Very strange thing happened over the weekend that I wasn't expecting in anyway shape or form.  Which would probably add to my reaction, but I don’t see how I could have prepare myself for what transpired.  I have to prefix this to say that I did not have that much sleep that night before and I was feeling a little emotional and tender to begin with.  However, I share my story because I dont feel alone in the connections that I made, and I feel like it is good for me to share and get light in old stories.  

Top three take away. 
1. You have no idea where emotional reactions will blindside you.  Become thankful for them, and not fear them.  They are a timely reminder to process your shit and be done with it.  Not one got hurt by your ugly cry, but you will be holding in hurt if you dont process your reaction. 

2. YOU ARE WORTH TIME.  YOU ARE WORTH ENERGY.  YOU ARE WORTH LOVE.  and no you dont have to perfect to be worthy.  You are allowed to make mistakes and get confused and be wrong.  It is how you process those mistakes that will help you.  Being right all the time is like walking on a tightrope. You dont get to wavier, and it is scary, and hurts your feet... Learning to fall and fail means you can become fearless. 

3. You have no idea which ways you are going to impact your child.  Trying to predict and mitigate creates new and wondrous ways your can stuff up.  Just ask Oedipus.  Best you can aim for is making sure your stuff is sorted, as it comes up, as it passes by.  That is how I learn to be better, to do better.  I am allowed mistakes, I own them and process them and ask for forgiveness, and aim not to do them again.  

Last tip - importation came from strange places.  Let it. 

Welcome to season 2, just me chatting today. 

I think it is really important to acknowledge and process the grief that can come with a diagnosis, for yourself or for your child. 

The idea of grief after diagnose has come up several time in the last month or so.  And I think it is really important to acknowledge and recognizes what could be identified has grief.  Or at least make connections between how you are feeling and what it means  

Top Three Take Aways
1. Grief isn't just for death.  We can grief so many different losses, but we often don't give ourselves the time or permission to do so.  Then we kinda fester and stew in what could have been rather than processing a moving on.  So remember grieving is allowed.  Grieving is allowed for all kinds of changes in life.  Give yourself the time and permission to do it. 

2.  It comes and goes in waves.  You are never just one thing, you are so many things all at once, feelings are no different.  You can feel anger and depression at the same time.  You can feel acceptance and anger at the same time.  You are processing, and some times new things come up and you have to begin the process again. Lots of feelings and emotions overlap.  Give yourself permission to feel them concurrently.  

3.  Know you are not alone.  So many different peoples journeys match pieces of ours.  No one is going to be matchy matchy, but more pieces match pieces.  The journey is similar enough for you to gain support.  It is so similar for so many of us.  So is the grief.  Don't shy away from feelings, dive into them, follow them, unfold them, you never know where you are going to end up.  

There are still some giggles.  
I hope you enjoy. 
Bye for now
Joanne

I have just finished attending webinar hosted by @wwda_au on NDIS and Gender. Amazing source of information and support. 

I am not overly surprised to report that there are more males receiving NDIS support then females. Which is not a direct relationship between the number of men vs females with disabilities. So what you might say. 

I can only provide insight from my experience and knowledge. 

From my son's journey, and my own research and contemplations I see myself on the spectrum. I am fairly typical in the female presentation of autism, and I am getting quicker at identifying my own stress, sensory overwhelm, emotional shut down and numbing behaviour. 

Here is the jam, I will promote and support any parent going through the assessment and NDIS processes because it makes a difference. I will encourage parents to not fear the process, to ask me all the questions, to move the fear, to get the support, to see that your child will be your child whether you get the diagnosis or not, but how much stress and burden it can be without a diagnosis. I cheer on as other mothers are getting their diagnosis, because like me, through support their child's journey they have found a place for them. 

Yet, me, I am scared to do it for myself. I have a diagnosis of dyslexia, maybe that is enough. That is enough to know my brain is different. I know in myself that I am different. Why should I face the process? Maybe I shouldn't rock the boat, be grateful for what I have. Be quite, sit still, shut up. 

