Navigating change feels harrowing right now

This week has been harrowing. Dealing with loss, grief, despair and the absolute unknown, as the field of Art Therapy in Australia faces massive government pushes to devalue and dislocate our profession from the therapeutic space

Turning to nature a lot - for grounding, reminding me of my own pace and attunement.

I found this feather. A gift along my footsteps, as I forged a new way in the bush. I’ve never come across this feather before. I’ve called her Heather the feather. She feels like a reminder that this path may enable me to stumble across different ways, creative ways, new patterns to navigate. I put her in my hat. She is with me as I walk now, reminding me of resilience as I navigate this new and unknown path.

Feels like a whole new way forward in my life. I’m slowly cracking open to possibilities. But gosh, it’s hard to move beyond the grief and unknown. I’ve felt frozen and unsure. Unable to think or feel with any kind of prolongued clarity.

I know this time will birth new things. It is the transformational way of nature … to change. That doesn’t make the upheaval easy. I’m reminded I’m loved and supported by friends and family. And my beautiful therapeutic arts community, and allied health kin. For this, I am truly grateful.

I think of all the other Arts Therapists, clients and families as we bob like a sea of corks in the ocean together right now. I want to hand us all toothpicks so that we may at least hold together in this storm.

I find myself turning to poetry and spirituality for solace. And of course, my beloved connection with Country.

May we all experience this pivot within Mother Nature’s creative, caring, feathery, earthy embrace. May this time birth new ways for us to connect and thrive. May we remember and lean on creativity as the innate force of healing, problem solving and connector that she is. May we find grace in our hearts as we navigate this change … together.