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Finding it hard to start writing & to stay focused and motivated?

Download my 10 favorite WRITING PROMPTS & a guided singing bowl MEDITATION + join our online community. It’s free!

Hi!

I am Kerstin Pilz, PhD.

Writer, teacher, world traveler, yogini, meditator and photography enthusiast.

I believe we are the authors of our lives. We are in charge of the stories we tell ourselves.

When I got lost in the dark woods of grief, creative writing made me find my way out.

I am so glad that you’ve found me!

I am here to help you discover the power of your own voice and to guide you towards your own creative inner magic.

I offer you what I know about the healing power of writing and I share with you what I’ve learned about the craft of writing and storytelling, about words, meaning and language, in 20 years as University lecturer.

Read my story Watch my TEDx Talk

Are you ready to start writing in 2021?

Want to START WRITING this year?

You’ve always wanted to write and don’t know how to start? Or maybe you’ve written before, but your creativity needs a little push?

Join me for a 3-week writing sprint.

I’ll send you the writing prompts. All you have to do is show up and do the work.

The start of the year is the perfect time to start writing!

 

 
See more & purchase

Check out my ONLINE COURSES, RETREATS & DOWNLOADABLE MEDITATIONS

Online Writers Group

Online writers group Zoom meetings

.

Join me every third weekend of the month for a LIVE WRITING SESSION.

It’s amazing what you can write in 1.5 hours in a supportive community via Zoom.

Next live session: Saturday January 16 & Sunday January 17

Buy your ticket here!

TROPICAL WRITER’S RETREAT

creative writers retreat Australia

.

What would happen if you gave yourself the gift of a creative writing holiday?

Join me in my beautiful home in Far North Queensland for an exclusive 5-day small group writing retreat.

2021 dates now available.

Tell me more!

NEW YEAR MINDFULNESS RESET

.

The start of the year is an opportunity for letting go & setting fresh intentions.

That’s why we’ve created this exclusive end-of-year singing bowl meditation album for you, complete with a 40-page journal.

Start the year off right with this mindfulness reset.

Yes Please!

The Healing Power of Writing

Watch my TED Talk and find out why writing is the best thing you can do for yourself

The Healing Power of Writing

TEDxTownsville, October 2020

It’s one of the scariest things I’ve ever done. But also one I am most proud of.

I told my story of how I discovered the healing power of writing by going through the fires of grief in 15-minutes to a global audience.

My knees were trembling as I stood there in that red circle, blinded by a bright white light. But my voice was loud and clear.

Only the truly brave dare to be vulnerable.

Saying those words on stage felt empowering. I was speaking my own truth.

I believe that we are the authors of our lives. Vulnerability is the way to a deeper relationship with ourselves and with others.

Watch my TED talk and find out why I think we can all benefit from the healing power of writing and from the joy of creative self-expression.

 
Join the community

What’s new on the blog

Mindfulness Gift Ideas from the Write Your Journey online shop
Home Page Feature, Xmas

Mindfulness Gift Ideas for Self-Care This Season

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December 15, 2020
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Home Page Feature, Xmas

Six FREE self-care gifts to give yourself this season

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December 7, 2020
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How to write when you don’t have time
Home Page Feature, Latest Posts

How to Write When You Don’t Have Time | Tips for Writing When Life is Busy

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December 1, 2020
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Home Page Feature, Latest Posts, TED Talk

What to wear for a TED Talk and how I dealt with last-minute TED Talk dress disaster

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November 29, 2020
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creative writers retreat Australia
Home Page Feature, Latest Posts, Retreats

Tropical Writing Retreat Australia – Mission Beach Retreat Photo Essay

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November 19, 2020
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Home Page Feature, Most Popular

10 essential life lessons this decade has taught me

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December 13, 2019
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writeyourjourney

Kerstin Pilz

writeyourjourney

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What are you doing right now as we prepare for the end of 2020? It's a pretty big year to close the door on.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ How about taking a moment to curl up with a journal and your favorite beverage to untangle this big year, embrace the lessons learned, take stock of your own resilience and get clear on what you want from the brand new set of 365 blank pages that are about to roll out for all of us.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ We've run this as a live workshop on the last day of the year many times and it's always been a sold-out event.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ This year we are offering it as a self-paced digital download at a special pandemic discount (expires January 10).⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Includes a 40-page ebook, 1.5 hours of original singing bowl meditations (guided and soundtrack-only versions are included).⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Give yourself this gift and get ready for 2021 with clarity and intention.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #linkinbio⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ *⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ *⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ * ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #selfcare #meditation #zen #personalgrowth #personaldevelopment #reflection #introspection #newyearsresolutions #goals #newyearsresolutions #instanewyear #newyear #change #life #2021 #newyear

