We talked about:

• leaving paths that look successful on paper

• the danger of outsourcing your self-worth to algorithms (no thanks)

• sharing creative work as a highly sensitive person

• living in tune to our own seasons

• and finding (or creating) our own path.

And so much more.

I think you’ll love this one.

Keeley 🤍

Find Alanna online:

WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | PODCAST

Mentioned in the episode

Lucy Laucht Photography

The Service Berry

The Hidden Life of Trees

In possibly the most exciting to answer to that question, four humans went on a mission to fly around the moon and realised that actually the best place to be in this galaxy is right here.

This big, blue and green ball is beautiful and full of whimsy and wonder.

This is where it’s at.

But it’s hard to remember these things when scrolls are dooming and the clocks are looming. In private chats and I have been sharing both our distress over certain events, while also feeling a fire to keep creating and to keep leaning in to the little, whimsical things that feel unnecessary now.

Are we being selfish? Are we putting our head in the sand by creating while “all of this” (gestures wildly) is happening? Or are we using the power we have to fight the best way we can?

We decided to bring the conversation out into the open and invite you into it as well because we felt it was just so important.

Talk soon,

Keeley

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Been thinking about you. Wondering if you’re feeling the same way I am lately:

_Small.

Overwhelmed by the big stuff in the world.

Feeling like the bright skies are obnoxious and the sun didn’t get the note: “World in chaos. Cue the clouds.” Read the room sunshine, read the room.

We eat noodles and watch sitcoms while powerful men smash nations like they’re plastic battleships in their bathtubs. We wake up and go to the gym as a new wave of Awful Things scatter across the headlines.

We’re not even in a Marvel movie. There’s no superhero gang ready to fight and bring justice.

It’s just us.

We’re stuck in this exhausting tension: “Who do you think you are to create in these times?” “How dare you enjoy life right now?”

We’re afraid that creating and moving forward is evidence we’ve abandoned our humanity.

Just in case I’m not alone in this I thought maybe we could work through it together.

What if this is our weapon of choice: Whimsy. Art. Cultivating beauty. What if that’s how we fight?

Maybe? Could it be possible? Could writing something lovely that reaches the 4 subscribers that open our emails and makes them smile be a type of “fighting?” Are we forming a rebellion resistance by choosing to create beautiful, funny, lovely things?

If yes, should we create merch? Maybe t-shirts and caps? Or shiny brooches? All of the above, even.

Is being the most human we can be right now (messy, curious, creative, innovative, resourceful, playful, generous, active) actually what our world needs from us the most?

I guess even if our answer is no, the worst we can do is build something lovely instead of crying in the carpark.

And best case scenario is we lift someone up. We brighten their day. Make them smile. Give a bit of hope. Make them laugh. Offer solutions. Guide. Comfort. Show someone they’re not alone.

And restore our own spirits while we’re at it.

If that’s the case, maybe the tension becomes elastic energy instead. We see the suffering, but act in brilliant defiance anyway.

And perhaps that’s the most human thing of all: balancing the dark and light in the only ways we know how.

The beauty in the midst of broken.

The whimsy in the quagmire and muck.

The hope in amongst it all.

That’s still ours.

K. x

PS: Not just me? Want to chat about it? If you’re free on the 26th of March I’m going live with this month to chat all about creative resistance, whimsy and we’d love you to be there. Say you’ll come?

More details are here.

(March 26th/27th depending on where in the world you are.)

My imagination spent a lot of time inside that poster. (Illustrated below.)

Decades later, inspiration hit me and I asked for the complete collection of books for my 40th birthday. An elegant and grown-up request.

This allowed me to enjoy the stories that accompanied the picture I had known of and wondered about for so long. (And to finally discover that the lady in yellow was actually little Primrose, who had gone off on an unapproved adventure and was seated here, looking through this elderly couple’s family album. I meeean.)

Since then, I’ve noticed (I guess the algorithm is onto me) that Brambly Hedge is everywhere. People still love and read the books and “Brambly Hedge” interior design style is an actual thing.

This all combines extremely well with another passion of mine - tiny worlds.

I have more than one Pinterest board dedicated to dollhouses and miniatures and at one point I imagined making a treehouse dollhouse and then the algorithm read my mind (bit freaky) and showed me had actually done it.

So, I took that as my permission slip to make one of my own and bought her utterly delightful course.* Can’t recommend enough.

And it’s taking shape!

But I was wondering if you wanted to help design it with me?

Assuming you said yes, can we chat about what rooms should go where? Do we do a dining room on its own or combine with the kitchen? Also, what season should it be in? (I’m thinking winter because then we can make it Christmas sometimes and add decorations. Thoughts? Autumn could be cute too because the outside could be covered with berries. But I think Christmas is too strong a draw card?)

Mapping out ideas below:

If it helps us decide, this treehouse belongs to two little mice: Betty and Gordon. Gordon plays the baritone and looks after his garden and Betty is a nurse and bakes cakes on the weekends. (Inspired by my grandparents.)

And while this may simply be making the project harder, the goal is to make it as accurate as possible to the world it’s from, as an homage to the author. Her desire was to make everything perfectly accurate and real:

Which is why the treehouse is currently undergoing some structural renovations to make sure the windows more accurately reflect the books. Originally I loved the circle windows because they matched the swirl of the tree, but in the books, lo and behold: rectangular windows.

Once construction is done, we can go room by room and start building it out.

I’ve added post-it notes to the book for pieces I know I have to include. The little ‘treehouse stump within the treehouse’ (non-negotiable), the loveheart bed (pictured above), the floral hat hung up on a hook and a few other pieces.

Obviously this will be a side quest I can only partake in 5 minutes here or there with the occasional chaos-creation weekend.

I’d be delighted if you’d join me in building this world?

In fact - just throwing this wild idea out there - maybe you’d like to create something tiny to add to the rooms (like a plate or a cushion) and send it to me? I didn’t come up with this idea, I saw someone else was designing a dollhouse and they turned it into a community project, and I thought that could be fun?

So, what do you think? Shall we?

Yours in miniature cuteness,

K x

*That’s an affiliate link and you can even get 10% off with the code: KEELEY

There’s things we want to create, dreams we want to chase, and a to-do list that endures like an everlasting gobstopper.

