155
28
What’s your relationship with the word “artist”? Is it something you can claim for yourself or does it arouse some sort of unattainable and intimidating feeling for you? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ This is me, unapologetically showing my face under a piece of art I made and it took everything I have to refrain from putting quotation marks around the word art. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ My hands were shaking and my heart pounding when I got to the till to purchase the canvas. There was a knot in my stomach. I felt nauseous. I suddenly felt like a fraud. Like it was written all over my face that I can’t actually paint. Like the person at the till was about to press a red button to alert the whole world of my fakeness and audacity to purchase art supplies. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ But then I remembered why I wanted to paint in the first place. To play. To simply explore colours, textures and spend a relaxed Sunday afternoon with Louis, painting next to me. And one of my biggest missions is to not pass on too much of my doubt and artistic blocks onto him. I want to inspire him to try new things, mess up, learn and enjoy his own version of creativity. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ And I never thought I’d say that, but I kinda like the result. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Now go on, pick up whatever is lying around at home and go make some art. Just for the sake of it ✨ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #WHPUpToMe #WHPMakeArt
143
9
February has been my favourite month since living in the Southern parts of the globe. The days are long but the month isn’t, so your budget doesn’t have to stretch so thin. It’s hot and sunny, people eat outside and the glistening ocean turns a lovely shade of turquoise by the beach. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ But all my studying and heading in a new direction has left me a little overwhelmed lately. Not quite knowing what shape this will all take, questioning every decision. So I took an unplanned break from writing, blogging, posting on social media and I have postponed yet again my podcast launch date. Creative living does feel like a rollercoaster most days. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ But you know what? The month is short, so if I’m not careful I may miss some of these beautiful Summer days. So I’ll embrace the downhill with my eyes wide open and my arms up in the air. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Also, I’ll be playing this on repeat to myself: “it’s ok to do less. It’s ok to rest. It’s ok to let go and play. It will all fall into place eventually.” ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #avoiceofonesown
139
9
I will be launching my podcast soon. A show that brings to life stories and voices of women, in the hope they will inspire, comfort or challenge you. It is called A Voice of One’s Own and I can’t wait to bring it to you. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ But lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about other ways to bring you more inspiring voices. Different voices. Important voices. Voices that may not sound like yours. This is why I’d like to feature women who have inspired me to be a better person, right here on my grid. Today’s voice, shared with permission, belongs to the incredible Rida (@beforeandagain_ ). When you’re done reading, I’d love nothing more than for you to shower her with love: ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ “Unapologetic to me means letting go of the hold ups and expectations put upon us by the likes of the patriarchy and white ideology. I’m unapologetic for being passionate, emotional, empathetic, loud about my opinions and being political. I’m unapologetic for being brown, for being biracial, for having a beautiful hard to pronounce name. I’m an unapologetic dancer and lover of music! I’m unapologetic if I question your throw away racist remarks. I’m unapologetic because I care deeply for others. I’m unapologetic because I want to speak for those who have no voice or aren’t they to speak for themselves. I’m unapologetic for disrupting your comfort if it means you’ll grow and learn and become an ally ~ so thank you for joining me...us!” ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Words and picture: @beforeandagain_ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #avoiceofonesown #representationmatters
148
9
The fleeting moments between breaths. The imperceptible shifts that happen when you slow down and listen. My daily yoga practice has rekindled my fascination for the quiet yet powerful change that can be stirred by a thoughtful move: the architecture drawn by an arabesque, a heart folding over a knee, a graceful hand connecting dots. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ When we feel stuck, the most natural way out is through movement. May you dance your way through the week ahead ✨ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #WHPmovement
178
40
By raise of hand, who actually knows what I do? (If you raised your hand please DM me with your answer, I for one, would love to know 😂) ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Jokes apart, I tend to feel awkward talking about what I do. When I had a corporate job, I felt like it didn’t describe me at all. And now that I’m in the midst of yet another transition, I feel like I don’t quite know yet. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ But since there are a few new faces around here, I thought I’d share a few things about me: ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ • I am training to become a coach with @bycacademy , with a particular interest in creativity, mindset and women empowerment. I’m all about finding your voice to make waves around you. • I’m a mom to a 4 year old boy and 3 legged cat • I am French (oui oui) but I can’t eat gluten anymore. Tragic. • I’ve lived in 7 different countries and since moving to Cape Town, I feel like I found my home. • I am a musician, I used to play on stage a lot and I may have been known to stalk my favourite bands to end up back stage with them. Groupies and aspiring feminists don’t quite mix I know. The point is I’m obsessed with music and being in stage is my jam. • I love to write. I don’t hit publish nearly as much as I should but I’m working on it. • I am healing an autoimmune disease by starting a podcast and taking singing lessons. Not a conventional approach but I tend to make up my own rules as I go. • I recently chopped off my hair as I felt it carried the weight of old crap. I’ve never felt lighter. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Your turn! I’d love to know a thing or two about you! The weirder the better! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #avoiceofonesown
172
22
I used to think I was an introvert. But like many things, it’s not black and white. There’s an entire spectrum. And you may lean a little bit more towards one side or the other at different points in your life. Or different times of the months. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ It’s been a week full of people for me. Coaching calls, meeting new podcast guests, lawyer, family, school... And I’ve loved it. But this morning I woke up and my body asked me to slow down. I gave it delicious long stretches and a comfortable spot to study. No people today. Just me. So I can fully recharge and enjoy my date with Tim tonight. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ You can love your own company and crave new connections. You can feel like a party animal one night, and potty around the house in your pyjamas for the next few day, baking cookies and reading books. You can think you are shy and uncomfortable around people and surprise yourself when you let go of a label that could never quite encompass the wonderful complexity that is you. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ So listen to your gut, to your body, to your emotions, just don’t think you need to stick to one label because the internet made you choose one camp. Where do you find yourself today? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #avoiceofonesown