Shake the Earth: Joy, Colour & Creative Energy
From quiet rituals to playful colour, what I’m learning about noticing beauty, making magic, and welcoming the year ahead.
Substack #26
A Ritual for Ordinary Days
This week, I caught myself in the quietest place: the bathrooms at Westfield Miranda. I stood, breathed deeply, and called on my spirit team. It felt unusual, but I did it anyway. In that moment, I reminded myself why I’m here: to bring joy, to notice beauty, to do the work, even on ordinary days.
It made me realise we all need small moments to ground ourselves, wherever we are.
At the end of this piece, I’ll share a simple grounding ritual you can try too, one I learned from a shaman that’s helped me feel more present and steady.
Colour Play: Dressing Just Got Interesting
This Week’s Combo: Peach + Electric Blue
Insert photos here
Lately, I’ve been playing with colour to make getting dressed more fun. It’s free, and it pushes you to pair unexpected pieces together. I’ve been inspired by colour combos I see out in the world, then trying them with what I already own.
This week, I nailed peach and electric blue: the highlight is my $9 Stussy bomber I found on Depop - a great place to hunt for secondhand gems.
If you’re keen to try it, the Uniqlo peach T-shirt is $19.90, and electric blue pieces pop up in streetwear brands like DIME.
Next Challenge: Pink + Blue Stripes (Inspired by Dior SS26)
Next, I’m inspired by Dior SS26 - a blue and white striped shirt or forest green with baby pink. I think I already have this in my wardrobe - I’ll post photos once I put it together. Want to join me?
Join me: I’d love you to try these colour combos with me!
Pull peach and electric blue from your wardrobe this week, then blue stripes or this dark forest green and baby pink next week. Share your photos or ideas in the comments & let’s inspire each other.
New Year, My Way
My year starts the day after my birthday. On June 29, I swam around Shark Island, felt the chill of winter water softened by my new thermal Orca cap, then warmed up in the sunshine with coffee and my mates. That’s all I wanted: a swim, the sun on my skin, and a moment to remember what makes me feel alive.
Now, I’m stepping into a fresh year, thinking about what I’ll keep (more swims, more colour, more play), what I’ll let go of, and whether I’ll re-subscribe to NYT Games (Wordle streak: impressive - but do I really need it?).
What about you? What will you keep or let go of as you step into your own new year?
Tonight, I’m cooking Ribollita
It’s all about winter vegetables: a rich, cheap Italian soup with stale bread at the bottom, soaking up all the good juices. It’s a reminder of meals in Tuscany and the beauty of using what’s seasonal and abundant to create something warming, satisfying, and deeply comforting.
We bake slices of stale bread topped with Parmesan cheese until crisp and golden, then place them in the bowl before ladling the soup over. Each spoonful combines the hearty soup with the savoury crunch of the bread, creating a delightful contrast in textures and flavours. Try it; it’s delicious.
Don’t forget to let it rest and allow the flavours to become mates.
Pharrell’s Leadership: A Lesson in Creative Energy
This week, I stumbled on a TikTok of Pharrell Williams speaking to his crew before Louis Vuitton SS26. He stands there, calm but electric, and says:
“I just want to say thank you… remind you that you’re the best in the solar system… You know you’re only here because you’re the only ones that can do it… So do what you’re supposed to do, and let us shake the earth once again.”
It gave me chills. He’s not just a designer, he’s a cultural architect, a conductor, a unifier. He made every single person in that room feel essential, powerful, like they belonged. He gave them courage.
That’s the point: he made you want to be part of that energy.
That’s what true creative leadership looks like.
It made me fall in love with him - and now with Louis Vuitton.
That’s what I want to bring here: a reminder that what you do matters, that you’re the only one who can bring your unique vision to life.
Let’s shake the earth in our own small ways this week.
Thank you for being here.
Lisa x
For Paid Subscribers
In this week’s exclusive section, I’m sharing three things to nourish your mind, body, and creative spirit:
🍊 Creative Inspiration for My Next Project A behind-the-scenes look at the energy, rituals, and ideas I’m gathering for an upcoming creative work so you can find your own spark, too.
🍊 A Simple Grounding Ritual - one I learned from a shaman, perfect for steadying yourself before, well, anything really.
🍊 My Ribollita Recipe - a rich Italian soup that turns humble ingredients into something soul-warming.
Come on over when you’re ready, upgrade to paid to unlock these and join me in bringing more intention, beauty, and energy to your everyday life.
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