Monique Coleman is an award-winning actress, producer, host and humanitarian whose career has spanned over three decades. She's most recognized for her role in Disney's High School Musical franchise, butMonique's impact goes far beyond the screen. She was the first ever United Nations Youth Champion and has traveled to over 24 countries to learn about and shine a light on the most pressing issues facing young people globally.Monique was nominated for a Daytime Emmy for her original docuseries GimmeMo’ on Discovery Life, which she developed, produced and hosted. Most recently Monique has taken up adult figure skating and she aims to inspire and empower others to take risks at every stage of life.
Can we get into what your life has been like the last year or so?
Yeah, so I've actually been a nomad for the last 18 months. I'm about 3 years out of a divorce and this journey has been really uprooting, but it's shown me that home is inside and I don't need my stuff to make me who I am. I can have a few really beautiful pieces with me that are expressive, and the rest of my journey has been basics... I really found a way to keep it simple but expressive, pretty much all of the time. Obviously I'm an actress, so I used to think I needed to have my hair done, my makeup done, my nails done... ever since Covid, I think we've all really seen how much we're able to simplify and do more with a lot less. So this year, for me, has been about doing more with less.. having less pieces... less things going on, and being light enough to go anywhere at any time.
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What has this past year been like for you? What have you been focusing on and what have you been learning/unlearning?
The past year has been about radical self acceptance and being fully surrendered. I’ve learned that abundance isn’t only measured in financial currency, but in freedom and community. I’ve learned to lean on my tribe, trust my instincts, and get clearer on my true intentions
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You’ve spoken about trusting purpose over planning. What has living that way revealed to you about timing, trust, and surrender?
God’s plan really is the best plan! My only job is to get clear on my desires but I can fully trust the universe with the details
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You’ve been on the move for over a year, refining your style and carrying only what matters. What have you learned about beauty, expression, and identity from living out of a suitcase?
Keep things simple, comfortable, and BOLD! I have my ‘staples’ which are mostly interchangeable comfy blacks — and then I add the drama through statement pieces that are timeless, attention grabbing and fun.
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If we were to peek into your bag right now, what story would it tell about you in this chapter?
I am who I am, wherever I am! From my Therabody massager to my essential oils, journal, passion planner, Pooh bear stuffy, and decorative cards... home is in the habits I’ve cultivated along the way to stay healthy, grounded, and prepared for any adventure.
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If there's one piece of advice you have for someone going on a digital nomad journey, what would it be?
I think my advice for anyone going on a journey is to trust yourself and bring yourself everywhere you go. I used to think I needed to be in a specific place to receive a specific thing. And now, I know that everywhere I go, I get to bring my essence to that place. I think anyone who's searching for something, should actually look within instead of looking without. What you wear, what you put on your body, is just an expression of what's going on in here. I had a stylist once say, don't let the clothes wear you.
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How would you describe your personal style?
I've been really struggling to figure out how to express myself while also still feeling elevated because I'm in my mid-40s and I'm very whimsical, really vibrant, and really bright, but oftentimes that can make me look a lot younger. Not that that's a bad thing, but it doesn't project in the world who I really am. And I think that's what I love so much about Mixed, it gives me an opportunity to still be my bold, vibrant, whimsical self but to do it with elevated pieces that make me feel confident....and professional.
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What's helped you learn how to feel confident bringing your essence into every room?
I think the thing that's helped me the most on my journey is the consequences of not listening to myself. The consequences have been big and they've been lasting. When I say "yes" when I really mean "no." When I show up to places that are not spaces that can hold me, it feels heavier and it feels bigger. So now - even when it's challenging, even when I don't want to, I try to do the big, brave, bold thing as fast as I possibly can and start the grieving process of what I have to let go of, because if you don't let go, life will drag you. The universe will drag you to the places if you are not willing to pick your feet up and go there. For me, I allowed myself to get rid of so many of the things I held so dear because I knew that if I did not put them down, they would just be taken from me so I could be free and move through the world with the lightness and levity that I'm meant to.
