What if you fly? An Interview with Erin Hanson

February 23, 2015October 11, 20186 Comments

Last week, a long time Instagram friend, Stephanie Matthew, asked me if I could help her promote a project. She told me about how she had recently read an article about self-esteem in girls, stating that self-esteem peaks at nine years of age and only goes down from there. Stephanie’s thoughts went immediately to her seven year old daughter, who only two hours earlier had been dancing in the driveway with no self-consciousness whatsoever and earlier that same day had worn her plastic princess shoes to the store without a moment’s hesitation. Whether or not the article’s conclusion was perfectly accurate or applicable to all children, Stephanie knew she wanted to do something for her daughters, but also more broadly to help other children and to raise awareness around this issue.

Thinking back on a recent occasions when a few perfect words – “We can do hard things” — had been the motivation her daughters needed to stick with something challenging, like learning to tie shoes, the popular phrase “What if I fall? Oh but my darling, what if you fly?” came to mind. She pictured the words as a dialogue between parent and child. But she also knew these words would suit a nursery room as much as a boardroom wall – they felt universally relevant. Stephanie decided to design a print to hang up for her girls, but she wanted every child to have these motivational words hanging in their home, so she talked to her friend Rebecca who runs Children Inspire Design.

If you haven’t heard of Children Inspire Design you should check them out. They are an online art shop that produces modern, eco-friendly and culturally diverse wall art, inspired by children. Rebecca believes in the importance of global responsibility and in cultivating a love for art and the world’s many cultures, which is why her shop always pairs art with giving. Throughout history art has been a strong and important force for social change, so while the prints Rebecca sells help teach children about important issues, such as caring for the earth, the sales help support women and children around the world by sharing the proceeds with a variety of charities.

While working on the design for the print, Stephanie’s research led her to finding out who had written those 12 profound words. Erin Hanson, is a 19 year old Australian poet, who wrote those now famous words, as part of a longer poem, when she was just 18. Impressed and intrigued by the fact that the words had been written by such a young mind, I sought out contact with Erin and asked her a few questions. Here’s my interview with Erin Hanson:

What do the words mean to you?

They mean a lot, as I’m the kind of person who can quite often back away from the things that I want purely because I’m scared of trying really hard for something and then not reaching it. They’re as much of a personal reminder for me as they are for the other people who read them.

When did you start writing poetry?

I started writing silly little poems when I was around 11, but I didn’t take it seriously until I started my blog in 2011.

What are you inspired by?

Everything! If I had to pick something in particular it would be nature, or more specifically how if you watch it for long enough you realise that its patterns can be related almost directly to the patterns and emotions etc. that exist within a human being.

What motivates you to share your art?

Everyone who’s ever told me that it’s helped them in some way. I know how much words can help people, so if mine have the opportunity to then I’m happy.

Stephanie and Rebecca have partnered to offer a print of Erin’s motivational words. The print is only available for purchase until February 25, 2015. All of the proceeds will go to Free2Luv, an anti-bullying organization dedicated to empowering youth, celebrating individuality and spreading kindness. The limited edition 11×14 print is available for purchase here, and as a thank you Children Inspire Design will include a free 5×7 print with your purchase. The prints are made with eco materials and inks, and the packaging is biodegradable. Check marks all around!

With this project Stephanie hopes to remind her girls and the rest of us that life is magical and that we should always think big – what if you fly? I think most of us have witnessed the social media community come together around crises and social issues, and I hope Stephanie’s project will be another beautiful instance of community engagement and support.

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Inspiring Mother Carina: @carinamarienilsson

February 16, 20157 Comments

When I started posting more about minimalism last summer, sharing my interest in paring down my possessions and responsibilities, Carina was one of the first people to speak up and encourage me. Living in Vancouver, a very densely built Canadian city, with what most would consider to be astronomical housing prices, can be the instigation one needs to adopt a minimalist lifestyle. If you love your city, you love where you live, then you arrange your lifestyle to make it work, and if that means four people live in a one bedroom apartment, so that you live steps from the ocean and in a vibrant community, then you don’t think twice about the two-car garage in suburbia with a front and back yard that you could have for the same price, or probably less. And if, on the other hand, suburbia is the vibrant community that makes you feel alive and inspired then that’s the right place for you. I’m not sure if the reasons I’ve read into Carina’s choice to live in Vancouver are accurate, but my intuition tells me I’m not far off.

