the_barefoot_blogger - The Barefoot Blogger

December 20, 2020December 21, 2020

‘Tis the season to hit reset

There are only two occasions that cause me to look at the world through rose coloured lenses and make me want to hug every human in sight. One is Christmas, the other is my last day of work before moving on to another company. There’s no drug quite like nostalgia that makes me tell colleagues whose death I was plotting a week ago for not filling the ice tray, that I’m going to miss them soooo much and be sure to stay in touch on socials.

Christmas really does deliver that magic in the air though. The first few weeks of December are full of road rage and Westfield carpark rage, but on Christmas Eve, when I walk around looking at Christmas Lights to the sounds of Mariah, Bublé & Wham! – something child-like and pure washes over me. There’s also no other time like Christmas morning that makes me want to run up to random strangers on the street, packing their cars with pressies and trifle, and scream out “Merry Christmas!”

But this year, I find myself in a little bit of a pickle. I appear to have lost my Christmas Spirit. Me! I’m one of those nut jobs who starts playing Christmas Carols and watching Christmas Movies in August. I love the anticipation. I did it all this year, had all my presents bought and wrapped by mid-October, had the tree up in November, wore the Christmas earrings everyday throughout December, and I was feeling it a little, but over the last week, I lost it. I even tried baking my specialty Christmas Cookies last night and dropped them off at the Wayside Chapel this morning. That felt great, but I still don’t feel like watching Elf or The Polar Express. I just keep binging old reruns of The Vampire Diaries where sexy, shirtless vampires drink scotch and fight over a schoolgirl (spoiler alert: there’s very little writing of the diaries).

Ok, so it’s been an absolute shit show of a year. There’s really no other way to describe it. Sure, we all have ups and downs throughout the year but this year, the whole world is hurting and you wouldn’t be human if you didn’t feel it in your soul. My mind has become a series of Harry Potter lines swirling around in ominous blacks and greys: “these are indeed dark times”.

For me personally, there were a lot of plans that just didn’t eventuate. Every day I’m grateful for all of the beauty in my life, but it doesn’t mean that it doesn’t hurt when you put hours, days, weeks, months and sometimes years into career aspirations only to have the door slammed shut in your face multiple times in one year. A lot of wounds need to be licked. But, if Ross Gellar taught us anything, it’s to pivot.

Maybe I’m just tired and stressed. Work is always exhausting this time of year. And planning two Christmas Dinners and a Wedding ain’t no easy feat. Seriously, only a COVID bride will understand.

Last night I was staring out the window, hoping to see Santa doing a dry run through the night sky, but all I heard was a drunk dude bashing his mates, his girlfriend screaming, followed by Cop sirens (ahhh the Holidays). Then I decided to grab my phone and do a little research about this upcoming celestial event I’ve been hearing about (you might want to do a little Google search on December 21^st 2020, the grand conjunction and the 5^th dimension). Turns out this extra depression and anxiety we’ve been feeling this year may not just be COVID related, but influenced by the stars.

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As we welcome the Summer Solstice this year, there is an event that many different cultures from Aboriginal, to Mayans to yogis have been preparing for. The grand conjunction is the first Jupiter and Saturn alignment since May 2000 but is also the closest alignment since 1623! This significant event may have astrologers buzzing but it’s the rest of us who may just need to hop on board and take note. It’s believed that the energy shift taking place in the atmosphere will create higher frequencies that will influence humanity. A time to keep our vibrations high by being true to ourselves rather than being in the constant pursuit of feeling positive. And possibly becoming more aligned with our true purpose.

Whether you believe in astrology, meditation or anything woo woo or not, you can’t deny the science that everything is energy, including us. And tomorrow evening marks a major energy shift.

If you’re a regular meditator or have never sat still for one second in your life, my one Christmas Wish is that you set your alarm to meditate at 9:02pm Monday 21^st December. Close your eyes, take a deep breath and connect to yourself and to the universe. Let all of your thoughts be on love and joy. You just may take part in a rescue mission. And if not, what have you got to lose?

I’m sure that over the course of the next few days, my trademark Christmas giddiness will re-emerge and I’ll be thankful to be one of the lucky ones. I had my favourite word tattooed on my body as a reminder that I always believe in magic. And there’s no better time of year to truly…

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Wishing you a very Merry Christmas everyone, thank you for being a part of this journey with me, take care of yourselves and each other. Eat everything in sight on Christmas Day, and when the clock strikes midnight on the 31^st, hit reset and know that we can only go up from here. We may be bruised, but we are not broken.

