The Power in Pause.

A live, recorded conversation with creative visionaries Danielle Caruana and Lucy Peach - hosted by Emma Williamson.

I have been having quite the romance with ‘pause’ these last few years. I initiated my own Sabbatical from client work in 2022 which was then followed by an unintentional pause to my entire life, brought about by a serious health crisis in 2023. My relationship with pause has become a significant one.

It has all the hallmarks worthy of a dramedy Netflix series - the rollercoaster of emotions, the on-again-off-again relationship, timing mismatches, and the forced exploration of deeply personal issues interspersed with heartwarming moments of connection.

Sadly, there’s been no wine-sipping or high fashion in my version, which would’ve created a far more palatable backdrop. My fashion situation is tracksuit pants, not the sort that could be described as ironic 90s athleisure - the sort that suggests, ‘she’s given up’. And alcohol has to become a distant memory, while I give myself a chance to recover from illness.

Amidst all this, I have been part of a beautiful, candid conversation with my friends and collaborators and I hope you enjoy listening to it. It’s just over an hour and overcomes a rambling beginning to pick up the pace on topics spanning rest, grind culture, seasonal work rhythms, burnout, identity as a creative professional, and cultural blocks to rest like guilt, shame, and judgment.

The video is here, on YouTube:

Please comment below when you’ve listened, watched, or read - I’d love to hear your thoughts on how pausing can be powerful in your own life and work.

If you would like to join us on a future retreat or find out more, please get in touch with me at hello@bowong.com.au. We have a couple of camp spots available for November 2023 and another retreat booked in May 2024 - all at NewFarm Denmark.