Today we’d like to introduce you to Mari Monroe.
Hi Mari, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I never knew what I wanted to ‘be’ when I grew up. The answer changed a lot. However, I knew that for me, there was always something very powerful about the magic of words and that I craved a life full of fulfillment and adventure. I started writing at a young age and have always loved hearing and creating stories, sharing thoughts, and navigating feelings- the space that felt the most natural to me was in sharing my lived experiences and emotions.
So, it continued, I still didn’t know what I wanted to be or do, I just knew I wanted to create. It was always a dream of mine to write a book, and deep down I knew I would accomplish that someday, but as a full-time high school English teacher, a part-time yoga teacher, and a person with way too many hobbies and side passion projects, I didn’t know when that would actually happen. But through all the busyness, I continued to write.
I began sharing my writing on social media and slowly, very slowly, more and more people began connecting with my art. Then the pandemic hit and as I spent more time at home, I thought- why not now? So, I started seriously putting together my collection of poetry and prose. Fast forward and in February 2021, I published my first book, “It Will Always Be A Cage”.
I believe that many people suffer from imposter syndrome- thinking they can’t start something or do something until they are perfect at it- but it is through the production of this first book that I finally realized that it will forever be the limitations we put on ourselves that hold us back, not the limitations we think others have somehow put on us.
My first book needed to happen to pave way for the next. It’s definitely a vulnerable place to be, sharing parts of your soul with the world, however as my book’s dedication reads, my writing not be for everyone, but it might be for someone.
That is enough.
My ultimate work will always be the adventure of making my life my masterpiece.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The hardest part of my writing journey is just admitting to myself that I am a writer. To this day, I tell people, “I like to write.” But saying, “I am a writer” is still terribly, terribly uncomfortable (ultimate imposter syndrome).
I think this stems from the perfectionist mindset that I can only call myself a writer if it becomes my only job if it is what brings in money, what supports me- and it is very far from that.
It is in conversations with other writers that I have begun to dismantle those feelings. I write every day. I am a writer. I don’t think it has to be much more complicated than that.
I also think my overly passionate and yet quite indecisive nature is a mental roadblock. I have so many dreams and wishes of what I hope to accomplish and produce in my lifetime that it is overwhelming at times.
But writing a book has been a good metaphor for life. I cannot plan my next 4 books and think that my current book will just magically get finished. It’s one at a time.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My work is both simple and a lot, for I have a lot to say about it as it is ingrained into my identity.
I am a writer- I write books, website and blog posts, social media posts, etc.
I teach high school students in Southeast San Diego.
I teach and practice yoga multiple studios around San Diego (Tyto Yoga and Trilogy Sanctuary)- as well as trying to get into creating more consistent content for Youtube Yoga.
My new podcast is in the works- The Life Letters Podcast.
To further answer these questions. I feel that I have to put myself in the shoes of my loved ones- how would they describe me and how would they describe the work I do?
I believe they would say I am a classic example of a jack of all trades and master of none. I am a little all over the place, but very driven- which is a pretty fun combination.
I have a B.S. in Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Education.
I am a teacher, a writer, a life enthusiast.
I teach high school English.
I practice and teach yoga- a lifelong yogi.
I am an author.
I am a writer.
I am an athlete.
I have recently gotten into photography.
I am a huge outdoor enthusiast.
I am a classic wanderluster.
I have been privileged enough to travel a lot in my short time on this earth.
I am a mountain girl who lives at the beach- if I could spend my days skiing and surfing, I would- can THAT be my job?
I also discover a new passion every other month.
My free-spirited nature is one of my favorite qualities about myself, sometimes to a fault.
With all of this said, I think that I am known for being someone who truly engages with life. I aim to be in awe of the world around me, I aim to connect with as many people, places, and things as I can.
I don’t know if I believe anything sets me apart from others, I just have a natural go-getter attitude and if I truly want something I usually find a way to do it.
I suppose the list above doesn’t necessarily focus in on my work- but I think that’s because I feel that the way I create my life is my ultimate work.
Yes, I teach. Yes, I write. Yes, I create.
But all of that and more is my work.
My life is my greatest masterpiece and I think my ultimate mission is to spread that message to as many people as I can.
We are not just our day jobs, we are not just our side hustles, we are not just our passions. We are all of it and so much more.
So my ultimate job is to live a life that I can be totally in love with-and although that road is bumpy as hell- it’s worth the ride.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
Oh man yes, so many. My community is just beyond.
My parents, my brothers.
I am lucky to have an incredibly close, loving, and supportive family. They have supported my crazy and erratic ideas from the start.
In addition, my closest best friends as well. They always listen to my ever-changing ideas and laugh with me, cry with me, and just about everything in between those two. I view my deepest friendships as soul mates and for that, I am so grateful.
So, my family and friends have been my biggest inspiration, cheerleaders, and advocates.
But then also other creatives. When I see other people out there chasing their dreams, that fills me up.
It lights a fire within me.
I hope that in the way I live my life, I can inspire others to do the same.
I hope that the words I write, the people I teach, and the connections I make are impactful in some positive way.
My students have also played their own role in this. How could I stand in front of them every day, teaching and guiding them to follow their passions and dreams and not also be following my own. They are the ultimate team that humbles me daily to ensure I am practicing what I preach.
Lastly, I also lost someone very close to me when I was 13.
So I think in many ways, I aim to live a passion-filled life for Mia Eriksson.
I was taught at a young age how short and fragile life is, and that has played a big role in my ‘success’.
It keeps me grounded in the ‘why not go for it?’ mentality.
Contact Info:
- Email: herlifeonmars@gmail.com
- Website: www.herlifeonmars.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mari.iden/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHiX1sDPl_Vhiu03GfAFvuw
- Other: https://www.amazon.com/Will-Always-Be-Cage/dp/0578824841/ref=sr_1_1?crid=ZXR4AHB7X9FA&keywords=it+will+always+be+a+cage&qid=1649794692&sprefix=it+will+always+be+a+cage%2Caps%2C328&sr=8-1
Image Credits
Mari Monroe
Stevie Schweighart
Laura Costa
