Here are the main events of the next six months, the dates to watch, and everything love, luck and money in your star sign…

September 2: Pluto moves into Capricorn

This is the last chance to clear out work issues and to detox wherever possible.

September 18: Full Moon eclipse in Pisces

Time for some radical forgiveness – it will change your life! 

October 2: New Moon eclipse in Libra

A new start for lovers (and ex lovers) all over the world

November 2: Jupiter aligns with Chiron

Be one of those people who decides to heal an emotional upset

November 19: Pluto into Aquarius

A new cycle is starting for the world – expect tech breakthroughs and charitable change.

Mercury Retrograde – Think before you speak

Mercury is the planet which influences communication, so when it is in retrograde during the second half of the year, take care with the details of whatever you are focused on. Confusion can come up and misunderstandings, too.

It can all end up feeling rather stressful – life is wild enough without people taking things the wrong way, or feeling like you’re just being misinterpreted, agreed? However, there is a plus side to Mercury retrograde; see it as a chance for a ‘do over’ and you’ll get the best out of it. Think of it as a chance to rethink, revise, revisit, revamp and reconsider anything and everything – Mercury retrograde really does offer up second chances!

When is Mercury in retrograde July – December 2024?

Mercury retrograde begins in Virgo on August 5, 2024 and ends on August 29, 2024.

Mercury retrograde begins in Sagittarius on November 26, 2024 and ends on December 16, 2024.

Aries

March 21 – April 20

YOUR LOVE LIFE IS CHANGING (AGAIN!)

LOVE & FAMILY Expect big things in the coming six months – there’s a New Moon eclipse in your Love Zone on October 3 which can only mean one thing – expect the unexpected when it comes to love and romance between now and 2025!

WORK & MONEY You still have the planet for sudden surprises Uranus in your Money Zone so the truth is that there is still going to be a little chaos about anything to do with cash for you. Just set something aside for a rainy day and all should be okay.

LUCK You have a great blessing now – lucky and optimistic Jupiter in your Mind Zone. Look on the bright side and your life could start to fall into place!

Power dates

July 6 Channel your energy into ambitious projects.

July 16 Expect unexpected shifts or sudden opportunities, especially regarding finances.

October 4 You’re extra passionate and charming.

Taurus

April 21 – May 21

CAREFUL WITH CASH

LOVE & FAMILY If you’re in doubt about how loveable you are, use this six-month period to really big yourself up in terms of doing whatever it takes to bolster your self-esteem. The more you value yourself, the more others will value you too.

WORK & MONEY You have the power to really boost your bank account during this time. What you need to be careful of is expanding too fast or having too much blind faith in everything working out. Come with a plan!

YOUR LUCK On the one hand, you could be about to move into the most financially lucky time you’ve had for between six to 12 years. On the other, stay smart when it comes to cash. Financial lessons don’t need to be painful!

Power dates

July 15 Unexpected changes or revelations lead to personal breakthroughs

August 16 & 19 Challenges or obstacles may arise – be patient!

October 2 Focus on restarts in partnerships of all kinds

Gemini

May 22 – June 21

THIS COULD BE YOUR LUCKY SIX MONTHS

LOVE & FAMILY The end of the year sees the planet of communications, Mercury, making a visit to your Love Zone, so December and into the New Year is ideal for having whichever conversations you need to with the people who matter most.

WORK & MONEY Careful! With demanding  – and let’s be frank – sometimes downright depressing Saturn in your Career Zone right now, you could be so consumed with thoughts about how well you’re doing, or not doing professionally, that you’ve barely got time for what matters most – your personal life!

YOUR LUCK Since April, you’ve had the lucky planet Jupiter in your sign. Have you felt it at all? If not, then use this information now and decide that the Universe is henceforth on your side. What do you want to pull off with Lady Luck’s assistance?

Power dates

July 15 A day of insight and creative breakthroughs, ideal for unlocking hidden potential.

September 18 A critical moment for making significant decisions related to your career.

November 3 An opportune time for discussions leading to beneficial agreements, particularly around finances and shared commitments.

Cancer

June 22 – July 23

THE PRESSURE IS OFF

LOVE & FAMILY Right now you will experience more happiness and fulfilment if you find a good balance between your home life and your ambitions. You are normally family-focused but remember, worldly success can make you smile widely too.

WORK & MONEY You could feel as though the brakes are on financially around the end of the year when push-forward Mars does a reverse cycle in one of your Money Zones. Do chase up old unpaid debts. Don’t stall money-wise.

YOUR LUCK Your fortune is in your ability to go within at the moment. That might sound vague, but the truth is that the more you look at yourself, work through fears and connect with your Higher Self via meditation, the luckier you will feel. Give it a go.

Power dates

July 20 This day brings a focus on personal reinvention and the initiation of new personal projects or identity transformations, as significant energy highlights your first house of self.

September 18 Expect revelations or culminations in areas related to education, travel, or your beliefs

October 2 A pivotal time for partnerships for this horoscope, marking a new beginning or significant development in business or personal relationships, emphasising balance and harmony in connections.

Leo

July 24 – August 23

WISHES CAN COME TRUE NOW – SO MAKE THEM!

LOVE & FAMILY You’re on the cusp of possibly the most intense love cycle you’re ever going to experience this lifetime. You may have already had a taste of it. Make sure you are not being manipulative or involved with anyone trying to manipulate you!

WORK & MONEY Work might currently feel like an endless roller-coaster but money still needs to be earned, at least for most Leos out there. If that’s the case, put your head down and be as reliable as you can be.

YOUR LUCK You have the lucky planet Jupiter in your 11th house which is the part of your chart that sees dreams come true. It’s also your social circles. If you need help with anything now, start by asking your friends.

Power dates

July 22 Creative energies and personal expression are heightened, opportunity for showcasing your talents.

September 18 Focus on financial strategies or investments, and reassessment of resources, debts, or shared assets.

October 2 Focus on health and daily routines, implement positive lifestyle changes or new work habits.

Virgo

August 24 – September 23

THE LESSONS PEOPLE ARE TEACHING YOU …

LOVE & FAMILY With serious and sombre Saturn in your Love Zone and an eclipse there too, you’re going to be getting lots of lessons, welcome and otherwise, from the people in your life. Avoid shrugging them off. These are life lessons needed to learn to go to the next level!

WORK & MONEY You really do have amazing work stars at the moment, so try not to let the Saturn energies bombarding you get you down. Think big and aim high professionally, and you could reach some once-a-decade heady heights.

YOUR LUCK You’re particularly ‘in luck’ when it comes to your career and ambitions now. If you want to expand yourself professionally, you definitely have Lady Luck on your side, in the form of lucky Jupiter in your Career Zone.

Power dates

July 15 Healing is around private matters coming to light for resolution.

September 18 Endings could pave the way for beginnings in personal and professional partnerships.

October 2 Creativity, romance, and self-expression flourish.

Libra

September 24 – October 23

YOUR CHANCE TO BEGIN AGAIN

LOVE & FAMILY The second half of 2024 brings the last of the major disruptions in your home life – at least to the levels seen over the past few years. Don’t be tempted to go it alone now if someone is offering to stand by you.

WORK & MONEY The ups and downs continue thanks to the long-term presence of chaotic Uranus in your chart. Your best bet is to work for yourself – even an online side hustle would be perfect, so that you get the best of the energies. Explore your entrepreneurial side!

YOUR LUCK Luck will be on your side when you travel, especially long haul, or take a course of study. This is a time for you to widen your world view – doing so will help you to see how lucky you are and that will attract more good things to you!

Power dates

July 12 A vibrant period for self-expression and romance, encouraging Libra Rising to shine in love and creative endeavors.

August 5 A time for meticulous attention to relationships and projects, enhancing practical support and detailed expressions of affection.

October 8 Harmonious energies blend passion with action, ideal for pursuing desires in relationships, and artistic pursuits with balance and grace.

Scorpio

October 24 – November 22

AND BREATHE OUT…

LOVE & FAMILY Use the last six months of the year to clear out any negativity or toxicity in your family unit, including with your partner or ex. The more you do this now, the easier the next decade or two is going to be!

WORK & MONEY You have the planet of good luck and good times, Jupiter, in your Money Zone in the second half of this year. That sounds like a blessing, and it might be, but also remember that Jupiter often spends like there is no tomorrow – and there will be a tomorrow!

YOUR LUCK You really do have financial luck on your side during this six-month period. In particular, any joint ventures you enter into are blessed by the Goddess Fortuna. That doesn’t mean you don’t need to do your due diligence. Far from it. But the financial stars are on your side.