Give 2020 your best hair flick and three departing words; Nice Try Bitch.

November 1, 2020November 1, 2020

Connection is key

Whenever I hear the words “oh it’s been such a bad year” I always roll my eyes at the Negative Nancy bombarding me with a ‘poor me’ story and remind him/her that every year has its ups and downs. But I shan’t be rolling even one eyelash at the end of 2020, which, let’s be honest, has been nothing short of a complete shit fest.

We started the year being choked by smoke as our beautiful country continued to burn before our eyes, we endured more catastrophic floods and then got hit with COVID-19; the pandemic that changed life as we know it. Not a person on this planet hasn’t been affected. It’s sad enough to think of how many lives have been lost due to the virus itself, but it’s so much more than a health risk; it has changed the landscape of how we are able to operate and interact with one another. Many died on their own, unable to be close to loved ones, saying their final words to their children through a screen. Many were unable to farewell their loved ones due to number restrictions at funerals, an event that simply can’t be postponed. Many lost their hard earned family businesses by simply being prohibited from opening their doors to the public. Many lost their savings and their homes, just trying to feed themselves. It breaks my heart seeing every second business empties out with a For Lease sign in the window.

When lockdown first hit, we were in shock, but I think many (myself included) started to enjoy the novelty of rest. There were a lot of positive messages online as we navigated through this new and scary world, in particular; “we’re all in this together” was spoken about frequently. We all downloaded the HouseParty app and shared a cocktail through a screen with our not so nearest but ever so dearest. But that app seemed to get deleted pretty quickly and after a while, it didn’t really feel like we were all in this together as the hostility began to build around the globe. Toilet paper may have returned to our shelves but as restrictions continued, the real financial burdens appeared, bringing with it some serious mental health issues as the rug was well and truly pulled out from underneath us. We then watched on as the divide between the left and right wings in the US became more and more prominent and tragically, more and more African American mothers grieved the death of their children at the hands of those appointed to protect and serve.

The world is in utter disharmony and it hurts.

I’m quite vocal about my beliefs which are not so black and white but more, fifty shades of grey (minus the red room). What I believe in, is compassion. I don’t judge you on your colour, race, religion, gender, sexual preference, political views or postcode. What I will judge you on, is if you’re being an asshole. And I’ll pray that you start to like yourself more, because hurt people, hurt people.

I’m not a big fan of fast running (depending how supportive my bra is) but you’ll never catch me sprint quite like when Trump is on TV and I’m heading for that remote. I do not like the views that this man has. I do not like the way he speaks to others and his actual voice is like nails on a chalkboard to my ears. However, you will not catch me sharing much about him on social media and you won’t catch me poking fun of his appearance. If I stoop to the level of the monster, haven’t I then become a version of the monster myself? I have a highly intelligent friend with wonderfully compassionate views on the world, who detests Trump more than anyone I’ve ever met. And rightly so. But I’ve told him recently that the more he focusses on Trump, the more he is giving him oxygen. And a textbook Narcissist thrives on attention.

I’m a big believer in the law of attraction. Of ‘like’ attracts ‘like’. I know that whenever I have focused on lack and scarcity, I have attracted bills and debt. I know that whenever I have focused on love and abundance, I have been showered with more than I could ever have dreamed of. Mother Theresa shared similar beliefs and was quoted as saying she would not attend anti-war protests but please call her whenever you have a pro-peace march. If you hate a Political Leader, try focussing on his opponents strengths more. No one wants to see men in their 70’s making fun of each other; it’s tacky. Gogglebox’s Chantel articulated the Presidential Debate perfectly: “It’s like watching two old people in a nursing home fight over the last digestive biscuit”.

If your thoughts, words and actions create the world you want to live in, be selective. Choose kindness, choose compassion. Get in the face of hatred, put down your sword and extend your hand (maybe an elbow is safer right now). “When they go low, we go high”. Dignified words spoken by one hell of classy woman. Not always easy to do, but always, ALWAYS worth it.

There’s a difference between being educated about current events, and being bombarded by disasters. I’ve come to a point in my life where I know that watching the news makes me unhappy. It’s a list of tragedies and disasters. I can be educated by checking news websites and choosing to click on the stories that interest me but I am officially checked out of the 6pm news. When I come home from a long day of work, I want to hear something positive, moving, inspiring. I now choose to sing, read or watch my favourite sitcoms. It’s not burying my head in the sand, it’s making a choice of what I absorb, in order to create the life I believe I deserve.

