If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is “thank you”, it will be enough.
Meister Eckhart
This is a pretty simple post. I’ve been busy packing and moving, and haven’t ventured beyond the house to take many interesting shots lately. What I have been doing is feeling extremely privileged and extremely grateful for the life that has fallen into my hands. We have just moved interstate into an AMAZING new home, I have landed an AMAZING new job, we are living amongst nature but we are so close to everything that we need. I literally can’t believe we get to live here. I was initially a little reluctant to move so far away from all of my friends and family, to a city in which I had never lived or worked – but I chose to take the opportunity for a fresh start, and this absolute palace is a very tasty little deal-sweetener!
I would not even have the freedom to live independently without the hard work and sacrifice of my parents, and their parents before them. With everything going on in the world at the moment, it can be quite overwhelming to try and comprehend how I managed to be born into such a relatively easy life. I have been so lucky. I don’t take it for granted for a second.
Here are just a few of my favourite vantage points from our new abode. From here, it’s pretty easy to look up and feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude.
“She did not stand alone, but what stood behind her, the most potent moral force in her life, was the love of her father.”
Harper Lee
Happy Fathers’ Day!
I consider myself pretty lucky to have been blessed with a wonderful father.
His role in my life was the builder-up-er. He had big expectations and held me to a high standard, but he never failed to tell me he was proud of me – even for the smallest of achievements. I think I can speak similarly for my siblings. While he always pushed us to do better and be better; he made a big deal out of our success, he bragged about us to his friends, and he constantly showered us with love, laughter and support.
I like to think he played this role for many of our peers as well. He was known in our extended family and among friends as the “career advisor”. At any social event, he would speak to us all about our strengths and our interests, and then suggest a possible career path for us. It was a fun game at the time, and we would all laugh about the ridiculous job titles he would come up with. Now when I think back on those conversations, I realise that he was letting us know that we were capable, he saw our potential, and he believed in us.
He lived in a way that encouraged us to be passionate about what we do. He taught us by example that there was certainly a place for hard work, but there was no reason you shouldn’t have fun in the process. He was full of crazy ideas, and he was constantly planning exciting adventures for us. It’s thanks to him that we have had so many amazing experiences as a family, which have become beautiful memories that we can cherish forever.
He was the solid foundation in our lives that empowered us, made us feel safe and filled us with confidence. When he passed away so suddenly, the floor was ripped out from underneath us. This unwavering, invincible figure had suddenly been stripped of his power, and what seemed solid before didn’t feel so solid any more.
I will always miss him dearly. Life goes on, but it’s just not the same. It’s certainly never as good. It’s not as fun, it’s not as exciting, it’s not as spirited, it’s not as carefree. However, I like to think he fulfilled his job as a father – even though his time may have been cut short. He built us up so that we could live with confidence and independence, and made sure we knew that we could do anything if we worked hard enough. He fostered a sense of humour in us that has helped us stay sane through some pretty traumatic times. Most importantly, he made us feel unconditionally loved, respected and valued – ALL THE TIME. Even when we misbehaved. Even when we had differences in opinion. Even when we were ratbag teenagers. The way I see it, that’s what dads are for…so he did good! All the while working incessantly to support his family, bring his passion projects to life, and brighten the lives of those around him.
My privilege is not lost on me. I know there are so many whose fathers are not a positive force in their lives. I also have so many loving, supportive, gentle and encouraging men in my life – it would be ignorant of me to pretend that I lost all fatherly figures when my Dad died. I am forever grateful to all of these men for showing me what it means to be a man of good character – a good father, brother, husband, uncle, grandfather and friend.
One of his favourite places in the world was Manly Beach, and it is now a place we love to visit and remember him. What a beautiful gift it is to have such a stunning backdrop to bring our family together.
“Because my cup doth overflow with the beauty of the days gone by.” ~ Van Morrison
While they are not mandatory at this stage, masks are being recommended in Sydney – and I’m very much of the better safe than sorry mindset! I just think that if I can do something that helps to protect me and those around me, there are really very few downsides to wearing one. It’s a little bit of discomfort that could make a big difference. I’ve been wearing masks when I know it will be difficult to keep my distance – usually when I go to the shops, doctors etc. However, I’m also very much of the single use sucks mindset, which has created a bit of an issue for me. Luckily, I’ve managed to find some really nice reusable masks from some wonderful corners of the internet.
