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What is an "Outcast," Anyway?

9/24/2019

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You may have noticed my tagline is “art and spiritual services for the outcast.” Which sounds great, right? But also there’s a little wtf up in there. So let’s talk about outcasts and why I’m doing this whole Wandering Jotun thing in the first place.

First off, what do I mean by “outcast,” anyway?

“Outcast” came from trying to figure out a good term to encompass marginalized people and communities that didn’t sound so...clinical. I ran through a lot of different terms, but settled on “outcast” because:

  • I’ve felt like an outcast most of my life and I know a lot of people who feel the same
  • It reminds me of Robin Hood for some reason 
  • Outcasts are historically different and strange and unwanted--things a lot of us experience when we don’t fit “the norm” of white, cis, straight, neurotypical, etc.
  • I have a weird thing for spinning connotations and trying to reclaim words to empower people 
So, basically, an Outcast here at Wandering Jotun is anyone who doesn’t fit in, who struggles with societal pressures and oppression, and/or who deals with bigotry and microaggressions regularly.

Think GLBTQ people (especially the trans and genderfluid folks), pagans who don’t buy into the New Age stuff or have a pop culture-based practice, people of color, etc. Plus, you know, nerds. Because I’ve found a lot of Outcasts are also major nerds.
The Kickass Outcast logo: a yellow lightning bolt with a blue and purple ribbon and a little purple crown

So, wtf is this?

Wandering Jotun Crafts is my attempt to make the world a better place. It’s a little selfish in that I want to use my creative side to support myself financially--but my ultimate goal is to make art that represents, supports, and uplifts my fellow Outcasts.

This is my attempt at cultivating and encouraging community and support between marginalized people, and to remind you that you’re not alone. Because, when it comes down to it, we have to have each others’ backs. Especially in a world that’s increasingly fixated on trying to ensure conformity.

Take a breath and join me, fellow Outcast. We’re gonna make our corner of the world pretty again. 

- Nonir
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Not an Imposter

9/24/2018

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A person with red lipstick biting their lipLip-biting is pretty common over here right now.
Been a while since I've blogged, due to a lovely soup of exhaustion, busyness, and anxiety. I'm not going to apologize for that, but I am going to take a look at some of it. Because reasons.

I have two major projects in the works for this business right now:
  • An e-course on spirit work
  • A planner designed for us outcasts/spoonies/neuro-atypical folks

I'm super excited about both of them (and I'm planning on making them both digital, so no one has to pay exorbitant shipping), but every time I open the files to work on them I get hit with huge waves of anxiety and imposter syndrome. Who am I to instruct people on how to create healthy, fulfilling relationships with non-corporeal beings? I can barely keep my own life together, why do I think I'm qualified to design something to help others be more organized?

The short, honest answer is that it's my anxiety that doesn't think I am.

Just keep swimming. Wait.
I have over a decade of working with non-corporeal entities under my belt. I've read other peoples' accounts and had lengthy discussions with other spirit workers. I've searched for resources that aren't culturally appropriative or homo/transphobic and don't just gloss over the issues inherent in dealing with spirits (and found none, btw).

I've struggled with anxiety and depression and the overwhelm that comes with trying to look at life in chunks of big goals. I still don't really like looking at life "five years from now" or whatever because I don't know where I'll be. I need something small and easy, not huge and terrifying--and I know I can't be the only one.

Logically, I know I'm "qualified" to create these things, and that they'll likely benefit other people. It's just hard to remember.

Pretty much, imposter syndrome is a bitch and the only way to kick its butt is to keep moving forward.

Even though it's terrifying. Even though anxiety and the world at large is telling us that our work isn't important or we're not good enough. Even though it's so incredibly hard to believe in ourselves.

Imposter syndrome and anxiety lie. Big time.

- Nonir

P.S. If you have anything in particular you'd like to see in either of these offerings, please drop me a line! They're both in development and I want to make sure I'm giving you things that will actually be interesting and useful.
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    Nonir is a queer pagan nerd and writes about various things in those realms.


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