For a moment I was considering if I should try and be somewhat professional in order to eventually use this page to promote myself as the children's book illustrator that I dream of becoming.
But then I realized I already messed it up with my first few toots so I'm just going to continue to authentically be my flaky self and hope for the best. 🤷

Happy #Mermay Coso!

My friend wanted me to tell you that she thinks you're cute...

Do you like her?

#mermaid #art #artistsofcoso

What? Me bingewatching the #Fallout series instead of a productive member of society? Why I'd never!

Felt (pun intended) like interpreting my little Alien buddy in a different medium this week.

In a little bit of a slump due mostly to overwhelm.

Still slowly crawling in the right direction though!
And not moving backwards, so that's a win!

Feeling grateful to be able to just sit and enjoy your company.

I was talking to a friend on the phone the other day about life and the things we value in it.

For me it is the small moments in daily life that are the absolute best.
Biting into a warm cinnamonroll, sketching silly things together with friends, playing a boardgame with my family or walking the dog on a sunny day.

I'm a day late again.

But as I always tell my kid: Mistakes are how we learn.

This whole alien doodle series has been a great way for me to practice consistency and letting go of my perfectionism.

Instead of thinking "I failed" I'm thinking "I'm learning." and that is great.

You are doing so many difficult things constantly, but because you think these are things you are "supposed to do" you may not appreciate all that work you've put in.

My mini mission for you today is to think of one thing that you can be proud of yourself for, and really let yourself feel it!
It can be anything from completing a big project, to doing the dishes or even just making it through another day.

Your efforts matter. You are doing great. <3

Life shifts and changes. There's no way to be ready and prepared. Just remember that you have been able to get back up before.

Don't waste your energy trying to stop the wave, focus instead on resisting the force trying to take you down.

Make sure you are still here after it's passed.

We all know that physical exercise is good for us, but it can be hard to do if you're out of practise.

So I want to recommend the bare minimum again!
Really, just doing some corny dance moves in the comfort in your own home is an achievement.
Use what you have and work WITH the body you have.
What kind of movement do you enjoy? What kind of movement do you have access to? The smaller the goal the better, it might give you the boost of endorfins needed to continue doing it on a regular basis.

Forgot to post yesterday!

It's okay though, I am still moving forward and doing a pretty fantastic job at continuing to exist!

#youareenough

It's easy to get home blind.
This week, try to see your hometown with the eyes of a tourist ( maybe even from outer space ) and #discover interesting things you may have been overlooking.
Maybe visit a museum? Go to the beach and have a picnic?
Look for what you like in your surroundings and really open yourself to appreciating it and noticing things about it.
#Explore a different path than the one you usually take ( of course, within safe ) and see where it takes you.

#decluttering feels sooo good!
Especially when you know that poor forgotten item that's been sitting in a box for years is getting to be used and appreciated again by someone else.
Either as a #gift or through #donation

Plus the extra benefit of freeing up space in your home for things you actually use and enjoy.

Every time I find something I can let go of and proceed to do so, I get a huge #dopamineboost

Try it! You might be surprised by how fun it is!

If you aren't loving yourself right now,
please remember that it's okay not to;
It doesn't mean you are unworthy or undeserving of love.
You always have been and always will be.

So, even if you can't see it or feel it, you are LOVED.
Maybe even by a future version of yourself waiting for you to find them. ♥️

#selflove
#nevergiveup #itgetsbetter

I often feel like I have to wait for circumstances to be just right before I can begin a task.

Waiting for my skill level to be where I want it to be or waiting for a time without other responsibilities to distract...

The time will never come, because the goalposts keep moving.

Get started! Do it imperfectly! Heck, do it badly even!
You'll still learn from it and you will move forward

#dontgetstuck

I am always in some degree of #overwhelm be it #parenting, producing #art, maintaining relationships or simply just remembering all the aspects of appearing like a somewhat functioning #human.

If you relate, I hope these little #alien drawings I make remind you that you are not alone in feeling like everyday life is comparable to facing a multi tentacled monster.

Never forget that you've made it this far!
You can survive this and there will be moments of less intensity coming up. #keepgoing ❤️

https://www.patreon.com/posts/99115391