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#decemberreflections DAY 16: PLANT LOVE⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I am lucky to live surrounded by jungle. Everything grows like crazy in the tropics. At this time of the year the morning air is fragrant with ylang ylang, a native rainforest tree, that is used in aromatherapy and precious parfums, including Chanel. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I haven't got a pic of it and I wish I could capture the fragrance here on IG. It's rich and deep with notes of rubber and custard, and bright with hints of jasmine and neroli...a blissful stimulation on my early morning walks. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ What's your favorite scent?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ *⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ *⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ * ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #gratitude #happiness #selflove #covid-10 #stayhomestaycreative #noticewonderconnect #timeonmyhands #consciouscreativity #creativelifehappylife #forgeyourownpath #wholeheartedliving #theslowcollective #alifeofintention #seeksimplicity #theartofslow #mindfulness #calm #innerpeace #zen #innercalm #happy #wellness #goals #instaselfcare #instaselflove #wholeheartedliving #aromatherapy

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Everything is strange this year, even the weather forecast. We are supposed to have an early wet season this year. But it's mid December and we are still enjoying spectacularly cloud-free mornings like this one. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ It's a La Nina year. The last time we had that weather pattern, 10 years ago, a category 5 cyclone destroyed my beautiful beachside haven of #missionbeach, leaving an entire community grieving and World Heritage listed rainforest devastated. It was an unfathomable amount of destruction. 10 years on and nature has healed itself. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ We get cyclones every year and I no longer bat an eyelid when we get a category 2 warning. But the possibility of a heavier than usual wet season prompted me to take a very sensible decision: I have deferred all retreats until after the wet season. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ It was a difficult decision given that I had some wonderful women lined up to get stuck into writing their books with me at the start of 2021. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ But it comes with a silver lining: I now have time to get back to writing my own book! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ It's all about keeping my priorities in focus.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ What are your priorities for 2021? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ *⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ *⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ *⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #gratitude #happiness #selflove #covid-10 #stayhomestaycreative #noticewonderconnect #timeonmyhands #consciouscreativity #creativelifehappylife #forgeyourownpath #wholeheartedliving #theslowcollective #alifeofintention #seeksimplicity #theartofslow #mindfulness #calm #innerpeace #zen #innercalm #happy #wellness #goals #instaselfcare #instaselflove #wholeheartedliving

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DECEMBER REFLECTIONS with @susannahconway⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ DAY 12: Best decision in 2020⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Not rushing to the airport in order to try to get back to Hoi An when it was announced that in 36 hours the borders would close. I literally froze and missed the chance to get out. At the time it seemed like a really bad decision. Suddenly I was stranded in Australia, separated from my partner. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Nobody knew then that this would turn into almost a year of closed borders. It took a moment for the reality to sink in that I was literally trapped on this large continent at the end of the world, whilst my partner remained in Hoi An. Australia wasn't letting anybody out and Vietnam wasn't going to let anybody in.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Who knows when I will get back to Hoi An? After 10 months of separation, my partner made the difficult decision to come back to Australia. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ We left behind a life we'd spent 4 years building and a fully furnished home. It all seemed like a really bad idea.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ But in hindsight, I can say that I have blossomed and grown in ways I didn't expect. New opportunities have presented themselves. I was invited to give a TED talk. I have held two very successful retreats in Australia. I have transformed my home into a retreat centre...⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Looking back on this strange year, the decision to let the 36-hour window before the borders closed pass, turns out to have been the best thing I could have done.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ What a strange year this has been.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ What is one of the best decisions you took in 2020?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ *⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ *⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ * ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #gratitude #happiness #selflove #covid-10 #stayhomestaycreative #consciouscreativity #creativelifehappylife #forgeyourownpath #wholeheartedliving #theslowcollective #alifeofintention #seeksimplicity #theartofslow #mindfulness #innerpeace #zen #innercalm #happy #wellness #goals #instaselfcare #instaselflove #wholeheartedliving

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The remote emptiness of Far North Queensland that I have so often hated, strangely has been a comfort this year.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ One of the benefits of becoming stranded here, is that I had a lot of space and time to be alone. Most mornings, mine are the first footsteps on the sand at sunrise. What a gift.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Speaking of gifts, it's the season of gift giving. The person we most often forget is of course ourselves! I've put together a blog post of my favorite FREE self-care gifts. #linkinbio⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ It includes Morning Pages, my daily walk and lots of sleep!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ What are your favorite self-care gifts? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ *⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ *⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ *⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #gratitude #happiness #selflove #covid-10 #stayhomestaycreative #noticewonderconnect #timeonmyhands #consciouscreativity #creativelifehappylife #forgeyourownpath #wholeheartedliving #theslowcollective #alifeofintention #seeksimplicity #theartofslow #mindfulness #calm #innerpeace #zen #innercalm #happy #wellness #goals #instaselfcare #instaselflove #wholeheartedliving