I can’t remember when I first came to know Carina. I know it wasn’t that long ago, but at the same time I feel like I’ve known her forever. She’s one of those people who has the rare gift of making you feel like an old friend, finding a genuine way of connecting with people, even through the ether of cyberspace. Carina and I first connected through our interest in minimalism, and then we found out we shared a background in dance, a love for the arts, a strange fondness for colourful walls, and an addiction to the outdoors. In terms of her parenting, what I particularly love about Carina is her total commitment to letting her children be themselves, in fact, she celebrates their individuality and differences. What a gift she is to her children.

I hope you will enjoy hearing from Carina, herself, in my interview with her.

What part of the world do you live in?

I am very lucky to live in Vancouver, Canada – right around False Creek, which is a small inlet right in the heart of the city. Our neighbourhood is appropriately called Mount Pleasant, and it’s where we work, go to school, and meet friends. What I love most about Vancouver is the ability to get out into the wilderness in a moment. Whether you want to camp in the bush, fish a river, ride a horse, or go mountain climbing, all of that and more is at your fingertips in Vancouver.

How many children do you have and how would you describe them?

I have two children. Finn is my 8 year old daughter. You can often find her eye deep in books, or being told by her teachers that she’s a Chatty Cathy. Her favourite colour is black. Augustus is my 5 year old son. You can find him singing to himself while crouched over a book drawing, or as a blur as he tears around the apartment playing a grand adventure game he’s made up. He prefers bright floral patterns and animal prints. He is currently trying to grow his hair out long like his sister’s because he “thinks her hair looks beautiful when she runs”.

What are your core family values?

I guess our family values are best described by what my husband Cyrus and I teach Finn and Gus. Being mindful of others: so making sure that you are open, kind, and considerate. Make memories rather than desiring things. Keeping life simple: this covers everything from the toys in their room, to the daily activities we commit our time to. Most important: let the people that matter to you, know that they matter to you.

How do you spend most of your days?

Most of my days are spent getting the kids to school, myself to work, then the kids to dance/soccer/etc. In the wee hours of the morning or the dark hours of the night you can probably find me working on my illustrations (website coming soon!) or on the website I co-founded with my dear friend, Bree, Peaks & Harbours – both creative pursuits that I adore. I have regular “dates” with my girlfriends – which I wholeheartedly believe is a crucial part of maintaining that work/kids/life balance. Our weekends are usually reserved for family outdoor adventures. We love to camp, explore forests, or head to Vancouver Island – where my wonderful parents live – for fishing or surfing. Really just any adventure that we can get our hands on is what energizes our little family.

What are you passionate about?

I am super passionate about being connected to a supportive community. With the website that I run with my dear friend Bree, we focus on featuring local artists, makers, entrepreneurs, and so on – particularly we highlight women who happen to be mothers, that have taken the plunge towards making their own passions into a career that will also support their families. In my 9-5 job I work in the non-profit arts sector, so I would say that I am also passionate about the arts and exposing myself and my kids to as much of it as possible.

What inspires you?

I would have to say that my children inspire me, and have changed my life for the better in so many ways. They have made me stop and think “is this what I really need?”, and so I attribute my enthusiasm for living minimally to them, because I don’t want them to be driven by a need to acquire “things”. When I’m feeling burnt out, they motivate me to get up and go outside to recharge. They have encouraged me to think deeply about what is important to me, so that I can pass those values and traditions on to them. That being said, they don’t have to love art, or play an instrument, or embrace Swedish/Italian culture, but I do want them to know that if there’s something that you adore and are passionate about, then you should embrace it – even if it doesn’t work out, you can always change your path, and things might work out even better than you expected.

Thank you Carina for sharing your wisdom and photography with us. Readers: You can find Carina on Instagram @carinamarienilsson and on her superb blog Peaks and Harbours. Please visit her and say hello, you won’t regret it.

