Poetry, Selective Mutism and Finding Voice A Journey From Silence to Voice This year marks 30 years since I first began the journey of “coming out” from silence into voice. It has been a path shaped by courage, self-kindness and the slow unfolding of words that once felt impossible to speak. For 14 years, throughout my teens and early twenties, I lived with selective mutism—a condition that meant my words were locked inside, unheard by the world around me except in certain circumstances. It was a time of whispers, of carrying language quietly, of learning strength in silence. Recognition at the 2025 CHARTS Awards On this anniversary year, I am humbled and proud to share that my poem “From Whispers to Words: A Journey of Silence and Strength”, written less than a year ago in early 2025, has been awarded Winner in the General bracket of the Poetry & Literature category at the 2025 Community Housing Art Awards South Australia (CHARTS Awards) ceremony which was held on Thursday...
Self-care isn’t always scented candles and spa vouchers. Sometimes, it’s saying no. Sometimes, it’s sitting with silence.
What Self-Care Isn’t:
- It’s not a reward for burnout
- It’s not a luxury item
- It’s not something to earn
When I hear the phrase “self-care,” I often think of how it’s portrayed in advertising—spa days, scented candles and expensive retreats. That version of self-care never felt quite right to me. It seemed more like a reward for burnout than a sustainable way of living.
What Self-Care Is:
Over the past 10 years, I’ve come to understand self-care differently. For me, it’s not something I schedule once a month or purchase as a luxury. It’s something I practice daily, quietly and intentionally. It’s built into how I move through the day, how I make decisions and how I relate to my body and my environment.
- Self-care is saying no to things that don’t align with my values.
- It’s choosing simplicity over clutter—both physical and emotional.
- It’s adapting my movement and my routines to support my arthritic feet and ankles, rather than pushing through discomfort.
- It’s letting go of metrics, urgency and the pressure to explain myself.
- It’s tending my orchid with care, not because it’s a hobby, but because it reminds me to slow down and pay attention.
- It’s marking small wins with quiet celebration.
Simple Acts of Self-Companionship:
I don’t chase productivity anymore. I don’t measure my worth by how much I get done. I focus on presence, clarity and consistency. I’ve learned that self-care can be as simple as a quiet morning, a well-organised desktop or a moment of stillness before I begin writing.
This blog is part of that practice. It’s not here to sell anything or prove anything. It’s a space where I companion myself and others through reflection, renewal and intentional living.
A Quiet Invitation to Reflect:
What if self-care was simply the way we companion ourselves through the day?
If you’ve ever felt that self-care was out of reach or reserved for special occasions, I invite you to reconsider. It might already be present in your life—in the way you make your tea, the boundaries you hold or the quiet choices you make each day.
What does self-care look like in your life—beyond the spa day? I’d love to hear.
Go gently,
Denise Marron 🩷
Denise Marron 🩷
🌿 10 Years of Simple Living
🤔 Learn More About Denise
Living simply, writing gently,
companioning with care.🌸
companioning with care.🌸
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