those around you or even celebrities etc).
Now that your definition and examples are on paper, examine what words you wrote. Does your idea of success involve external or public recognition such as awards, certificates, diplomas or even words of affirmation from a specific person or group? Is it tied to material belongings or specific items checked off a list? Is it attached to status, a certain position at work or a certain amount of money that you earn? Or is it attached to your internal experience; how you feel physically or emotionally, how those around you benefit from your actions or even some personal insight you’ve gained?
It can be interesting to investigate where our ideas of success come from too— perhaps from an old story we picked up along the way or a value learned from a trusted mentor etc. With whatever insight you’ve gathered from this investigation, you then get to decide if you’re happy with your original definition of success or if you would like to revise it! If a revision feels warranted, write it out anew…
Finally, after one more nice breath in, exhale all of the pressure and expectations and self-perceived “failures” you’re hanging onto. Then take some time to really reflect on what you have accomplished during the last few months or year (depending what time frame feels significant to you). If you’re having a hard time listing successes, reach out to trusted friends or loved ones and get their feedback. Have them write something nice about you, your character, your influence on those around you or the personal journey you’ve been on to get where you are today. I had my friends do this at my Birthday Celebration this month and it was so heartwarming and encouraging! I suggest you keep these messages someone accessible and within sight to reference any time you catch yourself being hard on you! Those around us who adore us often have the positive feedback and difference in perspective we need to view ourselves in a new light and to boost our confidence!
Now, I’m still rewriting my definition of success, but I know it no longer holds onto the social norms I picked up along the way in a desperation to find acceptance and love. My new definition will read something like this: “Success for me can be measured in the amount of joy and peace I feel and spread day to day, and how authentically I show up for myself and others.”
My list of successes over the past year or so, which were spelled out in the invitation for my Birthday Celebration, did not involve “publishing a book, getting in shape, or making more money” which are all on the to-do list somewhere. Instead, my list was about what had brought me closer to understanding and being ME; self-awareness, clarity about my identity and my ability to live and express myself authentically. These are huge accomplishments and DANG did I ever work hard to get here!
The outside world didn’t see the behind-the-scenes work (only my close friends and family that saw me through it), but that doesn’t mean the successes, the accomplishments, the achievements are not there. Because they are, and they are measured in the increase of happiness, groundedness and peace that I feel. These kinds of accomplishments are not fleeting ones where you receive an accolade that gives you a momentary sense of accomplishment. I’m talking about the kinds of accomplishments that change your life forever. The ones that change how you relate to yourself and others, how you show up and express yourself, speak your truth, live your passions, do what is meaningful and fulfilling to you, how you care for yourself, know and honour your own boundaries, heal your wounds, and inspire others to do the same.
Life is never going to be perfect or without pain or challenges or barriers. But it can be more authentic and joyful, I believe. And isn’t that a definition of “success” that you can get behind?
Celebrate YOU, all of you wild creative creatures out there, because you’re doing great! Share YOUR definition of success below or on socials with #artofnonsensesuccess
Play. Create. Discover… Be sure to subscribe to the blog to receive Biweekly reminders when we post! Also find us @artofnonsense on Facebook, Instagram and YouTubeor visit the Art of Nonsense Shop for adoptable monsters and other products!
Those of you who have been following the Monster Musings Blog for some time already know that Art of Nonsense is all about creativity and play! On the surface it looks like monsters, artwork and toys, which it is— and each of these things is inherently valuable and wonderful on its own. And yet underneath, in the cavernous intentions of Kristy and the Monsters, there resides so much more…
Art of Nonsense is about discovering the deeper authentic parts of ourselves, and then expressing and celebrating them to the fullest. It’s about not being afraid to be our wild, silly, quirky selves. It’s about following our dreams, living our joy, and finding greater fulfillment in our lives— regardless of our age! I really believe that when we listen in and free our inner child, we tap into the simple pleasures— the “Nonsense”— that our souls so crave. This is where we find deeper connection, greater authenticity, and heartfelt joy! So let’s make living and learning the most fun we possibly can with the time we are given.
One of my greatest joys and biggest sources of play is Nature. With Summer blessing us here in British Columbia, I’ve been thoroughly enjoying laying in the sun, swimming in the ocean, admiring the wildlife and photographing the colourful blooms. I’ve been hugging trees, talking to squirrels and letting my hands run along the textures of shrubs and trees as I pass them. I’ve also been walking barefoot in the grass, through the rocky hills and across the pebbled beaches.
Kristy Fae Hugging her Friend, the Giant
One evening, I started running through a dewy lawn and was instantly transported back to childhood. What freedom and joy lay there— in a lawn— so easy to access, yet so often dismissed. We too often rush by the things we love as we race from one thing to the next, striving to “succeed” and acquire what we think will finally deliver us our happiness. Our modern society has been taking us away from our connection with Earth, and thus harming our connection to ourselves and to others. Reconnecting with Earth, whether through appreciating and nurturing Nature or by connecting bare feet or hands to Her to ground ourselves, reminds us who we are. We are Nature. And Nature is beautiful because She is unique, imperfect and wildly Herself! There is no playing small, holding back parts of Herself, or pretending to be something She is not. She is unapologetically Herself.
And that’s what I wish for all of us, dear ones.
Barefoot & Connected
This week, I invite you to try the gift of Earthing. This practice involves connecting your body, especially bare feet or hands, to the Earth, to ground yourself. Sit with your feet in the grass, or walk across the beach or lawn. If you’re committed, try doing it daily. You can google or YouTube “Earthing” to find out about the science and beliefs that back this practice— but I’m curious to see what you notice for yourself. Really be present with the sensations you feel physically, emotionally and maybe even spiritually. Do you feel a tug to look more closely at the insects playing all around you? Is there a yearning to skip, or sing or jump in the water? Can you suddenly spot faces in the clouds or wrinkled tree bark? Whatever the pull is for you, see what magic comes when you let your inner child out to play!
Monster, Fae, Animal, Merfolk, Human, or otherwise, we are all magical, mystical creators of this wild, immense universe we’ve found ourselves in.
Just dropping in on this Monster Monday to remind us all to shine our light and show up as we are, in all our magnificent, unique glory— however strange that might appear to anyone else. We all deserve to be seen, accepted, celebrated, and honoured for who we truly are.
Kristy Fae
This week’s homework is to express something residing deep within yourself. Perhaps a side of you often kept hidden? Use whatever creative process or medium compels you. I stepped into my Fairy Queen power (using my iPad, Procreate, and a found winged-fairy image) and it was quite a beautiful process to embody the energy of a Fae Being and to really see myself in a new light.
Allow yourself to see yourself in a new, mystical way and magic becomes possible…
Play. Create. Discover... 