Power dates

July 6 Energies align for a productive push toward long-term ambitions, making it a great day for focused progress on challenging projects.

July 16 A day and overall period marked by unexpected developments, offering the chance for quick, decisive action that could lead to innovative breakthroughs.

October 4 A harmonious time for strengthening connections and pursuing passions with both intensity and balance, ideal for deepening relationships or artistic expression.

Sagittarius

November 23 – December 22

WISHES CAN COME TRUE

LOVE & FAMILY Even though you’re in an overall quite lucky cycle, you do have some pretty tough home and family stars to deal with. Your personal life has lots of lessons to teach you, but you also have happy Jupiter giving your love life a big boost!

WORK & MONEY You’re emerging from one of the most intense financial astrology cycles possible. It’s been going for around 15 years but it’s ending now. September and October are good for forging ahead with whatever your financial goals are.

YOUR LUCK Your horoscope really has two sides to it. The lucky side is all your most important one to one relationships, including personal and professional. Now is the time to focus on the people who make you happy and the people that you make smile.

Power dates

August 15 A time ripe for expanding knowledge and exploring new horizons, encouraging broad thinking and optimism.

October 12 An excellent day for connecting with others, where shared visions and collaborative efforts can lead to meaningful progress.

December 20 A period that highlights personal growth and understanding, perfect for reflecting on your journey and planning future adventures.

Capricorn

December 23 – January 20

YOU WON’T RECOGNISE YOURSELF SOON

LOVE & FAMILY If you make healing your aim now, at home and in your personal life, you will be taking best advantage of the current energies. Home is definitely where your heart is right now, so don’t avoid it because you’re so tied up with achieving! Family first, even if you have to kiss and make up first.

WORK & MONEY The karmic lunar nodes are offering you a choice – are you going to take the easy way out of life and just do what’s easy and familiar, or are you going to take life and run with it? While staying stuck feels easier, ultimately, it’s not. Choose your hand.

YOUR LUCK Your challenge now is to believe in your own good luck – if you can get your head around doing that, you can actually have a good six months! Try to find at least one thing a day to be grateful for and see how that transforms things.

Power dates

July 6 A great day for making significant headway on projects, where hard work and careful planning pay off.

August 20 A pivotal time for reflection and strategic adjustments, turning challenges into stepping stones for future success.

September 30 An optimal period for focused efforts and achieving goals, thanks to a strong drive and disciplined approach.

Aquarius

January 21 – February 19

LOVE & FAMILY With the planet of chaos and madness in your Home Zone for another year, it’s either going to be chaotic at home, or you wish it was! Now is the right time to do things differently when it comes to love and family. Dare to think outside the proverbial!

WORK & MONEY September looks good for you work-wise and when it comes to cash. There’s a Full Moon in Money Box suggesting you have taken Saturn’s medicine and learned your lessons of the past and are ready to turn things around.

YOUR LUCK You have a big blessing in your chart this year; the lucky planet Jupiter in your Fifth House. This is great because it means that no matter what else is going on, you could be able to find a way to have some fun in your personal life, either to do with kids (your own or someone else’s), a pregnancy, a romance or a creative project.

Power dates

July 16 Expect a surge of creativity and a push towards independence, making it a prime time for breakthroughs in personal projects.

July 19 A day that brings unexpected opportunities for growth, urging you to step out of your comfort zone and explore new possibilities.

October 8 Harmonious energies encourage you to balance your individuality with connections to others, fostering both personal and collective progress.

Pisces

February 20 – March 20

LOVE & FAMILY You have the lucky planet Jupiter in your Home and Family Zone so hopefully this will be a super happy time for you with anything and everything to do with your home and family. Regarding romance, Saturn is driving you so hard – you need to find the time for it!

WORK & MONEY Saturn back in Pisces for the first time in around 30 years really is dictating a lot of the energy in your chart at the moment. Work with Saturn by being a grown up, knowing your limits, working hard and being as real as you can be!

YOUR LUCK If you’re thinking about taking a little bit of a risk in your home or personal life, assess the risks very carefully. If you really think it’s worth a shot, know that you’re extra lucky for the rest of the year when it comes to home and family. 

Power dates

July 12 A period of heightened intuition and creativity, encouraging deep emotional connections and artistic expression.

September 18 A significant day for spiritual growth and understanding, offering clarity on personal beliefs and inspiring compassion in relationships.

November 19 An excellent time for reflection and inner growth, where dreams feel closer to reality, and personal boundaries expand to embrace new possibilities.

Our astrologer Yasmin Boland says, “Remember to read your Rising Sign, if you know it, for a more accurate prediction.”

If you don’t know it, find it out for free at moonmessages.com/freechart

The post Your Mid-Year Horoscopes July – December 2024 appeared first on Now To Love.

Careers coach Kate Southam suggests volunteering, re-training and networking as great ways to update your experience, and most importantly, boost your confidence.

Here’s Kate plan of action for making yourself more employable…

Restore your confidence

“Remind yourself how valuable you are,” says Kate. “As well as skills from your previous jobs, you’ll have gained more by raising children or possibly helping a spouse with their business.”

Make a list of all your new skills, she suggests, such as being well organised or a fast learner, and think about how you might sell them in to an employer.

Volunteer work is a great way to connect with people as part of a team, and gain confidence in the working world — it also looks great on your resume.

In a 2023 survey from Seek, 95% of employers said that volunteering was a credible way of gaining real-world experience. You can also visit SEEK’s volunteer.com.au for opportunities in your area.

Unpaid internships can also be valuable in gaining on-the-job experience but, read Fair Work’s guide to internships first to make sure you’re getting a fair deal.

Be ready

Consider taking classes to ensure your skills are up-to-date. Accredited TAFE courses cover everything from entry-level certificates through to advanced diplomas, with certain courses funded by the government.

If the costs or time involved with training are a barrier, Kate suggests enlisting the help of friends or family to get your skills up to scratch.

Impressions count

“Dress as you would if you were going out to work, especially if you plan to hand out CVs or enquire about work opportunities in person,” says Kate. “Make employers want to hire you on the spot.”

Craft a strong CV and research the companies you’re interested in, tailoring your resume to fit the jobs on offer. Keep it tight — most employers prefer a snappy one-pager to a detailed history of every job you’ve had since high school.

“Identify referees in advance and make sure they’re relevant and know your work experience,” advises Kate.

Finding work

Networking means using all available contacts and putting the word out there that you’re looking for a job. Contact previous workplaces to find out if any new opportunities might be coming up, and keep an eye out for job listings online and in your local paper.

“Temping’s a great way to ease back to work and try out different workplaces to see what will suit you, as well as giving you a good idea of the best hours that work for you and your family circumstances,” says Kate. “Register with a few reputable agencies and stay in touch!”

Upskill to excel with a postgraduate degree at The University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ). With 220+ specialisations, flexible learning, world-class research, and resources, UniSQ empowers individuals for success in their fields.

The post Working your way back into a career appeared first on Now To Love.

Compare the Market’s recent research revealed that more than a third of Aussies planned to go away during the summer, as domestic and international travel bounces back to pre-COVID levels.

Public holiday planning

To make the most of your annual leave this year, it’s so important to choose your time off carefully and utilise public holidays available in your State or Territory to increase your time off and minimise the number of annual leave days you use.

With 2023 already upon us, it’s crucial for Aussies to get planning now. For example, if you live in Brisbane, you could have 47 days off this year and only use 19 days of your annual leave. Or for those in NSW, you could take 18 days of annual leave for 42 days off.

Savings to be made

The research also highlighted that more and more Aussies are looking to save wherever they can, which is why being prepared is so vital. The best discounts for flights and accommodation packages are usually advertised six to 12 months ahead.

Or, look to holiday closer to home and check out the new campervan relocation services that are now on offer. There are one-way campervans available from as little as $1 per day on certain dates, and they can sometimes even throw in free fuel. A really cost-effective holiday!

New South Wales

Residents from New South Wales should scramble to log their leave with 42 days off on offer for 18 days of annual leave.

The best window is Christmas, but the King’s Birthday weekend as well as the Easter break make sense for an extended getaway.

Check out your dates here for 2023.

Victoria

Victoria fares slightly better than its northern neighbours in 2023, thanks to public holidays for the AFL Grand Final and Melbourne Cup Day.

The Easter break can give 10 days off for just four days of annual leave, but be prepared to hit the roads with the masses around that time of year.

Victorians –your dates for 2023 are here.

