the awaited thaw : your permission to rebel, with whimsy
Often when I step outside, this is how I see the world, and this is how I imagine myself in it, and that’s what I wanted to not just capture here but also embody. I know every day doesn’t look this dreamy, I don’t normally go outside in a knitted sweater and snuggle old hornets nests in a an ice storm, but do you know what the beauty of Art is? I did. I did go outside in a knitted sweater and snuggle a frozen hornets nest in an ice storm.
Art helps me live the life I want to live. It gives me an excuse, the permission, the freedom to have these moments. This little series is my way of being in a fairytale, bringing some whimsy to my every day life, no matter how impractical, no matter how unnecessary.
You can do this too. You don’t have to take photos of yourself or post it to the world in order to go outside on a snowy day and explore the little overlooked wonders of the world. You don’t need an excuse to live a life full of wonder, whatever that make look like for you. Nor do I.
What I love about creating moments like this is if anyone were to ever ask why, my answer will forever and always be- because I was called to do it and it makes me happy. We don’t have to explain any more than that. We don’t have to have a reason any grander than- it felt right and it makes me happy. That’s the energy I’m bringing in to this New Year, this new season. I invite you to do the same.
The poem came after. I spent time looking at the images and seeing what feelings and what story they evoked. When photographing myself I thought I was capturing a tale of quiet, still moments in the forest, like a freezing in time. But, per usual, my brain took it to someplace a bit darker. I think it’s because I love the turn around, an underdog, someone finding their way, a light in the dark. I’ve been writing like this most of my life.
I realize how telling that is.
But every time I go outside and live in the moment, every time I create something that didn’t exist before, every time I release something trapped inside of me- every time I’m living more authentically, more in alignment with how I wish to be. I’m finding my way, I’m following that light, I’m tuning things around.
If this is relatable to you, or you’re being pulled to do the same thing (live more authentically), don’t think you’re alone. Unfortunately we all know far too many people, including ourselves, who live out of alignment every day to make ends meet, to make others happy, to avoid discomfort, to stay safe. Then I remember, that going out into my own backyard during an ice storm and hugging a hornets nest is an act of rebellion and the start of turning things around simply because it doesn’t make sense to most of society, and I did it anyways.
It is those tiny acts that prove to ourselves even in the smallest of ways that we can be trusted with our choices and our lives and our happiness. If you have ever lived in a low level state of fear and found yourself frozen, not acting on your dreams, not trusting yourself, sacrificing your happiness for the sake of others or the rules of “reality”- my wish to you, and to myself, this year is that we take this moment to reflect on that and await the thaw.
Do not break. And before you know it those warm winds will blow in and you’ll find yourself bending all kinds of rules that stand in the way of you and your happiness.
What will be your act of rebellion be this year? Leave a comment below and share it with me and others! Saying it out loud might just be the first act. Allow it to be as simplistic or as whimsical as it needs to be, whatever helps you actually do it and feel free in light of it.
If you enjoy a splash of whimsy and motivation delivered to your inbox once a month (maybe more) be sure to join my newsletter where I send thoughtful letters sharing
mindset shifts that help you see yourself and the world differently
gentle encouragement to dream big without sacrificing yourself or your peace
art projects I’m currently working on
and, occasionally, offerings I think you’ll truly enjoy (like my Lunar Guide!)