Inspired by International Women’s Day, I want to photograph 52 ladies, one for each week, from my life and recommended to me. To me, the most inspiring women in my life are my friends and family.
They are the ones who push me to go further and pick me up when I’m down. I couldn’t do anything without my girl gang. I want to empower my ladies to see themselves how I see them. Follow along on Instagram for inspiring quotes and shoutouts to other amazing women kicking butt.
Carly and I met during an incredible monumental period in our lives – right after the end of our long term relationships while on a yoga retreat in Sri Lanka. Being able to go through that life-changing experience with someone who was going through something similar was incredibly powerful. Upon our return to Australia, it was the best being able to swap break up meme after meme and commiserate the different “break-up” milestones. Trust me, there are definitely turning points in recovery. I knew when I started this project I wanted to include Carly because of our shared love of empowering ourselves. Carly has taken the most active participant in this project of any other ladies included so far because not only did she know exactly what kind of photo she wanted (she requested an image of her conquering life from on top of a rock), but she also answered the most questions. We came up with the idea of going up Mount Ainslie so she could metaphorically conquer Canberra!!! You can just spot the Telstra Tower in the distance. I couldn’t bare to cut any of her answers so here they are in all their glory.
Thanks Carly for coming into my life when I needed it most. I admire you so much!
Which three guests would you like to invite to a dinner party (dead or alive, fictional or real)?
Michael Jackson, Obama and Amelia Earhart
What would be your signature dish you’d make them?
Lasagne! Even my mum wants me to make my lasagne when I visit
What would be the title of your autobiography?
Hmm… “She thought she could”?
What would you choose as your Mr. Men/Little Miss character to describe your personality?
I was given the ‘Mr Forgetful’ book as a gift, in Facebook quizzes I get ‘Little Miss Busy’, but I more relate to ‘Little Miss Stubborn’ or ‘Little Miss Tidy’. If I could make one up it would be ‘Little Miss Trying’, or perhaps you can tell that I am ‘Little Miss Indecisive!’.
If you were stuck on an island what three things would you bring?
Toothbrush, cello, and my medication haha
If you were to write a self-help book, what would the topic be?
Resilience!
If you were an animal what would you be?
I love cats, and the idea of lazing about in the sun and getting head scratches sounds delightful, although I think I would get bored and probably kill a lot of native wildlife for a challenge, so best I stay human 😊
If Hollywood made a movie about your life, who would you like to see cast as you?
Emma Stone please!
If you could be anyone from any time period who would it be and why?
This is a tough question, I think women today have it much better than they did so I wouldn’t want to back in time. I try not to wish to be anyone other than the best version of me. Wishing to be someone else is tied to jealousy, unhappiness and possibly ingratitude, it also assumes that others have everything you want, when in reality I’m sure they don’t.
If you could witness any historical event, what would you want to see?
Perhaps the falling of the Berlin Wall, and although it’s not yet history, I would like to see gays marry in Australia. (Carly actually answered this question well before the postal vote so we are getting closer!!!)
How do you define success?
I used to think success was about the big things: a top job, large salary, big house etc. Then I realised it has a lot to do with the greater things, like happiness, health, and a sense of belonging. Personally, I feel successful when I achieve the things I said I would – especially despite setbacks – but I’m starting to realise now that success is keeping yourself healthy and happy and staying true to yourself, and that might mean knowing when to quit (I’m still figuring this out!)
What are your three most overused words/phrases?
I don’t think I verbally articulate myself very well, so I say “do you know what I mean?” a lot!
If you had to eat one meal, every day for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Steak, chips and red wine.. Or anything my Baba and Dedo make.
What is the most important thing you have learned in the last five years?
I have realised that sometimes it doesn’t matter that you do the right things and do them well, sometimes things don’t work regardless; sometimes hard work doesn’t meet luck or opportunity (or meet the right team player). But from this I have learned to be kind to myself and enjoy the process regardless of the outcome – there is always a lesson to be learned.
What is the one thing you cannot resist?
Singing to a good song. And I’m a terrible singer!
