Ringo #60
Introducing me....
In my current role, I spend many hours sitting quietly at the back of school wellbeing workshops. Their purpose is simple but powerful, encouraging connection, empathy and resilience among students from Year 5 to 12.
Each facilitator begins by sharing their story. They speak openly about who they were at school and how life unfolded from there. Their vulnerability gives students permission to lower their guard and share their own experiences.
The introductions are varied, honest and, more often than not, leave me weeping quietly in the back of the room.
Listening to them, I often recognise pieces of my younger self. It made me wonder what my own introduction would sound like….
I grew up in a middle class family, in a rough suburb, in a terrifying house. I was scared of the dark, noises, people and especially spiders.
I am the middle child of two high achieving intellects and athletes, an Australian netballer and an AFL footballer. I was a bit of a flibbity gibbet, happy to play competitively, but did not take it too seriously, I was more about the fun factor. I loved reading, dancing, writing, fashion, sport, playing with my friends, and of course I loved boys. I fell in love at the age of 8 to Desmond, a blond haired blue eyed boy who lived over the back fence. It was unrequited love!
School was fine. I suspect I was smarter than my report cards suggested: “Robyn would achieve higher grades if she applied herself. Easily distracted. Too interested in socialising.” Perhaps I was simply ahead of my time, prioritising connection long before it became a wellbeing strategy.
The schoolyard had its challenges, but nothing compared to the landscape young people navigate today. I often shudder imagining social media layered over my generation’s adolescence. My empathy for today’s students runs deep. It can be brutal.
Safety has been a recurring theme throughout my life; emotional, financial and physical safety. At different times I have worried about homes, relationships and job security, particularly as a single mother and now as a single woman.
My son often reminds me to stop worrying about things beyond my control, which brings me back to a thoughtful gift he once gave me: Reasons Not to Worry by Brigid Delaney.
Despite my fears, I have always carried a sense of adventure, a belief that anything is possible. At eighteen I moved to Perth chasing a fella. The romance faded, but the friendships I built there have become pivotal and lifelong anchors.
I have moved states for love, jobs, and family. I have tethered careers in fashion (my first love), government, oil & gas (my second love) and now the not-for-profit youth prevention sector, which feels like my long lasting love.
I look for opportunity rather than the norm. I intended to have a big life; it has not been crafted by accident. At times, not well thought through, and financially challenging but always exciting with the added element of constantly pushing myself to try new things, strive for great results, keep learning and enjoy life.
My greatest achievement has been motherhood. My children remain my first and last thoughts each day, my constants, my motivation to improve and to fully show up for them everyday, or when they are free to speak to me!
Living a big life, with at times too big a boundary, can come with collisions, and I have had my fair share. They are my scars, but they don’t define me. They are my learnings.
I have learnt to back myself, lead a simple but fulfilling life, be financially prepared and disciplined (a work in progress), seeking knowledge, surround myself with quality people, love immensely and enjoy laughing with my kids, nieces, friends, family and at work. You just can’t take yourself too seriously!
If I was introducing myself to a young person today, I would speak about fear, loss, failure and resilience. I would talk about grief for grandparents and friends I still think about daily, the breakdown of my marriage, the impact on my children, and my determination to keep growing, stay curious and lead with kindness.
Young people need examples of change. Of bravery, defiance and resilience. They need permission to step outside inherited expectations, stereotypes and create lives that are true to themselves.
What continually surprises me is how much they teach us in return. They are emotionally literate, articulate and brave. The real work is meeting each other with respect and curiosity, understanding that wisdom does not belong to one generation alone.
Perhaps we should all write our own introductions, not just for others, but to remind ourselves how far we have travelled.
I hope you do, until next time...
XX Ringo XX