Thoughts said out aloud
Kristen Bell's description of an ambivert, writing as therapy, Mansfield recommendations & a difficult conversation
In this update I share Kristen Bell’s description of an ambivert and provide recommendations if you’re planning to visit Mansfield. I also reveal a regret about my recent Substack post title and reflect on a difficult conversation.
In good company
I am feeling in good company as I continue my research about ambiverts. While I do not appreciate the ‘psycho’ reference in this reel, I do like that Kristen Bell is exploring her versions of quiet time, as someone who refers to herself as an ambivert.
Watch the reel here on Instagram as Kristen Bell explains what she means by the term ‘ambivert’.
Writing as therapy
I’m currently on annual leave, enjoying a relaxing break with my family in Mansfield. I love this part of Victoria because it’s quiet and the sound of the birds in the morning is majestic. We’ve visited Lake Eildon, Lake William Hovell (featured below), Delatite River and Jamieson River during our stay.
When we visited Jamieson I had a sneak peak inside the Australia Post and reminded myself that one day, when I retire, I’d like to run a red brick post office with a view, and offer the locals a digital detox cafe complete with a book exchange, board games and great coffee.
Just like water feels like therapy at the moment, so does writing.
When I am on holidays I have much more time to write for therapy. This explains why I’ve managed more updates here than usual!
Mansfield recommendations
Mansfield is a nature lover's paradise, just two and a half hours from Melbourne where you can soak up the stunning alpine scenery, enjoy adventure sports, cool down in the waters of Lake Eildon or the Delatite River, and savour the flavours of the region's burgeoning food and wine scene. These are the lands of the Taungurung People.1
If you’re planning a visit to Mansfield from Melbourne, I recommend:
Little Shop of Good Reads has a great Australian fiction section and is Mansfield’s pre-loved book shop.
Mansfield Library was a hive of activity when we visited, with scrabble games across three tables in a dedicated games room, a mentor teaching computer skills and a friendly librarian who greeted us when we first arrived.
The Rosehaven Shop is a very well curated upcycle and quality recycle boutique in the main street of Mansfield.
Vinnie’s Mansfield is located off the main street, close to the big roundabout near the service station and on the same side as the Botanic Gardens. I found a game of Scruples from circa 1986 which has led to lots of laughs when we’ve played it.
Mansfield Bakery has been a regular favourite for pies and pasties before we head out boating on Lake Eildon for the day.
Honcho has fabulous food and the best classic margaritas! It’s easy to miss because local heritage rules do not allow the owners to use signage on the front of this restaurant’s building. We enjoyed an extra special 50th birthday celebration for Mr H.
The Produce Store offers a substantial breakfast baguette and great coffee. Where else can you buy a clove of garlic for 45 cents?
Delatite Hotel offers a great chicken parmigiana, the staff are very friendly and the venue supports local musicians.
Yea pre-loved bookshop (on the way from Melbourne) is always worth a visit.
A Substack post title regret
I regret the title of my recent post, Celebrating International Days and Weeks, because it may give the impression that I’m encouraging you to celebrate Australia Day, rather than think more deeply about what this day represents.2
Understanding the breadth of First Nations history compared to the relatively recent colonial presence in Australia is important when considering how to respond to Australia Day celebrations.
“Some Aboriginal people do celebrate Australia Day and that’s great,” says Aunty Munya. “That’s their choice. But we mustn’t forget that for a lot of people, it is considered an invasion day.”
“For many Australians, 26 January can’t be seen as anything other than a day of mourning,” she says.3
26th January can be an “emotionally charged day” that requires you to “protect your peace”. These thoughtful words were shared by Cole Baxter here, along with the image below.
I know this feels heavy, because Australia’s history is uncomfortable and unsettling.
A difficult conversation
I was ‘rattled’ by someone who shared their thoughts out aloud with me, when she asked “why do we have to listen to welcome to country all the time?” She went on to explain how it was all becoming a bit much, or words to that effect.
Unsure what to say, I felt a mix of sadness and disbelief. After a few quiet and deep breaths, I shared why I choose to open with an acknowledgement of country before I begin a training session.4
After some calm back and forth, as we shared each other’s perspective, I entered an uncomfortable space that I felt needs to must be said.
This ritual, that I value, is a respectful way to recognise that we live on un-ceded land and this land was stolen from the traditional owners who were here long before the people who colonised Australia for Great Britain.
As I’ve processed this conversation, I realise that the view I heard said out aloud is probably shared by many more Australians. And I wonder if this makes us a racist country, or a country with people who are distracted by events beyond our shores and oblivious to their own country’s history.
With love & gratitude,
KPH
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I acknowledge the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands on which I live and pay my respects to Indigenous Elders past, present and emerging. Sovereignty has never been ceded. It always was and always will be, Aboriginal land.
Mansfield is showcased on the Visit Melbourne website as a destination in Victoria’s high country (source: Visit Melbourne).
Aunty Munya facilitated a Survival Day Yarning Webinar: Learn how to be an Ally on “Australia Day” (source evolve communities).
The Victorian Education Department provides a policy and guidelines for conducting an Acknowledgement of Country. This has been my standard practice since I was registered as Victorian Institute of Teaching educator in 2010 (source: education.vic.gov.au)
I love your writing and candidness. You will never please all of the people all of the time. Different perspectives are always necessary to stimulate one’s own thinking process. Happy Holidays, wherever you may be.