UNEQUIVOCALLY ME 2.0
COME SHARE MY JOYS, FEARS AND HUMOROUS OUTLOOK ON LIFE
The Power of Art as Therapy- Part 7 Honoring Your Story Unequivocally Me 2.0
Have you ever heard of story fatigue? It’s when you are asked to tell the same story over and over and eventually you get sick of hearing yourself. Apart from having to revisit all the trauma repeatedly, the more times you tell it, the more you can feel detached....
The Power of Art as Therapy – Part 6 Embracing Vulnerability and Authenticity Unequivocally Me 2.0
It was 2012, I was asked to be part of advertisement from my health insurer BUPA Australia. The film maker was genuinely interested in my story. We met up for coffee after my interview and he was discussing my art. He said “I don’t want to see whats in here” pointing...
The Power Of Art As Therapy – Part 5 Turning Pain into Purpose Unequivocally Me 2.0
Let’s rewind to wear it all began. I was only 6 years old when my father died and I remember those early weeks quite distinctly. Dad had bowel cancer and from diagnosis to his passing was about 4 months. One day he got sick and the next day he was gone. Everyone...
The Power of Art as Therapy – Part 4 Building Resilience, Empowerment and Self-Esteem Unequivocally Me 2.0
I asked a musician friend of mine how he feels when people request his old songs. It was a question he hadn't been asked before. After some thought, he told me that most times, he didn't mind, but he preferred to play his new work. Someone mentioned to me that they...
The Power of Art as Therapy Part 3- A Sense of Control Unequivocally Me 2.0
When I taught pastel art classes, I would divide beginner students into two categories: bakers and quilters. Like the ‘Pastel Whisperer,’ I would know within minutes what someone's preferred style of drawing was. It was like a magic trick! Remember the Swedish chef...
The Power of Art as Therapy Part 2- Self-Exploration & Reflection Unequivocally Me 2.0
A creative life is an interesting and challenging one. My mind has so many fleeting ideas. It takes practice to catch the right one and transform it into physical form. Being creative has taught me that completing cycles carries over into life to help me finish things...
The Power of Art as Therapy Part 1 – Transformation and Growth – Unequivocally Me 2.0
I didn’t specifically mean to go down a pathway of art as therapy and a form of healing; rather, it found me. It was 2012, and I was still in recovery from my stomach cancer. My life as I knew it had been turned on its head. In a parallel universe, I’m sure I was...
Lets Start At The Beginning – Unequivocally Me 2.0
Hello and welcome to my Substack Some of you may have been following me through my website or blogger posts, ‘ Unequivocally Me’. I have decided to move onto this platform as it is a little more flexible regarding features. At the moment, all my content will be...
Another Bumpy Ride
Hearing the ‘C’ work again after 12 years was like watching two cars collide in slow motion, only this time I felt like I was observing the accident rather that sitting behind the steering wheel. I love explaining things in metaphors, so let’s call this ‘the 2nd baby’. Anyone that has experienced childbirth knows that no matter what anyone tells you first time around, nothing can actually prepare you for parenthood. Second time around you know what’s coming and even though the experience maybe similar there will be new lessons because no second baby is ever like the first baby!
Re-Braving in 2023
“I am re-braving after a difficult stage that un-braved me.” – Jeff Brown. 2022 was indeed ‘The Tower’ for me. January 2022, things were starting to open up, people had already started planning for a mask free future, but my hesitation had all but turned me into a...
The Darkest Hour Is Just Before The Dawn
I am a Reiki Master, a Lightworker Practitioner and a qualified Women’s Circle Facilitator, this was my chance to shine. I worked long and hard to attain my qualifications. Years of personal growth and self development behind me and if anyone had their shit together surely it should have been me?
C’est la vie to 2021
C'est la vie to 2021. What started as a slow return to normal quickly turned into a round of dodge ball at the supermarket, avoiding all eye contact with masked faces because the last thing I needed was someone downloading on me in the middle of isle 4. The isolation...
The Space In Between
Being ‘in between’ is an odd feeling. Like those awkward years when you feel like an adult but you’re told to sit at the kids table. For a time you feel like you don’t fit anywhere, but you do know that you have outgrown a part of yourself and that it is time to move...
Welcome to 2021
Welcome to 2021 I am fortunate enough to be entering my 50’s this year, and if life has taught me anything it is to expect the unexpected. When I look back I can only recall those defining moments which changed the course of my life. These are the ones burnt in my...
June Newsletter 2020
CLICK THE LINK BELOW FOR JUNE 2020 NEWSLETTER Should I or Shouldnt I
Getting To Know Your Inner Drunk Girl
Getting To Know Your Inner Drunk Girl Have you ever had a bad experience that hits you right in the heart? Of course you have, we all have. By my own admission I am an extremely sensitive soul. I will own my mistakes and have no issues apologising for any...
Marla Spiritual Guidance 2020
Firstly, this is the first time I have publicly shared a reading with you all. Whatever your belief system, if you do decide to continue to read, I want you to do so with an open heart and mind. For those that have had a commissioned Guide Drawing done for them before...
The Ever Evolving Artist
The Ever Evolving Artist I asked a musician friend of mine how does he feel when he is asked to keep going back and playing old songs? It was something that no one had asked him before. After a little thought his reply was that it was difficult. So how do you keep...