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Inspiring Mother Dana Luna: @danaluna___

February 12, 20155 Comments

Everyone that I follow on Instagram inspires me in some way. Some people it’s their unique aesthetic. Some it’s their witty captions. Many more are mothers and parents busy at a day job, pursuing creative projects in the evenings and all the while being present and connected with their family and friends. (I’m convinced these people don’t sleep). And then, there are some who seem to do simple and slow with total grace and commitment. There is something (well, many things) to be said for doing simple well. For doing it fully. Or rather, not “doing it” but practicing and living it.

Dana is one of those people who embodies simplicity in the most extraordinary way. Making the ordinary extraordinary. Known as @danaluna___ on Instagram, Dana shares her simple, beautiful life in Chile. Her gallery is a feast for the eyes with exquisite gold, blue and green tones captured in images of her children and the beautiful landscape around their home. Her gallery is also a feast for the mind through her eloquent and humble way of sharing the joys of simple human connection.

I hope you will enjoy reading my interview with her.

What part of the world do you live in?

We live in Tierras Blancas (white lands), a rural area in Chile’s fifth region. Our home is pretty isolated and surrounded by a native forest where many birds live and sing. We are twenty minutes away from the Ocean and two hours away from Chile’s capital, Santiago. We have become a family here, in this Home built by us with so much Love, and our youngest was born right here (our first was also born at home, when we still lived in the city).

How many children do you have and how would you describe them?

We are a family of four. Our oldest son, Balthazar Mundzuk, is almost four years old. He is a very gentle and sensitive soul. He loves climbing trees, books, and music. He is very theatrical in his playing, into his imaginary worlds and friends. He likes to freestyle play the guitar and sing, often with awesome lyrics. He loves his little sister, Alba Fauna Cassiopeia, infinitely. Together they create and enjoy every day. Little Opia is two years old. She is fearless and strong, and a very fast learner. She can be competitive and stubborn, but she is a sweet sweet little magical soul. She Loves babies over anything. If there is a baby around, no matter where we are, her attention will no doubt be on her, she simply thinks babies are the best. She also sings beautifully and Loves to paint.

What are your core family values?

We believe this life is magic and are very grateful for it. We want to be always growing and gaining knowledge, as individuals and as a family. When we feel stuck in life, we want to always go into our Hearts. Here is a quote that has identified us when we have lived difficulties in our life as a family: “The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.” [Marcel Proust]

How do you spend most of your days?

Most of our days are spent at home. My husband is an artist and works from home and the children don’t go to preschool. I usually spend most of our days outside with the children, where they can play and learn guided by beautiful Mother Earth. While they play I usually take pictures and knit, and also sing songs with the children or talk to them about the things we see, flowers, birds, horses and trees.

What is your favourite thing to do as a family?

We love to cook delicious meals together and sitting around the table to enjoy them. We love to play very loud music and dance together. We love going out for walks and to play hiding under the bed covers.

What are you passionate about?

I’m passionate about life! I believe in the importance of birth and breastfeeding, and love to help other women when the opportunity comes. I’m passionate about the beauty of nature, she simply astounds me constantly. I love singing and I am in love with natural fibres, knitting and sewing.

What inspires you?

My children are my biggest inspiration, simply because the Love I feel for them has no limits, and becoming a Mother has transformed me completely, and continues to transform me every day, and make me grow into a more honest, more real, stronger and more generous human being.

Thank you Dana for sharing your wise words and gorgeous images. Readers: please visit Dana on Instagram. Thanks for stopping by and reading.

Drawing a Day

February 10, 2015April 1, 201719 Comments

On the first day of summer vacation I gave Ro and Sen each a fresh new sketchbook, a small soft covered one that was easily portable so they could take them around town to parks and on our daily adventures. Ever since I can remember an empty sketchbook was a thing of delight to me, offering endless possibilities of how it would be filled, how it would become “my” sketchbook. I was happy to see that both Ro and Sen were excited at the prospect of empty pages waiting to become records of their creativity.

Drawing a day project

I am definitely a parent who believes wholeheartedly in the benefits of unstructured play and days without plans aside from walking out the front door. At the same time, I recognize that children can crave structure and that summer time is a chance to develop those skills in your children that may not be cultivated at school. So, in the interest of creating a beautiful record of our days and in helping the children see how practicing something daily could be very rewarding, I set the children the task of doing one drawing a day over the summer.

