Birthing of a different kind...
First things first
The next Writual Seasonal Gatherings and Circles are happening in a couple of weeks. We will be reading and writing from the amazing poet Joy Harjo. Hence why it's called Pure Joy. Sign up here for either the in-person circle at The Bronte Dispensary or the online gathering for those of you further afield.
Birthing a brand and more...
As many of you know, I am writing (well, trying to anyway) a novel (56k words so far...a novel is about 80-90k), and I try to host Writual poetry circles every turn of the wheel - aligning our writing with the solstices, equinoxes, and the seasons between. I have also been teaching Qi Gong here and there. But over the last few weeks, I have been helping with different kinds of creativity, energy, and expression.
Firstly, I have been working with my absolute bestie, Renee, who has a Brand & Marketing consultancy called The Customer Space, to help her with the creation and development of a new national brand entering, and about to play a big part, in the Circular Economy - very exciting and very satisfying. As part of Renee's immersion process, we have been travelling around NSW and beyond, interviewing leadership, top talent, investors, and customers to ask them what they want from this new brand. Obviously we don't ask this directly! We 'immerse' ourselves with each person, allowing their stories, values, vision and expertise to bubble up. They express and we listen. I'll share some more if/once I'm allowed to.
Which leads me to the second thing: I'm also becoming a bit of a business/ideas doula. I am working with several small business owners/founders - emerging and established - to help them bring their new business, product and marketing ideas into the world. I did this for a few businesses back in Singapore too. I don't do the work for them; instead, I act as a doula, brainstorming and guiding them to do the work themselves and ensuring it truly comes from their body, heart and soul. Not mine.
I have an almost 30-year career in brand, marketing, product, and programme development, and I've also run two award-winning, profitable businesses, so if you have an idea for a new business, product, or offering you'd like to take to market, please get in touch. It's not about money for me. I love a great idea, helping others - and sometimes a barter deal. So if it's a product or business I might use, then we could be a great match.
Anyway, this is all to say this theme of creativity, energy and expression - the reason for Writual - really is alive in everything I am doing. Even if I can't always see it at the time.
Return to Heart Retreat in Java, Indonesia
A reminder that the next Return to Heart retreat I am co-hosting with Dani Van De Velde is happening in May 2027.
We have put together an amazing programme, full of ceremony, writual, and excursions to sacred places and sites. Find out more here.
The early bird offer ends 30 November. Don't miss out. Half the spots are already gone.
Happy Writualing, Chantal xxx
p.s. Finally, a shout-out to another good friend of mine, Ainslie Young, who has been beta-testing a 30-day sprint called The Pleasure of Productivity. Ainslie is a phenomenal coach. Her reframes on challenges I have been experiencing have been transformational, and I can't recommend her enough. Check her out.
