What is the kindest thing for you, right now?

Sometimes kindness is letting myself curl up on my bed and cry.

Sometimes it’s running a drawing class even though I wake up feeling it’s impossible. And coming away from it filled with a sense of love and connection.

Sometimes it’s getting myself out for a walk even though it feels too hard.

Sometimes it’s eating something at normal meal times even though I feel numb.

Sometimes it’s painting on my little balcony amongst urban jungle when all I want to do is be free and be with trees, my feet touching the earth.

Sometimes it’s letting myself cry in gratitude at the kindness of strangers and the small miracles (the last golden flash of afternoon sunlight, the bubbles of my kombucha tickling my tongue).

Some days it’s all these things.

Sending love to you today and hope you are meeting yourself with kindness and love, no matter how you are feeling. You deserve it. Always.

You will get through this time.

So will I.

We will look back on this time and be so proud of ourselves.

Keep going. Gently. One day at a time. It won’t be like this forever. 💚

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What’s one kind thing you could do for yourself right now?

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Want to draw with me?

I’m running one last free class this week on zoom! Friday, 7pm AEST, 19 August. Booking required.

What to do when you feel like sh*t - 7 fantastic, free resources for tough times

It’s been a super challenging time for a long time now, and although there are awesome good things happening, we’re still living in a time of extreme uncertainty. It’s totally normal to have times where you feel it’s all too much (I do!).

Some things that have been getting me through:

1. Loading up the You Feel Like Shit website, answering the questions, and following the prompts. (Note: seems to only work on desktop and not mobile.)

2. Listening to and following this breathwork meditation, with headphones (sometimes alone, and sometimes with friends).

3. Loading up a silly dance workout video, “Grumble Boogie” (see the videos tab). Always makes me smile and laugh, even when I’m crying!

4. Laying down and listening to “yoga nidra for sleep” by Jennifer Piercy (also available free on the “Insight Timer” app).

5. Loading up the sounds of rain in a forest or rain on a tent, or a cat purring, or a combination of these, using the free “Rain Rain” app.

6. Listening to a podcast. My favourites include:

   • “Uncommon Sense” by Amy Mullins (juicy Long-form conversations about politics and current events, international affairs, history, art, books, and the natural world);

   • “Song Baker” with Sam Buckingham (real talk with female creators);

   • “This American Life” with Ira Glass

7. Browsing art! You can see my available paintings on my website or scroll through my Instagram (includes timelapse videos of my painting process). People tell me this makes them feel brighter and more hopeful about the future. I also enjoy following Sarah Firth, Gorkie, Nadia Dusselberg, Nikki Frankel, and L M Martin.

Harassing strangers and begging them to let you take photos of their cute dog to look at later is also legit. ;)

What about you? Do you have other free tools that you’d like to share? Comment below!

What would you do for a best friend right now?

We had good news in Melbourne today, zero new COVID cases, and news that our lockdown will be ending in less than 48 hours.

It’s good news, but it’s huge change. Melbourne people have been living in an environment of extreme uncertainty, stress, and fear for much of this year.

It is normal and to be expected that we will find this news overwhelming. I, for one, burst into tears and became numb for a bit.

A few weeks back, I saved the above image as the background on my phone as a prompt. If I had a best friend feeling how I am in this moment, what would I do for them? Maybe I’d offer them a glass of water, a meal, a soothing hot shower, time on the couch with a teddy bear and a hot cup of tea. Maybe I’d deactivate Facebook for a break from all the mental overload. Maybe I’d be too tired for a walk but I’d still get myself outside just to sit down leaning against a tree and look at the clouds.

You might find this technique useful, too.

Sending love to everyone everywhere who is feeling overwhelmed. There’s nothing wrong with you. It’s the new normal. Be kind to yourself about it. Show up for yourself like you would a best friend, even if it feels too hard. Because you are worth it and it is how you will get through this period of huge change and learn how to surf it elegantly like a pro. 💚💚💚

Right now I have spent a couple of hours hungry but too brain dead to cook. I decided if I had a best friend here who was feeling like this, I’d make her pancakes for dinner to put a smile on her face. Decision made.

What’s one kind thing you are going to do for yourself right now, as your best friend?