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Can you see that little dot in this pic? That's the full moon. That was one of the times this month when I forced myself to slow down, stop working and actually be present to the rhythm of things. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ This year when the world slowed to a standstill, still sees us all rushing into the final month of the year.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ So I've sat down for a good one-on-one with myself and I've made a list of all the self-care gifts I need to give myself more regularly. I felt inspired and turned it into a blog post (#linkinbio), because there are so many little things we can do every day to help us feel balanced, in sync with ourselves and energised throughout the year.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Self-care isn’t all about bubble baths and spa treatments. It’s about how we look after our physical and mental wellbeing. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ For me it's all about slowing down and switching from busy 'doing mode' to 'being mode'. I don't do it often enough, hence the long note to self (which turned into a blog post that you can read here: https://www.writeyourjourney.com/self-care-gifts-to-give-yourself-this-season/). ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ How about you? What are your top self-care gifts to yourself? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ *⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ *⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ *⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #selfcare #meditation #zen #personalgrowth #personaldevelopment #reflection #introspection #newyearsresolutions #goals #newyearsresolutions #newyear #change #life #gifts #christmas #christmasgifts

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#decemberreflections2020 with @susannahconway⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ DAY 9: SILVER Waiting for the dark clouds of the wet season to close in on us. In the meantime enjoying these silver hues.

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#decemberreflections2020 with @susannahconway⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ DAY 8: FAVE CAPTURE OF 2020⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ It would have to be this pic. I took it back in late January on my first morning walk around my small fishing village in Hoi An, central Vietnam after being bed-ridden for almost a week (in hindsight I wonder if it was Covid-19). ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I made the effort to walk to the market that morning because it was the last one before TET, the Vietnamese New Year. The TET markets offer endless colourful photo opportunities but on that morning it was sensory overload in every sense: the colours, sounds, smells and the chaos of vendors, buyers and scooters as the market swells to double its normal size at this time of the year had me instantly in a dizzy spell...but then I saw this on my way back down the quiet lane to my house and I felt very happy that I'd found beauty where I least expected it...in a puddle on a potholed road. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ What's an unexpected place where you found beauty this year? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #miksang #contemplativephotography #mindfulness #inspiration #moments #creativelifehappylife #writeyourjourney #gratitude #happiness #selflove #stayhomestaycreative #noticewonderconnect #timeonmyhands #consciouscreativity #creativelifehappylife #forgeyourownpath #wholeheartedliving #theslowcollective #alifeofintention #seeksimplicity #theartofslow #mindfulness #calm #innerpeace #innercalm #happy #instaselfcare #instaselflove #wholeheartedliving

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#decemberreflections2020 with @susannahconway⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ DAY 7: ON MY WISHLIST⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ A TED talk hadn't been on my wishlist. Not for this year, not even for next year. I hadn't dared to dream that big. But then a pandemic was declared, the borders closed and my life changed, from one day to the next... ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ As it became clear that I would not be able to return to my home in Hoi An for the rest of this year (and possibly next year) I had no choice but to cancel all of my retreats in Vietnam for 2020. I became separated from my partner for the next 10 months, I lost my Airbnb income because suddenly I needed to live in my own home. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ So I came up with plan B. I put out a call for a writers retreat right here in my own home in Mission Beach. Two days later it was sold out. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ One of the women who signed up texted me to say that she was down the road from me for the weekend and would I like to catch up. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ That's how I met my TED sister Peace Mitchell, co-founder of @ausmumpreneur and @thewomensbusinessschool. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Peace casually mentioned that she was busy finishing her application for the TEDxTownsville. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ The deadline was in a few days. I had nothing to loose and not much else to do, stranded as I was on my own in a remote beachside town. So I gave it a shot...⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Just goes to show that sometimes your wishlist can come true before you've even put it out there...!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ My TED talk is finally up (#linkinbio). ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ What's on your wishlist?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ . ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #ted #tedx #tedxtownsville #tedtalks #believeinyourself #townsville #noticewonderconnect #goals #tedx_official #writeyourjourney⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Photocredit: Kylie Bartlett @lead.love.leap