Queensland

Queenslanders really get the rub of the green in 2023 when it comes to public holidays with a number of options for an extended break.

The best times to holiday could be to link Anzac and Labour Day for a longer break, or when the Royal Queensland Show is in town.

Check out the public holidays here and get 47 days off and only use 19 days of your annual leave.

WATCH: Bangalay luxury villas (article continues after video)

Western Australia

More than 40 days are on offer for those in the West, thanks to Western Australia Day in early June.

The Christmas and Easter break will give you the greatest value when it comes to logging annual leave days. Get 43 days for 18 annual leave days if you plan carefully for 2023 – check your dates out here.

South Australia

It’s much the same story in South Australia as their western neighbours, with Adelaide Cup Day providing a nice long weekend option in the opening months of the year.

Anzac Day or King’s Birthday break will give you a solid nine-day break for just four days of annual leave, if you plan ahead. Check your dates out here.

Tasmania

The Apple Isle actually boasts the most weekday public holidays this year, and depending on where you live in the State will affect how you can maximise your annual leave.

All the regulars are in the calendar but Tasmania has Eight Hours Day, in place of Labour Day, and a variety of Show Days in the regions. Tassie – plan out your 2023 getaway here.

Australian Capital Territory

Canberrans could get 43 days off for 18 days of annual leave in 2023 –but beware –they are largely in the first half of the year.

Canberra Day is in mid-March before Easter in April, Reconciliation Day in late May and the King’s Birthday in mid-June, so get planning now. All your info is here.

Northern Territory

There’s a variety of Show Days in Northern Territory, depending on where you live, so check the calendar for your specific area.

Forty-three days off is available for just 18 days of annual leave with Picnic Day in early August looking like the best option here.

COVID cover in a new world

As another COVID wave hits Australian shores, it’s imperative to have appropriate cover for peace of mind. We have already seen a dramatic rise in Aussies taking out domestic travel insurance for interstate trips since the COVID-19 pandemic, and that trend is the same internationally too.

Not all cover is equal though, and COVID-19 is often specifically called out in the insurance policy. Compare apples with apples, know the inclusions before you go and ensure you’re comfortable with the level of cover.

If you want to maximise your days off with minimal leave it’s best to have all your ducks in a row and have everything booked ahead of schedule. Holidays should be relaxing and exciting. If you plan ahead and are organised, then you shouldn’t have anything to be concerned about.

The post The annual leave hack you must know before planning 2023 holidays appeared first on Now To Love.

But when she finally crossed the career finish line, she found herself in a lonely house while her husband went to work.

“I didn’t want to stay home and watch TV and potter around,” she says. “I was on my own, [often wondering] what will I do today? My sister was still working and I didn’t want to visit my mother every day.”

Michele is hardly alone in feeling a loss of identity in the early days of retirement. In fact, retirement coach Jon Glass says many Australians wrongly assume that all that spare time will simply fill itself.

“In our culture, not many people are thinking about the emotional side of retirement [but] when you’re approaching retirement, think about what you want and need, and ask, ‘How am I going to fill my days?'” she says.

Cross the bridge

If you’re excited about the prospect of having few responsibilities or to-dos, then Jon warns you’re probably going to feel a little lost. “Retirement is best thought of as crossing a bridge from work to retirement. You have to be thinking about, ‘What am I crossing the bridge to?'” he says. “I work with clients to strengthen their sense of meaning and purpose so they can cross that bridge to what they truly want to be.”

For Michele, that sense of purpose has come from doing freelance proofreading through the online platform Fiverr. “I’ve found a way to be useful, to make some money and to help me maintain positivity about life,” she says. “I usually work in the morning, then stop at lunchtime to go out for lunch, or go visiting or work on another skill I’m trying to develop.”

Find your joy

Whether you take pen to paper or go for a long nature walk, dedicating some time to deep thinking could help you get clarity about how you want to fill your retirement. “Retirement can be 10,000 days, which is a lot of days to be just turning on the TV,” Jon points out. “When you are at a dinner party and someone says, ‘What have you been up to lately?’ you want a good answer to that, rather than, ‘I watched some Netflix!'”

Take a trip down memory lane for clues. “What were you passionate about and what did you love as a child?” Jon asks.

“It might have been model cars or reading or travel, and could be a great clue as to what you can put at the centre of your retired life.”

Create value

Whether you spent your younger years building your career or caring for a family, retirement can be the catalyst for an identity rethink. “When you were working, you probably had an identity, whether it was a fancy title on a business card or [through] your crisply ironed uniform,” says Jon. “The essence of a good retirement is finding your meaning and purpose – it could be family, giving back to the community or learning new things. Once you [identify] that, you can start to build your activities around that.”

It can also be helpful to consider how you can be useful to others. “There are so many ways of becoming useful,” Jon says.

“It could be through caring for grandkids, charity work, mentoring someone to help develop their talents, or maybe you mow someone’s lawns to help them out.”

Be brave

Once your retirement kicks off, check in with yourself regularly to confirm you’re still feeling fulfilled. “Evolve, learn, change and be flexible because what works for you this year might change,” Jon points out. “Retirement should be a sequence of experiments.”

And the beauty is that it’s difficult to have a catastrophic failure in retirement.

“If you ‘failed’ something in a work context, it could be disastrous and you could lose your job,” says Jon. “But if you walk into a Zumba class and get the steps wrong and feel embarrassed, you might just learn that Zumba is not for you!”

The post Retirement life: How to find your post-work purpose appeared first on Now To Love.

Here, we speak to three women who turned their health and wellness passion into exciting new careers.

From chronic illness to naturopath, nutritionist and herbalist

Rebecca Harwood – Bachelor of Health Science (Naturopathy)

Becoming disillusioned by western medicine following a severe illness, Rebecca Harwood took matters into her own hands and sought the help of holistic practitioners. The process of healing herself sparked her curiosity to continue learning about natural health. She now works as a naturopath, nutritionist and herbalist in South Australia.

“I was suffering from a chronic respiratory illness and the only option I was given to manage it was to take antibiotics (and all the associated side effects) for the rest of my life. I knew there must have been something else out there and started to explore options outside conventional medicine.

“As I was gently delving deeper into the natural health world with my own illness, my curiosity was growing more and more. I saw a natural health degree advertised and instantly realised it was the direction I needed to take.

“Natural health takes the entire body into consideration when healing – a combination of the mental, physical and emotional state. And most importantly it seeks to find the root cause of illness, rather than just putting a band-aid on the symptoms. Natural health can also prevent illness or prevent a condition worsening. It has minimal side effects and works on an individual level, not on a ‘one size fits all’ approach.

“Through my degree I felt like all the ideas I had around health and wellness flipped around. I had to re-learn ‘health’ as a whole. We live in a society so focused on drugs to treat illnesses, we forget to look at how and why disease starts and what our role has been in the progression of them. We are taught that health is out of our hands, when in fact we can completely control it with the right information.

“Despite naturopathy being a challenging degree, it can change your life if you let it. And to think that you can have a career that improves your health, your family’s health, the health and wellbeing of the wider community and contributes to the health of this earth is a pretty powerful career!”

Once highly-medicated, this former patient turned yoga teacher is now studying Chinese medicine

Clare Lucas – Bachelor of Health Science (Chinese Medicine)

Through yoga, Clare Lucas delved into the connection between mind, body and spirit. The more she learnt, the less inclined she was to work in western medicine. One day, Clare decided to quit her job in patient education and focused her energy on natural and holistic healing.

“My initial interest in natural medicine started at quite a young age. I had multiple western health professionals also diagnosing me with glandular fever, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease and coeliac disease. I was exhausted, underweight, undereating, overtraining and overworking.

“After being told I would be on medication for the rest of my life, I didn’t see that as the only option. I continued working with my alternative and holistic practitioners and through the right nutrition and supplementation – and of course the healing aspect that comes along with natural medicine – I was off all prescription medicine within eight months. This spiked a huge interest into these modalities.

“My interest in yoga took that even further when I decided to start training to become a yoga teacher. After my initial training, I was constantly seeking further education to dive deeper into the history of the practice and the ancient teaching behind Ayurveda, (the traditional Indian diet and lifestyle) and Chinese medicine. It opened up an entirely new world to holistic healing from an energetic, emotional and physical point of view. I had such a strong desire to learn more and see where I could take these teachings of natural medicine and holistic healing to better educate people in a world where we rely so heavily on a quick fix when it comes to our health.

“The biggest thing we look at from a natural health or alternative medicine perspective is finding the root cause to the symptom. This is often the biggest downfall to western medicine – that it often overlooks the root cause and goes straight to masking the signs and symptoms of imbalance and disease by prescribing medication.

