46. Color Outside the Lines: Why It's Okay to Break Some Rules
In a world where mothers are constantly expected to color inside the lines, following rules, routines, and expectations, Monica Virga Alborno invites a different kind of conversation on The WandHERwild Podcast. In her deeply personal solo episode, Monica reflects on why coloring outside the lines, both literally and metaphorically, has been a source of healing, creativity, and authenticity in her life.
This episode isn’t about being rebellious for the sake of it. It’s about reclaiming your voice, your rhythm, and your creative spark, and modeling to your children that fulfillment doesn’t come from perfection. It comes from allowing ourselves to be fully human.
Childhood Conditioning and the Creativity Wound
Monica opens with a vivid story of her early childhood art class. Like many, she once sat in a room where creativity was measured against replication. The teacher expected precise imitation, and Monica’s work, which didn’t match the original, was met with criticism. The result?
“I never really pursued art again after that. I just started referring to myself as, 'I’m just not a good artist.'"
That story, though seemingly simple, planted a belief that would shape her relationship with creativity for decades. It mirrors a pattern many mothers experience, a disconnection from their creative selves due to judgment, comparison, or the burden of doing it "right."
But as Monica reflects, creativity doesn't have to look like what someone else expects. It can be abstract. It can be messy. It can be a way of expressing emotion, not impressing others.
Rediscovering Creativity After Motherhood
Years later, postpartum and seeking clarity, Monica sat across from an intuitive guide who asked a simple question: "How are you creative right now?" That question hit hard.
At the time, Monica was working in engineering management, a field with plenty of problem-solving but little space for unstructured, soulful creativity. That moment marked the beginning of a creative reawakening.
She began journaling. Ideas began to float in. She gave herself permission to explore and imagine without a clear endgame. That’s when Wanderwild Family Retreats was born, an idea that was once scribbles in a notebook but has since grown into something impactful and deeply fulfilling.
“I let creativity open up inside of me and saw what could bloom. And it was so fulfilling.”
Creativity as the Currency of the Future
As Monica notes, we’re entering an era where AI and automation are reshaping our world. In that shift, human creativity becomes not just a luxury but a necessity.
“Conformity kills creativity. And creativity is going to be an important currency in the future.”
Monica challenges the idea that creativity is only for artists or hobbyists. In a world of increasing conformity, especially through AI-generated content, those who think outside the box will be the ones shaping the future. Creativity is no longer a side note—it’s center stage.
For mothers raising children in this new landscape, the message is clear: it’s not just okay to model creative thinking and rule-breaking. It’s essential.
“What I'm doing right now is showing my kids that coloring outside of the lines is okay. It's safe and it feels good.”
Why Breaking the Rules Is Healing
So what does it actually look like to color outside the lines in motherhood?
For Monica, it means:
Choosing to create instead of consume
Trusting intuitive nudges over rigid routines
Carving time for self-expression, even when it feels indulgent
Saying no to the things that don’t light you up
Letting your kids see you in process—not perfect
When we let go of the pressure to be polished or predictable, we begin to access something deeper: presence. Joy. Connection. Not just with others, but with ourselves.
A Community for Creative Mothers
Monica also shares what’s happening inside the WandHERwild Members Space, a sanctuary for mothers ready to reclaim their creative fire. With seasonal digital magazines, coworking calls, cacao circles, and a 24/7 WhatsApp group, the space offers:
Inspiration
Structure without pressure
Connection without judgment
Rituals that ground you in who you are becoming
“It's nice to have that space to connect and explore more about what is going to fulfill you most in life.”
Picture of a woman holding a flower.
This is not about productivity for productivity’s sake. It’s about aligned creativity. It's about showing up as your whole self and realizing that your wild, your rhythm, your intuition, they all deserve space.
5 Pull Quotes to Emphasize:
“I never really pursued art again after that. I just started referring to myself as, 'I’m just not a good artist.'"
“I let creativity open up inside of me and saw what could bloom. And it was so fulfilling.”
“Conformity kills creativity. And creativity is going to be an important currency in the future.”
“What I'm doing right now is showing my kids that coloring outside of the lines is okay. It's safe and it feels good.”
“It's nice to have that space to connect and explore more about what is going to fulfill you most in life.”
Final Thoughts
This episode is a gentle, powerful invitation for mothers everywhere to pause and ask:
Where am I still coloring inside the lines?
What parts of me are craving more creative freedom?
What stories about creativity (or worthiness) do I need to rewrite?
Breaking the rules doesn’t mean losing yourself. It means finally coming home.
Whether you’re a mother in the thick of early childhood or a seasoned parent feeling the nudge to reinvent, this conversation reminds us that the most impactful thing we can do is model bold, authentic, imperfect living.
Because creativity is not a luxury. It's legacy.
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