Looking back, moving forward.

This is me.

1998.

My friend Luke took this photo; he was the kid with the photography skills and the equipment, rarely in front of the camera but always capturing the incredible moments of teen life in a regional town in the 90s…

Black and white was his jam; he was, and is, such a genuine person. Capturing our youth in ways for which I will be forever grateful. When these photos appear on Facebook memories, or I flick through an old album and see them, I am transported back to another time. Another me, but the same.

You know, Reader? ​
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This photo floods me with memories of those years. Now with teenage children of my own, it is hard to reconcile a life lived decades ago.

I am wearing the “winter uniform” for our state high school, though, as you can see, I chose to make it my own. I didn’t wear the belt with the tunic, nor the tie, and always had some kind of Dr Martin shoe. For a rule follower (that’s me), my dress code was always uniquely mine.

I wore makeup a lot of the time back then, and I spent long days and nights in the art room…

Honestly, I think I would be chuffed about what I made of my life so far. A genuine person, not without error but with integrity and tenacity. I love that teenage me was all about creativity, journals, connections and relationships, art, and community…

Now, I am doing this! Working as a community Arts Facilitator, creating art every week and connecting with an incredible group of humans online in the Permission to Play creative community.

Reader, when you look back at your youthful self, do you think they would see you and feel proud, connected, and happy? Would they have questions for you now? Would you look in their eyes and see a life lived in line with your values?

What do you think they would say?
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What would you change now if you could?

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This week, without much thought, actually, it was after our live play session in the PTP group on Sunday, I started a portrait that I think I have now completed.

I restricted the palette more than I typically would, which was essential to preserving the essence of the line work.

I call this “flushed”, and it feels completely relevant to me right now, in many ways. IYKYK.

It is curious to me how, when we take moments to reflect and observe, little connections present themselves.

Having a regular creative practice gives me a space to unpack these stories and an avenue to reflect and form new narratives.

Having a space and practice of play is a way for me to live my life more fully.

If you made it to the end of this musing, I hope there is something to take away for you. If you have a youthful photo you’d like to share, please reply and let me know. If you could change one thing now so future you can be more content, proud, happy, what would it be?

If you are ready to welcome more creativity into your life and are struggling to do that alone, come and find us in the Permission to Play community. Just this week, we created a future joy postcard – something to resend to ourselves in the future, reminding us of something that will make us smile!

Here is mine.

I hope your week has some magic in it Reader.

With love on the wind,

Delphie Joy xox

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Thanks for being here and sharing,

DelphieJoy xox

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I live and work on the traditional lands of the Jaggera and Turrabal First Nations People. I honour and respect this Country and the Elders, past, present and emerging and thank them for their continued care.

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