I just don’t know if a word for the year is going to cut it.

What if, instead, we chose a flower?

Not a floaty, pretty thing to stick on our vision board because it symbolises “strength” or something. But to borrow the energy of a flower that flourishes in spite of the odds, that follows the light and refuses to give up even in the harshest of conditions.

I woke up at 3am the other night and couldn’t get back to sleep, so I did what any sane person would do and started researching.

It changed about 4 times but I think I’ve finally got my flower for the year: Dahlia.

The growth process isn’t pretty (don’t we know it)

The dahlia grows from a really ugly potato-looking tuber. Which, even the word ‘tuber’ makes my skin crawl a bit. It’s so gross.

The growing bit isn’t glamorous or pretty. It’s yuck. Hard relate.

And yet from just one of those potato-esque things, dozens of flowers emerge.

Multi-expressionate (not a word)

Dahlias are not only highly productive, but they flower with more than one form. They have big ball-y round ones and scrunchy, flat ones that look like better-designed sunflowers. (These are my favourites. The ball ones feel too tight and perfect to me. Give me slightly-ragged-around-the-edges-imperfection any day.)

And they show off with colour. Deep, moody reds, obnoxious oranges, yellows soft pinks and purples. Can’t miss them.

Plus, they’ve got a playful, cheeky vibe.

A pinch goes a long way

Dahlia might be a little more fragile than a woodier stemmed bloom, but if their stems break, they bounce back with another. In fact, “pinching” - the act of cutting the strong central stem to encourage more flowers - helps dahlias thrive. Stealing some of those vibes please and thank you.

A very dahlia year indeed.

Since we’re sharing, my word(S) for the year that I keep coming back to are: visibility and under-thinking. I am so sick of freezing myself into in action from over-thinking. So this is the year of thinking less.

Visibility? Not my strong point. My nervous system tends to nope right out of here any time I try to put myself out there.

But not this year.

So, to me, the dahlia is bright, unmissable, not hiding.

Dahlia captures a sense of multi-hyphen-ness. Of play and experimentation - sticking something insignificant into the ground and seeing what comes up. Not boxed into one form of expression, interest or colour.

Which is great because I’m supremely uninterested in being boxed in.

The best bit? Dahlias don’t grow alone, but alongside many dahlia buddies.

This is the year to share without being confined by a big suffocating overarching strategy or goal, other than to connect. It’s a year to collaborate with others. And it’s the year to grow back after alot of pruning and “pinching” in previous years. I’ve done the gross potato thing under ground for long enough. I don’t wanna be a potato anymore.

Time for some colour. Light. Sun.

Want to choose a flower of the year with me?

If you’re keen, a couple of tips:

For the sake of this exercise we’re not relying heavily on the meaning or symbolism of the flower itself, but more interested in its characteristics - the way it grows and holds itself.

Start with the vibe first. You could even choose a word for the year first and then find a flower that captures the essence of that.

I’ll leave a couple of ideas below, but let me know what your vibe you’re going for and I’ll see if I can help you find one that works!

Keeley x

I feel as though I’ve lived about 3 lives since I wrote to you and while I don’t want to bore you with details, I fear we’re at risk of no longer recognising each other, and we can’t have that. So I’ll just give you the highlights.

The last few months have been the ones where dreams came true.

• I got married. I don’t just write by the light of a disco ball, I get married under one, apparently. ‘twas a secret backyard ceremony, under the fairy lights and just witnesses. (Little peek here.) This was also my first wedding as a florist, which leads me to the next point…

• Made a mid-life career pivot into floristry. Communications/marketing had all but officially broken my little sparkly spirit and now my world is filling up with flowers and it’s a dream.

• Girl is EN POINTE! I passed my pointe assessment a couple of days before my 42nd birthday. (Never too late to chase crazy, tiny-big dreams my friend.) In case you’re not as obsessed as I am, this is a ballet thing. Wearing those shiny pink shoes is a hard-won privilege and I’ve been recovering from injury and working towards this goal for yearsss.) I shared a snippet of my journey over here.

• invited me to co-host the Flowers & Folklore podcast. We get to know a new flower each month, learn its origin stories and wild ways (sometimes mysterious, always surprising) and it’s such a joy to work on. I shared a bit of wedding behind-the-scenes in this episode here.

• Banished my overthinking to the Bad Place and changed my publication. I’m now writing under my own name. Got sick of trying to ‘know the niche, wear the niche, own the niche’ or whatever we’re meant to be doing and just want to write to you.

I’m more determined than ever to bring a little light your way here. I hope you’ll stick around, AND if you’re able to share some of your dream-come-true-highlights or any you’re working towards, I’d love to hear them, leave me a comment and we can chat.

Keeley x (now, Mrs.)

Charlene is one of the loveliest, funniest, most talented people I know, and today, we get to chat with her.

But! Before we do, big news to let you in on here, because I’ve just launched…

The Creative Courage Club ~ A live, 8-week small group mentorship designed to help you finally move your creative projects forward.

Choose your focus (your Substack, podcast, online course, sales page… or that thing gathering dust in your Google Docs) and bring it to life with feedback, encouragement, and accountability through voice notes, looms and live calls.

We start Monday, October 13th (enrolments close the night before). Spots are limited so everyone gets plenty of individual attention.

Join us in our secret digital hideaway (no algorithms, no noisy feeds, hooray!) Find out more about it and join at creativecourageclub.com

Now, back to the episode!

Today I’m sharing a conversation with .

Charlene is a writer and photographer who has a unique way of noticing and then sharing, in both words and images, a moment that others might overlook. She sees magic in tiny moments and captures shadows and light in the most beautiful way. She is particularly passionate about women’s stories and has the most profound insights, she says so many things that really stuck with me.

Her online world makes you feel seen and inspired and she is genuinely one of the loveliest finds on the internet.

There are so many amazing takeaways from this conversation, we speak about not becoming a lost story, choosing yourself, sharing imperfectly and how “There’s a difference between doing something that feels comfortable and doing something because you don’t think you deserve more…” plus my personal favourite: “The idea of wearing jeans that are too tight, is frankly, abhorrent.”

Although, she says all these things with her gorgeous Scottish accent so it’s really worth hearing for yourself.