It’s pretty hard not to look intimidating or generally unhappy with a mask on, so I’ve been practising my “smize” religiously (thanks Tyra). I couldn’t help but indulge in a bit of a top model moment to showcase my new treasures.
This one is hands down my favourite – by every criteria. It’s 4-ply (yes, 4!), fits super comfortably, has wire along the top seam for a snug fit across the nose, AND it’s reversible – for double the fun!
I absolutely LOVE Clothing The Gap. They are a social enterprise managed by health professionals, who create fashion that helps to support health programs in Aboriginal communities. The quality of these masks is pretty outstanding, and I love knowing that my money is going to a good cause, rather than some rich CEO’s back pocket.
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I bought this one from a lovely neighbour in a local Facebook group. She has been making these at home, and apparently she’s been run off her feet! It’s so great to see people coming together to support their local community at a time when so many people are struggling.
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Another design from our lovely neighbour!
These masks are 2-ply with a pocket for a filter, they fit comfortably and don’t pull too tightly around the ears. There is no wire, so the fit is not quite as snug as some other designs – but for a handmade mask they’re bloody fabulous! Super cute fabric choices, too.
Did I get a little carried away with the Top Model theme? Maybe. Did I move out of the focus range while my camera was on self-timer? Obviously. Was it worth it? You decide.
These last two are from another company that I adore. Ricepaper The Label are so transparent about their practices with respect to sustainability and ethical practices. They aim to reduce waste as much as possible, and made a limited supply of masks from their fabric off-cuts.
These masks are 3-ply, with adorable little ruffles covering the elastic straps. They’re simple and effective, but after about 10 minutes they do start to pull a bit behind the ears. Maybe just a little small for my big, beautiful face!
I’d love to know which reusable masks you love. Leave me a comment with your suggestions: brands you love, things to avoid, washing tips and tricks – I’ll take it all! I will also welcome constructive criticism on my smize…not sure I’ve nailed it yet!
“To describe my mother would be to write about a hurricane in its perfect power. Or the climbing, falling colours of a rainbow.”
Maya Angelou
It’s Mothers’ Day! One of the (far too few) times of the year we actually give our mothers the gratitude they deserve. Motherhood is strength, grace, patience, tenacity, wisdom and lots and lots of love. Our mothers provide us with a certain comfort and peace that no-one else can replicate. I truly believe that no matter how old we are, we all have times when we just want a cuddle from our mums to make everything better.
For those of us whose mothers are no longer physically with us, those times can be pretty dark. What starts out as a crappy day soon leads to a sudden urge to talk to your mum, which very quickly transforms into the jarring realisation that you can’t.
Ever again.
It’s awful. It’s up there with my least favourite feelings in the world. But over time, I’ve learnt to appreciate the time that I had with her, and to channel her when I need her.
I see my mother everywhere, every day. I see her in beautifully overgrown gardens. I see her in books that make me laugh. I see her in flowers as they begin to bloom. I see her in the shallows of the ocean, where the water is just clear enough to see the sand tumbling below. I hear her voice when I hear people speaking French. I see her in handwritten recipes. I see her when I wash my dogs. I see her in my Sudokus and crosswords. I see her when we’re dancing in the kitchen. I see her in the clouds when they make funny shapes in the sky. I see her swaying when Norah Jones plays. I see her in the laughter of friends and family. I feel her warmth when the sun shines on my back. I see her anywhere there is colour, vibrance, warmth and positivity. Most importantly – and, I suppose, the thing I’m most proud of – I am beginning to see her in myself.
She was a truly exceptional mother, and more importantly, she was a truly exceptional human being – beyond her role as my mother. Motherhood did not define her; she was her own person with skills and interests and knowledge and passion. That is not to say that every other mother lacks those things, but I think it’s important to appreciate them for everything that they are. My mother was so much more than a mum, which is just remarkable because she was a bloody good mum. Just imagine how extraordinary she was in every other aspect of her life! The mind boggles.
We all love her, we miss her, we are grateful for her every day.
