how to be a muse
on friday night glow routines + everyone being somebody's muse
I hate making plans on Fridays.
I really don’t even think that this is an unpopular opinion, because I feel like everyone rolls their eyes when anyone mentions “What are you doing Friday night?”
It’s the end of the week and I’m tired. Even if it was a great week, or a combination of mediocre/good/could be better - I am rarely in the mood to do anything besides sit by myself.
So, because of my dwindling social life over the years, I dedicate my Friday nights to “maintaining a glow” (which is essentially a self-care night, but I’m getting tired of the word self-care).
In order to glow (and this will look different to everyone), I start by watching Real Housewives recaps, slice up some fresh tomatoes with a drizzle of olive oil and salt, and of course - no Friday night is ever complete without a loaf of fresh bread.
After I listen to everyone else’s opinions about my favourite show, I light some candles and listen to an oldies playlist, because sometimes, I like to be emotional. I’ll do some Pilates, but most of the time, I lie on the mat, and check up on what everyone I’ve ever dated is doing on their Friday night. And after that, I layer on hyaluronic acid and lie on my bed with my legs on the wall for an at-home lymphatic drainage.
So, while I was on my weekly ex check up, I could not help but be bombarded by the million and one Julia Fox/Uncut Gems/Muse memes. And you know what this made me think of? No, not the way she pronounced Uncut Gems, but instead, being a muse.
What exactly is a muse and how does one become a muse? Are you just born interesting and important? Have we all been a muse to someone at some point in our life? Or can you just be a running, continual muse to everyone around you?
Anyways, I’ve compiled a few thoughts on how one might go about embodying muse energy:
Sit at a bar and tell the bartender you don’t know what you want but you trust them to make you something. And the next thing you know, you’re drinking a basil/gin/absinthe martini. And in that 3 minute interaction, this complete stranger has seen into the depths of your soul and created a drink for you - that is essentially you embodied in a glass. You are now their muse.
Accidentally ruin someone’s life - I mean, this goes without saying. If you break someone’s heart, and I mean truly, break it, you’re a muse for life. You’re an album, you’re a book, you’re the reason they flee the country and change personas. You also get bonus points if you leave them with a dramatic exit, quoting lines from iconic television series (my personal fave: “I don’t think about you at all”).
Stop trying to be like everyone else. This is the most cliche piece of advice that I’ve ever written about. And it’s something that has lived in my mind without knowing it over the past few years. Muses are muses because they’re never afraid to be themselves. The way they speak and the things they do, how they think and interact. How they float in and out of rooms and in and out of people’s lives. There is no hiding, there is no filtering, there’s no second guessing or people pleasing. Weird sense of humour? They lead with that. Embrace what makes you feel different, make it your personal brand. It’s magnetic.
Muses are a moment. Muses are the moment. We can rest assured that we will all be someone’s muse at some point in life, and you’ll never forget your first muse.
Sometimes I wish I could, but then I wouldn’t have all the content he’s provided me with over the years.
And in case anyone was wondering, as of right now, I’m Team Julia Fox.
Anyways, sending love to you and to all of my muses.
Xo,
Emaisy