The task was fairly open ended: draw anything. Draw something you see at the park, draw something from your imagination. Just draw.

Sen, being just a young 3 years at the time, had never had his own desire to draw, as Ro did at the same age. But, Sen does love a good challenge, so he happily set to drawing whatever happened to come to mind: a tractor or the popsicle he had just eaten. As the summer went on, he had days where he just wanted to scratch some colour on the page and have it done with so he could run and jump in the pool. And other days (when the pool wasn’t there to jump in) I could see him scanning his surroundings looking for inspiration. Tip: if you want your children to do something they may not be naturally inclined to do, make sure it’s more interesting than other options available to them, like a pool.

Sen’s drawing of a popsicle – most days Sen would carefully draw something, taking his time to thoughtfully shape his drawing, and then once the shape was done he would (un)ceremoniously colour it in, leaving it looking like a scribble, as you see here.

My favourite drawing of Sen’s was from a day we sat at a pond in our neighbourhood and Sen excitedly knew exactly what he wanted to draw. It may not seem remarkable, perhaps, but it was remarkable to me. And it was for him, because he didn’t need anyone to feed him ideas, he had his own. He couldn’t wait to sit down with his pencil and put his idea on paper. “No looking until it’s done, Mama!” But…I may have snuck a little peek. And what I saw were long green lines. Ah, yes, I thought, he’s inspired by the park, by the beautiful grass. A moment of self-approval washed over me for being that parent who inspires their child to draw the beauty of nature. “It’s done, Mama, you can look.” “Wow, Sen, that is beautiful grass. Good for you.” “No, Mama, it’s very long green hair!”

Ro, on the other hand, loves to draw. This past summer she was very interested in learning to draw from photos. Being intrigued by the curious Instagram app (that her mom paid a little too much attention to…), she asked if she could look through the photos there for inspiration on the days that we were doing drawings at home. As she scrolled through my Instagram feed, she began to understand why I was so drawn to it, with all the inspiration and creativity found in little 3X3 squares.

She ended up doing a few drawings over the summer that were inspired by photographs she saw on Instagram. I found it really interesting that she naturally chose photos from artists. A drawing I particularly liked was a fern study inspired by a photograph by artist Kajsa Wallin who goes by @kawaspics on Instagram. For this drawing, she had to really slow down and focus on the small differences between the leaves from different varieties of ferns.

On another day she drew dream catchers inspired by artist Faith Evans-Sills, who you can find as @faithevanssills on Instagram.

It might seem that way sometimes, but Instagram isn’t the only source of inspiration (note: read in sarcastic tone of voice). Something I try to do often is talk with Ro about inspiring historical figures like artists, peacemakers, politicians, and environmentalists. But just as important is talking with her about how we are all capable of great things and of inspiring others to action. One of these everyday people is Paulie Eaborn who is the creator of the Pray4Trax necklace. After hearing about the necklaces, I wanted share the story with Ro. These handmade, child safe necklaces are sold to raise money to support a boy named Trax, who is living with cystic fibrosis. Paulie and her son Tysi, have never met Trax or his mom Kassi, but they knew they wanted to help. What started as a small project selling necklaces to raise funds for Trax’s treatment, turned into a wave of support for Trax and awareness of the disease. And perhaps, most importantly, reminded us how one small action can have a huge impact. Tysi and Trax’s story really moved Ro, and she wanted to see the necklaces right away so she could draw them.

With my thoughts already, and always, drifting toward summer vacation, I am looking forward to renewing this activity while off with the children. Ro’s drawing technique has really evolved over the last few months, and Sen has finally found his own organic interest in drawing (mostly robots and ninjas, in case you were curious). I can hardly wait to see how they will fill their notebooks this summer, recording our days through the simple ritual of pencil to paper. Whether the rewards of last summer’s practice were felt by Ro and Sen, I’m not sure, I think that realization will take longer to come. And so, another summer of drawing it is!