On that note, I’ll let her do the talking! Enjoy the episode and make sure you find Charlene on both Substack at Haver & Sparrow and on instagram. Links below.

PS: Here’s an example of some of the medieval art we talk about. You’re welcome/I’m sorry.

I looked up the word ‘disappointment’ in the dictionary a few weeks ago and the definition not only blew me away but it also helped me finally achieve a dream I’ve had in the making for years. (I'll write about that later.)

Sounds like I’m making stuff up, but I’m not even exaggerating, learning the definition gave me a whole new way of looking at disappointment and helped me re-spark my hope again, so I wanted to share that reframe with you.

The word itself means to deprive of a position.

The prefix dis, means not, or the opposite of and the word appointed is from Old French apointer meaning ‘from a point to a point.’

So when we’re disappointed we’ve been deprived of a point in time.

A specific one.

One we thought was ours.

We’ve been removed from it, or it’s been removed from us.

Instead of disappointment being a vague, gross, never-ending feeling of blah it’s now become super specific:

“Oh my goodness. Yes. I thought that shiny, sparkly thing was my thing. My only thing. And I missed it. Or that other shiny point just never happened. And then there was that Big Shiny Thing I did have for a time but it blew up.”

Maybe you know that feeling too?

This one point hooks us in. This captivating point holds our hope, our spark and sometimes our sense of purpose. This point could be anything: a marriage, a friendship or relationship, a job, a business, an opportunity.

It’s a single point in time we look at and say to ourselves “but that was it”.

We rage, we grieve, we write (and then delete) a hundred messages to enact a sense of justice for the new future we’ve been given.

We end up living in a weird kind of hope, as though our claim to that point in time (however valid) is strong enough it could bring us back to it.

It stunts our future because we can’t see anything new as being a replacement for the point we thought was ours. The shame of losing it holds us captive and if we’re not careful its kept us in a holding pattern, circling the same point in time over and over.

Maybe we missed it because we made bad choices, or other people made bad choices, or it was stolen from us, or we weren’t paying attention, or it was never even ours…we just thought it should be.

It doesn’t matter why we were deprived of that point, only that we were.

We have no time machine. Doc Brown has not as yet turned up at my door with his crazy hair, his dog and his DeLorean.

Those points are gone.

However this definition helped me see that while disappointment is attached to a single point, a lifetime is made up of many, many points, right? That means there must be more ahead…

That wasn’t our only chance.

It might have been a big one, sure. But it’s not the only one for us because we’re still here.

We get to move forward into a future filled of new “points.”

And guess what?

We bring it all. Everything we worked for, grieved over and earned in those places of deep disappointment, we take it all into what’s ahead.

The future is full of these shiny points for the taking. Look at that.

We’re no longer dis-appointed.

We’re re-appointed.

Heard it’s getting kinda stormy. Good time to take a break and while we can’t fix anything or change what’s happening “out there” this is the perfect place to recharge before facing it all again.

Ok, first things first, there’s a message here at the front desk to let you know: “Yes the oven is off, the windows are locked and you did put the park break on.”

So. Shall we?

Here’s our catalogue, feel free to peruse at your leisure.

Before you head up to your room, we’ll take care of your luggage for you, so please add to the cloak room the baggage from childhood, (don’t worry it’s a big room) your bag of regret from all-the-things-you-should-have-done-better, and the backpack of silent rage about that-person-who-could-do-with-a-good-slap. None of that can go with you up to the room. So let’s just offload them here.

Done that? Ok perfect.

Here’s your key, let me take you to your room.

You can see there’s a few things set up for you…

We have noise cancelling headphones with the options of our highly recommended playlists or binaural beats, you can find them in our catalogue.

Can I also suggest you pair that with at least a weighted blanket, if not a heat pack too? (We have a few to choose from in various degrees of size and cuteness. They’re also listed in our catalogue and might I suggest the heatable toast-shaped slippers so your feet can be nice and toasty. Get it?

*See the full collection in the catalogue.

Also as an added delight, this YouTube channel with stunning, genuine fireplace sound effects will whisk you away to a forest where the rest of the world can’t reach you. There’s a temptation here to be sidetracked by the log cabin building people, which are also delightful background noise as there’s nothing quite like watching other people doing work while you’re…not. So, that’s an option as well.

That gorgeous fragrance you’ve picked up on is lavender oil and there’s an ever-heating pot of lemongrass and ginger tea (from unbleached bags) in the corner for you.

There is an unlimited selection of Lush bath bombs (especially the glittery ones) and of course, additional comfort squares and fuzzy socks are available on request.

What’s on at the self care hotel

It depends on how you’re feeling and what you need for the day. If you’re after a bit of escapism and the chance to pretend the rest of the world doesn’t exist, we have a stellar line up for you:

We have a few channels dedicated to amazing binge-watching, with zero ads.

Studio Ghibli Channel:

Studio Ghibli has a magical way of removing you from the real world. These movies work as brilliant escapism thanks to their beautiful animation style and the fact that they let moments breathe on the screen instead of fast, slick editing cuts. But more than that, the rest of the world disappears as we watch the main characters go on an endless sequence of side quests. There’s something deeply relatable about that.

I’m making my way through them all, but right now I personally recommend: Arrietty, Kiki’s Delivery Service, Whispers of the Heart, and My Neighbour Totoro.

Star Trek Channel:

Back to back episodes of the best Star Trek episodes across all of the series, not the weird ones like “The Thaw” - only the good ones from Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, Strange New Worlds and maybe the one or two episodes of Enterprise that are watchable. (If you need further convincing that Star Trek is a worthy option, consider reading this.)

You can see in the corner there by the bay window a collection of books to choose from: Anne of Green Gables, Brambly Hedge, The Secret Garden, What You’re Looking For is in the Library among others. There’s a comfy blanket and fairy lights ready to flick on when you want to curl up on the window seat and read the day away.

When you’re feeling a little more rested and would like something joyful to dive into, can I recommend the following games:

Astro Bot

The sound effects in this game give me life. His adorable call outs for his lost robot mates, the jewels that clink around as you kick them, then there’s the dances, and the outfits. I can not get over how cute this game is.

Untitled Goose Game

If you’ve ever wanted to stir up trouble just for the sake of it, this is the game for you. It gives your inner sass monster a place to play without reckoning. (Also highly recommend you pick up the glass bottle and honk. You’re welcome.) It’s just so much fun being a nuisance. It’s a great outlet for inner frustration - when you can irritate everyone else.

