To all the perfectionists, worriers and people living with anxiety monsters in their shirt pockets…I understand the struggle! Continuously considering all the possible (negative) outcomes of a given situation, project, relationship etc is exhausting. If you’re like me, you may have learned to live in self-protection mode, which can lead to isolation, holding ourselves back, and keeping our gifts from the world!
Today, I just want to remind us all that, with practise, our future-focused panicking brains can get more comfortable with unknowns. Our brains can even learn to trust the unknown and believe that whatever comes will just be another step forward on our paths to more fulfilling and authentic living!
For me, it has definitely taken a lot of practise (and therapy and self-work) to be able to have some of that trust today. Does it mean I never worry or get anxiety? Nope, I’m still human. Does it mean I can more often than not acknowledge the worry and then decide how to respond to it better? Yes! And “Yes!” is exactly the theme of the next few weeks! In comes the Go-Getter-Otter…
The Go-Getter-Otter by Kristy Fae
Imagine, long ago, this little otter didn’t know she could swim— or that she even liked the water. She wanted to fly. So she tried it. And when her attempt at flying failed, she fell from the sky with a “splish splash” into a refreshing river… and from then on, she was never happier!
If our hearts yearn for something, yet fear and the unknown gets in our way, do we not owe it to ourselves to go out there and try it anyways?! Best case, it works out (hurray!). Worst case, it doesn’t, and it lands you in a new spot where you’ve never been before. A spot where new and miraculous things can happen… even if that thing is just one more “mistake” along the journey that ultimately leads us to our greatest joy!
Now obviously I’m not saying we should go jump into the air with some 2 by 4’s for wings (we must still use our common sense and wisdom to make calculated risks)— but I am encouraging us to take the plunge into something that fear has been holding us back from. That’s it, that’s the homework, dear monster friends.
We’d love to hear about the plunge you take over the next few weeks— share in the comments below or on social media with #artofnonsensetaketheplunge
Remember, we are brave and we can do scary things!
*Splish Splash*
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!
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!
Many of us have heard the saying, “The early bird gets the worm”— but there’s much more to the tale than we were made to believe! But let’s back up for a minute…
Welcome back from the Holidays! The monsters and I from Art of Nonsense hope that everyone had a joyous season and a peaceful transition into 2024.
Yes, it’s January: the time of New Year’s Resolutions, goal setting and the mapping out of upcoming milestones. I love the fresh energy of a New Year and the “out with the old” and “letting go of things that no longer serve us” vibes. What I do NOT like, however, is the pressure and stress of living up to my newly set Resolutions or the feeling “less than” when I realize I haven’t achieved all of last year’s goals. Yes, reflection is great. Goals are great. So is reality. So is self-care, rest, fun and quality time with the people we adore. This we know, though, don’t we?
But it’s hard to remember or to live by these values when our society honours striving, pushing and, ultimately, suffering. For many of us, the more to-dos we check off our list, and the less hours we sleep per night, the more accomplished we have become engrained to feel. We’re taught that there is but one way to thrive, and if even one part is missing from that rulebook, we’ve doomed ourselves to failure. But whoever wrote these rules forgot one very critical detail: humans, like monsters, are all very different from one another. We have differences in what we need. What we like. What works for us and what doesn’t. There cannot, and should not, be one universal script for success. So let’s change the story, shall we?
“The early bird gets the worm…and the night owl catches fireflies!”
“Firefly” by Kristy Fae
This is the new motto I’ve created. And if you haven’t guessed it already— I’m a night owl. Like many owly humans, I’ve spent years feeling guilty about my late night tendencies. After all, people around me and messages everywhere were constantly telling me that early rising was chapter one in the “Book of Success”! It’s taken me a lot of years, research and trial and error, to be able to confidently say, “I beg to differ!”
I say, if it works to go to bed early and wake up early? GREAT! If it works better to go to bed late and wake up late? ALSO GREAT! If some other schedule works best? AMAZING! Do that. Let’s not follow our neighbour’s prescription— it wasn’t written for us! Let’s keep in mind that different people have different internal clocks. For example, neurodivergent individuals tend to have circadian rhythms that signal us to sleep at least 2 hours later than neurotypical people.* We really cannot assume that what works for one, works for all. So let’s all stop it with the judgement (of self and of others) and just allow the wisdom of our own brains, bodies and intricacies to guide our narrative as best we can, shall we?
