“Do you have children?” I get asked this question often. The answer is no, and I never talk about it publicly. When Michelle McGrath from the podcast Unclassified Woman  asked to interview me, I had to think seriously about it. It’s a very important topic – but just very personal.

I never imaged my life without children. But here I am living one. I decided to do the interview, and share very honestly because I know my story will resonate with so many women.

We live in a pro-natal society where so much of – well everything – is centred around family. We don’t talk about the women who are living lives outside that “norm”. In this interview, I talk about how we can live a life we didn’t plan for – a life that doesn’t involve children when we thought we would have them.

Do you keep sitting in the loss or do you use it in ways to propel yourself forward?

In the interview I discussed how I never imagined my life without a child, and when the realisation came that I would not be a mother, I went through a six year grieving process.

I share how I decided I should not sit in sadness, but see this as an opportunity, a blank canvas where I could be who ever I want to be. I wanted to fill that canvas with as much life and colour as possible.

What is my life going to be? What are the positives about my circumstances?

I worked on my business, wrote a book, started stepping into my spotlight and doing more public speaking. I also pursued my creative side and focused on my art of weaving and sculptural basketry.

Today, I completely determine what my life is, who I am, and what I want to do. I know that many people in the world don’t have the chance to enjoy life and make something beautiful from it.

I’d love to hear about your experiences about “otherhood”.

Click on the podcast below to listen to the full interview.