Rekindling the Unashamedly Creative newsletter
Here's to bringing a little unashamedly creative attitude to us all.
It has been a long while between newsletters, I know. I have decided to start publishing a monthly newsletter and share creativity, tips, feelings and all sorts of fun to improve your business experience.
This is the first return of this and a first for the new home of Substack. I hope you like it!
Has anyone else noticed December feels ten miles long? Natural disasters, Covid and Covid related life, massive economic changes and life have hammered us for the last few years. More than usual, we need that time out because the emotional, physical and intellectual petrol we all rely on is incredibly low.
In my newsletter for the Freelance Jungle (that’s a grassroots community I run for almost 7000 Australian and New Zealand freelancers if you’re curious), I talked about using the end of the year for self-care. That’s proper self-care. Not this “one bottle of Bolinger and a bath” style stuff that doesn’t fix much. We have to dig deep and look after ourselves properly.
I am inviting you, oh friends of the long ago email list, to do the same.
Collectively, we’re all in need of a decent cool down from running on the hamster wheels of disaster, stress and ambition. We have to take time out to process what we’ve experienced and tidy up after the fact.
If you need a few extra shots in the arm, look at this recent article I wrote for Mental Health First Aid Australia on why self-care is important when helping others. And have a listen to what I had to say to Emma Lovell’s Live and Love your Brand podcast on building a brand while supporting others.
In the meantime, here are some questions for you. Answer them over the holidays and/or pop your answers in the comments below. I’d love to hear everyone’s thoughts and impressions.
Try reflecting on the year that was:
1. What have you done this year that worked out better than you expected?
2. Who made your year enjoyable? Have you told them that?
3. What has been your ratio of praise versus criticism to the people who have supported your projects, goals and ambitions?
4. What were the challenges you faced on an industry, organisation and personal level?
5. How did you overcome those challenges? What did you lean in the process?
6. How have you grown as a professional?
7. What opportunities came to you? What did you do with them?
8. Outside of extrinsic goals (e.g. money, visibility, prestige and praise), what did you achieve on an intrinsic level this year?
And heading into summer break and 2023:
9. What would help you close off 2022 and the stress of the last few years?
10. Out of the tasks on your TO DO list before the holidays, how many of them can’t wait until the new year? Really?
11. What would make your working life easier in 2023?
12. We all need time free from obligation (work, family, personal or otherwise). What does that time look like for you?
13. What activities have you got planned that will engage your creativity and curiosity?
14. What’s the best way to replenish your emotional, intellectual, and physical tank over the break?
Shout outs to clients and collaborators
Thank you so much for yet another wonderful year.
Some notable projects in the mix included:
Working with Creative Industries Cluster Southern Highlands (CiCSH) to create a report and directory to further those plying their trade and practicing the arts within the Southern Highlands region was an interesting experience. I loved playing a role in advocating for fellow creatives. Thank you Jan Campbell for the opportunity.
Developing content marketing in blogs, social media and more for care plan start-up, ExSitu, a business seeking to lift the adoption of values-based care plans in the aged care and end-of-life markets, has been an absolute pleasure. I especially enjoyed playing a role in the innovative hybrid community connection project with BBCR. Rebecca Glover and April Creed - I feel honoured indeed to see your commitment to changing aged care and end-of-life in action firsthand.
Acting as virtual marketing officer for not-for-profit organisation, Girls on Fire, Inc. Aiding Girls on Fire to build a sustainable base of strategic plans for business, contingency, marketing, HR and employee manuals, and campaigns has seen a very busy year indeed. Especially with state-wide roadshows, reporting and grant acquittals in the mix. It's a privilege to work with you Bronnie Mackintosh AFSM.
Writing for peak mental health body, Mental First Aid Australia, across their case study and content marketing has only just begun but excites me enormously. Especially when it includes sharing the self-care message and disability inclusion that forms part of my advocacy. Thanks to Michelle Guillemard for the introduction and Toby Davis for the opportunity.
Creating the death literacy campaign, the Great Last Impression, and launch of the end-of-life resource website, A Good Death, alongside Jessica Harkins was as fun as it was poignant and challenging.
Working with the wonderful Kate O'Mealley with workshop-based coaching as she transitioned to ownership of tourism and hospitality, culture and arts stalwart, Coal Coast Magazine, also filled me with a lot of joy. I look forward to what 2023 may bring!
I also enjoyed some really interesting opportunities to speak. Speaking at the UK-based International festival of death and dying, Lifting the Lid 2022, made for a wonderful experience indeed. I shared the inside scoop on freelance life in Carmen Allan-Petale’s The Committed Creative’s podcast.
And I was privileged to be the writer-in-residency in August and November at the South Coast Writer’s Centre and Wollongong Botanic Gardens joint initiative. Writing about grief in such lush surroundings and wonderfully supportive people was amazingly restorative and special. As was teaching a group of writers what it takes to make a living out of the writing craft. Thank you Sarah Nicholson and team for having me!
Thank you one and all
It’s been a delightful year of working on some amazing projects and programs. I feel honoured to add my skills to so many game-changing ideas. I look forward to working with clients new and old in 2023.
I am on leave from the December 20th 2022 until January 16th 2023. I am currently booked when I return, but you’re welcome to get in touch if you’d like to join the waiting list. I look forward to hearing all your inspiring ideas in the new year.
Love,
Rebekah
Wellness Officers Gibson and George (the lovely labradorks).
Image: two labradorks in reindeer ears in front of a santa. They are smiling widely.