Marama Davidson, 46
Green Party co-leader
For me, joy means peace, which is probably indicative of the rushing, toxic and hostile environment I work in! When I can be at peace, that brings me a whole lot of joy. So it means finding a place of calm that can spiritually and physically make me feel content, and that place is my home.
After being in the public eye, I walk into my home and there is my peace. It’s a space that represents a sanctuary where I can be myself, my full self. It’s absolute chaos but it’s where I can breathe out. Arriving home to Auckland from Wellington, I walk in the front door still dressed as an MP and holding my suitcases, and I have to immediately drop my stuff and roll around on the floor with the dogs or the grandchild or the children. There’s not enough time to kick off the shoes and get into trackpants.
I’m planning it from the moment I hit the airport in Auckland. I know I’m going to be on the floor as soon as I get home, so I have to go to the loo at the airport because I’m not going to get to the toilet for 40 minutes after I’ve gone in the door. I’m looking at my jacket that can only be drycleaned and think, “I might just whip this off because baby [my grandchild] is going to vomit all over me.” This is how I prepare myself.
I know my mental health relies on me touching nature, which sounds so clichéd, but it’s true. I live near Totara Park in Manurewa, which is home to a massive stand of totara trees and rivers and creeks. To get out of the house and go for a walk in the bush brings me joy. And also up in the Hokianga. That place represents my mecca of joy. I live in a busy suburb right on a main road, but when I go up there, I can’t hear anything. Just birds, no traffic, no tooting horns, and the ocean down below.
I don’t think I get nearly enough joy as I’d like. I’ve learned to be proactive. I can’t just think it’s going to happen naturally. I have to make space. I would love to be at home or in the Hokianga more, but I do take time and allow myself regular wellbeing spaces.
I’m a different mother than I used to be because of how precious my time with my children and grandchildren is. I don’t believe I had that approach when I was a full-time mum. The same goes for when I get to be in nature. I’m so grateful for it and I sink into it a lot more than I would have before. My senses are far more acutely absorbing everything now than they used to.