A former journalist who has been in the digital content space for over a decade. She's a professional writer that's now on her journey to realize her dream of working with children. She's a strong advocate of mental health, particularly in children.
How would you describe yourself and what do you do?
I am a work in progress with plenty of room to grow. I’ve been a professional writer for the past 12 years, working as a journalist, editor and content marketer. I’m now embarking on an exciting new journey working as a teacher and getting my qualifications to become a licensed counsellor.
Starting from scratch and doing this at 35 is scary but to quote Ms Viola in her latest Netflix special with Oprah, ‘My dreams are bigger than my fears’. I’m following my dream of working with children in the mental health space.
What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?
Writing 3 things I’m grateful for every morning. This is something I’ve been practising since the pandemic and it’s gotten me through my toughest days.
What are you most passionate about?
I’m passionate about learning. I am always learning from books, people I talk to and courses. I was younger I was called a nerd for that, today I embrace that side of me wholeheartedly because it’s what inspires and motivates me to grow. While learning is my passion, nothing brings me greater joy than teaching what I’ve learnt to others.
What do you usually do to stimulate your creative juice?
I go out in nature and if I have more time, I love drawing or painting whatever I see. On those days when I’m in a time crunch, just a walk in my humble balcony garden brings me a lot of peace.
What part of you that you are most proud of?
I’m proud of my body, it has been through the wringer with crash diets in my teens, pushed way beyond its limits with crazy exercises and now in my 30s it’s been filled with lots of medication daily.
My autoimmune condition has given me a whole new appreciation for my body.
Simple things like being able to go to the gym, make me appreciate the strength and capability of my body, because I know if I’m having a bad day I might not be able to do this.
Apart from being proud, I can finally say that after years of battling my body I’ve finally learnt to make peace with it. It took me a while but I’m glad I’m finally here.
Top 3 series that you’re currently watching at the moment
A fair warning, I’m quite late to the party for some of these series but here’s what’s on my watchlist:
- Downton Abbey - This is my comfort show, I love the slow pace of the series and the beauty of the English countryside.
- Anne with an E - Another comforting show, every character in the show has a special place in my heart
- The Future Of - This series blew my mind, it’s so inspiring to see how everyday things have space to grow in the future
What are you doing that helps your mental health the most?
It would be a tie between my mindfulness practice and going to therapy. Therapy is good for heavy emotions and challenging times while my mindfulness practice is what I do for my daily self-care.
My favourite practice is called five-finger breathing, something I often teach children to help them regulate.
What or who is your biggest influence?
My core values are my biggest influence. It’s what I turn to when making decisions and helps ground me in my most challenging times.
What do you want to see more of in the world?
Kindness. It’s something we both need to give ourselves and extend to ourselves. Some of my best memories are thanks to the kindness of others, my mother welcoming me home with a hot meal after a long day, the stranger who once paid for my coffee, friends calling to check in and more!
If your life is a song, what would it be and why?
Such a tough one but I would go with Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious because life for me is as unexpected and joyous as the song.
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