Self-Improvement – Play. Create. Discover…

Blog, empowerment, inspiration, Monster Monday, Self-Awareness, Self-Help, Self-Improvement, Self-Love

The Success Eater: Redefining Achievements

January 30, 2024 Kristy Fae

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!

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 YouTube or visit the Art of Nonsense Shop for adoptable monsters and other products!

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Pssst- what I write in this blog is a reflection of my own ideas and experiences and/or interpretations of any referenced material. The content of this blog is for entertainment and/or informational purposes only. I am not an expert or therapist and cannot be held liable for any content provided or how it is used. Please enjoy at your own discretion. I reserve the right to change the content or management of this blog at any time. That said, I hope you enjoy it! © 2024 Kristy Anne Fae All Rights Reserved.

art, Blog, illustration, inspiration, Monster Monday, play, Self-Improvement

The Discoverer: Stepping Out of the Box

October 2, 2023 Kristy Fae

Happy October everyone! The tree are shedding, the air is cooling and Halloween is fast approaching. Creative energies are running high (at least they are here in the Monster Studio!) and what better way to honour a creative October than by participating in Inktober 2023! For anyone who doesn’t know, Inktober is a time for artists to create artwork daily based on a list of drawing prompts. This year, a fellow artist and loved-one had an excellent idea: to curate prompt lists for one another.

How fun!

We both have different goals for Inktober this year, and our lists reflect that for one another. She brilliantly chose the word “discovery” for my day 1 prompt, as my intention is to challenge my illustration skills with new subjects and action poses. Gasp— I have to try NOT to draw monsters for a whole month!? Well, truth be told, some monsters will still be sneaking into my artwork this month, whether inspired by the prompts or otherwise 😉 Yet starting off my illustration yesterday, I automatically sketched a monster and had to catch myself, and redo it… as a HOOMAN! But I think turned out pretty well:

In conclusion, if you’re with me, let’s dub the month of October “Discovery Month” and try “drawing outside of the lines”…or the box…or the circle…Perhaps this means trying a new art medium, drawing different subjects, or even ones you’re not comfortable with. Maybe it means reconnecting to your “Little Me” to see what they want to explore! A good place to start is to revisit what you loved doing, or always wanted to do, as a kid…

Expanding the horizons of what we create, as always, can bring new playfulness, creativity and discovery! If you want to join in the fun, hashtag your work with #inktober2023 and #artofnonsense on your preferred social media platforms! You can find the official Inktober 2023 prompt list here. We’ll be sharing @artofnonsense on Facebook and Instagram so be sure to follow us there for more Inktober fun!

Happy creating and discovering, Monster Friends!

Play. Create. Discover… also find me @artofnonsense on YouTube or visit the Art of Nonsense Shop for adoptable monsters and other products!

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Blog, inspiration, Monster Monday, Self-Awareness, Self-Help, Self-Improvement, Self-Love, Writing

The Timely Owls: The Gift of Patience…

April 24, 2023 Kristy Fae

I’ve been spending a lot of time with Nature recently, and while I always find the great outdoors to be extremely soothing and refreshing, she has been sending me a distinct message lately. From the budding flowers that had been waiting underneath the cool grounds of winter; to the young Great Horned Owls slowly learning to fly as they grow stronger and the herons building their nests one twig at a time; to the sneaky fungi developing imperceptibly… patience is being whispered amidst all of Nature’s children.

In a fast-paced world, especially, it can be hard to slow down, sow our seeds, and wait for the fruits of our labour to ripen. But the flowers cannot bloom before the temperatures are right or they will freeze; the owls cannot fly before their wings are strong enough just as the herons cannot carry more than they’re able or they’ll fall; and the fungi cannot expedite their growth or they’ll exhaust their resources. Just as we cannot rush Nature, we cannot always rush our creative process, our healing, our growth, our learning, or our journey of whatever kind. So in these growing stages, why not savour the process? Enjoy feeling the strength that builds with each passing day. Celebrate each little step forward— and even each step back— for they too are valuable. Indulge in the periods of rest and the periods of action, or the “seasons”, that inevitably come and go. For these, too, are part of the journey.

The more tuned in we are, the more we may be surprised by what we find along the way— and by how much more we end up with in the end as a result of our patience and mindfulness. Then, when we get to the end and look back, we’ll be able to appreciate all we did and how much we’ve grown, and we’ll be able to say proudly, “That journey was mine, and I truly lived every part of it.”

