Get Started

Achange in thinking can arrive at our doorstep in many different ways. A simple conversation with someone can help you rethink things in your own life. Getting involved in a larger community project with a common goal to help someone or a group within society can help promote a new focus in life. During 2020, a year that’s been full of unexpected twists and turns, the power to change your thinking and embrace your own talent could benefit your bubble and those in the community and have a long-lasting effect. That feeling of doing something you love also makes you feel good. People in our communities who have been brave enough to start something they are passionate about should be commended.

When brainstorming our feature on Australian foodies, we wanted to showcase women from every state who have created a business or embraced their talent and had a positive impact on their families and local communities. Researching each state and whom to shine the spotlight on was actually the difficult part, as once we started we realised that we could run the feature again and again as there are just so many talented people to choose from.

The constant theme, once meeting this group, was their passion for what they were doing. It was interesting to learn how many of them started their businesses from nothing and dealt with wobbles along the way, but through their unwavering self-belief, ended up producing amazing products for the market.

Now is the time to think about starting that project, hobby or even new business idea that has been sitting with you for some time. Give yourself the space and time to really let your mind wander and see if that concept you have always mulled over might now just work.

For those of you who follow me on Instagram, you will know I have returned to my passion of painting (see @mindfoodmike). I now have a painting studio, and have been part of group shows at local Sydney gallery, Martin Browne Contemporary. My first solo show opens this September. It’s one of those take-a-deep-breath moments in which my passion for painting is now actually being showcased to others.

It’s been a fascinating learning process of setting up a painting studio, bringing a collection of work to market, learning to listen to those you trust as to whether a painting is good enough, and dealing with the age-old problem for any painter of deciding when a painting is actually finished.

I’ve had to leave any insecurities or disbelief in my talent at the studio door and just go for it. This sounds easier than it is in practice, because, at times, after an exhausting day of painting, doubts can creep in. I try to ignore them but at times it is difficult to do.

I have been painting for more than 30 years and this big step up made me question so many things. Am I talented enough? Why am I doing this? But I kept coming back to the fact that I love painting. Yes, it’s a leap of faith. And yes, putting my work out there in a professional environment so publicly is a new experience but one I feel I’m ready for. And so, with lots of focus and late nights working in the studio, I got there.

Sometimes in life you just have to put stuff out into the world and see where it lands – keep doing what excites you and see what happens. You can read about the background and research I did for my work on page 40.

You all have certain talents and this is the time as a community we need to think how best to use them. It’s too easy to let doubt creep in so you end up doing nothing at all. Change those negative thinking patterns, embrace what you love doing, and go and do that.

During this unprecedented time in our lives, let’s think how we can really embrace those things we enjoy doing the most. It might mean changing the way you live, and the way you look at life, but at least you will be doing something you love.

There is much evidence that shows creating something you love can benefit your mental health, as well as reduce stress and improve self-esteem. The time is now. It’s good for you, just get started, believe in yourself and go for it.

“THE TIME IS NOW. BELIEVE IN YOURSELF AND GO FOR IT.”