“There is absolutely a place for western medicine, but we need more education around how we can look after our wellbeing before needing such extreme measures. Natural medicine educates practitioners to understand the connection between the physical, energetic, emotional and spiritual body. When we are experiencing physiological symptoms, like pain or illness, this – more often than not – comes from a disharmony somewhere else, often from one or more of these other elements or pillars of health that aren’t functioning at their greatest capacity. We understand that can be from a multitude of things, either externally of us or an internal disharmony.

“I chose to study at Endeavour College of Natural Health as the study options were flexible, the content was easily accessible and the reviews I had been given were fantastic. The option for taking some of my subjects online also worked really well for me as I continued working full time during my studies. The student services, staff and lectures have all been fantastic in guiding me through my studies to navigate my workload and study balance.”

From psychologist to clinical naturopath and wellness entrepreneur

Annabelle Delir – Bachelor of Health Science (Naturopathy)

Psychologist Annabelle Delir was drawn to studying naturopathy after holistic medicine helped her overcome both physical and mental health issues. It led her down a path of discovery that opened-up her mind to a whole new world of evidence-based medicine.

“I was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at a young age as a result of a traumatic event. When I sought professional help, I was pressured into taking anti-depressants and had refused on multiple occasions as I was only 15 years old at the time. My decision was never respected so this forced me to seek my own path to healing.

On top of that, I was raised among relatives who were constantly being diagnosed at such young ages with what I understand now to be lifestyle-related illnesses. I was also obese as a child and struggled with eating disorders in an attempt to achieve a healthy weight. I understood that my health would only go downhill if I didn’t find a way to address it and felt underwhelmed with the advice I was getting from health professionals.

I worked through my PTSD and its symptoms by utilising non-invasive psychology-based interventions such as EMDR and meditation, and I achieved a healthy, sustainable weight by correcting my diet and lifestyle.

I originally graduated with a Bachelor of Psychology, which I absolutely loved studying, but working in the field was quite mentally draining and having worked to overcome my PTSD for years, I found by the time I had graduated I was tired of talking about mental health. I chose to continue my education in naturopathy because it combined everything I’m passionate about – science, creativity, health and nature, and I’m able to incorporate my previous education without it being the centre focus of my career.

Since studying naturopathy, my approach to healing has changed. Going into the degree I was really into energetics and metaphysics and had what others would call a ‘hippie’ mindset, whereas now I’m heavily into evidence-based medicine and much more scientific-minded. I think as a health practitioner it’s necessary to understand the science behind treatment approaches in order to gain your clients’ trust and be able to explain the basis of their treatment plans.

I would say natural health is a growing field as more and more people are becoming interested in alternative forms of healing, and if you have the drive and passion and believe you could help others in need, you should definitely take the leap and follow your calling. The years will go by regardless of what you do so you may as well invest your time in gaining new skills.”

Brought to You By Endeavour College of Natural Health

Endeavour College of Natural Health is the largest provider of complementary medicine higher education degrees in the Southern Hemisphere, with six campuses across Australia and a robust digital learning environment. Turn your passion into a career and enquire now.

The post How to turn your passion for wellness into a career appeared first on Now To Love.

Or that 72 per cent of young Aussie women don’t feel that there is enough diversity in their industry?

According to research conducted by our parent company, Are Media, it’s age-old challenges like these that have inspired young women to take control of their careers and start their own business online.

And with almost 80 per cent of those who participated in our survey intending to upskill or increase training in order to run their side hustle, we thought we would bridge the gap and bring the upskilling to them.

Now To Love and Are Media have partnered with Instagram to give 25 young Australian female business owners the opportunity of a lifetime: to join the Instagram Academy and accelerate the success of their businesses online.

For the first time in Australia, Instagram will be opening their doors to 25 of the country’s most promising young women with a business and sharing their social media secrets for success.

Those chosen as one of Australia’s top 25 business trailblazers under the age of 25 will receive:

• An exclusive digital training experience at Instagram Academy, learning everything you need to know about nailing your business’ Instagram strategy from the tech experts at the platform, themselves

• Advice and mentorship from some of Australia’s leading business experts including, Are Media CEO Jane Huxley, Lillian Ahenkan AKA @flex.mami, Grace Brennan, founder of @buyfromthebush, and Laura Thompson and Sianna Catullo from @clothingthegaps

• Coaching from a member of the Facebook Australia Sales team, offering bespoke advice specifically for the participants.

• $1,000 in Facebook ad credits to boost your business to customers across Instagram, Facebook and more

• National visibility in announcements and articles across Are Media’s titles including, Now To Love, Marie Claire, ELLE, Girlfriend and more

Does all of this sound like you? There’s no time like the present to take control of your career and put your business forward for the recognition it deserves.

To apply, you will need to:

• Be a legal resident of Australia

• Be aged between eighteen (18) and twenty-five (25)

• Have an Instagram account with less than 250,000 followers at the time of applying, as well as throughout the application period and winner selection process

• Identify as female and are the founder and/or owner of a registered business with an Australian Business Number (ABN)

• Government officials and political figures aren’t eligible to participate in the Academy

Hurry! Entries close Friday, October 1. Enter the competition here.

The post Calling all young female business owners! Are you Australia’s next small-business superstar? appeared first on Now To Love.

Calling them out for challenges, to the weekly judging or in extreme cases – like when Covid-19 hit – to send them home, he’s the builder who runs their world.

But after one of the most challenging seasons the TV WEEK Gold Logie award-winning host has ever faced, Cam admits he might be getting closer to putting a nail in his Block journey.

“Ah, the old nail bag!” Cam, 58, says to TV WEEK over the phone. “I did a lot of work in lockdown and I had the bag on every day. I did one of the bedrooms at home, I enclosed the verandah and things like that… but I do need to slow down as time goes on.

“I’m heading toward 60 and you’ve got to slow down when it comes down to those tools. You can’t be swinging the hammer like you used to!”

However, that doesn’t mean the veteran TV host is set to retire from our TV screens just yet.

Cam still gets excited at the start of a new season, still gets butterflies for the contestants on auction day and loves that he’s managed to combine the two joys of his work life: building and making TV.

“I mean, what a job!” he exclaims. “What a job to come to work on a building site with all your mates, hang out for three months and build an incredible show, houses or units – then sit down and watch it!”

It’s been a long ride for the carpenter-turned-TV star, one that started when Cam was relaxing in his local pub and a television producer walked up.

He’d noticed the tall, loud and laughing tradie holding court with a few mates and thought he might be a good fit for a television project he had in mind.

“I said: ‘Not really… that’s not my go!’ But a couple of days later he rang me – he’d got my number off my ute – I did a screen test and I ended up getting the job,” Cam recalls. “That was 20 years ago!”

Since then, Cam says he’s made “about ten” different building-style shows for the Nine network, won a TV WEEK Silver Logie as Australia’s most popular television presenter and a Gold Logie as most popular personality: “And I’ve loved every minute of it.”

“It’s always up my alley, talking about building and working on the tools – I’m probably a bit old to be working on the tools, I like supervising and pointing the finger these days – but it’s been fantastic and I’m very lucky to be still there 20 years down the track.”

Not even the curveball Covid-19 threw at The Block could put a dampener on things, he says.

After the massive build that was The Block Oslo in 2019, the plan for this year had been to have a more manageable project and let the contestants enjoy their time on the show a bit more.

All that went out the window when building supplies started drying up, social distancing pushed many trades off site and Cam was eventually forced to shut the build down entirely.

It was surreal, Cam says, but part of what makes him love The Block.

“This year we’re a building show, a real estate show and a documentary about a world-wide pandemic and how it affected us all,” he says.

And as the The Block 2020 comes to a close, Cam says he still doesn’t know exactly what to expect, but that’s fine by him.

The post EXCLUSIVE: “I need to slow down”: After his tough year on The Block Scott Cam is ready to hang up the tools appeared first on Now To Love.

The good news is, there are businesses that are actively striving to make a change and bridge the gaps. From ending period poverty to fighting inequality, here are the Australian companies putting women at the forefront.

Veeda

Alarmingly, one million Australians lack access to sanitary items such as pads and tampons each month, a statistic feminine care brand Veeda is striving to remedy. The company is making period poverty an ethical focus through its global charity, the Naturalena Foundation, and to date, has donated millions of sanitary products to women locally and across the world alongside partners including World Vision and Womankind Worldwide.