What “season” are you currently in that you feel impatient about completing? How can you make the journey more enjoyable, more self-loving, more mindful? Feel free to comment below, for saying it aloud (or onscreen) can provide a great sense of empowerment and accountability. I also encourage you to spend at least five minutes with Nature this week (it could even be looking out your window, watching a Nature show, or imagining the wilderness, if you don’t have access to a calming, outdoor space). Commit to doing nothing but watching in stillness for those five or so minutes, and see if there’s a message being whispered to you…

With curiosity and patience.

Play. Create. Discover… also find me @artofnonsense on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube or visit the Art of Nonsense Shop for adoptable monsters and other products!

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Blog, inspiration, Monster Monday, Monsters, Self-Improvement

The Fire-Bottomed Beast: Achieving Your Goals

August 8, 2022 Kristy Fae

Happy Monster Monday everyone! I hope the last few weeks were creative and interesting ones. In case anyone was wondering where we were last week, I wanted to let you know that while we try to keep up every Monday, we sometimes let one slide. You know, life gets busy, health takes priority, art events suddenly pop up to prepare for…

Wait, what!? Yes, you heard me! The Art of Nonsense Monster Workshop has been buzzing with preparations for a local event showcasing the work of local talent on August 21st. Feel free to check out our Facebook Event for more info if you’re going to be in the Victoria B.C. area or if you just want some sneak peaks of new products we are working on (before they ever even make it to the online store)! Be sure to follow our Facebook Page which always posts updates and other inspirational content.

Anyway, there is definitely something to be said about having a fire lit beneath one’s bottom. The monsters and I have not been this focussed for ages, and I thought it was a good reminder for those of you with burning passions and dreams of your own waiting to be fulfilled: find a way to light the fire (safely)! For myself, I definitely work better with deadlines that are not controlled by me. If that’s your case too, find a contest to submit to, ask a friend or colleague to be your accountability partner, or find a way to have rewards attached to smaller goals? Whatever it is that works for you— work it darlings, if you can, and let me know how it went for you and what you ended up completing! I’ll be posting my results here in the upcoming weeks…until then, continue to Follow Your Creativity!

Find us @artofnonsense on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube or visit the Art of Nonsense Shop for adoptable monsters and other fun products!

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art, Blog, Funny, inspiration, Monster Monday, Self-Awareness, Self-Help, Self-Improvement, Writing

Kevin the Neighbourhood Boa Constrictor: Reserving Judgement

July 5, 2022 Kristy Fae

Happy Monster Monday! Now, if you have a snake phobia, let this be your trigger warning…but I do promise, this one doesn’t bite even though he might look like he might!

When I was little, I was fascinated by creepy crawlies of all kinds. Insects, amphibians, reptiles—you name it— was of interest to my eye and my need-to-know-more curious brain. As I got older, which tends to happen to many of us “grown-ups,” I started to let my wonder be tainted by fear. My curiosity replaced by disgust. After-all, what kind of FREAKY thing sheds its entire coat of skin on a regular basis? *Shudder*… Guess what? ALL KINDS OF THINGS. And bugs aren’t MEANT to cohabitate with humans, right? Well actually, nature IS MEANT to be EVERYWHERE. It was here long before we ever were and everything came from it! There are perfectly reasonable, respectable, and remarkable reasons as to why creatures are the way they are, and if we cared enough to find out, we might appreciate them more. So why are we suddenly (or gradually) freaked out by spiders and snakes and such, and while I’m on the topic, by ANYTHING or ANYONE we don’t understand or relate to? The only explanation I can think of? Fear. And along with fear comes an even more dangerous beast: judgment.

When we judge things, we assume we know that which we don’t and thus falsely attach our belief to the thing we’re judging. If we first looked at chocolate and thought, “Ew! THAT looks gross!” and proceeded throughout our entire lives refusing to taste it, how sad would we be if we missed out on a whole lifetime of CHOCOLATE!? Yup, this theory is sound (at least for chocolate lovers such as myself). How many things do we miss out on, dismiss, push to the side, or otherwise refuse to have an experience with because of judgements we make? And yeah, we’re human, we all do it. But if we can at least be more aware of when and why we do it, we have a better chance at instigating change in ourselves that can be, well, life changing.