Maybe that is why there is significantly less females supported by NDIS. Because I am scared that what I feel is true, is wrong. That I will be told that my difference just doesn’t have a place. That I don’t have a place. That yet again I misunderstood what was happening, and I will be made to feel a fool. I can pass. I can get through. 

But have I really been thriving or just surviving. 

So it is with great pride to say, that I will be taking an assessment, in steps to get a formal diagnosis, and NDIS support. 

The process starts in October. 

Be the change you want to see. 

By Eileen is the rebrand from The Crystal Project.  Eileen Low shares her amazing story of finding her way in life.  Knowing there was something more than the work driven culture of Singapore, challenging the drinking culture of Australia, to find her own space in creating jewellery that radiates positive and intention. 

Eileen has big goals, and I 100% believe that she will reach every single one.  Here are my big take away. 

1.  Follow the feeling. 
   Creating the time for silence allows you the space to ask the big questions.  The answers will come in the from of feelings.  Follow the real feel good feelings.  You will then get the answers, but in the form of feelings. You need the space to interpret those feelings.  Once you follow the feelings, you will then be able to rely on the support when the environment, culture and work changes. 
    
2. The past supports your future.
   It doesn't matter how many times you pivot in your life, your experience, your knowledge, your relationships, all inform the next moment.  You are a sum of all your parts.  Gaining all the experiences are never wasted.  You will never know how that experience will be use or allow you to follow your passion. 
    
3. Nobody is just one thing. 
   Everyone has an amazing story.  You maybe an introvert, or are perfectionist, but that is not all of you.  You are an individual with individual choices, and desires, your willingness to share all of those components, rather than just the surface, is how you make true and secure connections.  It allows you to dream bigger. 

Website: www.byeileen.com.au

IG: @by_eileen 

FB: https://www.facebook.com/ByEileenJewellery 

Email: [email protected]

Also 10% discount code for By Eileen - BBE10 (valid for 6months) 

Jess’s artworks bring brightness and light to the world with their vibrant colours and inspiring imagery. 

Recently Jess has been using her artworks to bring objects to life too so that her clients can take that joy with them wherever they go. It is so important to see the beautiful colour in life that surrounds you and to feel that joy in your heart when you see it! 

Jess much more than an artist, she is a survivor! 

Jess was in the throws of antidepressant withdrawal hell. Jess didn’t know then what she knows now. Jess didn’t know that withdrawing from antidepressants takes time and it’s a long journey. Jess didn’t know then that what was happening in her head had so much more to do with what was happening in her entire body. 

As Jess crashed at the bottom of a dark ravine, she began to claw her way back up and learn so much more about herself and the world of mental and holistic health along the way. 

As Jess climbed up the mountain and began telling her entire story at each stop, people would thank her for sharing that vulnerability. It meant that they were not alone on their own journey up the mountain. As Jess learns, she shares what she knows to help others. Jess is now tapering from her antidepressants again but with so much more knowledge. 
Knowledge that Jess would like to share with you to brighten and light the way

Joanne's Biggest take aways from this interview

1. Recognise the stress
Know what you feel when you are stressed.  How does it feel in your body, what are you doing to self medicate the stress, how are you reacting to people in your life.  There will be many signs of stress before you hit depression.  Take the time to recognise them, talk about it more. Get the help at any stage.

2. The ups and downs help you navigate life
Anti-depressant tablets take away the ups and downs of life.  They also hamper your ability to feel into your life about what is good and what is bad for you.  It is not an easy road to be on, and you don't need to go it alone.  Take stock of your life, deal with the choices, and the ramifications. Ask for help at any stage. 

3. Use your intuition enough that you trust your intuition
Trust in yourself takes time, and choices, and ups and downs.  Understanding your full gamut of emotions means that  you will be able to recognise the pushes and pulls of your intuition.  It is a free tool that will always be there, but it takes time to recognise and utilise.

