Stranger #2

Take One Interview animals, publishing, travel

Starting your own Zine
If you’re stuck on how to proceed, imagine the kind of zine that you’d love to discover. Then make it.

Visiting Japan for the first time
Japan is a very specific kind of place, so I’d suggest to the first time visitor to think up their dream holiday discovery, however strange it might be. Japan will probably have something that resembles it. Also: buy lots of socks. They will bring you joy for years afterwards.

On naming a rabbit
Whatever name you give any pet will inevitably change, so don’t worry about it too much.

Best advice received
I call it the 5% rule, it’s a healing strategy that is especially useful for fatigue and depression and it is: rather than trying to find something that makes you feel 100% better, look for things that make you feel 5% better, or 10% better, and do as many as you can manage. Not only does it work as a strategy to feel better, it promotes a philosophy of patience and progressive change.

Would like advice on
Staying calm

Life experience
35 years

Location
Sydney, Australia

January 10, 2015

Stranger #1

Take One Interview broken heart, kids, publishing

Getting your book published
Don’t give up after the first rejection, but know when you get many rejections means it’s time to try again with a new book.

Taking young children to an art gallery
Arrange a babysitter or be prepared to take them outside for a break, also be prepared to spend a lot more attention on them than on the art work.

Getting over a broken heart
Find something that makes you happy, settled or calm, something that is a treat for you without being too damaging, do that when it’s feeling hard.

Best advice received
At a recent funeral someone suggested living like you had one minute left of life, I don’t think we have to be that frantic but I appreciate the underlying sentiment of making moments count, enjoying the moment you’re in, doing what matters.

Would like advice on
Reducing the amount of screen time my kids have.

Life Experience
43 years

Location
Sydney, Australia