Meet Denise

Hello and Welcome to Gentle Self! 👋

I'm Denise and I'm a simplicity advocate based in Adelaide, South Australia.

This space is a quiet offering where I share reflections from a decade of simple living.

Denise, the Simplicity Advocate... ✨

As a simplicity advocate for nearly a decade now (it will officially be 10 years in January 2026), I practice a lifestyle that prioritises minimalism, simplicity, mindfulness and intentional living while also emphasising the importance of self-care and personal wellbeing.

I wanted to learn how to take better care of myself in order to reduce stress, burnout and improve my overall physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health. I realised that life is finite and my days are numbered and I wanted to learn how to cultivate a more balanced, fulfilling and meaningful life for myself. I wanted to make the most of the time I have, to cherish my moments and focus on what truly matters. 🩷

I practice this way of living in all facets of my life which means that I take a “Less Is More” approach in all that I do, incorporating the principles of the Slow Movement — quality over quantity.

I challenge the conventional pursuit of material wealth and excess, instead fostering a more mindful and purposeful approach to life. I’m not about striving for bigger, better, faster, more; by embracing simplicity and self-care, I’ve come to value presence, healing and renewal as everyday practices and I aim to create a more balanced, fulfilling and meaningful life that aligns with my values and priorities in order to cultivate what matters in my life.

= = = How I Live This Ethos = = =

I do this by:

• decluttering and minimalising my living spaces by letting go of unnecessary clutter in order to reduce stress and focus on what truly matters
  
  
• nurturing my physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health by engaging in regular self-care practices, such as meditation, journaling and tai chi to cultivate mindfulness and presence and practice self-compassion and self-awareness
  
  
• prioritising experiences and relationships over material possessions
  
  
• setting boundaries and saying “no” to commitments that do not align with my health, values and priorities

I believe that living a simple life is not just about reducing material possessions or consumption, but also about cultivating inner peace, contentment and fulfillment and navigating life with gentleness and discernment.

Living simply entails stripping away
the non-essential and focusing
your time and energy on
the things that matter most

Gentle Self is a space for reflections drawn from my journey. It’s not about productivity hacks or lifestyle prescriptions. Instead, it’s a companion for those seeking to live with more intention, presence and self-kindness.

Here, I will be sharing what I’ve learned through lived experience—small insights, practical ideas and thoughtful reflections that may resonate with others walking similar paths. My hope is that this space offers encouragement, clarity and support and that it will become a soft companion for those seeking tenderness and meaning in the every day. 

Denise, the Writer... ✍️

I am a lifelong reader and writer; my love of words inspired my creative journey which began with writing stories in my childhood, teenage and young adult years, evolving into poetry, prose and journalistic writing of a personal and spiritual nature. Devoted to penpalling for over four decades, since age 11, I delight in both digital and handwritten expression—but nothing beats the intimacy of ink on paper. My writing is rooted in lived experience and gentle care that honours healing and quiet strength and is shaped by contemplative faith.

On A Personal Note... 🌸

Day to day, you can find me tending my home with care, reading a good book, writing reflectively, maintaining a contemplative spirituality practice (my faith is what drives me forward), keeping up my Italian and attempting to learn German and attending a Tai Chi class and other activities with a local community group as well as catching up with friends. I also have a penchant for a good chai tea and I am a lover of licorice!

With me, it’s all about Slow, Simple and Good! 🩷

If you ever feel called to reach out at any time, you can find my contact form hidden in the menu in the top corner or you can email me at djmarron238 (at) gmail.com—I'd be delighted to hear from you! 😊

Return to Gentle Self to explore more...

Living simply, writing gently,
companioning with care. 🌸