Too Many Menus, Not Enough Hands—But the Stars Had a Plan
Star charts, strength tests, and ramen metaphors: here’s how I learned to stop fighting myself and lean into what I do best.
I Stopped Fighting Who I Am—and Things Got Way Easier!
The other day, a friend told me, “Charlie, your skin and even your words are radiating such positive vibes lately!” I’d been feeling pretty good, honestly. But when I asked myself why, the answer kind of hit me: “I got to know myself—and stopped fighting it.” How did I do that? By getting my natal chart read (a.k.a. star magic!) and doing a coaching session using the StrengthsFinder test. Both are tools that help you understand your natural traits.
Messages from the Stars
A natal chart is a star map based on your birth time and place. It can reveal your life’s mission and things to watch out for in this lifetime. In my case, the mission is “to share your talents with the world.” If I’m doing that, I’ll feel fulfilled and grow. But if I’m not, I’ll get stuck and feel dull. Yep, that checks out. Now I finally understand why I keep getting the urge to post my art on Instagram like, “I just want more people to see thisss!!” Turns out—it’s written in the stars!
Ranking My Talents!? StrengthsFinder
StrengthsFinder is this test where you answer nearly 200 questions in about 45 minutes, and it ranks your natural strengths in order. One of my top three? “Maximizer.” Apparently, I aim for the best of the best. And yeah… that tracks. When I make something, I get super picky about the details, spend way too much time, and stress myself out. Plus, I’ve had times in the past where I expected the same “best of the best” from others—and, well… they didn’t love that (lol). But once I realized, “Ohhh, this is just how I’m wired,” I stopped blaming myself for it. No more unnecessary guilt!
Using “Outside Compasses” to Accept Myself
Both the natal chart and StrengthsFinder aren’t about telling the future. They’re just ways to learn more about how you naturally operate. When I’m feeling good, they help me understand why I’m in a good place—so I can do it again. When I’m stuck in a fog, they help me find a way out faster.
A Ramen Shop Doesn’t Serve Tacos
Something I’ve been thinking a lot lately: “I’m not supposed to be good at everything.” Just like a ramen shop’s mission is to serve delicious ramen, my job is to fulfill my mission in the way that only I can. A ramen shop doesn’t need to start serving tacos or pizza just because “everyone else is doing it.” And neither do I. I’m just gonna keep doing what I do best—making silly, cute, joyful illustrations that feel like me!