And that’s just on the subject of sleep! We could call in infinite other topics here to illustrate the point, such as what kind of exercise, food or career choices are the most successful. Or which magic pills solve their indicated issues fastest. The best travel spot? The greatest Spiritual practice? We’d be arguing until the end of time. The point is, there is no rule book to achieving success. There is just what we know and decide is best for ourselves. And even that can change continuously!
So back to the New Year’s Resolutions. First off, I challenge us all to think about our Resolutions in a new light. Perhaps starting with some new and gentler phrasing for our goals, like “this year’s intentions” or “things that would bring me joy in 2024”.
Secondly, I suggest that our goals are based more on what we want to feel or experience, such as creativity or flow or newness or love or vibrancy or peace. This may look very different from previous year’s lists that featured very specific and finite goals. Now I’m not saying that specific goals or SMART goals are not valuable or don’t have their place. But maybe this set of intentions, which is meant to guide us for the entire year, allows for a bit more…intuitiveness. Maybe we don’t know the details of what will produce those desired feelings yet, and that’s ok, because we are us in the NOW, and not us in a week, a month or a year from now. If we make an outline so detailed that it blinds us from any new and interesting subplots that may arise along the journey, how will we know that we are being true to ourselves each and every day? We are constantly evolving based on our experiences, shifting values, new knowledge etc. Let’s allow our dreams to shift with us.
Ok. Thirdly. To be contradictory, I am going to set the one and only “rule” for this year’s intentions: it is to make our lists from our unique, authentic needs and desires. That is, from the truth of our heart, our inner wisdom, our honest knowing. Let’s not allow anyone to dictate what our methods, yearnings or dreams “should be”. Let’s tune in to what truly nourishes US!
To Recap:
1- Find a new title for your “New Year’s Resolutions”
2- Make your goals based on what you want to feel or experience this year, not necessarily listing finite goals.
3- Make sure each item on the list is based on your authentic needs and desires!
4- Bonus step: share your list in the comments below and on social media with #artofnonsenseintentions
If thinking about our goals in this way is hard imagine, as we fight against those pesky “shoulds and societal pressures”, we can start tapping into our inner voice in smaller ways. For example, making one small decision today based on a desire or need. Like saying no to someone asking for a favour when we need rest. Or buying that chocolate chip muffin for breakfast just because we want it. Perhaps it’s putting aside a non-urgent task to spend time in nature. If it still feels too big, we can start smaller: parting our hair on the opposite side to challenge our automatic responses, taking a different route when we head out, or wearing two differently coloured socks just for fun! The task is to feel in to what we are really craving, authentically, instead of following the engrained paths we’ve learned to follow.
After some practise, we can start making bigger changes. Perhaps asking that cool person we bump into every once in a while to hangout next time we see them. Or registering for a course simply for our personal interest and pleasure. Maybe digging into a new art medium or project that’s been calling for attention! Let’s start living more authentically, each day, as our unique SELVES. The more we do it, the more naturally it comes, and then the more of it we want. Mmm nothing like that good yummy self-nourishment!
Like the “early bird” saying that many of us have been reciting for years, it’s time to write our own stories. And I’m not just talking about early birds and night owls, there’s everything in between from swans to ducks to woodpeckers to hummingbirds to flamingos…and on and on!
And to each of you unique and wondrous creatures, please know, in your heart of hearts, that no matter what kind of bird you are— there is magic waiting for you…
Happy intention setting— don’t forget to share your list below and hashtag it on social media #artofnonsenseintentions
* For more information on circadian rhythm differences and delayed sleep phase syndrome in neurodivergent individuals, see ADDitude Magazine’s Article.
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!
Sometimes there’s rhyme but no reason…here’s a bit of fun for you this Monster Monday in honour of Art of Nonsense’s favourite upcoming celebration— Halloween!
“The Choc-o-lot Sneak” By Kristy Fae
The Choc-o-lot Sneak, Such a sneaker of treats, Is a marvellous master— A sneak who sneaks sweets!