At the same time, I am endlessly grateful for every other mother in my world. My many and wonderful aunties, my grandmothers in spirit, the mothers of my closest friends, my mother- and grandmother-in-law, those who have looked after me like mothers, mother Earth, friends who have become mothers, mothers-to-be – you are all ESSENTIAL workers who don’t get paid enough! (Like teachers and nurses, but with even less pay.)
The work you do is so important. I hope you feel valued and appreciated every day. If you don’t, then I hope at least you feel valued and appreciated today.
Hug your mums!*
*from a responsible distance of 1.5m, after sanitising your hands.
We’re getting the hang of life in isolation. One of the biggest perks is the lack of awareness of time. It’s a bit like the week between Christmas and New Year – no one is entirely sure what day it is, and everyone is in holiday mode because they’ve got nowhere to be tomorrow. The stress of the whole situation seems to have passed, and we are now in a constant state of deep relaxation – win!
We’ve been indulging in cocktail hour most afternoons, sitting out in the yard and watching the sun set (sunset, sunset, sunset) over the beach (beaches, beaches, beaches). If you know, you know.
It’s become commonplace to open the fridge and exclaim “we are going through [substitute literally any alcoholic beverage here] at an alarming rate!”, as though it’s some sort of surprising turn of events since the day before. At the risk of sounding like we’ve developed a problem, I like to think we’re just making the best of a bad situation; enjoying each other’s company and having some good old fashioned fun. We’ve leaned into the iso-life and we’re learning to go with the flow. As two BIG planners, we don’t often just see where the wind blows us. To be fair, we’ve accepted the fact that it’s not going to blow us very far in the foreseeable future – but it’s just the vibe. Again, if you know, you know.
It’s not all alcohol though, coffee is important too! And water. Lots and lots of water. We’ve also been doing daily workouts so we’re not totally neglecting our health.
Photographic inspiration has obviously hit a low point, so please enjoy these pictures of the many beverages getting us through isolation! I promise I’ll think of something better next time!
Special mention to SH. He is many things, but in particular he is an excellent lighting assistant, prop manager, website-fixer, troubleshooter, idea-bouncer-off-er and all-round supporter. Thank you!
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.”
Martin Luther King Jr.
WARNING: Uncharacteristically emotional content! I’m usually fairly passive in my writing, but I’m isolated and we are in the midst of some kind of mass extinction bullshit and I HAVE A LOT OF FEELINGS. You’ve been warned. Read on at your own risk.
It can be pretty easy to feel overwhelmed by stress and anxiety when it seems as though the world is ending. First it was the fires, then it was the floods, and now it’s the virus. We are all more isolated than we have probably ever been, spending a lot of time alone with our thoughts…and for me that’s not the ideal situation! I tend to assume the worst case scenario and over-exaggerate the possibilities ahead when left alone with my brain. Combine that with the constant stream of news and general hysteria (and, for me, a particularly high vulnerability to this disease) and you have a recipe for near-insanity.
However, amidst the chaos, I have found calm in taking time to express gratitude for all the little joys that we are lucky enough to experience every day. The birds singing in the morning, a loving paw on the knee, the smell off coffee wafting through the house, flowers blooming in the garden. Every day there is beauty to be seen.
One of the things I am most grateful for is the beautiful location we have been able to isolate in. We have plenty of space and we are close to nature, which has a welcome grounding and calming effect. I have been noticing the way the light changes throughout the day. It is a reminder that although it feels like the world as we know it has screeched to a halt, the Earth continues to turn. In fact, it is thriving in the absence of human activity! The sun rises every day and sets every night. The tides continue to rise and fall. The seasons continue to pass, as the leaves begin to turn.
In these manic and uncertain times, I have found sunlight to be such a reassuring reminder to put one foot in front of the other and try not to get caught up in the panic.
In light of this (pun very much intended), I am channelling my anxious energy into creativity, making observations on light and shadow. I hope these images can help to bring some zen your way!
“Here’s what I think. Feminism is not here to dictate to you. It’s not prescriptive, it’s not dogmatic. All we are here to do is give you a choice. We want to empower women to do exactly what they want, to be true to themselves, to have the opportunities to develop. Women should feel free. There is no typical feminist, there is nothing anywhere that says you have to meet a certain criteria.”
