The Bibbulmun Track

“My job was made redundant. Over the next few days, I flipped it and I asked myself what I would really like to do. I decided to walk the Bibbulmun Track, 1000 Km from Albany to Perth. I wanted to walk alone, and I felt it was what I was meant to do, but I had to think through all of the fears. Do I have the confidence? Do I have walking experience? Am I fit enough? One of my friends said that she wouldn’t think any less of me if I didn’t finish, and that was really freeing for me. 54 days. I loved it. Nature can be your teacher, guardian, friend, sanctuary, and solace. Walking that track gave me confidence in my strength, and a really deep knowledge that I’m okay.”

The Weight of Approval

“My mum’s death was very sudden. She was hit by a car. I’d been spending my whole life trying to gain her acceptance, to gain her love. At thirteen I knew I was never going to get her approval, but I still hungered for it. I still yearned for that mother-daughter connection. When Mum died, I no longer had any of that need. Before that there was always that hope. It dawned on me that it was a relief that she was gone, and to let go of that weight.”