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#decemberreflections2020 with @susannahconway⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ DAY 5: BIGGEST LESSON FROM 2020⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Adversity can bring new opportunities, transformation and growth.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ It's not the first time life taught me this lesson the hard way. Exactly 10 years ago, life threw a number of gigantic obstacles in my path that made me stumble hard and fall deep.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ It took a number of years to get off the slippery slope and write a new chapter for myself. On January 1st, 2021, it will be 10 years since my husband Gianni died. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ In a strange twist of fate, 2020 brought a fresh series of obstacles, for me and everybody else, and yet this strange year has also brought unexpected opportunities that reaffirmed what I already knew:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🔸Overcoming adversity can be a path to growth and transformation.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🔸When we crash hard, we CAN rise strong!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🔸Writing can heal and guide us through a difficult time.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🔸Mindfulness meditation can bring calm and clarity amid the storm.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🔸There is light after darkness.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🔸You are more resilient than you think.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ What's your biggest lesson from 2020?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ . ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #gratitude #happiness #selflove #covid-19 #stayhomestaycreative #noticewonderconnect #timeonmyhands #consciouscreativity #creativelifehappylife #forgeyourownpath #wholeheartedliving #theslowcollective #alifeofintention #seeksimplicity #theartofslow #mindfulness #calm #innerpeace #zen #innercalm #happy #wellness #goals #instaselfcare #instaselflove #wholeheartedliving #writeyourjourney

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#decemberreflections2020 with @susannahconway⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ DAY 4: SOMETHING RED⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ My famous red dress. A brand new blog post goes with the red dress (#linkinbio).⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I found the dress on the last weekend before my TED talk in a secondhand shop.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I hadn’t expected that what to wear for a TED talk would become an issue...but this is the year of surprises. Including this red dress. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I'd only brought a carry-on when I arrived in Australia in February for what was meant to be two short weeks. But then the borders closed and I lived for many months in leggins and a T-shirt, like everybody else did this year.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ The wardrobe that I keep in my tiny granny flat in Mission Beach had been radically decluttered the year before. It offered two passable options: a black dress or a funky blazer that I could pair with white jeans and a red top. Both options looked reasonably nice.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ But when I saw the stage, I knew that black wasn’t going to work. The backdrop on the stage was black and in a black dress I was going to look like a disembodied head and pair of arms.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ The blazer with the funky pattern of thin asymmetrical stripes wasn’t going to work either. It would make me look like I was standing underneath a strobe-light disco ball. Apparently, cameras don’t like pinstripes.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I needed a new dress.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Read the rest of the story on my blog. It's a funny story to make you smile today! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ PS: that's my good friend and yoga buddy Gitta who had driven 300 kms to come and hear me speak at TedxTownsville.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #ted #tedx #tedxtownsville #tedtalks #believeinyourself #writeyourjourney #townsville #noticewonderconnect #goals #tedx_official

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#decemberreflections2020 with @susannahconway⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ DAY 3: BEST DAY OF 2020⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ There were surprisingly many good days in 2020! The day after I gave my TED talk would have to be one of the best. After a month of intense rehearsing, I was finally able to relax with this as my breakfast view.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Today is another great day. My TED talk is up, the typo in my surname has finally been fixed (hallelujah!) and I am ready to share it with the world. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Well, actually, I am not sure that I am ready, but it's time to release it to the world. I can't tell you how scary it is to do this. I may look confident in my red dress, but underneath it all, I feel shit-scared. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I keep telling myself that it takes guts to be vulnerable. And I know, beyond a doubt, that we need to share our stories to empower ourselves and to support each other in being vulnerable. I am doing this as much for me as I am doing this for you and everybody else. We need to allow our emotions in. All of them.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ So today is one of the best days of 2020. I am letting the world know that it's finally online. My TED talk about The Healing Power of Writing. Link is in my bio!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #linkinbio #ted #tedx #tedxtownsville #tedtalks #believeinyourself #writeyourjourney #townsville #noticewonderconnect #goals #tedx_official @thevilletsv

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#decemberreflections2020 with @susannahconway⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ DAY 2: FAVORITE HOBBY⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ When you've made your passion your day job, it's hard to say what my favorite hobby is. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Believe it or not, tinkering with my website and designing graphics and new pages is kind of a hobby for me. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ My other favorite past time is spending time in nature, going for long walks or simply watching this view. It's not so much a hobby but a lifestyle. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Maybe I need to find a new hobby? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ What's your favorite hobby?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ . ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #gratitude #love #life #peace #happiness #grateful #blessed #meditation #motivation #inspiration #happy #selflove #thankful #spirituality #believe #mindfulness #goodvibes #energy #positivethinking #instagood #mindset #superpower #abundance #awareness #writeyourjourney #hobbies #tropicalbeach #missionbeach #farnorthqueensland

