Hi, I’m Monica
A traveler at heart, a student of life, and the founder of Sommerfuglen Wonderlust Stories.
Where I’m From
I was born in Kristiansund, spent a few childhood years in Bergen, and have called Kristiansand home since I was six. But home, to me, has always been something a little more fluid.
A Life of Curiosity & Travel
explore, connect, and immerse myself in the stories of different cultures and landscapes. Travel hasn’t just been something I’ve done — it’s been a way of living, a rhythm that’s shaped my path for over two decades.
Creativity & Passion
Since my early years, I’ve always been drawn to creating, through painting, crafting, writing. I’ve been fascinated by cultures, people, and the unique beauty found in things made by hand. The meaningful and the one-of-a-kind has always been a source of joy and passion of mine.
Academic & Professional Journey
My academic path took me from creative arts to psychology and pedagogy, eventually leading to a Master’s degree in Comparative and International Education, a natural choice, as I knew I wanted to work abroad.
Part of my studies led me back to South Africa, and after graduation I took my first step into the 8–5 work world with a position in Cambodia. I worked with a local NGO on a collaborative research project alongside Save The Children and the University of Oslo.
The work itself was very meaningful and inspiring — but the office routine? That rhythm was never truly mine. I missed my flexibility I had with traveling during the wintertime and spending summers in Norway. I longed for more freedom, movement, and connection.
Thailand & Yoga — A Return to Myself
So I followed my instincts and moved to a small island in Thailand to share my passion for yoga and help a Thai family run their bungalow guesthouse. That island had already been a second home during my time in Cambodia, a sanctuary for weekends and holidays.
Returning there wasn’t just a change of scenery, it was a return to myself.
For the next three years, I was back living between jungle and city: winters spent barefoot and free, surrounded by nature and community, and summers working in Oslo. The contrast between those worlds grew stronger each year.
Back to Kristiansand — The Pause that Changed Everything
Eventually, when a relationship ended,
along with the shared dream of building a yoga retreat, I found myself back in Kristiansand, just for a short pause to breathe and reflect.
That pause changed everything. When everything felt broken and lost, and all I knew for sure was what I didn’t want, new doors began to open. Life has a way of redirecting us, through the Universe, God, and/or the creative forces at play, if we’re willing to listen and truly see what’s right in front of us.
The so-called ‘plan’ or dream was still there, it just arrived painted in different colors.
A friend suggested I join the Sunday markets at Spiregården to sell my handmade necklaces. Another encouraged me to teach yoga at a nearby studio, which, as it turned out, was also in Spiregården.
From the very first visit, I felt something stir. There was an energy there, warm, creative, open-hearted. When the founder of Spiregården invited me to share the space and open a small shop in the backyard, I knew something had finally landed.
And that’s how Sommerfuglen Wonderlust Stories took root.
The Birth of Sommerfuglen Wonderlust Stories
Today & Philosophy
The idea had been there for years, lived out through my travels, yoga, and deep love for meaningful connection. After nearly two decades of wandering and collecting stories, it was time to gather them into one place.
Today, Sommerfuglen Wonderlust Stories is a reflection of everything I hold close: connection, handmade art, slow fashion, ethical collaborations, and purposeful living.
Each piece in the shop is connected to a story, whether it's a NGO in South Africa, a social enterprise in Cambodia, a women’s cooperative in India, or a small ethical brand in Brazil. These are not just products, they are moments, hands, hearts, and hopes woven into something tangible.
The name Wonderlust captures that spark, a mix of wonder and wander. And Sommerfuglen, the butterfly, is about transformation. I believe that beautiful things can come from change, and that small, conscious choices can ripple into something much bigger.
Welcome
Whether you’ve found me through yoga, travel, or a love for the handmade, welcome. I’m so glad you're here.