It’s been an intense few weeks. As of two weeks ago, I am no contact with my mother, meaning I am now estranged from my entire family of origin. This has brought a wave of grief and emotions. I’m incredibly grateful for my online support group, support workers, therapist, hubby, and three children, who have been unwavering in their support.

I’ve just returned from a Braille music retreat in NZ—four glorious days of music-making! I’ve attached a recording of my performance from the retreat.

I’m also looking ahead to starting my master’s in counselling at the end of February. My specialty will be mental health counselling, and I’m excited for the research opportunities it will bring, paving the way for my PhD.

My goals for 2025, apart from study, are to join a Bible study group again (our church doesn’t currently have one) and to find a few in-real-life friends, as I currently don’t have any.

#LifeUpdate #BrailleMusic #MentalHealth #CounsellingJourney #Goals2025

My Messiah performances were a whirlwind of excitement and exhaustion! The music was glorious, the audiences were wonderful, but the schedule was intense. After one performance, I didn’t get home until 1 am following a 3-hour drive, and the toll on my body has caught up with me. Now, I’m battling a flu-like virus and will have to miss a vital rehearsal for next week’s church choral services. It’s disappointing to miss it, but pushing through would only make things worse. Rest and recovery are the priority.

On a brighter note, I'm switching from psychology to counselling and have been offered a place at Monash, starting in January! I’ve reflected deeply on what I want for my career and how I can best support others. For me, it’s less about diagnosing or focusing on frameworks like CBT or DBT (though they have their value) and more about guiding people through their challenges, building resilience, and exploring a wide range of therapeutic approaches.

Another key factor was the timeline. Pursuing psychology involves at least five years of study before practising, which feels like too long when I can complete a counselling master’s in two years and begin working with people sooner. Counselling feels more aligned with my goals, and I’m genuinely excited about this new chapter.

Life has its way of reminding us to pause, reflect, and realign. Whether through a change of direction or even being forced to rest with a flu, these moments create space for growth. Here’s to new beginnings and finding the right path forward!

#Messiah #ChoralMusic #RestAndRecovery #FluSeason #CareerChange #CounsellingJourney #MonashUniversity #MusicAndLife #MentalHealthSupport #TherapeuticModalities #SelfCare