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One thing that is quite clear from however long we were not allowed to leave our houses for, is that CONNECTION is vital for a happy life. Thinking back on that time when we were only allowed out of our houses for an hour a day, I used to seriously fantasise about running up to complete strangers and hugging them. If one passer by locked eyes with me on my daily walk, I felt so acknowledged and all warm and fuzzy inside. It’s crazy how much these small, seemingly insignificant aspects of our lives mean to us. And you don’t even realise that until they are taken away. Many of us went from seeing thirty colleagues a day to just seeing the occasional bird fly past your window. That’s a hard adjustment in the long run. According to an August report by the University of Sydney’s Brain and Mind Centre, Australians can expect at least a 13.7% increase in suicide deaths over the next five years; a direct result of the social and economic impact of COVID-19. We have to then ask ourselves what we really value in this life and what lessons are we going to learn from this period that HOPEFULLY, we never repeat in our lifetime. This is why I am completely floored when I hear of high profile celebrities requesting that staff, guests, support acts or anyone they encounter “not make eye contact with them when they pass each other in the hall”. Are you freaking kidding me?!!! If you think being wealthy and successful gives you the right to demand zero interaction with ‘the little people’, you’d better pray your success lasts, or you’ll be passing the same people on your way down to earth.

If you’ve read my blog before, you may recall that one of my treasured childhood memories was going to Sunday Mass and spending the whole first hour in anticipation of the moment when the priest would say “you may now offer each other the sign of peace”, followed by all of the parishioners turning to the strangers in front, behind and beside them to shake hands and recite “peace be with you”. I would wipe the excited sweat from my palms onto my dress, blow on my hands to make sure they were dry and give my best possible handshake to every human I could physically reach. The whole energy in my body and the entire room lifted, because we were brought into this present and beautiful moment by connecting with one another. I can’t think of a better time in our lives to let this story resonate with you. Connection is key. Think about the impact you may have on someone else’s life. As we approach the most magical time of year, let’s choose to create our future with thoughts, words and actions that resemble our best life.

Here’s to a world led by compassionate and intelligent thinkers. May we connect with one another and focus our attention on the world we want to live in (and don’t panic Mercury will no longer be in retrograde in a matter of days!)

Where attention goes, energy flows.

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April 8, 2020April 10, 2020

My top 10 tips for surviving iso

Like many of you, I’ve been working from home for several weeks and spending my weekends locked in the same apartment, except for daily walks and my weekly trip to Coles (which I now do in ball gown, full make up and my best perfume). Being in the same room all day every day can feel like a prison sentence; no matter how beautiful your home is. Check out my top ten tips for keeping your shit together during isolation:

1.) Structure your day: each night, have a list in order of what you need to do the next day. Set your alarm for the same time every day. If you’re working from home, you can have a little extra sleep-in, but don’t overdo it. Did you know that your body’s cortisol levels are at their highest first thing in the morning? That makes the perfect time for a workout, so put your running shoes on and get outdoors, or do an online circuit class. If you were already a member of a gym, they probably already have free online workouts (such as Anytime Fitness & Fitness First) which you can access via an app. Or Fitness Queen Kayla Itsitnes’ Sweat app is currently offering a 4 week free trial if you jump on her app.

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2.) Dress for success: the occasional day of binge-watching Netflix on the couch in your baggy sweats can be good for the soul, but on the daily, can make you feel like a loser and your motivation will plummet! If you’re working from home, get dressed everyday (bra totally optional), brush your hair back and put your favourite lip gloss on. It will help you get into a more organised state of mind to tackle some work, and if you know in advance you’re having a Zoom meeting with your colleagues, dress a little more professional and be aware of your surroundings that may be visible to your colleagues (might wanna hide that giant bottle of Vodka behind you).

3.) Create a productive work space: this is vital not just for mental clarity but also be aware of your posture. Keep the space neat and decorate with your favourite cystals and rock-salt lamp to create a zen AF ambience. If you’re working from your dining table and your chair is a little low, prop yourself up on a couch cushion. If you’re getting sore neck and shoulders, you might wanna try what I did and buy a Posture Medic brace online which forces you to pull your shoulders back: https://www.posturemedic.com.au/ It’s also a great idea to get up once an hour to stretch your body out.