Welcome to 2020
Welcome to 2020! I only have a small mailing list. In fact I probably spend more time procrastinating about what I need to write in a newsletter that the amount of people that actually read it. I do not pretend to be someone I am not, nor do I spend time and money on...
Seahorse Mandala Watercolour Timelapse
Dragonfly Mandala Timelapse
I Am That I Am
If you follow my website and Facebook Page you may have noticed some gradual transitions over the last twelve months. These changes have occurred as my higher self has been calling and I have been listening. Slowly implementing changes and moving back into studying...
When Life Gives You Lemons
Fifteen years ago I became a mum. I left the workforce and became a full time stay at home parent. Still wanting to keep my mind active I studied to become a swimming teacher but ended up paying more out in childcare fees than my actual wage. When my second baby...
Shadow Work
What if we could see our true selves? An unfiltered reflection of this reality. An honest glimpse of our archetypal natures and an opportunity to look past our own ego and see into the maps of our soul. What if we had another physical version of ourselves to show...
Obstacles are Detours in the Right Direction
Most of us make life so complicated, like a pressure cooker of expectations all thrown together in a massive soup of exhaustion and stress. Then all of a sudden, your body screams STOP and you have no choice because the Universe does it for you. If you have ever...
The Best Version of Me
What do you do when the best version of yourself is never enough for someone else? This belief pattern started when I was eight years old. My mum met and married a man after a whirlwind romance. My father’s replacement would literally put his hand out and...
Just for Today
Every time someone unsubscribes from my mailing list my heart dies just a little. When Mail Chimp sends me my stats and someone has hit that unsubscribe button (and I see you, name and all) my inner child silently says goodbye, grabs a box of tissues and has a quiet...
The Stomachless Artist
Hi, I’m Michelle. I thought I would reintroduce myself to everyone. In 2011 my world changed forever. Not only did I survive stomach cancer I also discovered I live with Lynch Syndrome, also known as hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer. For anyone who has...
Fearing Success
I was reminded last week that when we fear success we actually block it from happening. This can happen with so many things that our hearts desire. Loosing weight, a loving relationship, a fantastic career. We find subtle ways (and not so subtle ways) to self sabotage...
The End Of One Journey Is The Beginning Of Another
I've never been a huge one for journaling. Infact way back in High School the only subject I ever really loved was Drama and I still managed to get an average mark because I couldn't keep up a weekly entry. Although I did go through a couple of teenage years keeping...
Nothing Is Impossible
An opportunity to grow. A second chance to embrace a life I once very much took for granted. A time to connect with others that share similar stories to my own, and a time to grieve all those new friends that haven't been as lucky as I have. I don't know why I...
The Spiritual Journey Has Nothing To Do With Being Nice
This quote came up on my news-feed on Facebook this morning and got me to thinking. There is still the belief that people expect you to be a tree hugging hippie because you are living a 'spiritual life'. It is like the shadow of religious dogma coming down on you...
I Hope You Never Understand
Late last week I felt a thickening of my left breast tissue. A small but noticeable lumpy bit that just managed to get more painful the more I poked and played with it. I made an unscheduled visit to my doctor, followed by a lengthy mammogram, and ultrasound. At...
Enlightenment | To be or not to be? That is the question.
I have long forgotten asking the Universe why things happen the way they do. I never project too far into the future because I am never sure what is around the corner for me, so I live my days as much in the moment as I can and surround myself with those that I love. ...
Through My Fathers Eyes
I remember getting alot of adult attention after my father’s death. A steady stream of people flowed through our family home bearing food and gifts to cheer us up. I guess it worked because I cannot remember being a grief stricken child. At school my art design was...
“Some old wounds never truly heal, and bleed again at the slightest word.”
“Some old wounds never truly heal, and bleed again at the slightest word.” ― George R.R. Martin, A Game of Thrones We strive so hard as humans to be happy, spending so much time trying to fill the void. We go to work, build our nests, take vacations. It is almost...
When The Past Comes Knocking
High school is a place where society throws hundreds of pre pubescent hormonal children into one big arena and says 'work it out'. Its a learning ground for friendships and the most impressionable years of a young woman's life. Girls look outside of themselves for...
The Oversharer
My personality traits tend to include over-sharing There has been numerous occasions when a little over-sharing has landed me into some warm steamy poop! I can't help it if I'm the one that points out the elephant in the room. My sense of humor and quick witted...
I Have Lynch Syndrome
I was a normal six year old girl enjoying a carefree life, laughing with my friends, and starting my second year at primary school. I was Daddy’s little princess and my life literally changed overnight. My childhood was ripped away from me and the harsh reality of...
But You Look Great!
Truthfully, people say this alot and I'm not just saying it. If you can pull through a very serious illness and inspire others by walking the talk then I am very humbled by the complement. The life I choose to live is a healthy, proactive, productive and positive...
How Much Is Too Much?
Self prescribing vitamins., I’ve been doing it for years. After my stomach cancer and subsequent surgery, I was thrown into a world of supplements and nutritional deficiencies that carry lifelong consequences if I don’t keep on top on things. Fortunately for...