So maybe try saying “Hi!” to that person you see daily but don’t seem to have anything in common with and just keep an open mind. Pick up that new art medium you’ve always said “I couldn’t/wouldn’t/shouldn’t/daren’t do THAT” about. Travel to a place not on the number one travel recommendations list. Of course, caution and safety should not be thrown into the wind (yes there exist poisonous snakes that are important to be aware of), but could we use our discernment in deciding what things we may be judging that maybe we need not be?

Enter Kevin. Kevin is my cousin Zoe’s neighbourhood cat, which I didn’t know at the time when she referred to Kevin as being a menace to her own cat. Well, with two overly creative minds at work, suddenly the below scenario had been summoned up and jokes ensued about Kevin in a fit of laughter: “Watch out for Kevin!”

“Kevin the Neighbourhood Boa Constrictor” by Kristy Fae

Now this may appear to be darker humour than you’re used to from me here at Art of Nonsense, but I promise you, Kevin REALLY IS friendly and no cats were harmed metaphorically or physically in the making of this illustration. To be clear, Kevin simply pesters, not harms, this poor kitty. Now you can rest easy…

So Kevin is the reason I got thinking back to little Kristy and wondering why big Kristy is now so weirded out by snakes, like Kevin. And it got me thinking about how many other incredible and strange and wondrous creatures there are out there that I want to know all about, just like my curious mind wanted when it was carried by a younger me. Scales and skins and teeths and creepy crawly legs and all 😉 So perhaps Kevin is the first in a line-up for reclaiming “freaky” creatures with a sense of curiosity and wonder. What do you think!? If you’d like, take a moment to think about who YOUR Kevin is (a.k.a. your “freaky creature”). How could you think about it in a different light so that creatures like Kevin can get the love— or at least the respect— they so deserve? Perhaps start with a google search for a few new fun facts about your dear friend Kev…

As always friends, be sure to Follow Your Creativity (and curiosity)!

Remember to subscribe for more creative fun! Also find me @artofnonsense on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube or visit the Art of Nonsense Shop for adoptable monsters and other products!

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Blog, Funny, inspiration, Monster Monday, Monsters, Poetry, Self-Awareness, Self-Help, Self-Improvement, Self-Love

The Grim Bitter: Better Your Bitter

March 1, 2021March 2, 2021 Kristy Fae

The Grim Bitter sneaked into my home last week,
and asked me, please, to play.
The Grim, you should know, is the gnarliest soul,
and not in a cool ol’ way.
I know not whether the Grim is more bitter than grim,
or more grim than the bitterest thing,
But when I denied his request, what did manifest,
was nothing that I was expecting!
He sat down on his rump, with a roar and a thump,
atop all of my chores and to-dos,
His face in a frown, he crossed his arms proud,
and when I asked him to leave— he refused!
“I’ve got things to do, oh why won’t you move!?”
but my cries only pleased him much more,
“Fine then, I’LL go—” and I tried, but oh no,
where he sat, he was blocking the door!
So I huffed and I puffed and I shoved and I snuffed
until I felt completely enraged,
Then I chased him about with a broom and a shout,
until my whole house— rearranged!
On this went for a week, without food, drink or sleep,
to the point that I gave in and sat,
And together we groaned, and we pouted and moaned,
’til at last we had no more to add.
Then when we were done, he said, “Thanks for the fun!”
and went off on his unpleasant way…
So if the Grim Bitter calls, it may be wise not to stall—
but instead to appease him and play!

Sometimes you just have to acknowledge your frustrations, sit with those uncomfortable feelings, and let out your upset so you can move on and get back to living your life! Whether it’s throwing paint at a canvas, letting yourself cry, taking a day off for yourself, talking to a trusted loved one or a professional— or anything else than helps— well, as the old saying goes: better OUT than IN! What’s your favourite way of blowing off steam when you’re feeling grim or bitter? Let me know in the comments below!

Thanks for reading! Also find me @artofnonsense on Facebook and Instagram or visit the Art of Nonsense Shop for more monsterly inspiration…

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art, Blog, inspiration, Monster Monday, Monsters, Poetry, Self-Improvement, Self-Love

The Down-Upper: Keep Your Head Up!

February 23, 2021 Kristy Fae

If you’re having a bad day, I’m here to say,
That you aren’t alone, and it’s ok!
When you need a little pick-me-up,
Remember the Down-Upper and his down-going butt,
Who, no matter how much his bottom might weigh,
Holds his head high, always scouting the way!
Because if you go down and forget to look up,
You might miss out on the most beautiful stuff!