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#decemberreflections2020⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ DAY 1: STAR⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I am doing December Reflections again with @susannahconway. It's a great way to take stock of the year that has been and to get some instalove happening as we wind up the year that nobody saw coming.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ It's a full moon tonight, the wet season is on our doorstop and I doubt that I'll see any stars tonight. On a clear night in this remote place the Milky Way is literally within scratching distance.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ The sun is my star today. It's the star attraction of my daily morning walks. It's what gets me out of bed in the mornings. It's what makes me feel alive and connected to the planet and to the natural rhythm of things.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ What's the star of your day today?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ . ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #creativelifehappylife #forgeyourownpath #wholeheartedliving #theslowcollective #alifeofintention #seeksimplicity #theartofslow #fnq #tropicalfarnorthqueensland #missionbeach #writeyourjourney #sunsrise #tropicalbeach #5amclub #earlybird @susannahconway

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What a lucky capture on my morning walk. Glorious skies before the wet season rolls in.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Getting up to watch the sunrise is a special pleasure I discovered when I moved to the tropics over 10 years ago.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ What's your favorite way to start your day?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ . ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #creativelifehappylife #forgeyourownpath #wholeheartedliving #theslowcollective #alifeofintention #seeksimplicity #theartofslow #fnq #tropicalfarnorthqueensland #missionbeach #5amclub #earlybird #sunrise #tropicalbeach

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Here's the final German translation of the word retreat I put to my mother. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ der Rückzug⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ retreat, withdrawal, retraction, drawback⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ It wasn't very helpful as it brought to mind soldiers withdrawing from battle (which of course goes back to the origin of the Latin verb ‘ritirare’).⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ But in a sense that's exactly what we do on a retreat.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ The five women who came together for my first Australian writing retreat had each in her own way retreated from the daily battles we all fight at home and at work. They’d given themselves 5 days out to work on their books and on themselves.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ What do you do to retreat from the daily battles? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ *⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ *⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ * ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #writersretreat #writingretreat #meditation #innerpeace #zen #mindfulness #yogaretreat #creativetime #writeyourjourney #transformationalretreat #retreat #retreatlife #wellbeing #wellnessretreat #followyourbliss #gratitude #travel #journaling #heartcentred #innerjourney #fnq #missionbeach #cairns #farnorthqueensland #tropicalfarnorthqueensland #selfcare #wellness #selflove #queensland #australia

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I struggled to explain to my mum what a retreat is. So I consulted my German dictionary. Here is another definition I found:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ der Zufluchtsort⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ haven, retreat, sanctuary, place of refuge, hideaway, safe house⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Women of my mother's generation don't go on retreats. In her day you might have gone to a health spa; there are even specific wellness institutions for burned-out mums in Germany, the Muttergensungswerk. But my mum never allowed herself any self care. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ In her imagination retreats are for monastics who pursue spiritual growth in places of refuge and mountain-top sanctuaries.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Come to think of it, our writing retreats are a little bit like that, except we pursue our inner growth in colorful beach frocks and comfortable yoga clothes.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ In the past I've held my retreats at beautiful @anvilla in Vietnam. This year, thanks to the pandemic, I turned my beachfront home in Mission Beach into a haven of calm. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Since borders are set to remain closed for the near future, I will continue to use my home as a place where writers can gather to slow down; where we can safely go on our inner journeys and come home to ourselves.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ What's your ideal retreat? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ *⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ *⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ * ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #writersretreat #writingretreat #meditation #innerpeace #zen #mindfulness #yogaretreat #creativetime #writeyourjourney #transformationalretreat #retreat #retreatlife #wellbeing #wellnessretreat #followyourbliss #gratitude #travel #journaling #heartcentred #innerjourney #fnq #missionbeach #cairns #farnorthqueensland #tropicalfarnorthqueensland #selfcare #wellness #selflove #queensland #australia

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And since it's so much fun, we've opened the doors to welcome another small group of writers to retreat with us this week in beautiful Mission Beach, Far North Queensland.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ What do you expect from a writing retreat? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ *⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ *⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ * ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #writersretreat #writingretreat #meditation #innerpeace #zen #mindfulness #yogaretreat #creativetime #writeyourjourney #transformationalretreat #retreat #retreatlife #wellbeing #wellnessretreat #followyourbliss #gratitude #travel #journaling #heartcentred #innerjourney #fnq #missionbeach #cairns #farnorthqueensland #tropicalfarnorthqueensland #selfcare #wellness #selflove #queensland #australia