As we’re getting ready to get back out into the real world, let’s get a few things set up to help us feel supported and strong. Here are two of our most highly recommended apps:

Finch

The cutest self care habit tracker. Who remembers the tamagotchi? Finch is like that, except less stressful and you care for your creature by reaching your own goals. You can tailor it so if just getting out bed and drinking water is the kind of season you’re in, your Finch goals can reflect that. It’s free, (there’s a paid tier but I just use the free version.) If you want to join me click here. That link should give you your first micropet and I chose Blizzard the Wizard for you. You’re welcome. (Or use my friend code: 1SEES3FQJ93 so we can send each other high fives and flowers. Not an affiliate link, it’s just how we can find each other.)

Headspace

I use Headspace daily. The binaural beats are amazing for focusing or getting out of an anxiety spiral. But I especially love the soundscapes to fall asleep to and help my mind go quiet. Personal soundscapes faves: Midnight Laundrette, Rainday Antiques and the Slow Train. This isn’t a free app but it’s less than therapy.

Before I leave you to enjoy your stay here, I wanted to reassure you with a couple of thoughts. Firstly, that whatever your reasons are for this visit, they’re valid. You might have had a bad day, a tough year, an epic decade - it doesn’t matter. This space is yours regardless.

Secondly, you’re allowed to have this time to yourself. Yes, this hotel is a luxurious priviledge not everyone can avail themselves of. But that doesn’t mean you’re selfish for taking a moment to restore your inner world. Even when mess may continue to swirl overhead.

It is not here. Not now. Not in this moment.

You’re worth looking after.

Your beautiful, precious days are worth having pieces of good and joy and loveliness and cute robots and glitter bath bombs to fill them.

Feel free to take the catalogue and recommendations with you for inspiration in the future. Remember, you can revisit any time you need, there’s always a room with your name on it.

Also if you know someone who could use a visit to The Self Care Hotel, please share this with them and invite them in?

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SFX credits:

PASOS_DENTRO.wav by Sainthh -- https://freesound.org/s/396854/ -- License: Attribution 3.0Thunderstorm.wav by BeeProductive -- https://freesound.org/s/395623/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Fireplace (light).WAV by Makape -- https://freesound.org/s/414117/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Church door open & close #1 by arnaud coutancier -- https://freesound.org/s/436012/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 3.0 Hotel -Key card and open door by MariaDelCastillo -- https://freesound.org/s/444939/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0

So, when my ex said we should watch Star Trek: The Next Generation I was borderline offended. “I’m sorry. You must have me confused with Bizzaro Keeley.” Eventually I caved in thinking at least I’d be able to say it was terrible and I was right. Right?

Not so.

I was shocked to discover I wasn’t just wrong. I didn’t even tolerate the show. I loved it. You want me to say it? Fine, I’ll say it: My name is Keeley and I’m a Trekkie.*

Dammit.

Thus ensued one of two reasons my previous relationship was elevated to the rank of ‘slightly more edifying than a plastic plant’: #1 because of my whippet, Holly and #2 because he introduced me to the world of Star Trek.

So. That was worth it.

How did this happen?

Yes, it has been bugging me, thanks for asking. And yes, I have devoted far too much mental real estate into unpacking how Star Trek of all things made it into both my evenings and popular references.

Because this show is straight up bonkers.

It looks like a theatre production accidentally got filmed and made it to air.

Some of the costumes and props look like home-made projects. It’s as though one of the crew called out to their mum after school one day: “MU-UM I NEED TRIBBLES.” She rolls up her sleeves and makes her way to the craft cupboard knowing she 'was born for such a time as this’.

The plasticky chinks of weapons sound like childhood memories of dress-up battles with your mates.

The special effects are unintentionally humorous, think: people obliterated into globs, fake blood and shiny lights with sound effects: Pew Pew Pew.

The characters are basically superhuman mega-nerds who can innovate untested, highly complex solutions involving quantum physics and advanced technology with remarkable speed, while being fired at and the room fills with near-lethal amounts of radiation. When most of us have trouble resetting a forgotten password.

Plus, we have zero idea what they’re saying 99% of the time. We just watch it in our pyjamas and think “If Chief O’Brien says it I believe it.”

Even in the light of all this evidence, my resistance was futile.

But I finally know how this show brain-washed me and turned me into the writer who is proudly wearing her Starfleet Academy jumper as we speak.

There is hope, Captain.

First, let’s set the scene. Because for once, we’re seeing a vision of the future and it hasn’t all turned to crap. In Star Trek’s world, we’ve figured it out: there’s no more war, no poverty or hunger and we’re not being hunted by mushroom-heads. Earth is at peace.

In the future, broken bones are healed with a zappy thing, organs can be regenerated and we have a laser that can do a full body scan with immediate results. (No more anxious waits and vague, ominous text messages from the doctor’s clinic.)

Star Trek essentially says to us, humanity is going to be ok, our future is bright.

And now that the human race has peace and stability in their world, they have more room to play and explore. They’re safe to try and fail. (Because let’s face it, the zappy thing will probably fix it.) So they boldly go into strange new worlds.

And I want this. All of it. The peace. The zappy thing. The hope. The freedom to play and experiment.

Fearlessness & imperfection

This show itself looks like it’s held together with courage and duct tape.

In recent years Star Trek has been brought to life with the shiny pizzaz the world deserves.

But we fell in love with it before the aliens looked believable. Before they chose decent music. Before the green screen didn’t look so obvious it might as well have been given an opening credit.

And I freaking love that about it.

I love that it was an absolute mess of ideas and weird choices and that the actors just committed to the moment. I love that they believed in the world enough, even while face-to-face with cardboard sets and plushies as aliens to take us with them.

The show asks a lot of us in terms of suspending all logic and reason. Even within the context of this fantastical world, some of the storylines still feel like a stretch.

But the show creators weren’t afraid to go big, even when they had no business doing so. Not only that, they didn’t wait for technology (or costumes) to catch up to the dream - they used what they had and made it imperfectly.

