I'm always at a cross road, as I deeply want people to know me and yet never tell people who I am... so here's another question/ answer - and I'd love to know your answer to this question too so please comment below!
What are my passions other than music?
Something you might not know about me... I am passionate about advocating in the mental wellness space and sharing my lived experience. In 2021 I won the local 'Active Citizen of the Year' award and was presented at our Australia Day Ceremony, which gave me a platform to further speak about my work with the Mentally Fit EP Project and WCYCS. I thought it was pretty cool, cause I got one of them epic glass trophies with my name engraved and it sits under my TV in the lounge room and reminds me ‘I did a thing’ this one time... My name is also engraved on a mini plaque at the Port Lincoln town Jetty, which honours past winners... I was pretty chuffed with that!
I think it's important to be vulnerable, authentic, have integrity, be honest, open and not sugar coat things in day to day life, not throwing out empty, dismissive "positivity" - because that's simply not realistic.
If we don't talk about things, how can we fix them? If we don't acknowledge our emotions, (which are a huge part of being human) how can we possibly heal, relate or live our best lives? Validating each others experiences is a huge part of where healing starts for many... Because in reality you are not alone, even though you may feel it. That's why so many of us laugh at memes... we feel SEEN.
I share bits and pieces of my story using various social media platforms, and also enjoy advocating for the wellness of others by working with troubled young people in my community and also through my song writing and music. Again I'm talking about my work, but it’s something I also do when I'm not at work... it is my passion.
Songwriting for me helps me process complex emotions, it almost feels like closure in a sense… Performing these songs adds another level, it gets it out of me - sung with the same passion as which I wrote it. Sharing my music connects me to the listener, which to me reflects a beautiful piece of poetry I once read that said ‘take my hand, I am another you’
That’s exactly how I feel when I sing any song.
Most of the songs on my first album were written about my personal experiences and struggles, and I’ve since evolved into also songwriting the testimonies of other lives that have inspired me.
‘Paradox’ was written about my self loathing, ‘Little Girl’ was the letter of words I wrote to my younger self. ‘Cold’, when I was at one of the lowest points in my life and so stressed I had to physically lock myself in a bathroom during an episode of psychosis. ’Not that kind’ was written after a relationship break down. ‘Hellfire’ when my husband was fresh out of rehab, ‘Smoke’ when my grandma lost my grandpa and a year later to the day, on the anniversary of his death her house burnt down… people have said ‘can you please write a happy song?!’ I did! It’s called ‘dig dig dig’ and it’s all about my time Opal mining in Coober Pedy… no but honestly, I’m feeling lighter… the happy song era is coming. Don’t worry. I’m excited this year to record and release ‘She’s a Bird’ a song written about my the life of my beautiful mumma, ‘Fire in his eyes’ which is probably my favourite song I’ve ever written and ‘Keep on Keepin’ on’ my personal testimony to KEEP GOING even when it’s too much and I don’t want to.
If I'm not being raw and real I'm not being my authentic self. Music speaks to people and I find it such an important, healing, cathartic, processing, powerful tool in connecting humanity from all walks of life.
I worked a job for 6 years in commercial radio as an announcer (along with a never ending list of other hats) and regularly created content for my show based around inspiration, promoting local organisations doing work in the mental health space and events they ran, along with daily quotes and wellness tips. If I’m not using my platform for good, then what am I doing?
I think it’s important to share our personal experiences because often others can relate - and in doing so, you help someone else feel less alone in this relentless journey we call life. Music, performing and songwriting is where I pour my heart out... And in my day to day work it’s also a common theme... so I have to be careful I don't burn myself out.
Other passions I have are going to the beach and nature walks, which I happened to do today... and it was pure magic for my soul.
Because I am a walking contradiction I also am an avid watcher of serial killer documentaries.
Learning about what creates a killer fascinates me... and I think a lot can be learned from their histories, to avoid creating these kinds of people in the future. (yep you heard me... people's negligence and unhealed trauma breeds serial killers) I think if people realised how their cruel actions deeply impact people, they might be a little kinder... and in turn so would our world be.
When I was 15, I remember attending a course at Flinder's Uni to begin the pathway to a career in forensic investigation. Though I chose to pursue music with my whole heart instead, I still work in human services investing my time and dedication into people who may have lost hope, had a troubled past, or maybe have complex trauma, a lack of coping mechanisms or are in crisis due to no fault of their own.
When I think about it, for me, music and my different human services roles are one and the same. They heal and build hope... which is why music is so important to me... it's literally life essence.
Thanks for coming to my Ted Talk. ♥
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