Not my circus not my monkeys is my new favorite saying! Derived from the Polish expression “Nie mój cyrk, nie moje ma?py,” it basically means “Not my problem.” How awesome is that?! I feel like the older I get the better I’m able to distance myself from other people’s problems or drama and worry more about my own. Wow, that sounded really unsympathetic and kinda mean.
“Hello, my name is Vanessa and I’m a big ol’ jerk.”
I feel like I’ve created this little world for ourselves and while I’ll always be available to lend a sympathetic ear to anyone who needs it, in the end, that’s your circus and those are your monkeys. When you begin to realize that everyone is struggling, you start to understand that you are too and it’s okay to be a little selfish with your time and attention.
I should probably mention that I’m a natural introvert, so blockading myself off from the world comes relatively easy to me. But perhaps this is not so much a social issue as being able to finally know my limits. There is no point in worrying or having strong opinions about things that I have no control over.
So you want to raise your kids differently than I’m raising mine? Awesome, I’m sure all of our monkeys will turn out just fine. You saw something that’s really annoying online? Whatever, Facebook is just one big circus!
If each day we have on this Big Top we call Earth is a gift, how are you going to spend every second? Who do you choose to play an important part of your circus?
Feel free to print out and use these Not My Circus Not My Monkeys free printables to remind yourself that some things just aren’t your problem!
“Not My Circus, Not My Monkeys” Free Printable – Coloring Page
“Not My Circus, Not My Monkeys” Free Printable – Red/Blue
“Not My Circus, Not My Monkeys” Free Printable – Gray/Teal
If you liked these free printables, you’re sure to love all these other
prints available from some of these amazing bloggers!
Debbiedoo’s /Creative Cain Cabin /On Sutton Place / Tried & True / The Bold Abode
Cottage at the Crossroads / The DIY Village / a little CLAIREification
Comments & Reviews
Michelle James says
Thank you for sharing and inspiring me! As a fellow introvert, I was touched by your words of wisdom. I have to remind myself that I do the best I can. Have a good day!
[email protected] says
Cute Printables and I have never heard that saying before. Thanks for letting me know what it means 🙂 How fun!!
Jane @ Cottage at the Crossroads says
Vanessa, I’ve never heard this saying either, but I love it! I know some similar phrases that have the same meaning, but I can’t put them here!!! Just wait until you get to be my age. You will be able to tune out just about everything!
Jacque says
Yayy! I love this saying and your drawing is wonderful!
Amy says
I know some Polish sayings but they’re generally more profane that this. Love the saying, love your reflection on it, and love the drawing. I have a feeling I will be using the expression very soon, maybe in Polish to make it that much more distancing.
The Northside Irregular says
Thank you so much for the coloring page. I shared it with my editor at the small-town paper where I am a stringer. I recently turned her on to the saying and she’s having a day where it has become a mantra chanted over and over. I figured she needed to stop and do some coloring. Thank you, you may have saved her sanity.
CTY says
This sums up my philosophy on life perfectly.
My husband is 2nd generation of Polish decent–sadly his parents did not teach him Polish–they said “We are in the US now, we speak English!” I would like to frame, written in Polish for our two sons–is there any way you could add that as a printing option?
Thomas Osborne says
I love it, I love it, I was dying until a friend told me about this!
Vanessa Brady says
Still one of my favorite sayings!