14/05/2026
I've changed the page name - again. The 'Down Under' part for me is doubly meaningful. First, I love the quirkiness of being Australian, and the uniqueness of this land - photos often accompany my posts. And second, for what gets revealed down under the surface of our minds through journal writing. This is where 'gossamer' lives. It's magic.
Next week is the final session of my current journal writing program at The Meeting Place in Fremantle. Last week, I focussed on naming feelings in 'hard' moments and writing in response to the unnamed, unowned, needs that sat in there (acknowledgement to Kate Poll Uk for the research behind this prompt). This seems to be a really tough ask for women - it's as if we aren't even aware we have any! Which kind of begs the question, 'if I'm not aware of what I need in situations, then how on earth can I engage as an informed participant in anything I do?'
I listened to Brene Brown's 2 part podcast on BIG - Boundaries, Integrity, Generosity - framework for working with needs. Whilst I find her presentation a bit 'harsh' there are some real nuggets in what she reveals.
She begins with her own story about the impetus for her research into the question about whether people are doing the best they can and the moment of humility in which she personally 'heard' truth (beyond her judgement). The relationship between absence of any thought about needs, and resentment, hits home, and her simple two part mantra for boundary setting is something we can all reflect on.
I love what I call 'images on the horizon' - possibilities of different ways of being we can see and step into. they create a nudge for reflection and writing. This podcast provides a clear contrast between handling life's demands without considering personal needs vs doing so with clarity, and offers plenty of 'food for thought' for reflective writing. Dive in.
In this first of a special two-parter with Ashley, I tell a story from Rising Strong that kicked off our Living BIG strategy.
