We recently connected with Kristi Murphy and have shared our conversation below.
Kristi , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
I currently free-lance write for a local Michigan blog, “The Awesome Mitten”. I get to cover topics from camping with kids, to the top mountain bike trails, to the best things to do on a girls weekend away. Most of these submissions are personal to me, as I’m actively living out the topics I’m covering. I’m passionate about the place I live, the trails I hike, and how I spend my time, so it’s natural for me to share this joy with others.
A few years ago, I was asked to speak at a local gathering called “Expand”, a storytelling event that features people in our community who are looking for ways to incorporate meaning into their everyday life. I was honored to speak- honored that the curator of this event saw me as an individual seeking a deliberate way of living.
As I was writing my words out that I would later speak, I became overwhelmed with gratitude. Gratitude for my partner, who walks beside me and encourages me to be my own best self. Gratitude for where my path led me, here to Traverse City. Gratitude for the space I have to think creatively. Gratitude for joy that finds its way into my soul through silent walks in the woods and late night adventures under the moon.
We all know that life is too short, and it meant the world to me to share my story of seeking joy and meaning with others here, in my own community. I don’t have it all figured out, but if I can impact just one person to look at the world through a different lens, that is all that matters.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I’ve always enjoyed putting my thoughts on paper, whether I was journaling, making lists of things that make me happy, or working on an essay for school. Words and emotions come easily to me, and I’ve always had an interest in letting my thoughts breathe somewhere besides my own brain.
I went to school for social work, and spent my early 20’s and 30’s working various jobs in non-profits and clinics. Early in my 30’s, I had my first child, Jackson, and shortly after his birth, my husband took a job across the country. We moved from our beloved Colorado back to the Midwest, and I spent most of my 30’s raising two young children and growing our roots in Traverse City.
Writing became a way for me to mark time with my kids and husband- sort of like scrapbooking with words instead of pictures. I started reading poetry, specifically Mary Oliver & Wendall Berry, in the mornings, as a form of meditation before adventuring with my son & daughter. I am a lover of the outdoors, and began my own practice of naming tiny details of inspiration that I saw through my ordinary days, writing down what I noticed.
I don’t have a degree in writing, nor do I know the proper format of poetry. And yet, I’ve come to realize that the words in my head need to find their way to paper- just so that I can breathe. It’s a necessary action that focuses my attention on what matters.
Eventually, my friends convinced me to submit some of my writings and ideas to a local publication, and my article was accepted. From there, with this tiny boost of confidence, I began submitting more of my work to blogs and magazines- sometimes I was published, and other times rejected. A few years back, one of the blogs, “The Awesome Mitten”, asked me to become a regular writer for them, which I joyfully still do.
My craft is more than just writing- it’s noticing, naming, and collecting moments of joy that are right in front of me. It’s pushing back on the fast-paced life we are faced with, choosing instead to slow down with intentionality and gratitude.
As a free-lance writer, I bring this approach and perspective to all the projects I’m a part of. I have a unique lens in which I view the world- that normal life is the magic we are always looking for. That adventure can be found on a mountaintop, and also at the kitchen sink. I’m proud to plant my feet right where they are, spreading seeds of joy through writing, conversation, and taking others with me on my journey.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
My creative journey is still unfolding- but I know my motivation stems from wanting to spread optimism and the idea that adventure can be found no matter where you are. Writing has given me an outlet to not only share my personal musings, but also a way to share tangible ideas, like where to hike, or great places to camp in our area.
As I consider how to improve my writing, I aim to keep the idea of joy-collecting at the center of it all. Whether I publish an assortment of my essays, write a complete trail guide to the area, or freelance in other ways, I know that delight has to be the driving force.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
I’m chuckling aloud at this question- as I feel like I’m constantly “unlearning” and reframing ideas that exist in my brain. I think the big lesson that I’m battling against is this idea that creativity has to look a certain way. I grew up my whole life thinking I wasn’t very creative- I was never good at art, don’t enjoy debating styles of poetry, and didn’t go to school for anything in these fields. I am known to be organized, worked many jobs that were detail-oriented or centered around service to others. It wasn’t until later in life, into my late 30s, that I felt this change open inside myself- that I allowed myself to view creativity as more than just being an artist.
Creativity can exist in anyone- no matter their vocation. It’s more a state of mind, a way of inviting inspiration into your soul in ways that move you. For me, creativity comes alive in nature. Running, hiking, meandering a beach, building cairns out of rocks, laying on the dirt in the forest, listening to the birds sing in the morning- these are all ways that provide a route for inspiration to find its voice.
When I reframe how I view creativity, I can acknowledge that I am a creative- that I am making art- not just with my words, but with the way I live my life..
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @kristileighmurphy
- Other: You can find my writings on adventures and exploration through The Awesome Mitten Blog!
You can also find my spoken story here:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/4XNnaPJosahkmzKXDzwr5X