I walked into the movie theater with my kids and husband to see the movie Wicked. I expected a fairytale-like story with music that would surely get stuck on repeat in our car for the next few months.

What I actually got was a life-changing message that was a peak to the slow crescendo that’s been building all year (and Popular stuck on a loop in my brain).

For those of you who are still Wicked outsiders, let me bring you in from the cold…

Once upon a time in Oz, the green girl who’s just trying to live her life becomes “that wicked witch” (aka Elphaba), while a blonde socialite finesses her way to the top (aka Glinda). Cue magical catfights, misunderstood heroics, and a giant PR nightmare involving flying monkeys. In the end, you find yourself siding with the “wicked” girl who just didn’t fit the mold.

I think a lot of us can relate to Elphaba (no, not the part about color coordinating with an avocado)

The part about being labeled by others.

If someone says you are wicked, if someone says you are a liar when you’re not, or if someone says you will never build that dream or fill in the _____, does that make it true?

Only if you give up your power of choice and allow their labels to define what you believe about yourself.
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Well, if that’s what they need to believe while they are stuck on the ground craning their necks and shouting, look at her; she’s wicked! Then that’s fine.

I’ll happily sit upon my broom, flying high, defying gravity, working full time with my husband to build a dream, showing and teaching my kids what being an entrepreneur is, and getting back up when someone's words punch me in the gut.

Just like Elphaba’s green skin, a constant source of judgment, and in contrast, how you and I choose to show up in the world. Elphaba had two choices, you have two choices, and I have two choices: ​
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1. Try to fit the mold and feel wicked on the inside, constantly at war with yourself.
   OR
2. Be wicked by their accounts, and declare that no one’s label of you is going to bring you down..gravity..pshh what’s that?

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People will label you a villain or a hero with quick judgments based on rumors or snap impressions. The truth is some people need to paint you as the villain so they can play the victim. Let them.
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Just like Oz announcing Elphaba as the wicked witch and that she must be brought down, when someone learns they can no longer control you, they will try to control what others think of you.

WHAT'S THE POINT?

Okay, Abbi. Enough. What is your point? What does this have to do with crafting or creative business ownership?

Everything.

I’ve spent the last 8 years of my journey hiding a piece of myself, giving up my power in hopes that people like me more. Guess what? It sucks the life out of you.
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So, in 2025, I hopping on my broomstick and declaring myself a reformed people-pleaser.

As we craft together, I’ll start to share a different narrative because I want to help you redesign the stories you tell yourself or, rather, the stories you accept about yourself, challenge you to question everything and create something new for yourself this year.
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Maybe that’s

1. Learning a new skill that brings confidence.
2. Starting a craft business or discovering entrepreneurship like me
3. DIYing decorations for an upcoming occasion that you are proud of (you, not them)
4. Or setting boundaries and saying no to things that do not serve you.
5. Taking more moments for relaxation and let your creativity out to play.
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Others may not understand our choices; they may even call us wicked, but we are the ones who will be flying high.

“So if you care to find me, look to the western sky. As someone told me lately, everyone deserves a chance to fly.” - Elphaba + Abbi

To defying gravity together,

Abbi

P.S. What are you letting go of this year? What part of yourself will you fully embrace to make room to create something new? Reply and tell me.