Emma Watson
Feminist QUEEN Emma Watson says it best, as usual. However, I will try to elaborate in my own words…
Women are many things. They can be gentle. They can be nurturing. They can be warm. They can be charming. They can be kind.
They can also be tough. They can be opinionated. They can be ambitious. They can be sexy. They can be confident. They can be intelligent. They can be intuitive. They can be creative. They can be brave. The most wonderful part is that they can be all of these things at once.
When women feel empowered to unlock all of the facets of their being, they are a force to be reckoned with.
In this project, I have had the privilege of exploring the things that empower the women in my life. I have been amazed by the complex, accomplished, self-assured women that have opened up their souls to me. I hope to show that just as women are multi-faceted; so are the things that empower them. Empowerment is not one-dimensional. It can come from things that are pivotal in the makeup of our lives, or from seemingly insignificant everyday tasks. Whatever it is that makes a woman feel confident, inspired, or free to be herself – that is where her power comes from.
Liz loves her tattoos because they make her feel like she can be in control of her own body and how she is seen. She is curating a feminist sanctuary in her own home with works by women artists.
Sophie is empowered by her work. She values having a seat at the table, and being able to use her voice to influence and enact change on a daily basis.
Natalie does not like perfection and she doesn’t like being told what to do – by a recipe book or anyone else. She loves experimenting with cooking, and where she can add a zucchini to any recipe, she will!
Joan has a keen interest in birds. She loves seeing them enjoying things like a bird bath, the nuances of each different bird and how they forage for food, the intricate colours in their feathers, the markings around the eyes and best of all the way they nurture their young!She feels particularly empowered by her ability to capture that in a photo to share her knowledge with others.
Roisin values the power of makeup to lift her mood and present herself in the way she wants to be presented. We often talk about the opportunities that we miss out on as women, but she sees makeup as one of the privileges of femininity. It is one of the few things that we get to do as women which is harder for men to enjoy; when a lot of the time the roles are reversed.
Helen loves her job! On top of the sense of purpose and fulfilment that it gives her, it also has lots of great perks! She has been able to give her family the opportunity to travel the world and make wonderful memories.
Bella is passionate about education. Teaching is her vocation, and she is empowered by her ability to have a positive influence on children’s lives.
Jessie finds empowerment in running regularly. The achievement of reaching a new goal makes her feel both mentally and physically strong.
Bella loves to forage. The excitement of being able to pick something out of the garden and turn it into a delicious meal is both satisfying and grounding.
Phoebe is empowered by the freedom she has as an Australian woman in the 21st century. She loves her work and she has enjoyed being able to travel and work overseas – all without the need to be escorted by a husband!
Lucy loves the feeling of wearing boots. The sound they make, the sturdiness of the sole and the confidence they give her to walk through life and through any situation in comfort – just as a man would.
Natasha has worked hard to achieve her aspiration of becoming a nurse practitioner. The added responsibility and professional accountability that she has earned, coupled with her skill set, will allow her to provide a higher standard of care to her patients.
Millie finds running to be something that allows her to have control of her mind. She loves to maintain an active lifestyle in order to have power over her own health and wellbeing.
Toni feels empowered when she can take something old and give it new life. She relishes the ability to create things of her own, without following conventional design rules.
Siobhan finds power in her ability to repair, refurbish and reuse. Her creativity and skills allow her to extend the life of things that would otherwise go to waste – a cause that is of great importance to her.
I find power in the process of learning new skills. It reminds me of how capable I am and how I can benefit from taking on new challenges in so many different ways. I have enjoyed photography as a way of looking at the world through a new lens; and being able to display the fruits of my labour in our home is the most rewarding experience.
Thank you to all the wonderful women who volunteered their time, faces and minds to me over the last couple of weeks. It has been an inspiring experience for me, and I couldn’t have done it without the generosity of all the beautiful faces you see above. Thank you!
Australia is burning, and the effects are tangible. The colour of the sky alone is enough to make you believe the world is ending. We are fortunate to be surrounded by wonderful friends and family this festive season, and lucky enough to be living in a relatively unaffected area. My heart goes out to all those who have not been so lucky.
Hoping for ACTION from our government, and lots and lots of rain!
