Lions and Tigers and Bears, oh my! Phhoarf, we’re definitely not in Kansas anymore (but great segue, SJ). Let’s welcome to the stage: boundaries, the ego and double standards. Just a few of my many relationship icks - also see relationship killers. I am still waiting for Samatha to save me, but my inner Carrie just had to commit ‘pen to paper’. Again. Ughh. A wise prophet once shared with me: “context: the basic building blocks of the universe” and i’ll apply the same reasoning here. There are some basic fundamentals (dem building blocks) of a healthy relationship that we must master in order to build, grow and feel safe with another. I can’t possibly cover them all in one post with my many visual intermissions, so I will dissect the three that have significantly impacted and shaped my own perspective. So with that all said, let’s just dive right in!

“I Couldn’t help but wonder”… do you believe in life after love? Well this is a remix I never saw coming - Carrie Bradshaw x Cher! Phhoarf. Today’s post is a little off track from my usual psychobabble and advocacy rants, but after witnessing my best friend marry her person a few weeks ago, gahhh - i’m a ball of mush. I’m clearly embracing my own Carrie Bradshaw window/laptop moment, only I’m in bed watching Miss Sloane with a face mask on. Hmmm. Someone call Samantha, who have I become?!

The concept of true love has intrigued poets and philosophers for centuries - and now, lil’ old me. Historically, i’ve always been quite cynical when it comes to romance and the fairytale we’ve been sold on ‘the one’. I understand this rather morbid POV was probably conditioned in my formative years (thanks, Dad), piggybacked by a series of pretty toxic relationships. However, underneath my hardened exterior, there’s a heart that loves hard and still loves love. The concept of true love is far more complex than a Disney movie (dammit) and love alone won’t hold a relationship together. However, the depth and respect of that connection will determine the trajectory of effort - I believe. As I step into my Carrie Bradshaw persona as a NYC newspaper columnist, I will explore: what defines or determines ‘the one’, the Three Loves Theory, the Let Them Theory and is it all enough?

“Justice will not be served until those who are unaffected are as outraged as those who are” - Benjamin Franklin.

Four women have been allegedly killed here in Australia in the past week - far surpassing the weekly average of one. Last week the body of Point Cook mother, Chaithanya Madhagani, was discovered dumped in a wheelie bin. She was discarded like a piece of trash. Last week, a 60yr old woman’s body was found in the boot of a car in Evans Head. A man has been charged with her alleged murder - this man is her own son. Last week, a 22yr old man was arrested and charged with the alleged murder of Samantha Murphy. Should I keep going? I know this a confronting opening passage, but my intent is to shock you. Because violence against women here in Australia is shocking and it’s devastating.