Case in point: Somewhere behind the scenes they went, “We need an alien.” One of the crew shrugs: “we’ve got my neighbour's dog and some leftover Tribble fabric.” Not only did they not laugh Derek out the door, but they said yes Derek good idea Derek and this iconic moment was gifted to the world.

That was maybe a dumb idea. Or was it brilliant? Who can tell. The point is, they didn’t hold back, they threw some of the most insane ideas onto our TV screens and we were captivated.

I want that kind of fearlessness. To just throw ideas out there even if they’re not as beautiful as my mind can see them or I don’t have the “right” pieces to create the art I want. I want the audaciousness to be that ridiculous.

It lets us dream

What the world of Star Trek gives to humans in order to dream, imagine and play is unmatched and unfair.

I’m actually jealous.

Thanks to the holodeck, Cosplay here is just another Tuesday. They can disappear into a Sherlock Holmes adventure, or the Wild West, or an old-timey Irish pub. Whatever they imagine, they can create.

They can design programs and even ‘holo-novels’: stories that they can play out in 3D. A writer’s dream. No waiting for a big movie producer to put your story into live action, just add it to one of the shiny plastic USB’s and place yourself as one of the characters, like Captain Proton.

They are unapologetic in their desire for play. Even though they’re not just grown ups, but Starfleet officers. They should be serious and stoic, right? Yet, playing elaborate dress-ups is totally normal, even encouraged.

As if that wasn’t enough, they can magic things up out of thin air. Want something? Ask the replicator. Imagine never having to cook dinner again. Or shop for groceries. (Note to self: Pre-order Replicator.V1)

There are holograms where we can talk to each other, symbionts that can live connected lives through their hosts and we also have the ability to time travel. (Albeit, usually unintentionally.) Plus, we could move through beams of light, molecule by molecule, teleporting to any location we choose in a matter of seconds. [Active wooshing sound.]

All of this appeals to our imagination and our childlike hope. It’s a never ending quest of improvisation. A world where we can pretty much do whatever and go wherever we want and even the captains of galaxy class starships choose to use that freedom to play fancy dress-ups.

I want to live in a world where keeping a broad range of costumes on hand at any given time is normal. I would also be ok with a replicator making my dinner and a holodeck to dive into after a bad day fighting with my version of Klingons.

Humanity & home

And here’s the biggest piece. In all of this beauty, surrounded by cosmic phenomena and scientific magic, what do they do? They explore themes of humanity, home and belonging in every single episode.

All layered beneath the questions, what does it mean to be human and what place do we have to decide the rights of others?

We see this played out in:

Kira wanting to restore her homeland and bring justice, whatever the cost.

Data (an Android) longing to know humanness.

Odo (a Shapeshifter) seeking his origins and family.

Seven of Nine, (a Borg) who learns how to be unique again.

Picard and his fierce loyalty to his crew.

Captain Janeway and her many attempts to sacrifice herself for the sake of her ship family getting home.

And many others.

These characters live life with abundance, exploration, play, and honour.

Plus, I have to mention iconic team ups like Wesley and his jumpers, Riker and his chair leans, Bashir and O’Brien - that all help make these shows as loveable as they are.

Keeley’s Log, stardate 78933.9

Have I spent just as much time watching Star Trek as I have wondering why I’m watching Star Trek?

Yes.

And thus, I present this case to myself:

This strange and absurd world makes me want to dream and hope.

I might never get a replicator (fingers crossed) or a holodeck of my own, though I suppose I could create a dreamatorium like Abed. But the playfulness of this world brings me comfort and gives me permission to remain a child at heart.

The honour that they conduct their lives with, even if they fall short, inspires me.

The messy, imperfection of the whole universe brings a charm to my evenings that makes me feel connected to other artists who are just out there having a go.

And I feel less alone in my quest for belonging and home.

Computer, end log.

K x

Supplemental: Am adding a raktajino mug to my wishlist for any friends or family who may or may not be reading this and may or may not want early Christmas present ideas.

For the record:

*The Star Trek shows I’m specifically referencing here are Deep Space Nine, Next Generation, Voyager, Enterprise and TOS and the movies. The more recent additions of Strange New Worlds and Starfleet Academy are, sadly, abysmal and don’t fall into the framework above. And I haven’t even been able to get through the first episode of Discovery, so I can’t comment on that.

The following is a collection of my rambling thoughts as my favourite season slowly gives way to Winter. Perhaps a rainy day brings out the philosopher in me…

The sky and the leaves are taking turns to fall, like some kind of Autumn waltz. The colour is turning to crunch and the warmth of the day is fading.

But the last few weeks, I have felt the energy around me shift. The sun hits differently. The air zings in a way that my spirit could breathe it in, not just my lungs. The puddles, the splashes, the floating leaves, the smoky streets, the sounds, the smells.

I’ve been humming along with it all.

There are some things on this planet that make my body feel whole. They whisper to my nervous system, you’re home: Autumn. Dappled light. String instruments. Swimming. Dance. Plushy flowers. Glittering lakes. The fragrance of rain or the swirl of smoke from a campfire.

My cells come alive more as they sway and shiver in response to certain sounds, colours and light.

I’m thinking out loud here but sometimes I wonder if the reason certain things like this resonate with us so strongly is because of our atoms.

If every single thing in the universe is made up of these tiny things and they are all moving, all the time: vibrating, oscillating, humming at certain speeds and frequencies, it makes sense that at some point we would come across something moving in a complementary frequency, right?

The hum of our atoms…

…moving in harmonic chorus to specific seasons, music, fragrance, colour and sound.

It’s not so totally out there is it? Sound, light and even colour are essentially made up of vibrations and frequencies.

What if we are simply harmonising with them? Moving in step with their rhythm, their sound, their lilt.

Our bodies and spirits moving along with the things that resound with us as we recognise ourselves in them.

Is that why they make us feel more alive? As we hum along with them in a song only our cells can hear?

Anyway. Just thoughts. You know what I mean though, don’t you…

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Sarah is about to brighten up your day. Honestly, just between you and me, I got emotional a couple of times just hearing her speak. She shares her passion for flowers and how she made the leap from from her “boring career in marketing” to pursue a life as a florist. We chat about living life “as a bit of a scaredy-cat” but still not letting fear make the decisions and about showing up as ourselves online and in our work.