Thanks for reading! Also find me @artofnonsense on Facebook and Instagram or visit the Art of Nonsense Shop for more monsterly inspiration and fun!

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art, Blog, inspiration, Monster Monday, Poetry, Self-Awareness, Self-Improvement, Self-Love

The Bad Artist: A Self-Portrait

February 15, 2021February 16, 2021 Kristy Fae

Hello fellow fans of Nonsense. It was a week inspired by watching the 2019 series “Dickinson” about the infamous poet. Seeing Emily’s conflict with confidence in her poetry had me reflecting on how many artists (including me) struggle with their self-worth, feeling “not good enough” and a fear of being seen. The following poem ensued, as well as this silly little self-portrait, both of which I actually quite love! Be warned that I may exaggerate slightly in the poem and that it is by no means meant to be self-deprecatory— quite the opposite rather. It is meant to be empowering! Wouldn’t it liberating to just celebrate the joy of creating and what it means to you, rather than being pulled down by the weight of perfectionism, expectation, and judgement? Create whatever makes you happy, dear ones. And remember, if you create, you are already an artist. So go and claim the title! I challenge you to create a quick 20-30 minute self-portrait this week, and share it on social media with the #drawyourselfchallenge

“A Bad Artist” by Kristy Biscuit

Some may call me a bad artist,
Not because the work I create is mediocre—
But because I don’t obey the confines,
I like to colour outside the lines
In the most literal sense.
I love imperfection.
I don’t stay inside the box
Of what it means to be a “good little artist”.
I don’t need to fit in,
I don’t like to characterize
My work by comparison to genres,
Or to other artists,
Be them classic, contemporary or whatnot.
What I create is beautiful,
But not perfect enough to fall
Under any fancy terms.
And what I create is original,
Yet not different enough
To be called revolutionary.
Some may call me a bad artist,
Because I don’t know the trends.
I don’t walk the walk,
I don’t talk the talk,
Whilst visiting fancy art shows.
I don’t pay hundreds or thousands, or more,
To hang art on my walls
To honour those “more” talented than me.
My walls drip with my own creations,
Proudly.
Yes, I prefer to create
Over viewing other’s work—
Though I occasionally do,
And am sometimes inspired—
But my preference lies
In my own muddied hands,
Muddled face,
Crumpled pages.
Yes, I prefer to create.
For creation is my fire.
Creation, my air.
Creation, my water.
Creation, the earth I tread upon.
Some may call me a bad artist,
But I say, I am a Great One,
Because what I create is mine.
It is my joy,
And nothing matters more.

Thanks for reading! For more inspiration and creativity, find me @artofnonsense on Facebook and Instagram or visit the Art of Nonsense Shop

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art, Blog, Creative Learning, inspiration, Monster Monday, Self-Improvement, Writing

The Curious Critter: Expanding Horizons

January 11, 2021January 18, 2021 Kristy Fae

While I have done digital art over the years, mostly for school assignments, my main mediums of choice have always been physical ones. Whether acrylics, pastels or colour pencils, I was drawn to holding tangible tools and creating something new with my bare hands. I don’t think that the pleasure of paper drawing will ever go away for me, and for a long time, I rebelled against digital art (just as I evaded digital photography after learning film and well, has THAT ever changed! Now I’m a digital photography adorer). There is something pure and simple about the traditional way of doing art and it is an invaluable practice to keep up. Yes— and also, everything has its place…

Over the past several years, I have been honing my skills as an illustrator, but not without frustration and setbacks. I was up against chronic pain, which limited my work time, and a lack of mastery in the mediums I had settled on using for my style of illustration. Yes, I could learn with time and training, but I often got stuck and discouraged in the process and I wasn’t putting out the content or finishing the projects that my heart so longed to get out into the world. It was a bit of a coincidence when I had the chance to try drawing on an iPad for the first time. Yes, I had tried a Wacom tablet back in University and later dabbled with the Apple Trackpad, but I found them extremely imprecise, frustrating and painful to draw with (they work for many people, but I have fussy wrists!).

