Growth

It’s August! Honestly this year is flying. I know I started my last blog post in a similar way, but I truly feel it. When life is like this, flying past, it’s so important to stop, breathe, tune in, reflect, and savour the magical moments. Actually before you continue reading why don’t you go ahead and take a deep breath right now. Slow down with me…find a second of peace.

I started a new practice this year to help me regroup and stay grounded in my own energy. It’s called morning pages, you may have heard of this process, if you haven’t, I highly recommend you look into it. One of my dear friends (thank you Nicole) encouraged me to start this little ritual which has now become a very sacred time in my day. It gives me a moment to be still and really check in with myself. It’s been such an exquisite exercise. It also helps me acknowledge those wins (big or small) that might have happened the day before. 

Another practice I have adopted is meditating with my children each night and as part of this routine we talk about our wins for the day (celebrating these together), we share our lessons and discuss any challenges that may have arisen, considering (together) a constructive solution. This little routine I’ve based on the peak and pit exercise which you may also know. It has been such a beautiful experience and one I encourage you to try with your families or on your own, if it resonates. 

A further practice I have been using is…social media. Even though I have a love/hate relationship with my social media, I am glad I use it. It really helps chronicle the magic that can be found in our day and how far we may have come on our personal journey. I often visit my social media pages before writing my blog post. I find it interesting that often I think I will have nothing to write on my blog until I actually look at all that I’ve shared on my social media. It’s easy to overlook moments when you are constantly moving.

Through these reflection practices I have been able to uncover more of what makes me…me. This year has been a year of growth. I feel more grounded. I feel like I’m peeling back layers and becoming stronger in who I am. I’m finally growing! Growing authentically. 

Through the years we pick up versions of ourselves, imprinting on ourselves other people’s perspectives of who we should be. It is only when we take the time to reflect, we can start to dismantle this armour, discovering who we genuinely are and what we are genuinely called to do in this life. 

Growth brings about change, and although uncomfortable at first I’m now wholeheartedly embracing it. I’m ready to continue to evolve and cement myself in my authenticity. I hope you find time to reflect, peel back the layers and sit with your pure essence too. I hope you leap over what was was and towards what could be.  

So, other than growing, what have I been up to creatively over the past few months…

June started with an abundance of support from not only dear friends who’ve been on this journey with me (Indigo Bay Gifting posted another beautiful note about my creative pursuits – always grateful to those who genuinely support me on this journey, it’s always magic. Chasing dreams is hard and those who show and share their support makes all the difference) but I was also blown away by surprises from those I hadn’t connected with before, including a gorgeous book review of Charlie’s Adventures…in South Africa. This book review meant so much to me. It’s always magic when your book truly connects with a reader. It’s even more incredible when the reader enjoys your book so much that they kindly review it. It was beautiful to read how my little story brought joy to someone’s day (thank you Elzette). 

During the month I dashed overseas on work to Jakarta. I love travel, which by now you should all know, so needless to say it was an incredible trip! 

As soon as I returned, I had the opportunity to speak on ABC radio, sharing my book recommendations and stories I’ve been working on. I always get nervous going on radio but love to feel the fear and do it anyway (more growth). It always ends up being such a fun & joyful experience.

Toward the end of the month, I was invited to read my stories and run a workshop at the National Museum of Australia. The lovely team at the Tim & Gina Fairfax Discovery Centre (such an incredible space to explore – I highly recommend a visit) made the day so special and so did all the gorgeous families that came along. So, so grateful for the opportunity!

In July my daughter was my plus one and co-presenter of the Children’s Book of the Year category at the ACT Notable Book of the Year Awards presented by Marion Writers. We enjoyed every moment. It will be a memory we will treasure, co-presenting such a special award in addition to meeting some of our all-time favourite creators. A huge thank you to the Marion Writers team for a beautiful evening. 

I also celebrated my birthday in July and returned back to the National Museum of Australia to see one of our favourite authors Coral Vass. We spotted Charlie at the Museum bookshop too which was more magic. 

I am also participating in the author pen pals program and I received a lovely letter and drawings from my pen pal school. It made my heart sing. I adore connecting with schools and sharing my love of books. 

Finally, I got to reveal illustration sketches of my new character with my daughter. That was pure magic.  I’m so grateful for my little girl’s constant encouragement and her big heart. I was so excited to share such a special moment with her. I can’t wait to see more illustrations soon & thrilled to see the character I’ve been writing all this time come to life…so grateful for illustrators…they just get it…magic.

There’s been a lot of momentum this year propelling me forward and I am beyond grateful for this energy. It has been a growth year and I’m enjoying the transformation. I hope you’re feeling the momentum too and find some time to reflect on how far you’ve come. 

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE MONTHS

Magical moment When you get to share illustration sketches of your new character with the one who empowered you to chase your dreams I would not be where I am today if it wasn’t for my little girl & her constant encouragement. I’m so proud of her and grateful for her big heart 🩷 Her courage inspires me to be courageous. To feel the fear and do it anyway I was so excited to share such a special moment with her. Can’t wait to see more illustrations soon & thrilled to see the character I’ve been writing all this time come to life…so grateful for illustrators…they just get it…magic

Magical mail A huge thank you to @starofthesea_merrimac for the beautiful pictures & thoughtful letter Looking forward to replying soon My heart is full

Had so much fun seeing one of our favourite authors Coral Vass, at the National Museum of Australia And we spotted Charlie at the Museum bookshop too…so special What a beautiful day

A magical night at the ACT Notable Book of the Year Awards presented by @marionwriters Enjoyed every moment with my plus one Beyond grateful to co-present the Children’s Book of the Year category alongside my daughter A memory we will treasure in addition to meeting some of our all time favourite creators A huge thank you to the @marionwriters team for a beautiful evening Congratulations to all those on the shortlist & the winners.

Had a fabulous time at the National Museum of Australia yesterday Thank you to everyone who came along Thank you to the beautiful team at the Tim & Gina Fairfax Discovery Centre. Such an incredible space to explore So grateful for the opportunity.

Thank you @abccanberra for having me on air today to share my book recommendations & what I’ve been up to with my writing I always get nervous going on radio but love to feel the fear and do it anyway It always ends up being such a fun & joyful experience So grateful for the opportunity.

Magical moment Was surprised to receive this beautiful review of Charlie’s Adventures…in South Africa This special note means so much to meThank you to everyone who has taken the time to read my stories & to @elzettebest I’m so happy this book was able to transport you back to lekker times in South Africa

So grateful to Indigo Bay for the unconditional support A huge thank you!