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“What is a retreat?”⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ When my mother asked me this recently, I had to consult my dictionary. You see, there isn’t a perfect translation in German and the English word is widely used, but it doesn't mean much to my 80year old mother. Despite running retreats in Vietnam for the last few years, my parents still don't really get what a retreat is.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Browsing through my dictionary, I found this:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ‘der Schlupfwinkel’⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ - hiding place, hideout, retreat, recess, nest, quiet corner⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ My 8-year old self who built secret hideouts and cubby holes fit that mental image of my mum’s.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ It got me thinking that a writing retreat is a bit like going into a secret hiding place and making out with your creativity!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ To really get into the creative flow, I like to start with a bit of play. At our first Tropical Writers Retreat here in Mission Beach we began our writing sessions by retreating into our inner child. We built cubby holes from the pages in our journals and threw words around as if they were play dough.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ We spent an hour each day writing for the pure joy of it, discovering the different nuances of our voices as writers. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ One woman surprised herself by writing a poem. Another watched her inner garden grow and blossom.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ What would happen if you let your inner child out in your writing practice and wrote with wild abandon?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ *⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ *⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ *⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #authorlife #amwriting #writingcommunity #amreading #writingprompts #writingtip, #writershelpingwriters #authorsofinstagram #writeyourjourney #nextdraft2020 #writinggoals #writinglife #creativewriting #writeeveryday #writingchallenge #writingretreat #retreat #writinginspiration⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #farnorthqueensland #tropicalfarnorthqueensland #selfcare #wellness #selflove #queensland #australia #missionbeach

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Do something every day that scares you! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ This writing prompt was part of the 6 writing prompts I shared in my Halloween inspired blog post to get you writing about fear.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ It might sound like an old cliché, but it's a powerful one! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ When we write about our fears, we infuse our writing and our stories with energy. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ And when we face our fears we become empowered.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ What does it mean to you, personally? What do you avoid in your life because of fear? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ What could you do today that scares you? Maybe it’s something small that you really can achieve before you go to bed tonight or maybe it’s something bigger that you want to work towards. What would it mean to you to overcome that fear?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Join our private Facebook Community and share your writing. Or better still, join me in an hour's time for our penultimate Free Zoom Writing Session (pm for details).⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ *⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ *⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ *⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #amwriting #writingcommunity #writingprompt #writingtip, #writershelpingwriters #writingprompt #writeyourjourney #writingprompts #writinggoals #writinglife #creativewriting #writeeveryday #writingchallenge

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I have to take a moment to say a huge thank you to my partner Nigel who returned from Vietnam and 2 weeks quarantine just in time to join us as retreat chef, musician and machete-wielding coconut carver! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ He gifted us with some very inspired sound bowl playing that helped to make us feel in tune with ourselves and allowed us to go on deep inner journeys.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I was even asked to swap one of my morning yoga classes for his sound baths, he was that popular! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ If you haven't tried it, singing bowl meditations help to transport you into a state of deep relaxation, the theta range of brainwaves, really quickly.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ It's effortless meditation. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ We have another retreat next week and I look forward to joining into these deep relaxations.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ How do you relax? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ . #creativelifehappylife #forgeyourownpath #wholeheartedliving #theslowcollective #alifeofintention #seeksimplicity #theartofslow #singingbowlmeditations #mindfulness #calm #innerpeace #meditation #mindfulnessmeditation #zen #innercalm #flow #writingprompts #guidedmeditation #singingbowls #writeyourjourney

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All our writing retreats are designed to be a haven for mind, body and soul. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ In our Mission Beach Retreat we started each day with a gentle yogic practice. Yoga means union and when mind and body are in union, our creativity flows so much easier.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ On two mornings, I led us through gentle sequences targeting the pain points of the writer’s body. We worked out our tight hips, shortened hamstrings and sore shoulders and made time for a lovely long shavasana. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I love that we could do this in the bright sunny space of my garden - this home has truly found its purpose as a retreat location!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ While international travel still isn’t possible, I do have space on my upcoming retreat dates for those within Australia’s borders - click the link in my bio and don’t miss out!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #writersretreat #writingretreat #meditation #innerpeace #zen #mindfulness #yogaretreat #creativetime #writeyourjourney #transformationalretreat #retreat #retreatlife #wellbeing #wellnessretreat #followyourbliss #gratitude #travel #journaling #heartcentred #innerjourney #fnq #missionbeach #cairns #farnorthqueensland #tropicalfarnorthqueensland #selfcare #wellness #selflove #queensland #australia

