I’m a self-professed huge fan of Fiona Ferris books. Whilst I eagerly await the release of her next title this year, I want to chat about one of my favorite ideas from her 30 Chic Days series: the concept of a “muse.”
Fiona writes about her Parisian muse, an an alternate self who lives a chic and simple life in Paris. Importantly, Fiona has no plans or desire to move to Paris or copy her muse’s style/life to a “t.” And she knows that her vision of Parisian life isn’t entirely grounded in reality. That is, if she ever did wind up living in Paris, there would be benefits and drawbacks like anywhere in the world; it isn’t a utopia.
But having a muse allows her to “try things on for size” before switching up her real life. It allows her to play with ideas, be inspired by possibilities, and remain optimistic through the knowledge that there is more to life than what’s right in front of our eyes.
Ultimately, the muse is a figment of her imagination, but a welcome presence that adds spice and variety to her life and personality. And who’s to say that the imaginary world can’t be part of adults’ lives, too (as long as they acknowledge that it’s not “real” in the physical sense)?
How a Muse Can Inspire You
Imaginary play was a massive part of my childhood. My sister and I spent hours on world-building for our dolls, creating a universe for them that was mostly imaginary, and coming up with elaborate plot lines for their lives.
I don’t read adult fiction as I find it too dark, minus the occasional chick lit classic. But I loved fantasy series growing up too. The Lord of the Rings was my bible. Really, I just had my head in the clouds for most of my childhood and even into my teen years–and I liked it that way. While part of me felt guilty at the time for not spending more time on things other girls my age were into, like fashion or online games, in retrospect I feel like I really lived my childhood to the fullest.
After all, far too much of adult life is grounded in the dull realities of life like budgeting, cooking healthy dinners and washing infinite loads of baby laundry. There isn’t much free time to spend on world-building and muse-styling.
Yet I would argue that devoting even a sliver of our free time to the intangible worlds of our imaginations isn’t optional. I find my own many muses to be welcome escapes from the stresses of daily life as I wash dishes or nurse babies.
When I feel overwhelmed by the clutter and endless cleaning that accompany having small children, for example, I sit down for a cup of coffee (black, of course) with my Scandinavian muse. She helps me remember that life doesn’t need to be stressfully filled-to-bursting with stuff, and to dare to be minimalist in the face of consumer culture.
When I feel bored by the monotonous routines of suburban life, I follow my holistic homesteading mama muse into the backyard, who shows me my own little gardens as they’ll look in a few years. I’m inspired to buy flour and yeast at the store to make my own bread again for the first time in years. I might even put on a sundress and go barefoot in the summer. Just to add that rustic feel to life.
And so on. Some people might say I lack perspective by indulging in an imaginary life of sorts. I say it helps me by reminding me that life is bigger than the little daily details we tend to get caught up in and stress over. More importantly, it’s helped me maintain a sense of self well into adulthood and motherhood–it’s part of what makes me, me.
And it’s a part of what makes you, you, too. We all indulge ourselves in dreaming of our ideal selves sometimes, it’s just that some of us feel ashamed for “wasting time” or having unrealistic visions for our lives. Really though, our worlds can all be broadened by a touch of magic or imagination, shame-free.
Who’s your muse? Or perhaps you’re like me and have more than one?
xx Claire
