#04. The Monday Muse ✌️
A collection of stories, collectables, and ideas to inspire your week.
🌙 Happy Eclipse Day, Wild Ones ~
I’m “enjoying” my 12th day without electricity in 2024 so far after a major windstorm swept through Boulder and damaged power lines. With a high risk of wildfires, I pre-packed everything I’d be devastated to lose and put it in the car. I packed my late father’s heirlooms of ancestral photos and letters from the 1800s, and hand-written poetry between my husband and me. Plus, my laptop, passport, and favorite jewelry from past worldly travels. Thankfully, there were no fires but this weekend was full of reminders of how meaningful one-of-a-kind things are to me.
In a routine spring cleaning sweep of my wardrobe yesterday, I pulled out dozens of items from my mom and past travel chapters. Many things I would not wear now, but I couldn’t dare get rid of. I literally created a pile of clothes for “my future daughter(s).” Everything was vintage, one-of-a-kind, and/or came from an international trip. One dress even dates back to my first trip in Mexico when I was 12 years old. My heart swelled as I imagined telling the stories of these items to a future daughter and how meaningful they’d be over fast fashion.
Speaking of fashion, in my ongoing quest for authentic self-expression, a girlfriend of mine who owns the raddest second-hand clothing store, granted me private shopping access for two hours before they opened. In an effort to have upward of a 90% second-hand, upcycled or recycled wardrobe, this was huge (underwear can be new). As someone with past ‘fashion trauma’ and a high desire to be “fully expressed” my only shopping parameter was to follow joy. No ‘shoulds’ and no wondering what other people will think. The only ‘outside’ filter was what I’ve been learning through color theory.
As I tried on 60+ items, I tuned into my body for feedback about what truly felt good. There was a noticable difference between the “hell yes’” and “hell no’s” but the tricky one was deciphering amongst the basic things I’d normally choose, like a simple black long-sleeve. I learned that “yes” feels like a fluttering of enthusiasm, excitement, and joy in my body. It’s when a smile comes across my face naturally and I feel an almost giddy-like anticipation for wearing it out in the world. I also noticed that different parts of me wanted different looks. The quirky youthful part of me wanted bright, bold patterns. The earth mama wanted floral dresses with puffed sleeves. The seductress wanted dark, lacy and form-fitting. The adventure gal wanted comfy, breathable and practical. By bringing all of myself to the experience, I found items for my many parts and archetypes.
After ruling out fashion as a waste of time, money, and energy for many years, I’m reclaiming this part of life as a fundamental aspect of self-expression. I choose not to embody the Mark Zuckerburg approach to clothing and instead embrace a wardrobe of versatility, color, and optionality. The more I’ve come into contact with my many sides, personas and archetypes (erm, I have four planets in Gemini 🪐), the more I devote myself to their embodiment and unbridled expression. I plan to introduce you all to them in a more explicit way soon.
Lastly, in the world of #bookstuff, I was interviewed by Hassan Osman on the Writer on the Side Podcast about my 5-day journey of writing and publishing ‘Creative Dysregulation.’ We got into the nitty gritty of numbers, my non-strategic launch strategy and how the biggest gift of publishing so far has been a fundamental identity change. I recommend this episode and all of Hassan’s work for authors or those who aspire to be one someday.
What’s Inspired Me Lately
I made a Joy-Genius Matrix to figure out which activities I actually want to do and which need to be ditched, outsourced, or streamlined. Also helpful for figuring out what you can do with your life
As a personal passion project, I’m learning how to rap with ‘How to Rap For Beginners’ on Skillshare. Why? Rapping is healing for voice and expression, and exercises word recall, wit, and creativity
Kim Krans (prolific oracle deck creator and #creativegirlcrush) released her first solo music album MIRRORMIRROR and this conversation on creative rebellion with Eric Godsey on The Myths That Make Us Podcast. Spend time with her if you’d like to create without being put in a box
These people found their doppelgängers in museum artwork and took selfies with them to brighten our day
Prolific creative, Rick Rubin, interviews modern mystic and one my teachers Richard Rudd about his journey in creating the Gene Keys
Rubin also made Tetragrammaton, an eccentric website for stimulating your creative ideas and making you go “huh?”
I’ve recently begun a metabolic health reset journey with Radiance who’s bringing a science-backed clinical Ayurvedic approach to the West. The result will be greater vitality, natural energy, and a well-regulated body (hence, a cleaner vessel for creativity to flow). They have a cohort starting on April 15 and a free assessment to get you started.
This quirky book and it’s hilarious backcopy 👇
Creative Tip
Never publish in the same session as writing. Give yourself at least thirty minutes between crafting and sharing to allow for integration and improvement. I always take a break after crafting my newsletters and do something non-digital. It’s inevitable that I receive ideas for enhancements and edits during this time. Then press ‘publish’ when you feel calm, grounded, and easeful.
Closing Quote
“Today, we witness the phenomenon of a solar eclipse as the moon moves between the Earth and the sun. For many of us, it will appear as if the moon takes a bite out of the sun, while others may experience a total solar eclipse, shrouding the day in darkness. A solar eclipse creates an unfavorable time for sowing seeds and cultivating the soil, as the intricate rhythm of the cosmos today brings a beautiful interruption—a spectacle to be marveled at, reinforcing our connection to the cosmic in our deeply earthly lives.” - Tetragrammaton