Journal #9
Lately, a few people have been asking what my go-to resources are, so here goes… I am someone who has my hands in a lot of creative pies at any one time. My go-to daily resources are here to nurture all the facets of my personality and interests.
BOOKS ON HIGH ROTATION.
Human Design is a huge passion of mine (had you noticed?), and so over the years, I have collected as many books as I could to further my studies. These are the ones I continually go back to. Some are more complex than others, but all provide their own unique perspective on such a complex system.
'Understanding Human Design' by Karen Curry is a great starting point if you want to dive into the Human Design System. As is Chetan Parkyn's 'Human Design'. For all the coaches and practitioners out there, 'Understanding your clients through Human Design' by Robin Winn is a fantastic book; the name says it all. Lastly, for the hardcore fans who want to head down the rabbit hole, ‘The Definitive Book of Human Design' by Lynda Bunnell and Ra Uru Hu is the bible. It is not for the faint-hearted but a must-read if you are looking for something more advanced.
APPS I INTERACT WITH DAILY.
The woman that introduced me to Human Design, Jenna Zoe, has just launched a new app, My Human Design, and it's a goodie. She provides everything you need to understand the basics of your chart from the palm of your hands. She also includes daily tips based on the transits. It really is a first of its kind for Human Design.
Western Astrology is a big part of the wisdom that make up Human Design and has become one of my favourite modalities to explore. I have downloaded many different Astrology apps over the years. Still, Chani Nicholas' app seems to be the one that has resonated with me the most. Not only is there a comprehensive guide to your Natal Chart, but Chani also provides comprehensive readings for the transits, written and also an audio recording. Some features require her premium membership.
PODCASTS.
Podcasts are a huge part of my daily routine due to the amount of driving around I do. I listen to lots of different genres, so it was hard to narrow my go-tos down. So I decided to include what I am here to at the moment, what I have recently enjoyed, and the ones I look forward to regularly. 'Each Other', a Human Design Podcast by Vaness Henry, Aycee Brown, Rachel Liberman and Jasmine Kenna, was a recent discovery. And one I am thoroughly enjoying. There isn't a vast Human Design community here in Australia. So it is refreshing to listen to other practitioners, each a different energy type with a different style of offering, talk about the system in a sincere and inspiring way. I love that I have many episodes to catch up on. Boom!!
I am of an age where Sex & The City was part of my life growing up. I am generally not someone who watches things twice. But SATC is different; I have seen every episode a zillion times, movies too, although perhaps I shouldn't admit that one. ‘Sentimental in The City’ is an 8 part series podcast where hilarious, endearing authors and best friends, Caroline O'Donoghue and Dolly Alderton, take you through each season of SATC. The girls take you on a journey one season per episode as they discuss the different characters, themes, Carrie clangers, and fashion highlights (and low lights). It is such a refreshingly funny series. The dynamics between the two girls is incredible. It makes you want to want to be part of their rat pack. It is an honest conversation about how SATC impacted their lives being such avid fans, which was a friendly reminder of how I once was when the show aired. I would recommend watching the series again at the same pace as the podcast. Makes it more fun!!
Speaking of girl dynamics, another stellar team is Lena Dunham (from Girls). Her bestie Alissa Bennett has a brilliant podcast called 'The C-Word' on Luminary. Each episode examines a female celebrity who, at some stage in their life, was called 'crazy'. They go through and discuss their history to discover where and why such a label could occur. It is fascinating to listen to and has definitely given me a sense of humility towards these women. Often their stories reach a sad twist that explains their downfall. Because I am sure we have all done some crazy shit at some stage, most of the time well deserved, but being a celebrity makes it just that much harder. You will need a subscription to listen to this one.
I have an excellent memory for experiences and recommendations, especially when it comes to food, wine, fashion, travel, or anything I am interested in. It is like I read or hear something and store it in my brain to help others when they are in need. So a few years ago, Highly Enthused came out; it was like a podcast had been made specifically for me and my interests. Hosted by two lovely women named Sophie, this podcast is my go-to every two weeks for an array of geared recommendations for my palette and style. Not only is it very resourceful, but I also find the girls highly entertaining.
PEOPLE TO FOLLOW.
The people listed below have come into my life at different stages and have indeed left a mark. Some are old friends, some are new, some I have never met, and some I just hold high regard. Whether I have interacted with them or not, they are all doing amazing things in their field of expertise. So they are the ones I love to follow on socials to see what incredible things are up to.
Rachel Crethar, a dear old friend and my intuitive hypnotherapist. Rachel is my confidant for most things, and her practice has really helped me leave a lot of crap behind. I love always hearing what she is up to and what offerings she is conjuring up. She is definitely one to watch.