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Inspiring Mother Bree: @breegalbraith

January 29, 20156 Comments

It is not uncommon for me to read, particularly on social media, that mothers feel like they don’t measure up to other mothers. This disheartens me. It can be tough for some people seeing what appears to be perfect lives, perfect homes, perfect parenting and then, looking at themselves, they may feel they have fallen short. With my blog and my inspiring mothers series I don’t want to put myself or anyone up on a pedestal. Most of us mothers and parents are doing our absolute best, and our best is just what our children need. By sharing my own stories and the stories of other ordinary mothers I seek to show that we are all special, we can inspire each other in the simplest ways, and that we are already the mothers our children need. We don’t need perfect houses and all the latest toys and craft supplies, we just need to be present and connect with our children. My inspiring mothers are everyday mothers, like you, like me.

Today I would like you to meet Bree, who I follow on Instagram as @breegalbraith, and who I have gotten to know through her site Peaks and Harbours. You may have heard me mention her excellent blog, which is all about “kid-friendly art and design experiences, delicious diversions and mom-reviving outdoor adventures.” Yes, some days I feel like Bree is my western Canadian doppleganger. Bree’s way of life and parenting really epitomizes her love of connecting with people and place. She’s tops in my books, and I hope you’ll love her too.

What part of the world do you live in?

We live in Vancouver, BC [British Columbia, Canada]. More specifically, we are lucky to live in the False Creek Neighbourhood. If you are familiar with Vancouver – we are smack dab in between the Olympic Village and Granville Island. If that wasn’t enough we are steps away from the Seawall, and can hop on a bike and get to Stanley Park in under half an hour all along the side of the ocean and past vibrant neighbourhoods and shops.

How many children do you have and how would you describe them?

I have 2 boys, aged 7 and 9. My 7-year old, Oakland, is an old-soul looking for new experiences. He’s the kind of dude who needs to break a glass to understand it’s fragile, and he wears his heart on his sleeve. Big softy. Dario, my oldest is a protector and is one serious little man. I always have to remind him that things are supposed to be fun! Together they are the best of buds, and at only 25 months apart, they have similar interests and often get mistaken for twins. They are my team.

What are your core family values?

Hmmmmm…. We make sure to treat others how we’d like to be treated, we don’t keep secrets from one another (because secrets cause stomach aches), we don’t judge people on anything but their attitude, and we don’t take ourselves too seriously.

How do you spend most of your days?

Personally, I split my time between writing children’s books, doing all things Peaks & Harbours, and finishing my thesis. I also have clients that I freelance (design) for, and that’s usually a nighttime job because the boys are asleep and I have the time to get to work. Most of our weekdays are spent at school (all of us, I teach at the same University I do my Master’s degree at) and weeknights are hustling between soccer practice, basketball, dance and piano. If they aren’t busy, they are not fun to be around. At night and on the weekends, there is a lot of drawing and “checking things out around Vancouver.” We like to go to museums and gardens, walk in the woods or take our dog, Raja, to the dog beach. We are outside all the time because it’s the one place we don’t get on each other’s nerves.

What is your favourite thing to do as a family?

My favourite thing to do with them is to go for a walk with no destination in mind.

What are you passionate about?

I am passionate about sharing experiences and stories and getting people excited to do things. I love writing, and I am fortunate to have found a place for my work so that it can be read around the world.

What inspires you?

I am inspired when I know that I have connected with someone and shared something that has made them smile, laugh, feel lighter, say “aha!”…. It’s always inspiring to hear feedback from something I have written and find out someone else’s interpretation of my words – especially children. There’s nothing better than doing a reading to a bunch of 6-year-olds, and then having them tell you that they are going to write a story one day too… only theirs will have cats in it, because that will make it better 😉

Bree is the author of Once Upon A Balloon, a whimsical story with gorgeous illustrations. Please visit Bree on Instagram or at her website here.

Thank you, Bree, for sharing your words, photos and way of life.

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Hippie in Disguise

slow living, minimalism and connection with nature

Tag: parenting

What if you fly? An Interview with Erin Hanson

Inspiring Mother Carina: @carinamarienilsson

Inspiring Mother Dana Luna: @danaluna___

Drawing a Day

Inspiring Mother Bree: @breegalbraith