He sniffs out the goods, A most terrible feat, And when candy’s around, Well, he won’t miss a beat!
He snatches the loot With his three massive beaks, Then he stashes the stuff In his gigantic cheeks!
Yes, caramel and fudge Are the eats that he seeks And it’s Halloween Night That his food-snatching peaks!
So hide all your bars, All your lollies and gummies— But the only safe spot, Is inside your tummies!
“The Choc-o-lot Sneak” by Kristy Fae
We hope you’re having fun getting your costumes and candies and jack-o-lanterns ready this October. Just beware that mighty Sneak, as we heard him sniffing around here in the chocolate cupboard already 😉 If you’re celebrating Hallow’s Eve this year, tell us how in the comments below…
Have a joyful, creative and safe Halloween season everyone!
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 Instagramso 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!
Well, this coming week is officially calling in the start of Autumn!
Hurray, Huzzah, Hoorah!
Yes, I’m a big fan of Fall. I’m not sure if it’s the falling leaves, the oh-so-fresh hoodie-worthy weather, the ingrained feeling of “back to school” season, or the excitement of Halloween creeping in (okay, it’s all of the above)… but Fall always has me feeling crafty, creative, and motivated to get organized and productive!
The closets have been cleaned out, the desks have been rearranged, the year’s goals have been fine-tuned and, of course, the monsters have been awakened!
In honour of our favourite monsterly season, we’ve finally got our latest Beanbag Buds and Monster Hand-Puppets up for adoption at the Art of Nonsense Shop! Our boisterous little Beanbag critters are the perfect pals to clip onto your knapsack, carry in your pockets, or toss around with your friends. They’re fun fidget toys for all of us sensory-oriented creatures, and of course, they’re cute as buttons! Handmade in Victoria British Columbia, we’re currently shipping within Canada. Drop us an email if you have any questions or custom ideas: kristy@artofnonsense.com
So while the monsters are having fun “Fall-ing” into line… what are your season’s goals? Is there a project you’ve been meaning to get started on? A junk drawer that needs excavating? Or perhaps a routine that needs polishing to bring some freshness into your step? Whatever it is, we hope you’re able to start dropping into your creative energy this week. Perhaps now is the time to take that first small step towards a goal that you’d maybe hung up during the hot and sunny months?
Wishing you a wickedly awesome Autumnal Equinox from all of us monsters here at Art of Nonsense!
Play. Create. Discover… don’t forget to subscribe to keep up with our biweekly blogs and follow us @artofnonsense on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. And of course, visit the Art of Nonsense Shop for adoptable monsters!
We all get a little bedraggled sometimes… a bit “burnt out” so to speak. Oh yes, burnout is a real thing. Let the Bedraggled Dragon be a reminder for us to take time out of our busy lives for rest, relaxation, and self-care BEFORE our fire is reduced to charcoal! Consider how a campfire needs tending to in order to provide the perfect roasting environment for our campfire treats. Our bodies are no different, they need the tending!
Whether it’s a nap or a spa day, making time for play or a walk in nature, or spending an hour curled up with a good book or your beloved journal— it’s all productive and important. And it will come back to us tenfold. Let’s make sure we plug our ears when we hear messages that we need to be working, giving, and slogging away every minute of our day to be worthy. Wrong! Monsters, animals, and hoomans all need and deserve time for joy and recuperation. I bet you can guess what your homework is this week 😉
Fun Fact: You are Worthy! Just a quick drop-in this Monday to remind you of this fact. Just being you makes this true. And the gifts and passions that you like to share with the world deserve appreciation, recognition, or renumeration! So many entrepreneurs and artists undervalue themselves and thus undercharge for their products and services, believing it’s the only way to lead career in what they do. In fact, quite the opposite is true: the more you know your value, and show your value, the more value others see in your work. Take the Faxolotl as an example! She knows her worth and isn’t afraid to show it…
“The Faxolotl” Poem & Illustration By Kristy Fae
If you’re looking for homework this week, try writing down 3-5 facts about yourself that help you recognize your inherent worth… or ask some of your loved ones to give you a few facts about you that they love!
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!
Play. Create. Discover... 