Creativity journal #27

Growth NOT failure mmmkay?!

May 31, 2025

Monday

Breakfast date with Nugwagon – Mister 5 asked if we were going to watch Deadpool … all he knows about a date is no kids and adults doing adult things, which in his mind is watching an adult movie and the only adult movie he knows the name of is Deadpool. Make sense? Makes sense to me.

However, we did not watch Deadpool … we had breakfast at a cafe, looked in one shop and bought a linen spray then came home to work. That’s also very adult-sounding, is it not??

Working on and sending out my last video for Creativity Month as we’re in the final week!

In some ways my brain is telling me Creativity Month was a failure as it was mostly just me talking to myself in the videos and posts I put out for my 15 paid subscribers, and it was oh so cringe and why would I ever think anyone would want any kind of program like this from me?? But, I’m reminding my brain that getting through the month and putting out posts twice a week was a challenge in itself no matter how many people were or were not following along. I’ve got to do the gigs with only 1 person in the audience to be able to grow to one day do the gigs with 10 people, then 100 people, and so on.

The growth doesn’t happen overnight and just because I want people to show up. The growth happens with the tiny almost non-existent audience and showing up for the few and being cringe and awkward and not caring about being cringe and awkward because I’m doing the thing and I’m continuing on and growth will keep happening as long as I keep going.

So, I’m not listening to my brain.

I’m counting Creativity Month as a win and another step forward. That sounds like growth to me. I’m slapping a G on it instead of an F with a side of C (for cringe, in case that wasn’t obvious 🤣).

Tuesday

Picked up my bro-in-law from the mechanic … I’ve reached this point where the outfits I leave the house in are daggier and daggier every day. Today I picked my bro-in-law up while wearing my Adidas trackies, baggy jumper, and my purple crocs (I swear they were forced on me – I never asked for the ugly things but since Nugwagon and the kids spent money on them and wanted me to match their ugly crocs how could I not wear them? That would be so rude. So that’s the only reason I wear them, okay!).

Doctor appointment – I changed into a different outfit because my doctor specialises in mental health and I don’t want her to think my daggy outfits are some kind of red flag. (I AM TOTALLY FINE!) Just kidding, are any of us totally fine??

Felt like a day spent in and out and on the go. And now I’m tired.

Wednesday

Catching up on admin this morning before I’ve got an event at Mingaletta – an Aboriginal community service not too far from me.

Lots of little ones at the event today. So excited to sign books for them and so grateful to Barang Regional Alliance and Eleanor Duncan for giving away books to registered attendees. I met a lady (Aunty Sue) who sings in the Sydney Philharmonic choir. She sang for me and my goodness her voice is absolutely goosebumps-rising beautiful. I hope to see her again and possibly hear her sing some more – maybe even at the Sydney Opera House when she performs there.

In the evening I saw author/illustrator Mandy Foot and author Tania Ingram speaking – great event, got to hear about their writing processes and illustration with Mandy, their publishing industry experiences and more.

Walked by Bookface Erina after the event and spotted Tubowgule in the window display alongside lots of incredible First Nations books as a part of Reconciliation Week – it’s still so strange (but incredible!) to see my book in stores and celebrated.

Wrap up

Our family Thursday evening was spent seeing wundrous author Jessica Townsend in conversation with hilarious author Nat Amoore. It was funny, entertaining, and just all round magical. Afterwards, we lined up to have our books signed and had a photo with Jessica that you can see below. Mister 5 was making us all smile even wider while he said ‘cheeeeeeeeeeeese!’ as Nugwagon took some pics 😁

When I showed him the photo earlier he told me this was the best one because he has his ‘angel face’ on.

We have had a huge week, and I’m sorry to say that I ended up unable to attend two events on Friday night because I was exhausted and felt I needed to conserve energy for Sunday when I’ll be at Words on the Waves for a storytime session at the Family Fun Day. I’m so looking forward to it! But first, maybe some sleep?

Then I’ll be doing an event at Mister 5’s preschool on Monday before we head off to QLD Tuesday … busy busy busy!

Your turn

Was your week as busy as mine? How do you manage your energy levels during busy weeks? Tell me your secrets!