Within Australia this year, Veeda will gift a generous 160,000 pads to the charity, which will directly help up to 8,000 women manage their period for a month. It will also be supporting the charity’s August Dignity Drive, which sees donation boxes placed out the front of Woolworths stores around the country, encouraging shoppers to ‘Buy One, Gift One’ for a woman in need.

As actress and Veeda Chief Brand Officer, Hilary Duff, explains, the impact of period poverty on young women has a direct and adverse effect on their education.

“If a girl misses a week of school each month due to the stigma and physical necessity of not having access to suitable sanitary products, her education is compromised thus impacting her future,” says Duff. “Whether it’s in my hometown, in Australia or in fact anywhere around the world, period poverty is a big issue, never more so than now. Through Veeda we want to change that.”

Adds Naturalena’s Co-Founder, Adrian Forsyth, “Period Poverty is a solvable issue and providing feminine care to young women who are missing school due to lack of period products is life-changing.”

Visit veeda.com.au to find out more.

Code Like A Girl

Australian work culture has shifted significantly in the last few decades, but the gender gap remains, particularly in the tech sector.

Luckily, former software engineer Ally Watson is in the process of making this largely male-dominated industry a more level playing field. Watson is the founder of Australian-based company Code Like A Girl, which aims to arm young women and girls with the tools they need to enter the world of coding via camps, courses, internships and events.

“The technology we build today determines the world we live in tomorrow,” says Watson. “But if that world is being built under the leadership of only a small portion of our community, what kind of world will we have?”

It’s a valid question, particularly as studies show that gender parity in the workplace is not just an ethical or moral issue, but also an economic one: $12 trillion could be added to global GDP by 2025 by advancing women’s equality.

Visit codelikeagirl.com.au to find out more.

Mettles

Defined as “a person’s ability to cope well with difficulties”, Mettle is perhaps the ideal name for a Perth-based social enterprise that employs survivors of domestic violence.

The company produces gift hampers filled with sustainable goods, albeit with a twist – they’re all designed and packed by women who have fled unsafe circumstances.

Bronwyn Bate, the founder of [Mettle](mettlegifts.com, launched the business in 2019 after learning that domestic violence is the largest driver of financial hardship and homelessness for women in Australia.

“The lack of safe and accessible employment and opportunities to establish financial independence can make it extremely difficult and dangerous to leave abusive environments,” says Bate. “We exist to provide these opportunities and prevent women from returning to homelessness or their abuser.”

But the support doesn’t stop there: the women in Mettle’s program are provided a guarantee of six months employment with on-the-job training opportunities.

Visit mettlegifts.com to find out more.

Mama Maya

While a safe birth is commonplace in Australia, many women in developing countries lack access to basic medical care.

It was this thought that played on Robyn Jones’ mind when she decided to launch social enterprise Mama Maya, which donates a birthing kit to a woman in need for every baby wrap sold on the brand’s website.

“I started Mama Maya to make a difference to mamas all around the world,” explains Jones. “The experience of pregnancy and birth is something virtually all mothers have gone through, yet the quality of care and access to even the most basic baby items couldn’t be more different. So when I found myself with a large box full of seconds-quality muslins and loads of samples from the time spent getting our swaddles just right, I had a choice – I could sell them cheaply as ‘seconds’, or donate them to mothers who could really use them.”

So far, Jones has donated 8000 birthing kits, helping to reduce the risk of infant or maternal complications the world over.

Visit mamamaya.com.au to find out more.

Brought to you by Veeda.

The post The Australian companies making a difference to the lives of women appeared first on Now To Love.

A 2017 study showed that around 57 per cent of Australians had considered a career change. You might be feeling drained and unmotivated in your current role, unable to imagine your future in the industry you’re in or you might simply have a passion for your hobby or side hustle.

No matter your reason, it’s important to know what you’re getting into before taking the leap of faith into what could be your new career. So, to help make your experience a little less daunting, we’ve tracked down three everyday women who have successfully switched-up career paths to find out exactly how they did it.

Here, a nutritionist, an author and an entrepreneur share their career change experiences.

Kathryn Khiroya – Clinical Nutritionist

Kathryn made the switch from finance to nutrition after deciding to pursue her lifelong passion for natural health. After retraining as a Pilates instructor and personal trainer, she began studying nutrition and dietetics at Endeavour College of Natural Health and has never looked back.

What inspired your career change?

“For me, there was never one moment of inspiration, or one reason or person. Studying at Endeavour College to become a clinical nutritionist was simply me seeing a need in my own and other’s worlds, and discovering a way that I felt I could contribute meaningfully to meeting that need.”

What was holding you back from pursuing this career path initially?

“The statement, ‘this is not university-standard work’ that I had received on a theology paper during my late teens (the big red ‘F’ was straight from a scene in an American sitcom!) had subconsciously lodged itself in my brain, only to rear its head as I thought about studying again.

“I processed this fear for about 12-18 months. It seems utterly ridiculous now, but I am thankful that I broke the back of that fear, and now have an incredible love for study and writing.”

Why is natural health so important to you?

“It is empowering, sustaining and embraces simplicity. Natural health can be practiced in infinite ways that are meaningful and valuable to the individual.”

Were you scared or nervous about pursuing this career change?

“Absolutely! I stand now on the shoulders of phenomenal industry giants and centuries of cultures and physicians heralding ‘slow medicine’ and personifying ”food is medicine’, and was acutely aware of this as I began my transition. What I have come to realise is how open-armed such leaders are, and how they genuinely want natural health and therapies to thrive through collaboration.”

How did you know that this was the right move for you?

“Making the decision was definitely a process; a series of conversations, life events and ‘adulting’ that my soul and my values could no longer ignore; a diagnosis of Crohn’s disease at age 23; moving overseas with my husband and experiencing new cultures; falling pregnant with my two daughters and receiving the gift of motherhood. Change then became inevitable. It was my family and beautiful friends that encourage me that it would all be worth it and to keep on keeping on when days felt long and hard.”

How did you prepare yourself for this change?

“With that big ‘F’ in the back of my mind, my thinking was the biggest and most negative challenge I had to overcome. I approached my neighbour – an incredible writer – to ask her to be my reviewer and guide to learning how to write essays, case studies, and reports. It was this process that has given me now a great love for writing and the ability to ask for help when needed.”

Nutrition and finance seem to be very different! Did you find you had many transferable skills when you began your transition from your first career?

“Aside from documentation, working with many people in different roles and countries also helped me gain invaluable communication and leadership skills. And not that nutrition has a deadline, but being able to work methodically and intentionally towards milestones is very important to one’s health progression.”

What advice would you have for women of any age looking to pursue a change in career?

“Let your ‘yes’ speak louder than any ‘no’ and love the changing on the way to being the change. I’m 43-years-old now, so the journey has been ongoing for many years. And the best is still to come!”

Kathryn’s top self-care and wellness tips:

• Remove the obstacles that would hinder health and immune resilience: inadequate sleep, inflammatory foods, toxic thoughts, and clutter from your environment.

• Try an organisation/productivity app to help institute a healthful diet and lifestyle

• Find three things to actively show gratitude for each day

• Learn a new skill or pick up one you’ve let slide

• Grow something edible (herbs, vegetables) in your garden or on your kitchen sill

Pamela Cook – Author

After 15 years as a high school English teacher, Pamela decided to pursue her love of books and writing, swapping classroom texts for novels of her own.

Have you always had a passion for writing?

“Yes. As a kid I used to write poetry and then loved journaling. In my early 20s I did a Tafe course in travel writing but then my teaching job took over and I had a family and it went on hold.”

What was holding you back from pursuing this career path initially?

“My original career choice was journalism but I went into teaching as it was the ‘safer’ option. I loved teaching but I do regret not being brave enough to try something a bit more daring.”

What are your top tips for working from home?

“Stick to a schedule, write a to-do list, timetable in coffee and stretch breaks, avoid the rabbit hole of checking social media – keep it as a reward for doing a certain amount of work. And clock off at the usual time! The work will still be there tomorrow.”

How did you prepare yourself for this change?

“I guess I got into it gradually, treating it as a hobby to begin with and then sending out pieces for submission. I was published in a few small anthologies which helped my confidence and motivated me to keep going. For me it’s about improving my craft, constantly learning and feeling proud of what I write rather than writing a best-seller (although that would be nice!).”

What’s the best piece of advice that you received when you decided to switch careers?

“Network, network, network! Meeting and connecting with other writers has kept me going through the tough times of rejection and self-doubt, and made the whole process so much more enjoyable.”

What advice would you have for women of any age looking to pursue a change in career?

