I see you my love, lost in the chaos of life

In July 2022, I said yes to something completely for me.

Life was busy—motherhood, business, being everything to everyone - and somewhere along the way I lost touch with me. I’d spent so much of my time meeting the needs of others that I forgot what it felt like to do something just because I loved it.

But after a very drunken and very horrendous attempt at line dancing at a country music festival in May of 2022, a little flame started to flicker inside of me. So I decided to start the beginners class at Illawarra Country Bootscooters.

It had been nearly 30 years since I’d hit the bootscooting d-floor, I was basically starting from scratch, but I showed up anyway. I was clunky. Awkward. Totally out of sync. But I could not wipe the smile from my face. Shaking my tail feather to country music is absolutely my favourite thing to do, so even though my dancing skills were nothing to brag about, I had a ball. Back again I went the next week, then the next week and then the next.  

My darlings and I at The Stomp 2024

Fast forward to now—I’ve just competed in my third line dancing competition and even placed among some of the best dancers in the world (w.t.f!!!). But this post isn’t about winning, iIt’s about encouraging YOU to find your little flame and add some fuel to it week after week. It’s about making space in a life that’s constantly pulling at you—to reconnect with who you are outside of the noise.

Most days, 90% of your energy goes to other people. You cook, clean, nurture, plan, hold space and keep the ship afloat. That remaining 10%? You deserve to claim it. In fact, I’d say you deserve even more.

Line dancing has given me a space to breathe, to laugh, to connect and to feel like me again - not just Mum or wife or business owner. Just me, Karissa, wild-hearted and boot-scootin’. Through the chaos of motherhood and life, these few hours each week have been an anchor. A reset. A joy. I have made lifelong friends, incredible memories and some of the most hilarious moments of my life have been with my line dance fam.

But throwing on the boots might not be for you and that’s totally OK!! Find your thing!! Whether it’s dancing, painting, ocean swims or long walks with a podcast—find something you love. Something that lights you up. Something that reminds you who you are when no one else is asking anything of you. Something you can look forward to when you are deep in the chaos of life and motherhood, changing nappies, scrubbing crayon off walls, wiping up vom or poo or whatever other joys the day brings.

Don’t let a lack of experience stop you. I had two left feet when I first started (and often still do). But when you love something and keep showing up, not only do you get better, you get brighter. What was once a little spark is going to be a huge flame that is fueling your life in incredible ways.

I forgot to snap a photo with my medals from over the weekend, but here’s a photo of me that sums me up perfectly - sipping on a well-deserved espresso martini happy as a pig in shit after The Stomp Line Dancing Competion that is held annually in Wollongong. My girls even competed with me in this event last year, as you can see in the gorgeous photo of the three of us above. These moments are everything to me—not because of the win, but because they reflect a woman who said yes to making herself a priority and is showing my daughters to make themselves a priority too.

This is your reminder, my darling - carve out time for joy. Let yourself begin again. You are worth it. You are more than a mum, a wife / partner, an employee / employer, you are more than the labels you and society put on yourself. You are so magical and if you have lost yourself at the moment, this is your sign to get out there and find something that brings you joy, something that is yours, something that you can do that helps bring you laughter and happiness and connection. You are so bloody worth it.

With dusty boots and a full heart,

Karissa 🤠💛