4.) Meal prep every Sunday: this is something my partner Allan and I do every single Sunday regardless. It helps us to make healthy choices and saves us from cooking every single night when we’re tired after work. Pick a few proteins and a few veggies and make some variations each week to keep it interesting. Making a list before you get to the shops is always a good idea (jump on my insta for some food-spiration).

5.) Stay connected with family and friends: I’m definitely missing dinner with my family, drinks with my friends, and cuddles with my niece and nephew more than anything! We may not be able to physically socialise with our nearest and dearest, but technology does allow us to stay connected. If you’ve been living under a rock for the last few weeks and haven’t downloaded the House Party app, get on it now! You can have multiple screens (Brady Bunch style) and have all your friends or family in one chat. I have two major tips for this app though: lock the room (little lock icon in centre bottom of screen) to prevent unwanted people from crashing your party and never open the app when scrolling on the loo, because random calls will pop up and you can definitely get caught in a pants-down situation. If you ever require some more serious help and want to talk to someone you’re not close with, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or jump on their online chats.

6.) Tea time with your neighbour: if you have a lovely fence to sit on, you might wanna book in some time with your favourite neighbour to meet once a week with a cup of peppermint tea, watch the world go by and share some self isolation war stories (just mind your 1.5 metres).

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7.) Get a pen-pal: When I was a kid, I always used to write letters to my cousin who I didn’t see very often, and a Balinese exchange student once she returned to Bali. I loved getting letters in the mail! (It sure beats your electricity bill). I think I might start this again, maybe with my beautiful Canadian friend I met many years ago on a Contiki trip in Italy. If writing letters isn’t your thing, sending your loved ones thoughtful care packages is such a nice gesture. I just sent my parents some Easter Eggs and a book of crossword puzzles and sent my niece and nephew some Easter goodies, pencils, crayons, colouring book and card games. They went down a treat!

8.) Pick up a hobby: I’ve never been one to sit and watch the TV for hours on end. I always need to keep my hands busy! When I was little, I used to pull mum’s ironing board over to the couch and make art pieces or build furniture for my shoe-box dollhouse out of colourful clay. Even now, I need something to do or I’ll just kill more brain cells by scrolling through my phone. I’ve pulled out my old knitting needles and starting re-knitting a scarf I started many moons ago (totally not a granny pass-time, I think knitting is making a comeback) and I pulled out all my high school art supplies from the garage and started creating some beautiful art works. That’s the thing about art; it’s subjective! Plus it’s totally all about the journey and not the destination. Keeping your hands busy with arts and crafts is a great way to keep depression at bay (ever heard of art therapy?). Not that artistic? Pull out your old board games and puzzles from under the bed and sprawl them all over the living room floor.

9.) Start and end the day in silence: if you wake up and scroll through your phone or put the news on, you might be flooding your brain with some overwhelming imagery and content which can set the tone for the day in a negative way. Try sitting in silence and focusing on your breathing for ten minutes. I like to make a list of everything I’m grateful for before I even get up to pee. For me, I list everything I can think of such as my warm bed, my comfortable pillow, my nutritious breakfast, my loving man. And before bed each night, you might want to do the same. It’s important not to look at your phone or bright lights an hour before bed. You might like to light some candles and spend time moisturising, or read a great book before calling it a night. If you experience some trouble sleeping during this period, try some natural therapies rather than pills. I personally love The Beauty Chef’s SLEEP Inner Beauty Support in some warm almond milk, about an hour before bed. It gives me such a restful sleep.

10.) Start the ‘one day‘ goal: you know what I’m talking about. We all have at least one thing we say we’ll do ‘one day’ when life is not so busy. I got news for ya; this is ‘one day‘! I have just started the three things I always said I’d do: learn Italian, learn to play an instrument, write a book. Allan and I are learning Italian once a night on our Duo Lingo app, I plan to learn guitar soon but have started small on a Ukulele, playing online each night. There are plenty of online platforms to teach you how to play an instrument, or your local music school may provide Skype lessons (such as my big bro’s guitar teaching school Prodigy Music https://www.prodigymusic.com.au/ ) Writing my book will take some time but happy to have gotten a head-start. If you don’t really have an artistic goal, you might just do that big clean out you’ve been pushing off. Try selling some unwanted but good condition clothes on eBay and give the rest to the Salvos or Vinnies. Nothing gives you a better sleep than a sense of accomplishment, so keep up the productivity!

I hope that these tips have been helpful and please feel free to reach out to me with your tips for killing boredom in lockdown. Stay safe and well beautiful peeps x