“Be brave and follow your passion, but also don’t throw in your day job too soon. Work on it on the side and build up a resume before you take the leap.”

Alyce Tran – Co-Founder of The Daily Edited

Prior to co-founding The Daily Edited, Alyce worked as a corporate lawyer. The switch from law to luxe accessories was a gradual one that turned out to shape a new career and lifestyle for the young entrepreneur.

How did you make your career switch so successful?

“I just did it. There’s no how,” Alyce told Future Women. “If there was a to-do list, I just did the stuff. I didn’t think about things deeply. I still don’t think about things deeply now. You just do it.”

How did you know this change was right for you?

“My parents have taken risks their whole life. I have kind of just grown up around that and I consider everything to be a calculated risk. I just have a natural feel for deciding what’s going to be good or bad,” Alyce told Business Chicks.

When did you realise your side hustle would become your next career move?

“It was actually when my accountant told me, before I quit my job, that The Daily Edited was churning over two hundred thousand dollars in a month.

“Our growth rate had been ridiculously significant and so he said, ‘You realise you’re selling a lot of stuff. You could quit your job and work on this if you really want to. It could be something’.

“I didn’t realise! I was just doing it all, just trying to get through everything, not knowing where I was going.”

What advice would you give to other women looking to transform their hustle into a new career?

“If you have an idea canvas it with your friends and family and if they’re receptive just go and get it out there,” Alyce told Girl.com.au. “You’ve got nothing to lose!”

Brought to you by Endeavour College

The post Three women share their career change stories appeared first on Now To Love.

This year Vicki is joining Ita Buttrose, Chrissy Swan, Olivia Molly Rogers and more as part of Priceline Pharmacy‘s Festival Of You to celebrate all the things that make every woman unique and individual.

We sat down with the Priceline Ambassador to get her take on business planning, the importance of mentorship and self-care, and who it is that inspires her most.

When you wrote your business plan for Raise, you put it into a drawer?

I was concerned that Australia had too many charities already, and I had a crisis of confidence about whether I could effectively run a for-purpose organisation with only my experience in Human Resources previously, so I did quietly put the business plan in my top drawer not long after I wrote it.

It was a few months later that our family experienced the death by suicide of a family friend’s 14-year-old-son, and it was the day of his funeral that I pulled out the business plan and registered the organisation with The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), hoping that if we could help just one young person, then it would be worth it. That was 11 years ago now, and we have had 5,421 young people graduate from the program.

Have you had a mentor in your life who has helped you?

I have been lucky enough to have several mentors in my life.

My first one was also my hero: that was my Dad. In more recent times, however, I have some remarkable people giving me mentoring support around the management of Raise, and I call them ‘The Davids’. David Gonski has been our Patron at Raise Foundation for several years and his business insight and people expertise is extraordinary.

David Thodey has been my personal mentor through the Kilfinan program and it has been so incredibly helpful to have someone of his experience to guide me through the personal development of growing from the Founder of a small charity, to the CEO of a large charity. I have learned an immeasurable amount from the Davids, they are superb mentors.

How do you inspire people to help others?

It seems to me that most people actually want to do something to help others, especially when it is helping young people. Mostly, though, people just don’t know where to start and that is what causes inaction.

The beauty of becoming a Raise Mentor is that it is a very easy and well supported way to make a very real difference. We make it very simple to take the first step towards action, which inspires people to readily help.

Why is mentoring such an important element for young people at risk?

More young people die by suicide than by any other cause in Australia. This is not okay! What is really important for young people is that they learn resilience and coping strategies when things inevitably go wrong; that they have confidence and an ability to set and achieve goals so they feel they are capable; that they have trusted adults around them who they can ask for and accept help from when they don’t feel connected.

When young people are engaged with school, able to find work, and know people who care about them, they are more like to grow into happier and healthier adults who have hope for the future.

How can we champion the people around us?

By walking in their shoes. We are losing sight of empathy as we are all so busy, so I believe it is really important to consider the perspectives of others in a really non-judgemental way so that you can have their best interests at heart when you are supporting or encouraging them.

How do you take care of yourself?

I’m an introvert, so for me to be able to give to others, I need to have some quiet time to myself pretty regularly. The last hour of my day is often in our office, alone, finding balance. That and a lot of chocolate!

Where does your drive to affect change come from?

There’s a long and complicated story behind my drive for change, but I do feel that when you taste the impact that something so positive can have, and you feel the benefits that shine through from people sharing basic goodness, then it becomes addictive and it doesn’t feel like you have to drive change at all, it feels like it propels itself.

What has been the most satisfying part of your journey so far with Raise Foundation?

We have an extraordinary village of kind and clever people who are working at Raise and making it the success that it is now. I just love being part of the team that gets such good things done for our young people who are struggling.

It is very satisfying being part of the Raise village, and witnessing the important difference that is made in young people’s lives by connecting them with a high-quality mentor. The difference a mentor makes is very powerful.

What have you found to be the most effective way to inspire people to share your passion?

Being brave enough to talk about your passion with others, and being honest and humble about it, engages them to experience it alongside you. When we speak from the heart about the stories that inspire us, others hear our love for what we are doing and the passion can become contagious. It is also important to allow others to choose whether they align or not, and not judge if they don’t.

A group of people who are passionate about a cause together can change the world. Many of us get side-tracked away from finding our passion, and finding what really makes your heart sing can take energy and commitment, but when you align your passion with vision, and a group of others who feel the same, then anything is possible.

Who inspires you?

Our three incredible (adult) children are the most amazing people. I’m so ridiculously inspired by them, in so many ways. They have individually faced significant challenges and they have achieved remarkable goals, and I get inspiration from them every single day. My husband and I feel like we are actually living with flatmates now, and the dinner table conversation is so stimulating.

There is a crossover when your children become more worldly, knowledgeable and engaging than you are, and that has now happened in our family. I could listen to my children for hours, and I would choose my children as my friends.

What keeps you feeling balanced?

Making time to listen to my team about what is going on for them, making sure I have at least read all my messages before the end of each day, taking time out with my family, giving myself the opportunity to breathe and have space, swimming in the ocean. And eating hot chips with gravy!

How do you feel about your age?

My age is not something that worries me. I feel like my age is not very relevant, although I love that with more years comes more experience, and that has become very valuable to me.

Good things have happened for me when I felt like I was running out of time in terms of age, so that has been positive.

How has your body image and self-worth changed with life experience and success?

Wow, this is a big question! My body image has not changed considerably, but my self-worth has been defined differently throughout the different stages of my life. I was a shy and un-confident young person, but I have become stronger and more positive as I’ve got to know myself throughout the challenges that life has inevitably thrown at me.

How do you take care of your skin?

I am a very basic skincare person. My clever and beautiful mum taught me to cleanse and moisturise my skin every morning from a young age, and so that is really all that I still do. I have quite dry skin, so every now and again I give it a good exfoliate and a big drink with a lathering of moisturiser, but I keep things very simple.

Right now I’m using L’Oréal Paris’ Revitalift Filler Ampoules and Kotia’s Rejuvenating Serum, both from Priceline Pharmacy.

Do you have any beauty rituals?

I really don’t. My favourite beauty ritual is swimming in the ocean, rinsing my body and hair in the outside shower and then drying off in the warm air. Doing the photoshoot for this feature found me way out of my comfort zone, if I’m being really honest. I love a concealer: my favourite is the L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Light Radiant Concealer.

Having my nails done, a full face of makeup, and a lot of work on my hair is something that I never (ever) do. I was half an hour late on my wedding day because it was the first time I had an expert do my makeup, and I hated it so much that I took it all off.

When you want to feel nurtured, where do you turn?

My big indulgence in life is my love for getting a deep tissue massage. If I can make a whole day of it and do two or three treatments like a salt scrub or coconut cream body masque, and then go out for a long lunch at a beachside café somewhere, then I am peacefully happy again and ready to keep going.

What is the secret to holding a vision that others will follow?

Developing the vision with others involved and with others in mind is the first step, and the second step is communicating it clearly and regularly.

Our vision at Raise is to offer our best practice mentoring programs in every capital city and in every public secondary school across the country by 2024. It is a very bold and ambitious plan, but it is exciting because it will make a big difference in the landscape for young people in Australia.

We have all developed our vision together, and we all have parts to play in its successful execution. Together, we will create thriving communities by connecting generations through best practice mentoring programs. We are bringing back heart to heart conversations, and we feel very passionate about it.

If you, or someone you know, would like to have a free, confidential chat with someone they can trust, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit their website here.