LINK TO JESS'S BOOK
https://jesscrawford.com.au/product/my-way-book/

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS FOR JESS CRAWFORD
www.jesscrawford.com.au
www.facebook.com/jesscrawfordart
www.instagram.com/_jesscrawford_

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS FOR BETTER BEING ME
Courses and Sign Up
FB: BetterBeingMe
IG: BetterBeingMe_BBme
Web: https://betterbeingme.com.au

Victoria was a busy woman working full time in the construction industry.  Having a baby didn't slow her down, having twins did.  Pushing through her own signs of stress, Victoria took the twins arrival as a sign that life was not going to work the same way any more.  Things needed to change.  Feeling the frustration of working part time, in an industry not known for it's family friendly requirements, Victoria joined Arbonne and found what she was missing in life was women.  A collective that encouraged and promoted the strengths of the other.  Not always a smooth ride but Victoria will always put on a smile and push through until the happiness returns.

Here are may key takeaways from our chat:
1. Ask for help
No one is an island.  You don't need to do motherhood alone, you don't need to do life alone.  But you do need to share.  People can only respond to what you give out.  So if you are holding it in waiting for someone to notice that you are drowning, it might not ever happen. 

2. BUT You body will stop you.
Your body will be calling out for help as long as you are in that stressed state.  It will come in forms of pain, depression, anxiety, head aches, so many different messages.  You need to take the time to listen and respond.

2. Find your decision making process
Life will always required decisions to be made.  If you hold off, the decision will be made for you.  So find your best way of making your decisions, and life will be much easier to breeze through

And be a tree.

Connect with Victoria
IG: https://www.instagram.com/ladyrashleigh/


SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS FOR BETTER BEING ME
Courses and Sign Up
FB: BetterBeingMe
IG: BetterBeingMe_BBme
Web: https://betterbeingme.com.au

Georgy is more that just BadAss Living, she is a powerhouse of ideas, and here to bolster the woman of the world.  Encouraging all to take up space, share their voice and stand up to be counted.

Georgy's work with Girls Rock! is inspirational, as is the organisation that "uses the medium of music to inspire confidence, creativity and celebrate individuality for females, trans and gender non-conforming youth between the ages of 10 and 17."

Here are the big ideas

1. Be the person you needed as a child.
Because of the work Georgy is doing with Girls Rock! she is supporting and eradicating ideas of conforming and self containment at an even younger age.  The frustrations of having to feel small and apologies for taking space are a socially constructed, so getting rid of that feeling before it takes hold and forms such a large space in your living is a gift to the younger generation. 

2. Being Good for you doesn't give up the Pleasures
Know the messages your body is sending you and act on it.  If you need rest, rest.  If you need to leave, leave.  Make no apology for doing what is best for you.  The first step is knowing what you need, implement it in any way you can, and build from there.

3. Bringing Sexy Back
It is more than a feeling, it is a way of living.  Bring out your biggest self, feel the sexy in all you do and bring on the magnetism.  

Georgy new program Body Brave encompasses the ideas Georgy feel on putting your best self forward - 7 day program for women to embody self love, body confidence and stepping into ALL of their badass-ness

Check her out on all of the things 

All the things: Georgy Rochow
IG: Georgy_Rochow
FB: GeorgyRochowMusic
Website: BadAssLiving - Body Brave releasing in February. 
Tunes: https://georgyrochow.bandcamp.com/releases

Follow Joanne
IG: Better Being Me
Website: https://betterbeingme.com.au/
Watch for the new release of the Better Being Me Online program, do the work, be connected, be calm, be you. 

Gen and Joanne dive deep into Gen’s childhood and talk about the lingering effects of holding down the fort for your family.  From a large family, the 5th of 6 children, Gen is in the unique position to talk about the benefits of doing the work on yourself, and the consequences of parents not getting the support needed to be fully present. 

