SparkleForce Ltd

Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is not becoming someone new. It's giving yourself permission to stop performing the version of you that everyone else expected.

For years, I thought confidence meant trying harder.
Trying to fit in.
Trying to be smaller.
Trying to be quieter.
Trying to be more successful.
Trying to be more feminine.
Trying to be less "too much."
None of it brought me any closer to myself.

Because here's what I've learnt through neuroscience, lived experience and years of teaching burlesque:

Your nervous system is always asking one question.

"Is it safe to be me?"

When the answer is no, we adapt.
We shrink.
We mask.
We people-please.
We stay invisible.
We become brilliantly good at surviving.
But survival isn't identity.

Healing isn't about becoming somebody else.

It's about creating enough safety that you can remember who you were before the world told you who you SHOULD be.

Ever felt like everyone else got the instruction manual for life?

🙋

For years I asked... "What's wrong with me?" Turns out... I was asking the wrong question.

People do not want to become someone new. They want to feel like themselves again.

If this message resonates... Sometimes coming home to yourself is the bravest thing you'll ever do.

Save this for the days you forget.

For a long time I thought there was something wrong with me. Not because I was broken. But because I was not able to find me in the boxes everyone else seemed to fit so comfortably into.

For me discovering I was non-binary did not change who I was.

It gave me language for who I'd always been. And there's something incredibly regulating about that.

When your outside finally matches something your nervous system has quietly known all along. That's one of the reasons Sparkleforce exists. Because everyone deserves THAT feeling.

Whether it's finding your
gender
confidence
voice
Or simply remembering who you are beneath years of survival.

Today on International Non-Binary People's Day, I'm celebrating everyone who has ever stepped outside someone else's expectations and chosen their own authenticity instead.

Because you deserve to feel like yourself again.

Always.

💛🤍💜🖤

Mānawatia a matariki | Happy new year

Sending you and whānau best wishes this new year. I hope you have time to nourish your relationships, space to reflect and the ability to connect and fill your cup.

If this is your first Matariki where a loved one has gone to the village of the ancestors sending you love and light as you move through this phase.

Please be gentle with you: a grieving body needs slowness, connection, rest and nourishment.

With love
Crystal Mischief

What a day at Brewtown’s Not Your Nan’s Craft market. It was amazing to see all the hair colours and see the stunnn-ing outfits👌 😍🤩😍🤩😍🤩 And that was just the public, wow!

It was definitely one of those days where I felt like I found my weirdo’s

I had so many visitors for so many cuddles. I feel so very loved.

We gave out 3/4 of the cards with affirmations and love notes. I’ll be getting some more of those. Was magical to see people light up when they read their card.

I got to meet some new friends. And hug some very dear and long term friends that have been witness to the full arc of me and the development of Sparkleforce.

My heart and cup is 💯 full.

So! I have been eluding to a zhush I have been working on in the background. As I shared with you it’s been a deeply personal journey for me and one I see in my gorgeous students. It was important to me to reflect my students and own journey in this new logo.

I’ve also been working with White Deer Graphic Design to come up with designs that reflect my brand. Jacqui has been amazing, and given me the confidence in my design that they are instagram worthy. So you’ll start to see this rolling out from now on.

Actually you’ve been seeing these all this week! Surprise! There is some more graphics below.

This is the beginning of some fantastic changes that is starting to rolling out now.

Thank you for journeying with me.
Thank you to all the wonderful friends who stopped in today. You are truely amazing

I’ve just learned Rita Alexander has passed away. Rest in your power Beautiful.

Rita was known for her champagne glass routine. It’s different to what new wave burlesque people would associate with a champagne glass. Have a look at the video in the comments below.

Burlesque has a stage Mum’s relationship with elders taking newer performers under their wing. Rita was no exception. One of her “burlesque kids” is Perle Noire, Perle has toured to New Zealand twice.

I remember a workshop Perle did she was teaching us a routine. Now fun fact about me, I’m actually quite unco-ordinated. Here I was in this large class with 3 of NZ’s burlesque title holders around me. I was so chuffed with myself because I managed not to injure any of them an me!

One of my favourite memories is World Famous BOB at Burlesque Hall of Fame was sharing how Rita poured those drinks as she intro-ed Rita on for the Legends walk of fame.

Enjoy you reunion Rita. Safe travels, safe home ✨💖

So tomorrow is a BIG DAY!

First up is the Not Your Nana's Craft Market 2.0 Loud and Proud (R18 NSFW Market) and then I'll be sharing with you what I have been up to.

But for now... its bed time

NZ Civil Defence are testing the Emergency Mobile Alert (EMA) system on Sunday 14 June, between 6-7pm ⚠️📲

If you have a hidden second phone for your safety, we recommend turning it off or putting it in flight mode for the duration of the test (6-7pm on Sunday 14 June) to ensure it’s not discovered when the nationwide Emergency Mobile Alert is sent.

Some mobile devices set to silent mode will still emit a sound when the Emergency Mobile Alert test is sent, so switching to flight mode or turning off your device is the only way to avoid the loud sound of the alert.

You can find more information about the Emergency Mobile Alert system, including a factsheet and list of FAQs at 🚨 https://getready.govt.nz/en/prepared/ema