Describe a risk you took that you do not regret.

Today’s topic has got me thinking. The last time I took a risk I don’t regret was working on my last peer support position at Burnside PARC ( Prevention and Recovery Care ). Out of all the peer support positions I worked in, my role at Burnside PARC was definitely my most fulfilling and rewarding.  The staff were wonderful and treated me well, the psycho social principles of a PARC fitted in with my own values of recovery and empowerment.  I left Burnside PARC a few years ago because after 16 years of working in mental health, I was extremely burnt out.  I definitely hold no regrets about my time at Burnside PARC.  I think I did my best work there and look upon it as a great time, and I left on good terms.  Sometimes, taking a risk pays great dividends.

What makes you nervous?

What makes me nervous is when I am asked to do public speeches,  particularly about my mental health issues.  In  my past role as a peer support worker in mental health, I was often asked to write speeches and to present these speeches at conferences and workshops related to mental health.

I must admit I did enjoy writing ✍️ these speeches, as I love writing so much, but I was always a bundle of nerves when I had to speak at conferences and the  like.   It was always part of my role to do such, but I never really liked that aspect of the job.  I must admit I did enjoy the art exhibitions I helped to arrange and was most comfortable when I was involved in the creative process,  either writing or creating art myself. If I could just be involved in the writing behind the scenes, I would be most happy.  I guess that’s why I love writing a blog.   I get the freedom of writing ✍️ and presenting my writing to the audience without having to actually stand up before an audience and speak.

How do you unwind after a demanding day?

The way I unwind after a demanding day is to have one small glass of wine with my evening meal and have a cup of herbal tea whilst I sit on the couch 🛋 with Lily on my lap gently patting her.   We are so beautifully bonded, and she certainly is my own private little therapy dog.

How do you use social media?

How do I use social media? The answer being that I don’t really use social media.  I am not fond of it. A couple of years ago I was on Facebook but haven’t used that platform for about two years.  I found it to be not all that nice and feel there is no confidentiality or privacy on Facebook.

The closest I come to using social media is by ✍️ writing this blog, selling my writings on ETSY and regularly watching YouTube clips and often commenting on what I watch, if something has impacted positively on me.  I certainly don’t need Facebook to make friends, as I am easily able to make and keep friends without the aid of social media.

Jot down the first thing that comes to your mind.

The very first thing that comes to my mind is the hope that the weather dries up soon so I can take Lily for her morning 🌄 walk 🚶‍♀️.   It has rained overnight, and the ground is still too wet to walk 🚶‍♀️ a dog, and it looks like it could rain again soon,  so I am waiting for it to clear before I venture out with Lily.

Describe a random encounter with a stranger that stuck out positively to you.

The first time I met Kathryn stood out in my life. We were strangers who met at  Susannas’ mothers funeral. We were drawn there by out mutual love for Susanna, who at the time of her mother’s passing was battling cancer.

I don’t remember what started our conversation, but I think Susanna may have introduced us, and we both expressed how beautiful Susanna looked on that day. Kathryn was easy to talk with and paid me an enormous compliment,  that being that by working in mental health as my recent past career, that I had fulfilled my life purpose by God and now could just enjoy whatever life brought my way.  It was a comment that stayed with me, and I could tell that Susanna was glad that Kathryn and I had met.  When Susanna herself went into palliative care, I managed to contact Kathryn, and we supported one another throughout our own difficult time of Susannas passing.  As I don’t believe in coincidences, I know that it was a God thing that Kathryn and I met as we both dearly loved our angel lady Susanna.  So yes, there was a time that a serendipitous encounter with a stranger led to something positive.

Describe a decision you made in the past that helped you learn or grow.

The best decision I ever made was in my late twenties when I decided to use my experience with mental health issues to help others with similar experiences by working in welfare. This course was so empowering, and I learned so much.  It opened doors to my career and gave me a solid qualification for the work I did later in peer support in mental health.   It helped me to grow as a person,  increasing my knowledge and helping my empathy and compassion for people to grow.  I learned not only about mental health but also about other aspects of welfare, like child protection, gambling, and drug and alcohol abuse.   I became a better and far wiser person, having gained all that knowledge.   I definitely put everything I learned in this course to good use in my career in mental health.

Describe a positive thing a family member has done for you.

There is a lot I could write about my family helping me, but I have endeavoured to write about a special talent of my mother’s.

Groeing up my Mum was a talented seamstress.   She made me alot of clothes when I was growing up, particularly in my early 20s,  when I was into 40s and 50s style of clothes.  She made modern versions of 40s and 50s styles, and I loved her for it..

I always knew that when I got married, I wanted her to make my wedding gown.  I may have married later in life, but I knew I wanted a Mum original for my wedding dress 👰 👗,  which was again a vintage traditional style dress that I have kept, along with some of the formal clothes Mum made for me in my early 20s.  A couple of these dresses 👗 are now for sale on my ETSY site to hopefully be sold to other ladies who love vintage style.

What is your favorite restaurant?

I like today’s blog topic   In the past I would have said that my favourite restaurant was the Hopetoun Tea Roons in the Block Arcade in the city of Melbourne. It was quaint, beautiful and old fashioned and dated back to Melbourne in the 1880s,  alas the tearooms became a victim of the long lockdowns here in Melbourne, closing its doors and then reopening in another location,  which has not been successful.  I think it is wrong that the tearooms became a victim of the lockdowns.. our government should have stepped in and not let such a historic landmark  be affected.   The Hopetoun Tearooms were lovely and being part of The Block Arcade, it was a Mecca for tourists in Melbourne 

My other favourite restaurant is Itahlia,  an italian restaurant that is local for me It has something for everyone,, with its range of pizza, pasta,  steak and seafood, and is good value for money.  I try to go there every few months or so, and I am always impressed by the quality of the food and service.. I guess I have a soft spot for Itahlia because one of the owners is a cousin of Susanna, so I have even more reason to love Itahlia.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

I haven’t thought ahead in my life to know where I will be in 10 years.

Hopefully living in my dream accommodation,  all going well that could happen sooner, rather than later.

Hopefully, my mum will still be around. She is 82 now, so I hope she lives a long and happy life.

Hopefully my close friends will still be in  my life.

I hope to still be writing ✍️ my blog and will have written more books by then.

I hope that I am healthy and happy.