Her business and creativity flows from a foundation of joy and coming home to herself. Her work is truly glorious and she’s inspired by the Dutch Masters, bringing the gorgeous deep and moody tones and pairing them with the frothy, fairy-lightness she adores. I love how she brings both the light and dark together so beautifully, creating something vibrant and abundant and with a sense of depth to it. And her extravagant floral crowns look like they belong on the cover of Vogue.

She was an absolute delight to talk to and am more determined than ever to find my way to Scotland one day just so I can have a cuppa with her in person. Hopefully near a castle.

Have a listen, enjoy and then get lost in the world of Sarah Rushbrooke.

PS: as this is being published, Sarah’s greyhound, Abbey, who we speak about in this episode is at the vet at the moment causing all kinds of worry. Maybe send extra love Sarah’s way as it might just bring a spark of lightness in an otherwise difficult time.

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Substack | Instagram | Podcast | Website |

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This episode is about showing up and trying again even when things don’t go the way we hoped.

Whether you’re a dreamer, a maker, an artist, someone starting something new or a business owner trying to make your way through the mess of it all, this one’s for you.

What better way to kick off a brand new podcast (or a revamped one) than with a giveaway. Hurrah. I’m offering a free 1:1 45 min “Creative Chuppa” session over zoom. (Chat + cuppa = chuppa). In this dedicated time we can chat about whatever creative work you have on the go right now. We can look at the copy on your landing page or about page or we can look at the branding/overall art direction or perhaps you just want to soundboard a new idea and need an idea buddy. The 45 mins is yours and it’s amazing what can flow out of a session.

How to enter:

• Follow the podcast on your favourite app

• Leave a rating & review. (Ideally a positive one, would be great. If you’re not sure what to say feel free to just add 3-4 words you’d use to describe the podcast and click those stars.)

• Screenshot the review and email to: creativecouragepodcast@gmail.com

That email address is also how you can contact me if you just want to reach out and say hello, request a topic, or let me know if you’d like to be considered as a guest, I’d love to hear from you.

Substack Soirée is back!

The class I’m co-hosting with Sara Tasker starts Monday, May 5th. Six weeks of writing and community magic. If you want to build something beautiful this year, we’d love to have you. Check it out here. (Previous Soirée guests: Yes! You are invited! Please do join us this round! We’ll be sending something to your inbox soon with more details.)

Secret Gardens blog on Substack

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A cozy corner for grown-up dreamers rediscovering their magic.
Stories, poems, paper art and chasing tiny-big dreams.

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I wanted to get to know each other a bit seeing as though we’ll be hanging out here together. So in this episode I’m introducing myself a bit, sharing pieces of my own journey and why I believe the arts aren't just fun or lovely, but essential. I really want these episodes to feel like late night chats with a friend, so I’d also love to hear from you. Leave a comment to let me know where you’re listening from and what you’re working on at the moment. It helps me know who I’m hanging out with as I record.

This podcast will be a part love letter to the arts as well as what I hope will be an encouragement to anyone who is creating things, I know it takes a lot of nerve and courage and mess and chaos. Thank you for putting in the work and doing the scary thing and sharing it.

We need art. We need stories. And we need each other.

What better way to kick off a brand new podcast (or a revamped one) than with a giveaway. Hurrah. I’m offering a free 1:1 45 min “Creative Chuppa” session over zoom. (Chat + cuppa = chuppa). In this dedicated time we can chat about whatever creative work you have on the go right now. We can look at the copy on your landing page or about page or we can look at the branding/overall art direction or perhaps you just want to soundboard a new idea and need an idea buddy. The 45 mins is yours and it’s amazing what can flow out of a session.

How to enter:

• Follow the podcast on your favourite app

• Leave a rating & review. (Ideally a positive one, would be great. If you’re not sure what to say feel free to just add 3-4 words you’d use to describe the podcast and click those stars.)

• Screenshot the review and email to: creativecouragepodcast@gmail.com

That email address is also how you can contact me if you just want to reach out and say hello, request a topic, or let me know if you’d like to be considered as a guest, I’d love to hear from you.

Substack Soirée is back!

The class I’m co-hosting with Sara Tasker starts Monday, May 5th. Six weeks of writing and community magic. If you want to build something beautiful this year, we’d love to have you. Check it out here. (Previous Soirée guests: Yes! You are invited! Please do join us this round! We’ll be sending something to your inbox soon with more details.)

Also mentioned in this episode
My latest custom website design for The Barbell Ballerina.

Offers opening up soon for custom websites and a template shop on its way! When the shop opens I’ll be offering a limited number of bespoke websites at a special introductory price so if you’re interested, get in touch now so you don’t miss out. Best way to reach out is keeleyrees@gmail.com

Secret Gardens blog on Substack

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A cozy corner for grown-up dreamers rediscovering their magic.
Stories, poems, paper art and chasing tiny-big dreams.

Subscribe now

Introducing: The Creative Courage podcast. Launching soon. (Vague, I know.)

This new version of the podcast is less about the strategic stuff of showing up online, less about the copywriting and marketing tips. Not because that stuff isn’t important—(obviously, it is)—but I wanted to have more conversations about the creative journey itself. I’ll share more about my vision for it in the first episode but for now I wanted to offer a glimpse of what’s in the works.

The arts hold so much power. Our creativity is one of the most potent forces we can access this side of heaven and I’m obsessed with pursuing it as much as possible. Not just in and through my own work, but the work of others.

It won’t just be me sharing here, I’ll be chatting with some amazing creative people. So far I have interviews booked or recorded with a writer, an interior designer, a florist, an illustrator and a professional dancer.

I’ll launch a few binge-ready episodes in one go obviously because that’s how we do things around here.

Plus, there’s rumours of a giveaway. More details when the podcast goes live.

And yes, we were podcast-bombed by a cockatoo. Because they hate me.

Anyway, enjoy! Links etc mentioned below.

PS: Obligatory pic of Holly, who briefly joined us in this episode.

It didn’t look like a story when they offered it to her. It looked like a tiny seed.

She didn’t know she could throw it away. Why would she? It was a story she had herself questioned in whispers, alone, in the dark.

So when they handed it to her she thought simply, sadly…

Yes. They are right.

She held out her hands and accepted it as her own.