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**UPDATED times for our US writers!** NOVEMBER ZOOM DATES!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ It’s that time of the month again, time for our Zoom writing group meet-ups.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ This is the penultimate 2020 session, so I hope you’ll join me for an hour and a half of self-gifted ‘me time’. This is your chance to flourish creatively, connect with our wonderful writing community and tap into your inner self.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Zoom meeting details are shared through my newsletter, which I will sent on Thursday morning. If you aren’t already, sign up on the website - link in bio ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #amwriting #writingcommunity #amreading #writingprompts #writingtips #writeeveryday #creativity #creativityfound #aspiringwriter #writersworld #writingchallenge #writinginspiration #writerscommunity #writersofinstagram

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I can't believe that it's a week already since we finished our first Tropical Writers Retreat here in beautiful Mission Beach, Far North Queensland. It was a truly magical experience and a privilege to lead five wonderful women on their writing journeys. Even the peacock at our scheduled picnic stop on the way from the airport welcomed us with a full display of his beautiful bouquet of feathers. . We started each day with gentle yoga. Soundbaths took us on deep journeys, as did a Kundalini practice with sacred cacao ceremony facilitated by the lovely Kellie from Ishwarpreet. The cacao is grown right here in Mission Beach and was harvested literally the day before. It kept us buzzing all day! . The mornings were reserved for our daily 2-hour writing session. We always start with a few timed writing prompts to unleash our creativity and to uncover the gems and the stories that lie buried deep within. The second half of the daily workshops were dedicated to finding our hook, to craft our outline and a personal mission statement. Some very important books and personals stories were begun to be written on that veranda over those precious 5 days. . Nigel had returned just in time from Vietnam and two weeks quarantine to be on hand as our personal chef, chauffeur, singing bowl master, coconut chopper and tourguide through World Heritage listed rainforest. . It always fills my heart with joy to watch women come together to write, relax deeply and connect with their voices and write their truths. It's on days like these that I know I did the right thing to leave my academic university position and follow my passion. I can't think of a better job in the world! . There are still a few places left on our November 26th Retreat here in Mission Beach. If you are in Far North Queensland, then get in touch today! Link to retreats in bio. . #writersretreats #writingretreats #writingholiday #writeyourjourney #retreats #retreatsaustralia #writersofinstagram #missionbeach #tropicalfnq #writersretreat

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Wow, that was a special gathering at my house! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 5 full days, 5 strong women, each with a powerful story to tell.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ We alternated brainstorming and laser-focused writing with soul nourishing yoga classes and soundbaths. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ On Sunday morning Kellie from @ishwarpreet took us through a kundalini sequence and a sacred cacao ceremony with cacao grown right here in Mission Beach. One of the most incredible beverages I've ever drunk.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ It kept us buzzing all day as we crafted our hooks and outlines.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ It feels a bit lonely here today. It was so great to connect, to write together and to release together.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Looking for a holiday with a difference? I have got two spots left in my next retreat.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ November 26 - 30. It's a special gift to give yourself at the end of this crazy year. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Prices go up in 2021. So be quick and get in while the inaugural special lasts. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Link in bio. Or reply to me with any questions. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #writersretreat #writingretreat #meditation #innerpeace #zen #mindfulness #yogaretreat #creativetime #writeyourjourney #transformationalretreat #retreat #retreatlife #wellbeing #wellnessretreat #followyourbliss #gratitude #travel #journaling #heartcentred #innerjourney #fnq #missionbeach #cairns #farnorthqueensland #tropicalfarnorthqueensland #selfcare #wellness #selflove #queensland #australia

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FIVE THINGS ABOUT ME⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ It's been a while since I introduced myself here. I share this with my online writers community this week, so I thought I'd share it here too to start a conversation.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ . ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 1. I was born and and raised in Germany, but fled grey skies as soon as I was of age. At 25 I washed up on Australian shores broke and without an education and it's been my home ever since.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 2. I paid my own way through highschool and university, doing lots of odd jobs, including a year as a hospice worker. It was a more profound education than any Phd could have given me.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 3. I discovered yoga by accident standing on my head trying to stay awake to get a university assignment done. I've been an avid yogini ever since.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 4. I've always written a journal. I couldn't imagine my life without writing. It's been my best friend and my life savor during the most difficult times.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 5. Nature is my temple and my sanctuary where I go to revive and to find nourishing stillness. I've traded the German forests for tropical rainforest and I now live in the Wet Tropics of Australia's Far North (well, until February this year Hoi An in central Vietnam was my home, but Covid-19 and closed borders means I am stranded here for a while...and that's ok!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Over to you. Share 5 THINGS ABOUT YOU. Look forward to meeting you. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ . #authorlife #amwriting #authorconfession #writershelpingwriters #authorsofinstagram #writinglife #creativewriting #writeeveryday #writingchallenge #memoir #creativelifehappylife #forgeyourownpath #wholeheartedliving #theslowcollective #alifeofintention #seeksimplicity #theartofslow #fnq #tropicalfarnorthqueensland

