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Angela Olsen's avatar

My word for 2025 is gratitude. I’m learning to be grateful for what I have rather than being disappointed for what I don’t have or for the things I didn’t get to achieve. I’m grateful for my beautiful family and my home which I miss dearly.

Great read x

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Kerstin Pilz's avatar

Yeah! It must have been difficult to prepare for a trip that never happened, but being grateful for all the things that did (and did not) happen, is a great perspective. And you'll have your house back soon! xx

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Natalia Costa's avatar

Thank you for another wonderful newsletter. Your life and your work are very inspiring and they are a reminder that gratitude is a great attitude to have in life and it takes us beyond our wildest dreams.

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Kerstin Pilz's avatar

Oh thank you Natalia, always so lovely to hear from you! Love your take on gratitude, that it can take us beyond our wildest dreams. Wishing you a very happy new year dear Natalia, filled with happiness and wild dreams coming true. ❤️

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David Sotir's avatar

Thank you Kerstin for always sharing your personal stories with humour, warmth and candour. Wise words of yours to focus on the positive aspects of consciously choosing to live our lives with the free will we have been given. Everything has to do with the perspective we choose to view the world. Thank you for offering inspiration for us to keep writing!

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Kerstin Pilz's avatar

Thank you David for your lovely words. It's always a pleasure to see you in our live workshops (which reminds me I forgot to include the link). And yes, it's all about the perspective we choose, and it's important to remind ourselves occasionally :)

Wishing you a happy writing year!

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Kerry's avatar

My first time read & thoroughly enjoyable!!! Wishing you well with settling into your new home 💕

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Kerstin Pilz's avatar

thank you, so happy you enjoyed it and welcome to my newsletter Kerry! ❤️

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Jessica Fealy's avatar

I always enjoy your newsletters Kerstin. Congratulations on the move - Palm Cove is beautiful.

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Kerstin Pilz's avatar

Thanks Jessica, so lovely to have met you last year at the Cairns Writers Festival, was hoping to see you there again this year, but alas it is not going ahead. Yes, Palm Cove is beautiful, though a little hot right now :)

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Edwina Shaw's avatar

Fabulous newsletter full of useful tips! xxx

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Kerstin Pilz's avatar

thanks honey!

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Sal Freeman's avatar

Great news letter Kerstin.

Going through very similar scenario after Mission Beach. So trying ~ finding that 75% haven. Nothing is perfect. Like you, I have been looking for a very long time. Best wishes and pardon the pun..(given the heat)..warm regards Sal.xx Still have the Perentie in action too...for adventures I trust...

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Kerstin Pilz's avatar

Good luck with finding a new home. Yes, nothing is perfect but once I got clear on what I wanted, it actually happened. May you find your new home soon! ❤️ (off road adventures are on hold for the time being whilst I renovate)

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Kyra Geddes's avatar

A wonderful newsletter update Kerstin. What a year it's been for you! (and for all of us who published our first book in 2024) Your house move sounds incredibly challenging but I love your perspective of reminding yourself that you 'choose' to be there and to focus on the beautiful views and birdsong rather than any of the inconveniences. Sending best wishes to you! Kyra xx

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Kerstin Pilz's avatar

Thanks so much Kyra, yes, it's been a busy year for the Affirm debut crew! Best wishes to you too and for your book, may it find many new readers this year! ❤️

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Silvana Nagl's avatar

I've loved reading your newsletter, so thank you Kerstin. I also loved your word - Choose. I think I may have to adopt it too. I've been lousy at it, unable to say No and choose what's right for me, so this year I've dabbled with saying No a few times and the sky didn't fall in! 😂 Congratulations on finding your new home. I hope it's a wonderful experience. Your outlook is amazing. I do have one suggestion. I'm trying to cut down my carbon miles and wonder if you would consider running an online workshop? Or one in Australia, preferably on the east coast. Just a thought. Congrats on completing the book too. I hope it does well for you.

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Kerstin Pilz's avatar

Thanks so much for your feedback Silvana! Yes, 'I choose' has been a great choice (pardon the pun) for 2025, it's already served me so many times this year to stay positive. Saying 'no' is also a very good exercise and I am still learning to get better at it.

Thank you for your suggestions of an online workshop. Now that I have new home (and better wifi), I might resume online workshops. We are also considering a retreat in Byron Bay or Palm Cove for 2025/2026 as it makes a lot of sense for everybody and as you say, reduces our carbon footprint. May I ask if you would have a preference for either location?

Thanks so much for your comment and wishing you a wonderful 2025! x

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Silvana Nagl's avatar

Hi Kerstin, for in-person classes, Byron Bay would be closer as I can drive there from Brisbane. Wishing you a wonderful 2025 too! 😁

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