What she had thought was only a silent story was now there in her fist, seen by others, known by them. In shame she hid it. Buried in her heart it sunk and twisted itself within the spaces of her being.

It was not alone.

There were other story seeds, planted side by side.

Unseen, the roots progressed.

Weaving with each other.

Weaving with her.

For decades they were left alone to take over.

Eventually, the seeds were forgotten. In their place grew big, strong tales she thought were there because of who she was, not the stories she first believed. Where the seed had said “You aren’t…” and “You won’t...” there were now defiant weeds that declared: “I can’t.” and “I’m not.”

Many years later, she found a new story seed. It was tiny and this time it said: “What if it isn’t true? Why not you?”

She wasn’t sure she was allowed to keep such a story but she wanted to, desperately. So she hid that story too and over time it also grew. She tended to it, gingerly and unsure at first.

When she saw the weeds had begun to choke it, she found herself pleading: let it grow, let it grow…

Why can’t I?

Let it grow.

Why can’t I?

Let it go.

Why can’t I, why can’t I, why can’t I?

Let go!

Her hands shook as she began to pull at the old weeds. What if you’re not true? She trembled the words out as she unravelled the dried limbs. Why not me? She heard the roots snap as she pulled and tugged. Why can’t I?

As she made war on one final sprig to dig it out, the others went with it.

There it was.

The tangled root system knotted with stories she didn’t know were at work within her all along.

Until now.

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The last thing I wrote to you was all about seeking bright things and while that is still 100% true, the flip side to it is that there’s a reason I’m so determined to find that light.

Because I need it.

The reason I want to “bringeth back the sparkle” as I said is in that post is because I feel the right bloomin’ opposite right now. (Maybe you can relate?) This past year has brought a bunch of kerfuffle-y situations of unfun origins that have just added a dusty fog over everything.

The result of all that is my creative currency account is now bankrupt. Worse. It’s in in the minus. Don’t know what I’m talking about? I shared a little about how I view Creative Currency in this post here.

Basically, I got nothin’.

I’m all maxed out on brave dollars, emotional dollars, (my son graduates year 12 in a couple of weeks and considering I only just dropped him off for his first day of school like 2 weeks ago I have a lot of feeeeeelings about that). Physical dollars? Erm, no. It’s just all a bit... *blows raspberries*.

Which is why I’m making room over the new few weeks and the last school holidays ever—(At least, I’m pretending they are. There’s no more school terms so technically they’re not school holidays but just let me have this)—to hang out with my son as much as he’ll let me. Movies, walks, lego, escape rooms, Batman Animated Series and other such shenanigans will be in our near future.

Plus, I’ll be spending some time earning my creativity dollars back.

But! Before I go I have 2 lovely things to share:

Thing 1:

I entered a Christmas card competition for Greyhound Rescue and my design was selected for the pack! Huzzah. Which means your Christmas cards are sorted. 100% of the profits will go towards the high cost of rescuing and rehoming greyhounds from the racing industry. I’ll send you the link when they have them ready to order. (So that’s one time you will actually hear from me in the next little while.) Look forward to seeing THIS FACE very soon. My Eve.

Update: you can now grab your pack here.

Thing 2:

Tricked ya. It’s a list but it counts as one. I wanted to share a few things that are bringing a bit o’ joy right now and open the floor for you to share some of your own in the comments:

~ Miranda Hart’s new book I Haven’t Been Entirely Honest With You. I have the audio book as well, highly recommend. It’s funny, gentle, hopeful.

~ Opal is being the big sister I need and blocks any app I choose so I don’t start scrolling the halls of terror (instagram et al) without realising what I’m doing. Too many triggers and jump scares there right now. My screen time is down by 53.6%, plus you get to unlock shiny gems that make these satisfying crunching noises as you ‘break’ them out.

~ Betwixt. It’s an epic fantasy game. But it’s your life. It brings play and mental health together in a profound way. The ladies behind the app, ( and Ellie) are also here on Substack. Super duper recommend you check out their publication for posts like this one: The magic tool that will change your life.

~ I borrowed a ‘blind date’ book from the library recently and it turned out to be a book called What you are looking for is in the library (bit meta) which was just the sweetest read. Like a big hug from a wise grandmother wearing a fuzzy, oversized jumper she knitted herself. It felt like that.

~ Recently started watching Frasier with Elliott. Classic 90’s TV never misses.

~ Cuddles with my dogs. My whippet Holly turned 10 today. Would you just look at this little jelly bean.

~ Dance classes. My brain is so focused on the millions of things my body is meant to be doing it can’t be thinking about anything else.

~ My poem, Hope was published in the last edition of The Happy Business Club magazine which is pretty amazing.

~ I added this door chime from Next Generation as my text/WhatsApp message sound. Ridiculous amounts of joy.

~ Reading your lovely things such as this piece by where she talks about no longer chasing, but choosing. Can’t get enough of these stunning floral essays by , loved this piece on what we control by and a recent lovely find: Slow Scottish Stories by .

~ Plus, I’m Looking forward to joining Rebel Readers book club with when it launches soon.

Thing 3

Ok I lied again, there’s 3 things, not 2. made this sticker for you and I had to share it here. She created it after reading this post: Consistency, king or court jester and it’s the loveliest thing anyone has ever done as a response to my work. Makes me emotional just looking at her cute little face and odd socks. She gets me. If you haven’t found Emily’s work yet, make sure you check it out here.

I’d love to know what would be on your list of things bringing you joy right now? And if you’ve written something that fits that criteria too please feel free to add it below so we can all enjoy it as well.

Okedokie. That’s me for now. The world is about to light up with fairy lights and twinkly things (my fave time of year) so there’s no doubt some rebound sparkle to be found soon.

Setting coordinates for the Land o’ Rest and Shiny Things ahead.

Make it so.

K x

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We might not be entirely sure what we want to be when we grow up but we do know this: It’s the stories that matter.

We know it because for years we made friends with the imaginary, walked through enchanted wardrobes, fought battles, spoke spells, and discovered secret gardens. We still remember what it’s like to pretend we’re pirates as we sit in our sandbox ships, seeing through cardboard telescopes, fighting off the baddies and claiming the treasure for our own. We lived these stories—becoming characters out of our favourite book or creating new adventures, people and places.