Now, I’m not oblivious to the benefits, conveniences and beauty of digital art, but it wasn’t until I actually tried drawing with the iPad that I went, “Ohhhhhh, WOW! It’s just like drawing on paper!” Only with layers. And innumerable colour palettes at the click of a button. And so many other options including this artist’s favourite tool— the UNDO button! But wait, do all of these fancy tools and the ability to easily change or manipulate your images mean that digital artists are less skilled, fine-tuned or talented? I admit that I had this judgement for a while, like somehow giving into digital art would discredit me as an artist. But I beg to disagree with myself. To be a good artist, you need a set of creative talents and skills, say like precision, a sense of composition and colour theory, as well as in depth knowledge of your chosen medium. Well, how about that? All of these things apply to both physical and digital art! Knowing how to use your software is just as important as knowing how to use your paint and brush to achieve the effects you desire. Art, by any other name, is still art. An artist, no matter his or her medium, is still an artist.

What I discovered about creating digital art with the iPad is that it enables me to work more efficiently, thus not overdoing myself, while creating versatile art for my many applications (much of which is used or delivered digitally, so it streamlines my process). Procreate on the iPad has been a game changer. It has opened up the possibility for me to create so much more than before! And no, I don’t intend to give up on my watercolour and gouache and whatever other medium I feel like expressing in. It’s that I now know that both digital and traditional art have their proper uses and both can actually be enjoyed more because I can choose the one that is appropriate for my project’s/schedule’s/body’s needs. While more isn’t necessarily always better, it is when doing so makes you happy!

So I’m diving into this digital world, friends, with ferocious excitement and possibility! Over the last week, I’ve started growing my skills through 21-draw.com, an online membership site of illustration tutorials (with a handful specific to Procreate). I’m working through the “Beginner’s Guide to Digital Drawing in Procreate” which is how the first few stages of this little Curious Critter character design below came to be (I’ll post the final stages once I complete them). I’m learning some new tips, tools and techniques, getting some good practise in and, of course, having a blast! When learning is fun, you know you’re learning the right stuff.

In closing, yes, there will probably be controversy on the subject of digital vs traditional art, but these are the questions that I think will give you your own specific answer: what tools and mediums enable you to let your most creative, expressive, artistic self shine through? What will allow you to make art in a way that is feasible, accessible, efficient and effective for you and your unique applications, needs, barriers, skills, etc? So what do I think? I say, who cares how you create your art— JUST CREATE IT!

Thanks for reading! Also find me @artofnonsense on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest or visit the Art of Nonsense Shop for adoptable creatures and other fun products!

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Blog, Creative Learning, inspiration, Monster Monday, play, Self-Help, Self-Improvement, Self-Love, Writing

The Fun Monster: Take a Play Day!

July 21, 2020June 8, 2023 Kristy Fae

Hello to all my friends out there!

So yeah, you may have caught me being late on my blog again… But I can’t help it that it’s so beautifully sunny outside lately! Can you blame me for playing hooky for a PLAY DAY? I promise you, it’s in the name of practising what I preach…

If you don’t know much about my business, Art of Nonsense, know that it’s all about inspiring creativity and play – in life and in learning! You can read more about me and my purpose here: www.artofnonsense.com/about

While I focus a lot on creating content for little monsters, like picture books, hand puppets, monster sleep masks, and whimsical illustrations, I’m also passionate about bringing out the inner child in us big monsters too. (You can browse the goodies at the online shop here!) That’s why I am so happy to let you all know about an exciting endeavour I’m undertaking! Dun dun (if you haven’t already read it on social media)…dun…

I am the author of an upcoming book about how to PLAY MORE for greater joy, connection, and fulfillment in our lives! Make sure to follow this blog or find me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest for updates on the upcoming book and other monsterly fun!

Now, to celebrate this theme, I’d like to share a few simple ways I’ve been adding PLAY into my days lately. Please add to the amusement momentum and share your favourite playful activities below with a comment or a picture using #monstermusement !

1. PICNICS IN THE PARK: Enjoying the sun, special eats (especially gluten free treats from Bubby Rose’s), talking to the bees, and just generally “bee-ing”.

2. BEACH VISITS WITH LOVED ONES: Whether with self, partner, friends, or little friends, gettin‘ silly and refreshing swims!

3. STOP TO SMELL THE FLOWERS: Literally, as well as just taking in any interesting sights you may find, from random art to starry skies!

4. LET YOUR INNER CHILD OUT: From funky socks, to candy teeth, to awww-ing over baby animals, let yourself express your heart’s silly delights- no matter your age!