Hello wonderful you and welcome!
My name is Christina and I am a Scotland-based writer, interdisciplinary practitioner and creative coach.
I began writing Chasing Words And Wonder about three years ago and have been loving connecting with writers, poets, artists, scientists and thoughtful humans here ever since.
My initial plan was to explore creativity and wellbeing in this shiny new online space. I’m an ex-journalist, photographer and magazine editor, and publication launches are a wonderful deliverer of dopamine. However, I inevitably began getting lost in metaphors and falling down rabbit holes along the way (late-discovered neurodivergent human here!). So it’s turned into a less polished, and more authentic, sharing of my work in progress, wobbles with creative self-belief and other discoveries.
During lockdown I decided to hang up my camera and go back to school. With zero science background, I gave a Masters in Applied Positive Psychology and Coaching Psychology a whirl. And mostly (systematic literature review aside) loved the experience of rocking up to online seminars in my PJs, and connecting with classmates from all over the world.
I’ve also been embracing my lifelong love of poetry and giving myself an apprenticeship via short courses and workshops along the way. Like the science degree, it’s been a steep learning curve. I still get lost in stanzas and sestinas, but am having fun playing and experimenting.
And most recently, I directed and edited a documentary that is currently showing at film festivals across the UK (little me who wanted to direct music videos would be so proud).
If the last few years have taught me anything, it’s that there really is no quick fix, one size-fits-all approach to the wild and wonderful act of flourishing. Instead small, sustainable steps, regular course corrections and fun experiments to find what works for you at this time is what it’s all about.
More than anything, I love helping folks carve out time for creativity, cultivate self-belief and feel all the wellbeing benefits this brings.
Finally, my favourite thing about Substack is connecting with folks all over the world, from my wee village in Fife, Scotland. So please do drop a note in the comments and let me know where you are today and what is sparking joy for you right now.
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