No questions are off the table, and Gen is open to honestly answering them all.  If you ever wanted to know if your children notice your bad days - they do, they see all. 

Here is what you should know

Do your work.  Children know when parents are in survival mode.  You can not predict what is going to make a lasting memory, how your children will react, what role they see for themselves in the family.  Best you can do is be honest with them, express your emotions, and let go of as much of your crap as you can. They will trust you and learn to do the same. 
 
Follow your spark.  The more you fight your spark, the harder time you will have in your body, in finding your place, in finding true connections.  Your fight will come out in some way.  Stop listening to the people who are worried, because they are looking for safety, they love you and want you to have an easy life, appreciate their love, but know your mind.  Your spark takes courage to follow, because it is rarely on the trodden path.

Draw a line in the sand.  No one person is responsible for keeping a family together.  It is never a child's job to keep the parent happy.  Trying constantly to act or behave in a way that you believe is best for someone else won't bring you joy. Holding onto other peoples beliefs will not get you where you want to be.  Trying to find comfort in your angst will not get you where you want to be.  Doing the work, understanding yourself, knowing your stress, knowing your bodies reaction to feeling bad, will put you in the place you want to be.  It will see you thrive. 

Gen can see the benefit in her family of her self care work, she can see the more she shows up for herself it helps her mum and her dad have the harder conversations, not just gloss over to keep the status quo.  Gen embodies all of the work and is reaping the benefits, travelling to the Northern Territory to share her art skills and leaving rainbows of colour in every step.

Gen's intentions for 2021
To feel zigging, to feel joy and delight.
 
Follow Gen
IG: Gen + Tonic Art
Website: https://www.genandtonicart.com/
Look out for her tarot card digital art series,  next out in The Lovers card - amazing

Follow Joanne
IG: Better Being Me
Website: https://betterbeingme.com.au/
Watch for the new release of the Better Being Me Online program, do the work, be connected, be calm, be you. 

Emma Holdsworth is a mother of two, Family Counsellor, Parenting and Breastfeeding Educator and Postpartum Doula with 20 years experience working with families.

Emma is passionate about supporting pregnant and new parents to feel empowered to become the parents they truly want to be. Emma supports parents to explore the deeper aspects of themselves and understand how their childhood experiences, past relationships, values, and beliefs will influence their future parenting experience.

Today Emma joins Joanne of Better Being Me and they talk all things Motherhood.  Emma talks about the importance of the early days in developing communication with your child, from womb to birth the benefit of  communication starts well before holding the babe in arms. 

We discuss how much support is needed for both parents in preparing and being ready for a new baby.  Also how much we are affected by the small humans and how often they bring up many emotions that we need to continually process in order to aim in being our best selves. 

FB: Tree House Family Counselling
IG: treehouse_emma
Facebook Group: Roots of Motherhood

Today we dive into all things Melanie.

She  is a certified integrative women’s health coach, yoga teacher, personal trainer, and soulful business coach for women who desire more energy, time & freedom.

Naturally gifted as a nurturing intuitive feminine energy healer  Melanie supporting mothers and women worldwide to live well – body, mind, and soul

Through her teachings, online programs, social media platforms, and in-person events, Melanie encourages women to live differently, go against the grain and to understand themselves on a deep level that allows them to live in sync with their cyclical nature.

With a deep understanding of how women work, Melanie encourages you to question everything and learn to trust your own heartfelt knowing and wisdom.

Having worked with and supported mothers through motherhood, mothers-to-be through their fertility journey, women through life-changing events and journeys, Melanie has the knowledge, experience and compassion to guide you to where you want to go.

IG: melanie_hansen_

FB: Melanie Hansen

Website: https://melaniehansen.com.au/

Rise Events for 2021
Thursday 18th Feb
Thursday 29th April
Wednesday 23rd June
Thursday 19th August
Wednesday 20th October
Thursday 25th November