A Fresh Start in Melbourne

As my journey from a small mountain town in Canada, through the western states of the United States and on to Indonesia, drew to an end I was quickly absorbed into a whirlwind of responsibility and the rush of an energetic city! Melbourne welcomed me with open arms and I quickly became absorbed by family get togethers and homecoming celebrations. A small bush party on a close friend’s property with tunes, delicious food, drink and a big bon fire eased me back into the Australian way of life that I had been disconnected from for the last two and half years. What a fantastic feeling to be reunited with so many dear friends! …Sisters and brothers from other mothers…

Starting from Scratch

Somewhere in my mind I had envisioned that coming back to Melbourne would be simple…since I had lived here for eight years prior, already had a bank account and a tax file number. (Those things usually take time to launch when starting a new life in a country for the first time.) I had imagined being able to just step back into the working world and that Melbourne would whoosh me away. When I actually took a step back from my romanticised view of starting fresh I realised that there was a whole lot more to do…

Organisation kicked into action… first things first… write a list.

Lists support prioritisation and a sense of clarity in the mind.

Secondly, as life experiences happen, educational courses accomplished and jobs fulfilled, document them. Keep up to date with your Curriculum Vitae or Resume, this will save so much time when the job search begins.

Thank goodness for my crazy organisational skills which have kept my CV current!

Thirdly, use this opportunity of a fresh start to find what it is that you like/love to do. Starting from scratch offers the chance to really focus on you want to do, follow a passion or make a life long dream become a reality.

Take advantage of the transitional phase, the space in between the ending of one chapter and the beginning of a new chapter, to plant personal seeds, set intentions or a goal you wish to work towards. This will support having a sense of direction when the time comes to find your feet in a new place. (-Refer to my previous blog “Transition” for more guidance.)

A Family Home

“Home is where the heart is”… is true far beyond the simplicity of this statement. A home can be anywhere and with anyone. A home is a safe space that offers feelings of comfort and love. A space where the individual is supported and can allow his/her true colours to shine. As I find my feet in Melbourne I am overwhelming grateful for the home that I have been invited to be a part of. A quaint house surrounded by greenery, with two dear friends and their young daughter in the northeast suburb of Ivanhoe. I am fortunate to be experiencing a shared living situation that shines more than any other. It is an equally shared experience, working together, cooking together and learning from each other. This space is full of playful inspiration that only a little munchkin can offer. A positive home environment is an important step in settling in and developing a sense of belonging within a place.

The World of Centrelink

Upon my return to Melbourne I have been introduced to the world of Centrelink… some friends told me that dealing with Centrelink can be more challenging than a full time job… I now understand what they meant. Hours have been drained away waiting in a Centrelink office or on hold on the phone or updating details on the government website. A dull reality of dealing with the bureaucratic system. Centrelink has been a test of patience and persistence and although I am grateful that Australia has a welfare system in place for its Citizens, it baffles me just how unorganised and karfuffled this system is.

Launching my Business

With ten years of yoga practice, a 200-hour intensive teacher training course and two years of yoga teaching experience in Nelson, Canada, I felt it was time to launch my own yoga business here in Melbourne. I registered Eclipse – A Yoga Journey for an Australian Business Number and organised the necessary public liability insurance. A dear friend put me in contact with the owner of a holistic health centre and I found myself lined up for an interview to launch the yoga modality at the Elk Wellbeing Centre.

This awesome opportunity has offered its own challenges and has been pushing me to market my business and the space that is newly offering yoga to the public. I keep reminding myself to allow time for growth and be open to try a variety of different methods to advertise: word of mouth, flyers, digital media (Facebook, website) online advertisements (Gumtree), posters on community notice boards, etc.

I have a handful of already dedicated students and have sold a few class passes, which has been very exciting and a huge motivator! Onwards and upwards!

Reconnecting with Old Skills

After two and half years of not working with children I am now ready to reintroduce myself into the early childhood educator role. I realized that I did not want to become emotionally attached again so I have chosen to join an agency, McArthur, for flexible, casual work. Relief teaching offers educators the opportunity to work in a variety of centres, a chance to participate in different educational philosophies, teaches flexibility and adaptability and a chance to observe the variety of design concepts and ideas as small spaces are transformed into learning activities and creative play spaces. I have realized that this work is an opportunity to become inspired by not only other educators but more so by the children themselves. Observe the world through the eyes of a young person who has not yet been conformed by a society, or by other people’s belief systems and views. This perspective of the world is creative, abstract and truthful.

Variety is Key

As I shift into this new chapter in my life and find my feet in this familiar city, I am keen to keep my days fresh and full of variety. My experiences in Nelson, British Colombia taught me to be comfortable to change things up a bit, as well as the importance of doing what I enjoy! A deeper happiness is achieved when my attention is focused on activities, thoughts and experiences that feed the soul with positive fulfillment.

The first couple of months have been a juggling act, and I have still not completely found my flow yet, but it is happening.