Julia Griffin

Journey - day 6

Today involved several appointments in the CBD of Sydney. Although I have been here over two years; I am still not confident with my orientation in this huge metropolis. Thank God for Journey Planner! (Truth be told, it can take you off the beaten track at times). I had a couple of hours between appointments and initially thought I’d do a couple of laps around Hyde Park to ensure I achieved my modest walking goal for the day. But the thought of being late to the second appointment filled me with my old familiar friend Anxiety. What if I caught the wrong bus? What if the bus was delayed? What if? What if??? So being a recent adopter of logic, I replanned my journey and decided to walk to my destination. And… off I went in the Big Smoke. At first, I thought I was walking in the wrong direction. Everything was so unfamiliar, so busy. But then a few landmarks I remembered from my previous bus rides relieved the pressure I was feeling. Universities and parks, bustling with youthful optimism, sunshine and spring. Then I arrived. I realised I had been here before. On one side of the road, I had been here a year and a half earlier and was blessed to be the first family member of my grandson to hold him and welcome him to this land we call home, as my daughter recovered from anaesthesia. Then two months later, I had visited the other side of the road as his grandfather was administered his first course of chemotherapy. A last-ditch /effort to cure the incurable. (Shout-out to the cleaners and ushers and admin and nurses and doctors and pianists (who play the grand piano in the foyer of the oncology department). Thank-you for being there for the happiest and darkest times in our lives). Now here I am walking down the pink corridors of the RPA Breast Clinic for a well-overdue scan. Another box ticked. You see I am looking after myself. I am doing grown up things. For the first time in a long time, I care about myself and my future and the impact this has on those I hold dear. And now I am walking to catch a bus from Newtown to home. I am walking because I made a commitment, like many others around this beautiful land we get to call home. I thought I was lost. Found out I had been there before. Found out I would get there eventually. Share

Boundaries - day 5

The day started off with anticipation. Plans had been made to meet in the city. The time of arrival? Some time in the morning. Then phone calls were left unanswered. Then texts and more phone calls were made. I was told to wait. They were not ready yet. Fair enough. 'Just ring me or text when you're leaving'. I waited and nothing. I waited some more. I patiently waited. I began to get frustrated. Surely a few words ìn a text, Would not be that hard. I waited and thought of the things I could do. But they might ring anytime now. I had to be ready to go. So I waited. Then waited some more. Then five hours later I get the call I have been waiting for. And they sound frustrated. Abrupt and annoyed. Like I am the problem. 'We'll be there ìn an hour and five'. I panic and jump up to reach for the door. 'You don't have to come, if you don't want to' is spat. Like I am a nuisance. Like I am the problem. I feel like a beggar about to explode. I breathe in I breathe out., gather my sense of self. 'Sorry I have plans for later. I cannot come now. Hope you have a good time' I hang up. Disappointed. But not in myself. I'm proud I set boundaries. I am proud I stayed calm. I have come so far on this journey. It'll take time for others to realise just how far I've come. Share

Libraries - day 4

Libraries are so much more than a collection of books. They house multimeda resources. And they are free, which is such a rare phenomenon in these modern times. And they offer a safe space for people to belong. Build community through common interests and search for meaning in a confusing world. Libraries offer a space of calm. The quiet contemplation of someone on a quest for knowlege. Laughter eminating from a booked group space. Children participating in story time adventures. Studies prove that libraries provide a positive influence on mental health. One of my fondest memories is when my mother introduced me to my first library in Mt Isa, Queensland, when I was around fours years old. I was immeadiately smitten. Since that time I have always felt a sense of awe and sacredness when I visit a library. Today I was fortunate to visit the Marrickville. Library in Sydney's Inner-West. It is such a magnificant building. Far from the damp ridden, dusty, tomb-like State Library of Queensland of the early 1980s. This library, like so many around the country is quietly bustling. University students doing group jjigsaw puzzles. Migrants learning English, or borrowing a book in their first language. Families learning composting techniques. A retired woman binge watching a television series on the library computer while sipping a barista made coffee from a delicate gold embelished teacup she found disgarded outside a home up the road. So many different lives. So many different stories. All feeling a sense of acceptance, safety and belonging. Libraries are good for your mental health. Share

Mental health care plans - day 3

A few weeks ago I secured an excellent doctor who is helping me to address a plethora of health assessments I have neglected for years. It is such a relief to be ticking these boxes. While I was there, I asked to also complete a Mental Health Assessment. I have an extensive psychiatric history and several years ago had the good fortune to stumble across a remarkable psychologist who helped me unpack so many aspects of my life. She made me feel safe and heard. A few years later I found myself spiralling again and revisited her and she helped me make sense of what I was thinking and feeling. It has been several years since I have seen her and although I have moved states, the Free Mental Health Care Plan enables her to consult with me interstate. Today was our first appointment over the phone. Because she knows my history, I was able to update her on my current challenges and not need to rehash the first few dozen chapters. We are consulting again in a few days to make a strategy. I am not in any way an acute state that requires hospitalisation or medication; not that there is anything wrong with that. Believe me. I've been there. I'm a part of the club. It's just that I've learned so much about myself that I know my triggers. I know my body and I know how and when I should reach out for help. Australia has come so far in the past thirty or so years with regards to mental health and a huge part of that is trauma informed care, public acceptance and being able to speak freely about stuff like this. So Shout-out to Mental Health Care Plans. Shout-out to Psychologists. Shout-out to people taking the brave move to ask for help and Shout-out to family, friends and allies who support their loved ones struggling with their mental health. Share

World smile day - day 2

Today is World Smile Day. Studies show that smiling activates neural pathways that release 'feel good' neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin and endorphins. These chemicals act as natural antidepressants and mood elevators, which help lower cortisol; the primary stress hormone. World Smile Day encourages people to commit random acts of kindness. It feels good to make other people feel good and a smile, compliment or 'thank-you' doesn't cost you a cent. #worldsmileday #onefootforward Share

One foot forward - day 1

As I begin the One Foot Forward Challenge 2026, I want to acknowledge the Gadigal people of the Eora nation on which the majority of my walk will take place. I recognise the strength, resilience and capacity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and acknowledge their sovereignty has never been ceded. Share