Brought to you by Priceline Pharmacy. The Festival Of You is on now.

The post Vicki Condon on the importance of mentoring and self-worth appeared first on Now To Love.

Think of it as a “double life”. You could be a full-time accountant by day, and rideshare driver after-hours. Or maybe even a part-time receptionist with an affinity for mystery-shopping. Whatever you decide to dabble in, you’re going to need the perfect ride to zip around in.

You’ll want your new pursuit to stand out from the crowd so why not have the car to match? Think sleek and stylish, but with everyday practicality. Taking cues from classic sports models, the Hyundai Veloster could be the car of your dreams. It’s all business on the passenger’s side with a practical double door, while a single-door driver’s side keeps things feeling sporty – the ultimate ride for your side-gig.

Whether you work full-time, part-time or are retired, allow these go-to ideas to inspire your new hustle.

1. Become a rideshare driver

There’s nothing better than flexible working hours. Once you get the forms filled in and the checks done, you’re free to start driving. And what better way to put your new Hyundai Veloster to use than driving around and making money while you’re at it.

You’ve heard of Uber, but there are also smaller apps that offer a more unique service and make each journey a little more relaxed. Shebah is an all-female network of drivers and users across the country designed to make both parties feel safe and enjoy the experience. Girl power for the win!

2. Sell your clothes

Time to dig out those 80’s numbers you have hanging in the back of your wardrobe and pass them onto the next generation – and make some cash! Team up with your girlfriends and open an online store using sites like ebay or etsy, or grab a stall at the local markets. It will be the ultimate spring clean for your wardrobe.

And if you’re feeling extra creative, little DIY jobs like tie-dying can transform an old tee into a vintage lover’s treasure.

3. Rent out your spare room

Feeling a little lonely as an empty-nester and wondering what to do with that spare room or granny flat? Rent it out! Nowadays, with sites like Airbnb, Stayz and even Facebook groups, you can rent out spare rooms to travellers at the click of a button. If you live in or around a CBD, there are also sites like Spacer where you can rent out a parking space, or your garage or spare room for storage too.

It’s a super easy and quick way to earn money and meet some new and interesting people along the way. The best thing about it is that you can approve who stays and for how long.

And if room-rental works for you, why not rent out your entire house and take yourself on a quick getaway?! It’s a win-win.

4. Get paid to shop

If you tend to spare a lot of your free time perusing your local shopping centre (guilty), why not make some cash out of it? A mystery shopper is employed by an agency and sent into a store to provide invaluable customer feedback and necessary critiques. Usually payment is a small amount, or even a gift voucher, but it is a relatively easy position – especially if you’re out and about anyway.

And all the job requires is a brief shop, a purchase (that you will be reimbursed for), and a short feedback form or report. Job done!

5. Holiday house-sitting

Getting paid to look after someone’s pets? Um, yes please! House-sitting is one of the easiest ways to earn some extra cash on the side. Basically, you’re getting paid to live in someone else’s house and look after their pets and plants while they’re away. You get the entire place to yourself plus all the attention of their pets.

Sites like Aussie House Sitters and Mindahome allow you to choose exactly where you would like to house-sit – perhaps a sea change would be nice, or maybe even a rural escape.

So what are you waiting for? Get hustling!

Brought to you by Hyundai.

Featuring the style of a sporty coupe with the added practicality of a hidden third door, the all-new Hyundai Veloster‘s unique design makes it a one-of-a-kind double-sided car.

The post 5 of the best side hustles for women over 50 appeared first on Now To Love.

In fact, the world of Australian horse racing is much more than the riders and trainers who make the races happen.

It’s the executives who govern the track, and the presenters who commentate and broadcast the races to the rest of the world — especially in the lead up to the VRC Melbourne Cup Carnival.

From Michelle Payne, who became the first woman to win the Melbourne Cup in 2015, to Emma Freedman, one of the industry’s most knowledgeable presenters, scroll down for the most trailblazing women in Australian horse racing — both on the track and beside it.

Claire Lindop

Clare Lindop

As one of the most celebrated women in Australian racing, Clare Lindop became the first woman to win on AAMI Victoria Derby Day in 2008, and has celebrated over a thousand other victories throughout her two-decade long career.

Clare announced her retirement from racing in 2018, 10 years after her big win, and told the Sydney Morning Herald: “As those who know me will attest to, I possess a fierce competitive streak and an unrelenting desire to succeed. To go out on a high would be the ultimate end to my riding career.”

This attitude no doubt helped her rise to the top of a mostly male-dominated industry.

Images: Getty

Gai Waterhouse

Gai Waterhouse

Gai Waterhouse’s drive and determination have seen her become one of the most awarded trainers in Australian racing history. Discussing her stellar rise to the top of a male-dominated industry, Gai told The Australian Women’s Weekly in 2018: “It’s tough. But you’ve got to stick to your guns.”

Gai says not even pleas from her father, T.J. Smith, for her to consider a career outside of racing would stop her from achieving her goals. “He said, ‘Gai, it’s a really hard life. I wouldn’t recommend it. I just think there are too many downfalls’,” she told The Weekly. “I think he was hoping I’d get married and then whatever, but I was absolutely hell-bent on it.”

Images: Getty

Michelle Payne

Michelle Payne

Raised near Ballarat in rural Victoria, Michelle Payne’s relentless dreams of greatness saw her become the first female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup in 2015. “That was just like a dream come true,” she told The Weekly in September 2019. “It didn’t even feel like real life.”

Michelle’s life story, and the story behind her win, will be documented in the 2019 film Ride Like a Girl, where she’ll be played by Australian actress Teresa Palmer. She told AWW: “Life’s not always easy for anyone, but you’ve got to persist and work through it. I think that’s an important message.”

Read more of Michelle Payne’s story in the September 2019 issue of The Australian Women’s Weekly.

Amanda Elliott

Amanda Elliott

Elliott famously became the first female chairman of the Victoria Racing Club, making her one of the most powerful women in Australian racing. Her journey to the top marks a major shift from racing’s male-dominated past, considering women were banned from any corporate racing decisions until the early 1980s.

Her advice for success? “My advice for anyone is to believe. Believe in yourself, your ambition, and what it is you want to achieve,” she tells The Weekly. “Recognising and celebrating female accomplishments is essential to encouraging women into leadership roles. This is something that racing has done well in recent times, and I hope to see it continue.”

Images: Getty; Karon Photography

Emma Freedman

Emma Freedman

Female presenters often face more challenges than their male counterparts, especially in the world of sport. Nevertheless, this couldn’t prevent Fox Sports presenter Emma Freedman from becoming one of the most revered presenters, whenever the Melbourne Cup Carnival rolls around.

Despite hailing from racing royalty (her father, Lee Freedman, is one of Australia’s most famous horse trainers), Emma didn’t have everything handed to her, and had to work hard for her come-up. The 31-year-old told the Herald Sun in 2015: “I can’t help who my dad is. I had to work hard to get those jobs. Wide World of Sports — you can’t just go on there because your surname’s Freedman.”

Images: Getty

Charlotte Littlefield

Charlotte Littlefield

With her own training ground based on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, British/Australian trainer Charlotte Littlefield is on the fast track to becoming one of Australia’s most revered trainers.

Of her quick rise to the top within the notoriously competitive Australian industry, Littlefield told the Herald Sun in 2019 that “it’s all about keeping the horses happy” to ensure their success.

Images: Getty

Presented by the Victoria Racing Club

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“Seriously, I still get that, who does that?” Gregor says. “I spend, on average, two minutes reading an application. If there’s no cover letter it gets binned right away, if there are mistakes it gets binned, if it’s generic it gets binned.”

It’s important to remember that bosses are busy.

A 2012 study found that recruiters spend an average six seconds reading a CV before they make the initial decision on whether a candidate fits the job. That’s if they even make it to the CV. A boring cover letter can stop them in their tracks – and not in a good way.

Jane McNeill, regional director of Hays recruiters in NSW, advises underlining key words in the job ad describing the skills, training and experience sought. This helps you to tailor your cover letter and CV to the role.

“It should be written so that the reader cannot possibly pass it over without opening the resume document itself,” McNeill says.

Describe what you would bring to the role, including a few relevant achievements from your previous two positions.

Be clear about how you can potentially solve the new job’s challenges and don’t be afraid to show some personality, but not so that it’s overwhelming.

In a previous job, Kylie Seccombe, the manager of careers at Virgin Australia, received applications by mail with chocolates or printed on scented paper.

