Losing sight of kindness

By Samantha Papesch

It’s been a while since I last blogged.  Almost a year, in fact.  But today, I was reminded by a friend that my words had positively impacted others previously, so I was inspired to share some musings of late.

The reasons for the blogging pause are as wide as it has been long, but simply put, I’ve been too busy for creative writing.  Working, studying, renovating, coaching, volunteering – all on top of the day-to-day management of my family.

But, last year life began to herniate under the pressure of it all, and as I began to question my choices, my body delivered the answer – by way of a back injury, on the day I was leaving for a holiday in Bali.

Continue reading

Minimalism. A hipster buzzword it ain’t

By Samantha Papesch

“Minimalism is the intentional promotion of the things we most value, and the removal of everything that distracts us from it.  It requires a conscious decision because it is a countercultural lifestyle” ~ Joshua Becker

The other day, I realised something remarkable.  For the better part of 12 months, I’ve had a considerable amount of freedom to do the things I love, despite the fact that it’s been my busiest year ever.

Continue reading

Why I’m toning down, not up

By Samantha Papesch

This isn’t a story about how I lost weight.  And, it’s not a tale lamenting the reasons I’ve let myself go.  Instead, it’s a blog about letting go of the weight of my body issues.

As I write this, I’m on guard.  My (almost) eight year old daughter keeps looking over my shoulder, curious to read my screen.

It’s her at the centre of my thoughts.

Continue reading

On finding your creativity

By Samantha Papesch

“If I waited for perfection I would never write a word” ~ Margaret Atwood

When I was a teenager, I unwittingly equated ‘being creative’ with ‘being an artist’.  In my high-school classes there were kids so talented I felt like an imposter.  I loved everything to do with art, but sadly, I felt I had no business being amongst such sublimely gifted individuals. Continue reading