Emma Vidgen, my personal Astrologer. There is just something about Emma that is just so magical. Her weekly celestial updates are communicated in a way that it is like she is speaking my language. She makes Astrology so easy to understand. Even though I mentioned Chani's app before, I will always watch Emma's weekly reports first. They are honest, funny, and so so relatable.
Rachael Sardelich, my creative mentor and Vedic meditation teacher. Words cannot describe how beautiful Rach's aura is. We met serendipitously a few years ago, and honestly, it was meant to be. She has pushed me creatively in ways no one has ever done before. If you want to become a Vedic meditator or take your creativity or business to another level, I highly recommend Rachael.
Jes Fields is a Human Design teacher and one I have been following for a while. This November, I will be embarking on my Advanced Reader Training with Jes and her business partner, Teo Montoya. Their insight and language have always really resonated with me, so I cannot wait! Plus, it will be so lovely to immerse me in a community of like-minded individuals, where we can talk about all things Human Design. I will update you on my journey.
Monique Blackwell from Mondwomen is a new Insta friend I have made, and I cannot wait to meet IRL. She is a Yoga instructor and soon to be a practising Naturopath who specialises in women's health. Her passion for the sticky subjects that surround women daily is infectious and so inspiring. We should all be having these conversations, so I cannot wait to see what Monique gets up to post lockdown. Monique is in the process of building her dream Yoga studio, which looks incredible. I cannot wait to go check it out.
Words cannot describe my experience with Nigel of Divineintrvnshun, my spirit guide, that I randomly met from a recommendation I saw on Instagram. An experience I am so thankful for having. Nigel was one of the first practitioners that I have met that actually made me feel seen. And I cannot thank him enough for that. Since our session together, Nigel has introduced me to some fantastic people and shared things that have kept me in alignment. He is based in LA and offers readings online. If you like dabbling in Tarot and need a reality check, I highly recommend you book in with Nigel. Beware, he will make you do homework. If you are not ready, he will let you know.
Kirsten King, the founder of Fluidform Pilates, is the person who got me to love exercise again. Her at-home programs have been my saviour during all the lockdowns in Sydney. They are the only programs where I have seen dramatic results. Her formula is simple, 5 sessions a week, 20 mins a day. A formula that is achievable and enjoyable too. I recently finished her 6-week Fluidform Your Body Challenge, where I had to take photos of myself throughout the challenge, and the results were insane. Not only was I trimming down, but I also have never felt so strong and fit, and I used to be on the F45 bandwagon. Kirsten's programs have cured my back and shoulder issues, a recent wrist injury and, most excitingly, improved my posture. If you are not a gym person, then I highly recommend you check out FFAH.
I haven't met Jacqui Lewis from The Broad Place, but I have been following her for a while. One day I hope to enjoy one of her retreats, but in the meantime, I will continue to lap up her wonderful weekly letters that I subscribe to. They are full of insight and hope, joy and sometimes pain. I love how natural Jacqui is. Never pretending to be something she is not or subscribing to the status quo. Jacqui is a teacher but also a mum, partner and small business owner. She has a dedicated practice but also shows fluidity, and I really like that about her. Her Mother's Mind Cleanse is an excellent resource for all new mothers, plus I am a massive fan of her book of Letters, which I refer to a lot.
OTHER RESOURCES.
’The Artist Way’ by Julia Cameron is a great resource to unlock your inner creativity. I have yet to finish the 12-week course, but the biggest takeaway I have instilled in the Morning Pages is daily. It has reignited a passion for writing, which for many years has been a huge block. I encourage many of my clients to give it a whirl, but maybe wait until we have a bit more freedom, so you can genuinely enjoy the artist dates.
I love to dabble with Tarot Cards, and ‘Neo Tarot’ by Jerico Mandybur is a beautifully designed deck illustrated by artist Daiana Ruiz that I use regularly. Jerico's explanations are easy to understand and very relatable. I particularly enjoy the self-care tips she has included for each card.
I have begun experimenting with working with the Lunar cycle, as Astrology plays a significant role in the Human Design System. ‘Moon Lists’ by Leigh Patterson is a great guided journal for Self-Reflection. Leigh recently launched Volume 2, a 12-month undated workbook that includes journal prompts and list-making activities. It is a journal for the non-journaler that helps you find your own meaning or a new way of thinking. It is visually beautiful too.
You cannot go wrong with Magic of I's, Astrological Planner/Diary for tracking the celestial transits. This has been really helpful for me to track what is happening in the sky and understand the different energy shifts. I also use it to chart my menstrual cycle, plus my day to day tasks and events. It is also beautifully designed with lots of interesting tidbits for any astrological enthusiast.