We could feel these tales embiggen us from the inside out as they taught us where the magic truly is—within. 

Then we grow up and life gets full. Instead of pretend baddies we face real foes like heartbreak, chronic illness, career confusion, horrible humans and get to watch our dreams be smashed up like avocados.

We’ve made too many mistakes, wrong turns and accepted more than one misleading, time-consuming side quests with unsavoury characters.

And now, when we need it the most, the magic seems to be lost.

Even at the shops we see the colourful, glittering, playful clothes replaced by grown up beige and boring sacks of linen that make us look like potatoes with handbags. (Where’s my jumper that makes me look like a stegosaurus? Where have my light-up shoes and glitter shoes gone?)

Our books are depressing and dark. TV shows no longer tell us we’re powerful and can create beauty out of small things but revolve around crime: true or made up.

Hard fricking pass. To all of it.

A dark thought shadows over our way:

Is the magic still within us? Was it ever there at all? Were we just lying to ourselves this whole time?

I say no. Or nay, whatever.

We always have been filled with the stuff of dreams. But along the way some of the magic was stolen from us by the Horrible Dark and some of the magic was given away, by us.

We made ourselves smaller, dimmer, less sparkly and far less powerful because we we were told we’re not really magic after all. (You’re too _____ young/old/unimportant/unskilled/average/ insert message of choice there.)

It’s time we took it back.

So, I’ve set this quest for myself in my work here: find the magic, reawaken lost dreams and restore the forgotten stories, through art, poetry, video, words and more.

I write by the light of a disco ball

Hey, if we haven’t met yet, I’m Keeley and I’m not joking. I have a huge disco ball in my little creator’s cabin and it throws glinty bits of light around like it really means it. It helps me find the words better, you understand.

I’m an Aussie and live in the nation’s capital with my humans, my 10yr old whippet and my rescue greyhound who steals all my shoes. I’m a dedicated adult ballet student, I do voice-over work on occasion, I have big dreams and I like my tea, earl grey, hot. #IYKYK

I’m a writer, creative director and professional daydreamer.

But honestly I’m just here because I love writing and storytelling, I want to give people hope through my stories and I want to share these tales with people who speak my language of weird.

Most importantly, I believe there is more.

And there’s more for me too.

Whatever we’ve gone through to get to this point, or perhaps what we’re even stuck in right now, this is the part in all those stories where they fought back and won, right? They got their glow on, stood up to diabolical rulers, destroyed the ring, brought the garden back to life and found their way home.

Why can’t that be true for us too?

Wanna join me on this quest? If you’re not 100% sure if this is for you, here’s a breakdown:

Such quest friends joining me here will be ~

• determined to find the good in stuff

• not a jerk

• delighted by animals being ridiculous

• good at cheering (access to own pom-poms desirable)

• disproportionately excited by tiny things, things that sparkle or light up, or a combo of all of the above.

• up for a good DIY adventure

• able to bring snacks

• open to dreaming again

• a big fan of stories: poems, tales, art, design, lovely things, funny things and open to the occasional Star Trek reference. (Non. Negotiable.)

Sound like you? I’ve packed a goodie bag for you.

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Sparkly scrolly stories

I’ve once again started my journey on Instagram after losing all my social accounts. I love the visual side of storytelling so it’s still a fave haunt despite it being a jerk and not giving me my account back after the jagweeds stole it but who’s still bitter? Not me. I share animals being ridiculous pretty regularly in my stories, disco daylight on the feed and magic wherever I can find it. Don’t dilly-dally now will you.

I’ve tried being a real grown-up and looking in the grown-up section for grown-up adventures but they’re so depressing. Even if they are set in the most fantastical world and have a beautiful message, we usually only get to that after at least 2 and a half people have died, their beloved pet ran away and all their indoor plants have given up. It’s just too much for my little soul. If I wanted to dive into those kinds of stories, my brain does that perfectly well on its own or I could just flick on the news.

No. It’s the children’s literature that I want to read and it’s here, within this section online that I recently found The Little Ghost Who Was a Quilt.

Yes, it is the cutest title ever.

I won’t spoil the story for you of course, but Little Ghost is different. He’s not like the other ghosts. They can whirl and twirl because they’re light and floaty, but he’s made of scrap pieces of heavy fabric that weigh him down.

All he can do is watch as the others do what ghosts are meant to do. Why was he created this way? Why can’t he just be like them? Why was he all kinds of wrong?

He tries so hard to ignore his own DNA and be just like them. Yet it only makes things worse.

I don’t know about you but at this point this picture book was beginning to feel somehow autobiographical and although I am not, a tiny quilt-shaped ghost, I (like most of us) can relate to the feeling of being not like the others.

Perhaps it’s not a stretch to say that as a creative or artist there’s been more than one occasion we’ve been told to: “You’ll never fly like them. You can just watch from the ground and maybe serve them up some hot cocoa when they get back. If you’re lucky they might even share their treats with you. Your place is at the window, watching them soar.”

We watch others and think we need to be like them, think like them, create like them instead of seeing what unique gifts we have to bring.

We self-reject, exclude ourselves or sabotage opportunities not only because we believe them but because we were focusing on what we can’t do, not what we can.

Like I said, I’m not going to spoil the story for you but Little Ghost found out one Halloween that the things he used to wish away about himself, the things that made him different were the very things that showed him a special purpose. In the end he was capable of things the other ghosts weren’t.

All because he was different.

Little Ghost isn’t the first one to realise their magic is in their uniqueness. The 90’s film Cool Runnings has one of the best scenes about owning who you are, rather than trying to be what you’re not. The film was based on the first Jamaican olympic bobsled team and the scene below is the moment they decide to stop trying to be like the Swiss team or anyone else at the Olympics and just be themselves.

I also love this interview with Kate Winslet where she talks about growing up while being told everything about her was wrong before she decides to ignore all of that and leaned into what she could do and became the multi-award winning actress we all love.

So, maybe we’re made up of pieces of scrap fabric that mean we can’t fly quite like the other ghosts. Maybe we’re made for something different.

Something they can’t do.

If we constantly compare ourselves to others and what they’re doing we’ll miss what we are brilliantly, beautifully capable of.

Or, maybe I’m just a crazy grown up reading children’s books. Whatever. If Little Ghost is with me, I’m in good company.

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