I was a confident expressive girl who loved making up songs & dances and sharing them with friends, school and family. At 7yrs I was writing songs with inspiration from the 180acre off-grid bush property I grew up on. I did my first dancing solo competition when I was 8yrs old and was absolutely terrified, but I loved the music, movement and art. I felt most myself and happy when I expressed through song and dance.

In primary school I noticed I was super sensitive and aware of so much more detail than most people around me. My inner world was big – sensing and feeling things very deeply.

Unfortunately no one was talking about feelings around me other than ‘good’ or ‘tired’, and there was unspoken shame around negative emotions. With no safe place or invitation to open up and share truly how I was experiencing life and who I am, I began to retreat. I developed the belief that I couldn’t be myself with others and spiralled into high anxiety and fear in social situations – thinking I was different and the only one who felt like that.

Writing songs alone in nature, tuning in to my truth and the insights that came from being in my true nature was my lifeline. I always felt deeply connected and inspired to express and create. And then it felt good to share on stage and be seen in my essence. I continued to put a lot of effort into singing, dancing & performing & being a leader even in high school, but still carried a huge fear of expressing how I really felt. It was exhausting, but I knew the feeling and relief in those brief moments where I could be truly myself, and that propelled me into dreams of a better future.