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Look at this playground. My neighbors' kids are so blessed. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ It's a daily reminder to cultivate my own playground and to nourish my inner child. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I was a bit of a loner as a kid and I loved roaming the woods on my own. I know, unthinkable today. I did have some scary encounters...but thankfully nothing terrible ever happened. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I still nurture my inner child the way I did back then. Going for long and lonely walks. I am very blessed to have walking paths starting right in front of my doorstep (but as a trade off, the nearest shopping centre is 200kms away and sometimes it can feel just a tad remote). ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ How do you nourish your inner child?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ . ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #health #happy #mindfulness #wellness #goals #mentalhealth #instaselfcare #instaselflove #creativelifehappylife #forgeyourownpath #wholeheartedliving #theslowcollective #alifeofintention #seeksimplicity #theartofslow #fnq #tropicalfarnorthqueensland

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EVERYBODY HAS A STORY⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ What would happen if you took a pause from everything that keeps you busy to nourish yourself with creative, expressive writing exercises, mindfulness, daily yoga, healthy home-cooked food and long beach walks?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ In this retreat you will unlock your creativity, find your voice, discover the healing power of writing & write your story.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Suitable for beginning writers, emerging writers, published authors and anybody who loves to write.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 5 days/4 nights, Special Inaugural Price for 2020: $1250 (regular price $1550)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Includes 4 nights accommodation, meals, all tuition, daily yoga & singing bowl meditations, excursions in World Heritage listed rainforest, return airport transfers & more⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ . ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #writersretreat #writingretreat #meditation #innerpeace #zen #mindfulness #yogaretreat #creativetime #writeyourjourney #transformationalretreat #retreat #retreatlife #wellbeing #wellnessretreat #followyourbliss #gratitude #travel #journaling #heartcentred #innerjourney #fnq #missionbeach #cairns #farnorthqueensland #tropicalfarnorthqueensland #selfcare #wellness #selflove #queensland #australia

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Getting ready for my first Tropical Writers Retreat in beautiful Mission Beach. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Looking forward to welcoming five wonderful women to enjoy this view with a journal and a cup of tea or coffee in the morning before we start our workshops.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ The first retreat sold out immediately. But I've added a few more this year so that I can offer this spot to many more women who need a break from daily life, and who want to get a bit of writing done.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ There'll be plenty of gentle selfcare. We start the day with yoga and singing bowl meditations. And then we get stuck into our writing projects. It's all in the balance.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Will you join me on retreat in tropical paradise?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I have a few spots left in my next retreat. November Thursday 26 - Monday 30.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I can also work in with your dates if you want to bring a group of friends or your writers group. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Small intimate, nourishing home-cooked food from locally grown produce, daily yoga, soundbaths, nature walks and lots of writing. What's not to love!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Link in bio. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ . ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #writersretreat #writingretreat #meditation #innerpeace #zen #mindfulness #yogaretreat #creativetime #writeyourjourney #transformationalretreat #retreat #retreatlife #wellbeing #wellnessretreat #followyourbliss #gratitude #travel #journaling #heartcentred #innerjourney #fnq #missionbeach #cairns #farnorthqueensland #tropicalfarnorthqueensland #selfcare #wellness #selflove #queensland #australia

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I've got a new blog post for you today. #linkinbio.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 6 Halloween Writing Prompts to get you writing about FEAR.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Writing about difficult emotions is often where we achieve our best creative and personal growth and writing about fear is an excellent one to start with. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ We've all felt fear this year...fear of the unknown is one of the most powerful and unsettling emotions. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Here is the first prompt I'd like to share with you: ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ “You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, ‘I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.'”⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ – Eleanor Roosevelt⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Set a timer for 10 minutes and write without stopping to think or edit about a time you overcame fear. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ How did you feel when you overcame your fear? What have you gained from that experience?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Share below. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ . #authorlife #amwriting #authorconfession #writingcommunity #amreading #writingprompt #writingtip, #writershelpingwriters #authorsofinstagram #writeyourjourney #nextdraft2020 #writinggoals #writinglife #creativewriting #writeeveryday #writingchallenge #halloween
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