Hello dear reader, happy autumn/spring. Such an exciting change of season for both hemispheres.
I have a question, do you ever notice how conversations on similar themes cycle around you sometimes? At the moment I feel like two themes keep popping up around me, and they both interelate with each other.
Maybe it’s my age group. Maybe it’s the world right now, I’m not sure.
The first theme is that many people around me are having a work-quake or a life-quake at the moment. Something big and disruptive, or a big drive to make change. Conversation around this theme often drift into questions around community, mutual aid, and ways that we can come together to support each other through these tough times of change.
The second theme at the moment is about being more intentional about the people we spend our valuable time with. I’m finding myself making time for like-minded friends who aren’t all that convienient to hang out with, but are worth spending the effort to stay connected with.
One interstate friend and I schedule phone calls a month or so ahead of time, and we have a ‘bike rack’ (a text thread) where we park things that we want to chat about next time.
Another friend who lives at the other end of the state and I have recently become pen pal via the post, which is a beautiful slow way to stay connected these days.
And bunch of friends and I are building a wonderful tradition of coming together every 6 months to camp, share permaculture skills and seasonal food. It’s the best. Even though it takes a bit of work to make it happen, it has become an important community to me.
I guess all that is to say that connections that feel supportive are worth putting in time to cultivate. And when we put in an effort and share gratitude for the friendships we have, we are building a strong web of connections that can catch us when it’s our turn for a work- or life-quake.
It sounds embarrasingly simple, but it’s so easy to not put the effort in, and then quite quickly start to feel isolated and disconnected, even among other people.
What do you think? Do you find themes in the conversations that circulate around you? Do you find that you are putting more effort into building better quality connections? Have you found ways to make that happen that works well for you?
I love to hear what you think.
In the studio this month
I’ve been in my happy place this month, in that I’ve been slow-motion multitasking.
Here’s a Ted Talk about it that
sent me to and said ‘this is what you do!’ It’s ‘actively juggling multiple projects and moving between topics as the mood strikes -- without feeling hurried.’In the studio I’ve been web-designing, graphic designing, lino printing, writing, designing by hand and editing photos. I know it might be cool to aim to do one thing really well, but I love switching disciplines and getting in the flow, using different skills throughout the day.
With the year hooning along already, rather than being swept along, this year I feel like I’m finding new energy to be more intentional with my time. I’m loving this project planner I mentioned in January - it’s really helping me not only to get the billable work done, but also make time for other projects that are important to me.. ah hem… like my re-brand. You might have noticed a few things have changed around here?
These new vibes on Substack are a taster of the website I’m building. It’s looking so fresh and fun, and it feels like it’s loaded with more energy than my past websites. I’m excited to press publish… hopefully soon!
I’ve been paying attention to…
…the Tasmanian state election that is coming up on 23rd March, and the lack of any mention of the climate emergency. So on March 17th I’ll be Marching in March for political action against native forest logging.
A seriously beautiful Wisdom & Action podcast called Isabella Tree on Transfomation and Rewilding.
I’ve start watching a stunning 12-part series that is still being released called Something Beautiful for the World, a collaboration between three independent filmmakers - Reflections of Life, Campfire Stories and Happen Films.
And here is an ongoing list of great links for books, podcasts, films, etc, that I’ve loved, maybe you will too.