A Shoeless and Happy Home

I’ve been in the habit for years of taking off my shoes before entering my home. I do this mainly to help keep the floors mud and dirt free, and to help prevent other harmful substances, chemicals and bacteria that can be found on the soles of your shoe from coming inside. I am often on the floor either practicing yoga, meditating, or simply laying down to give my back a break from sitting, so having a clean floor is important to me. It also feels cozier and more relaxed, which creates a happier home! 

To invite my guests to do the same, I made a quick little drawing to put on the door…

Socks welcome. 🧦🧦

P.S. I’ll be revising this sketch to fit the door better, and will probably add some sort of laminate. I wanted one ready before maintenance arrived, so this is my quick fix!

Psst! Hey you. Want to hear a not-so-secret secret?

When things fall apart, shake it off, and keep moving. I know, it can be scary to put yourself out there again. But once you’ve taken the time you need to care for yourself and you’re ready (and only you know when that is), get up and go. Because you know what I learned? UNKNOWNS tend to turn into GREAT BIG BEAUTIFUL POSSIBILITIES. So, go ahead, take that next step. Then take the one after that. Keep doing it and before you know it, you’re walking! Bring a friend along if you want. Friends help. 

Breathe…inhale in, exhale out. And remember– you got this. 

Your friend, 

Monica XOXO


New Spotify Playlist: Lightness of Being 🌤

It’s that time again, the first Friday of the month, so I’ve once again put together a new collection of songs for you. I’m naming this playlist, Lightness of Being.

I believe that within each one of us, we have a light. It’s our essence. I think, though, that sometimes that light is dimmed when we let things like fears or worries overwhelm and overtake us. We feel weighed down as if we are carrying the weight of the world on our shoulders. (Or at least an oversized backpack filled with bricks, and we aren’t training for an extreme sports adventure.) It’s in moments like these that I gravitate towards my gratitude practice, and make the effort to reconnect with my community. Doing that helps me to get back to what’s important in life, which in turn, helps me feel lighter. While it’s true that life can be hard, what is also true is that there’s plenty of joy to be had. So, let’s do our best to always remember to play, shall we? 

Happy Friday, and be well, friends. May these tunes bring you joy and– a lightness of being.

Two kids playing outside on a stone staircase and a grassy hillside.

New Music Playlist: Hello Weekend →

I have always enjoyed music so much, and often listen to tunes while I work. I hadn’t done this in a while, I’m not exactly sure why. Today while working at the public library, I decided to listen to some tunes, and it inspired me to start a new playlist. The cover art is the color version of an illustration I completed a few weeks ago. I redrew it in Procreate, and added color. 

I can hardly believe it is the Friday of the month– and the first one of the new year! Wishing you all a beautiful weekend.

Happy 2022, everyone!

To see more process pics, feel free to visit my Instagram profile here!

A Woman and a Hummingbird (Time Lapse Video)

I love hummingbirds so I was thrilled when one magically appeared in today’s automatic drawing! Here is a short video of me drawing the scene— a hummingbird with the special little friend she just made.

I hope you enjoy the time lapse video!

A Short (and sweet) Video of Today's “Morning Page” →

I cleared my mind and my desk, gathered my drawing materials, and sat down in front of a blank piece of paper to work on my Morning Pages. I often place the pen directly to paper rather than sketching in pencil first when I begin drawing, letting the pen travel where it wants, to allow the images in my subconscious to spill onto the paper. Not only is it fun to see what I’ve drawn after I’ve drawn it, but it’s also a great way to work on my perfectionism tendencies. (I can’t erase any lines!) This morning I decided to record a short video so I could share part of my process with you. I started by placing the pen directly to paper, but once an image started to take form, I did a little bit of pencil sketching to fill it out. I hope you enjoy my behind-the-scenes video!


P.S If you don’t already know about Morning Pages, check out Julie Cameron’s The Artist’s Way to get your own creative juices flowing.