On World Building

As a practice. As a way.

I had heard the phrase world building before. I knew what it was, tossed around in terms of fantasy and science fiction books. But it took a while until I understood. Until it became a key that clicked open something inside of me that I hadn’t even realized was there, showing me pieces that were tucked away. That are still, to this breath, making themselves known.

I had been taking a branding workshop with Amy Walsh and she spoke of branding as world building. I immediately thought…I could do that. Because I could. I did. I do. I build worlds all the time. In my head. In my life. I carve out alcoves with games, dinner parties, and magical little libraries. I build worlds and invite people into them. This has been the way it’s always been for me. Before Quests. Before firefly tea parties and wish night markets. I have always built worlds.

I do it because in worlds of my making, I belong.
I fit in.
I know the rules because I have made the rules.
I understand the worlds I build because I built them.
All of that cannot be said for the rest of life.

My worlds became sanctuaries.
But also points of connection.
Where I can invite people in and feel at home, still.
The realization made me wonder what it might be like to build worlds with intention. Purpose. Outside of my own delight.

I began to imagine worlds that held what is needed.
A spark of magic.
A needed question.
A reminder of who we are, beneath is all.

So I built those worlds.
Circuses.
Bookstores.
Oceanic depths with monsters that will hold your pain in exchange for safe passage.

I got to see that within these worlds we get to engage in the real and dangerous work of play.
No longer bound by who we have had to be.
We can lay down our swords.
Our armor.
Our stories.
And become.

Sometimes, stepping out of the worlds I build is hard.
For me, at least.
Especially when the world at large is loud and it feels like I am required to cut off parts of myself just so I can fit in.

Yet.
I do not wish to live an isolated life.
One that is separate.
Distant from the connection and community I crave.
Outside of my world is the world.
I have to step out of the landscape of my creation so that I can feel a part of it all.

And sometimes.
I simply stand at my door.
If only, to beckon people close.
To call them in.
To whatever world it is I have just built.
And I wonder, how many of us do that too.

With love and fire~
Jo Anna

P.S. I made the picture, using collage elements. I forgot to sign it.