About Me

I really wanted to name this Substack Subject to Change, but since that was already taken, the next best thing was Twenty Tabs Open—because both describe my personality to a tee.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve felt different and tried so hard to fit in.

As an Army kid who went to 11 schools (yep, you read that right), moving all over Australia, I became a master at ‘fitting in.’ You have to remember—this was way before the internet. Every place I moved had different trends, slang, and social codes (hello, Grouse, Victorians, and Mint, Western Australians).

From one state to another, I was either doing a crash course in hip-hop artists, alternative music, op-shopping, or surfing. Until finally, in my last years of high school, I realised it was time to stop trying to fit into everyone else’s expectations and start being me. Instead of moulding myself to whatever was cool in each new place, I decided to attract the right people by just being myself.

Early Tech & Writing Beginnings

At 10, a family friend gifted me a Commodore 64 computer—on the condition that he would tutor me every afternoon in computer coding. I quickly became confident with computers and tech, using them not only to tinker with programming but also to write books and set up businesses. That early exposure shaped so much of who I am today—curious, creative, and always experimenting with new ideas.

My Professional Career

I won’t bore you with all the details, but let’s say I’ve worn a lot of hats. I’ve worked across financial services, aviation, telecommunications, hospitality, child care, marketing, software, health and fitness, life and health coaching, and consulting.

I’ve been both an employee and my own boss, juggling roles that ranged from structured corporate environments to the freedom (and chaos) of entrepreneurship. Safe to say, I thrive on variety and new challenges—sticking to just one thing has never been my style.

Career & Travel Adventures

Instead of taking the conventional university route like most of my friends, I went straight into the workforce. I mean, who doesn’t want money, a car, and new clothes now, instead of waiting four years to start making decent money?

By 22, I’d bought my first property and was wearing power suits while my school friends were still studying.

By 25, I was financially stable but realised I was all work and no play. So when an opportunity to travel and work came up, I grabbed it. Enter Virgin Blue, Richard Branson’s newly launched Aussie airline. I couldn’t believe I’d struck gold—getting paid to travel, party, and work with the best people (many of whom I’m still friends with today).

As I neared 30, while my girlfriends were settling down, I felt restless. I didn’t want to waste my youth and not have interesting stories to tell—so I left Australia to travel.

From there, I jumped to business class flying with Qantas in London, where I spent my days flying to Asia every week and my nights partying with my flatmates, going on internet dates, and spending hours in Borders bookstore on Oxford Street.

The travel bug eventually took me to the Middle East, where I figured it was time to settle down (or at least be smart about my future). So, I took a tax-free job flying diplomats and royal families around the world, saving as much money as I could to eventually return home and open my dream coffee/bookshop.

The plan? Stay in Saudi Arabia for two years, avoid relationships, save a ton of cash, and move back to Australia with financial freedom.

The reality? Two weeks after landing, I met my now-husband (another Aussie), and I didn’t leave the Middle East until 2021. So much for making plans.

Thirteen years in the Middle East, two kids, and a pandemic later, we finally moved back to Australia in 2021.

So, Who Am I Now?

My adulthood has been a slow unravelling of figuring out who I am.

Now, in my late 40s, I feel like I’m finally putting the puzzle pieces together. They’re not all in place yet, but I’m closer than I’ve ever been.

I’ve had a gazillion different jobs, and I deeply admire people who find one thing and stick to it. That concept is so novel to me. But what I do know is that I’ve been writing stories—both fact and fiction—since I was a child. English, Art, Sport and Home Economics (cooking) were my strong suits; Math and Science? Not so much.

As I inch toward 50, I feel privileged to take a breath and truly understand what makes me tick, what my strengths are, and what my weaknesses are. And most importantly, I’m learning how to fill my own cup first—so I can give from the overflow to my family, my friends, and hopefully, to you.

I hope you enjoy what I share here.

PS I believe everyone is so multifaceted and that everyone has a story to tell. I hate small talk, and if we ever meet, I expect to go deep. I’d love to hear some of your story.