“Candidates felt this would make their applications stand out and so would spend more effort and money on gimmicks, rather than the content of their cover letter and CV,” Seccombe says.

WATCH: The 10 people everyone has at their workplace. Post continues after video…

She suggests getting a feel for the tone and culture of the company by reading its website and media coverage.

“With iconic brands, candidates often think they know the culture of the brand, so they don’t do any research and this is where people let themselves down.”

When Yoke creative studio in Melbourne advertised for a designer, the account director, Pauline Dellit, and her colleagues received dozens of applications.

“We get some amazing letters – really clever, short, personalised. We tend to open those a lot quicker than a stock-standard cover letter,” Dellit says.

One particular cover letter that started with “Hey Yoke Design!” impressed Dellit. It was short, referred to the company’s blog, and briefly mentioned relevant experience. The writer was Clint Sutherland and he got the job.

Sutherland says he did a lot of research before he wrote the email and decided to send links to his portfolio, website and blog, instead of attaching enormous files.

“The design industry is also ‘cool’ in nature,” said Sutherland, “So I wanted to make sure I took a casual approach and kept the email short and sweet – which shows I know the industry is hectic.”

Finally, don’t forget to proof read.

Six top tips to help you nail that cover letter

1. Keep it short: one well-spaced A4 page max.

2. Use clear and concise language.

3. Address your letter to the right contact person.

4. Ensure your contact details are correct.

5. Refer to the position, why you’re applying and how your attributes match the role.

6. Proof read carefully.

For more tips on writing cover letters, check out SEEK’s website.

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At its core Mensa – the largest and oldest high IQ society in the world open to people who score at the 98th percentile or higher on a standardized, supervised IQ or other approved intelligence test – aims to identify and foster human intelligence for the benefit of our race, so which celeb has the smarts to become a real life superhero should civilisation need one?

Check out these clever stars…

Oscar-winning actress Geena Davis may be best known for her films like Beetlejuice and Thelma and Louise, but the six-foot tall beauty reportedly has an IQ of 140 and is a Mensa member.

American actress Kara Hayward, 17, the star of Wes Anderson’s Moonrise Kingdom, alongside Edward Norton and Bruce Willis, has been a member of Mensa since the age of nine.

Nolan Gould plays a somewhat dopey Luke Dunphy in TV’s Modern Family but it’s all a clever act. The teenager graduated from high school at age 13 and reportedly has an IQ of 150.

Cam and Mitch get hitched: Modern Family Season Finale

The Young and the Restless actor Michael Muhney is also a member of Mensa.

Alan Rachins played Dharma’s father, Larry, on the comedy series, Dharma & Greg. Rachins, who left the Wharton School of Finance to pursue an acting career, also portrayed Douglas Brachman on the hit TV series, L.A. Law.

Bobby Czyz is a retired American boxer, commentator, and member of Mensa. A New Jersey native of Polish descent, he is both a former world light heavyweight and cruiserweight champion.

The post The unexpected celebrities who are members of Mensa appeared first on Now To Love.

A professional tattoo artist from Victoria, Shelley specialises in 3D nipple reconstruction tattoos for breast cancer survivors.

“After a career in the corporate world, I became very ill after the birth of my only child Bethany. I was misdiagnosed for a year, until a near heart attack prompted a GP to do some more testing, finally discovering that I had severe thyroid disease.

“As soon as I got the diagnosis I had to quit work for a while to go through treatment, including radiation treatment and then time to recuperate,” says Shelley who entered the Women in Business Awards in 2015 to boost her business.

“During this time I picked up a hobby to stave off boredom… that hobby was drawing. A very strange turn of events then saw me gaining an apprenticeship at a tattoo studio and seven years later I have my own boutique in Torquay, Victoria.”

Shelley says she specialises in tattoos for women who have had their nipple removed through cancer treatment.

But, because of the strict policy around nudity on social media, Shelley finds it increasingly hard to advertise her business as every image of her nipple tattoos are removed from Facebook or Instagram.

Watch the official trailer for Free The Nipple below. Post continues after video…

Shelley’s not the only one, Instagram’s anti-nipple policy made an enemy out of Madonna in 2014 when her birthday pictures were pulled down because Madge was perched next to a topless woman.

“Instagram can take away our nipples but they cant take away our fun,” she wrote in a follow up post.

To see examples of Shelley’s wonderful work, visit The Nipple Angel.

The post Here’s how this woman is changing cancer survivors’ lives appeared first on Now To Love.

Combine that with the fact that female employment rates are at a historic high – 60.5 per cent to be exact – it’s essential to find a supportive, inspiring and fair work environment.

Many Australian companies are choosing to go above and beyond for their employees, promoting inclusive working cultures that provide flexible hours, substantial maternity leave and returning-to-work programs for women who have taken a break from the workforce.

Here, five of the best Australian companies to work for in 2019 – one of them is even hiring right now!

AGL

The company is part of one of the most fast-paced and ever-changing industries in Australia, yet AGL has continuously remained dedicated to its 3,700 employees – in particular, its female workers.

This year, LinkedIn ranked the energy giant in the top 25 best companies to work for in Australia, recognising the company’s impressively diverse and inclusive workplace culture.

Where other large Australian corporations are lacking in equal opportunity, AGL is leading by example, with the company’s leadership pipeline consisting of 40 per cent women.

The stats are well above industry standard, but AGL is continuing to push for a higher rate of female leaders in the company, and to achieve this, provide all employees with a Career Development Plan to help staff achieve their short and long term goals.

As for employee benefits, an impressive 20 weeks paid parental leave is provided to the primary carer, along with two weeks paid partner leave at the time of birth. Recognising the day-to-day struggles of many working parents, AGL also provides staff with the option to work flexible hours.

“The best part about flexible working is that I can have it all – I can spend time with my children, maintain a career and still be a part of a sporting team,” notes AGL’s Wholesale Risk Compliance Analyst, Alex Clayton.

Balancing her job with her role as a full-time mum of two and an active AFL career, Clayton loves that she is able to condense her working week and work from home when necessary.

Salesforce

Taking out the top spot on Great Place To Work‘s Best Workplace in Australia list just last year, Saleforce has cemented itself as culture-driven tech company that is always looking for new recruits.

Founded in the US, the cloud-based software company set up office in Australia back in 2012 and since, has been dedicated to championing Australian women in the tech industry.

In the last four years alone Saleforce has spent an impressive $8.7 million to close the gender pay gap and look to hire women at equal rates to men.

Saleforces’s value for women is equal to its value for family and the company offers employee’s access to its Adoption and Fertility Program, extended parental leave and baby bonus policies.

Continued career growth also a big priority for Saleforce and all employees are given access to mentoring programs, work related education courses and an internal recruitment team dedicated to finding new opportunities for staff within the company.

It’s not a worry if you’re not employed at Saleforce either, the company are hiring all the time!

Aurecon

Recognised as a WGEA Employer of Choice for Gender Equality, Aurecon notes its innovative approach to business as the driver of success and employee satisfaction.

Highly aware of the gender inequality that many women face in the workplace – and that women retire with roughly half the superannuation of men – the engineering and design company pay superannuation to staff on paid parental leave and up to 14 weeks of an employee’s unpaid portion of parental leave.

Aurecon also believe in providing employees with a workspace that fosters innovation and creativity – not a cell divided office with florescent lighting and an uninspiring atmosphere.

Just last year, the company opened its doors to Australia’s tallest and largest engineered timber office, 25 King in Brisbane. With levels of collaborative working spaces, natural light and greenery, the environment is intended to support the health and wellbeing of its employees.

Deloitte

The Australian partnership of Deloitte – the largest professional services network in the world – has been continuously praised for its commitment to its staff and this year, placed eighth on LinkedIn’s list of best companies to work for in Australia.

With a heavy focus on innovative human resources programs, the consultancy firm’s most notable strategy is ‘Inspiring Women‘.

First introduced in 2003, the initiative is a commitment to supporting the development and advancement of talented women in the workplace. Driven by the leadership team of the Australian firm – along with Deloitte Australia’s CEO Cindy Hook – the program has encouraged young female graduates to rise through the ranks into leadership roles.

The company also has a very unique return to work program in place to support individuals who have put their career on hold for family care or personal reasons. Employees who have used the program describe it as the perfect structure to facilitate a balance between work and life.

Within the walls of the offices, Deloitte offers an agile working environment with preventative and supportive mental health initiatives, complimentary breakfast and a lifestyle concierge service for children.

Woolworths

As one of the country’s biggest retailers, the Woolworths group are constantly looking for ways to improve the shopping experience for its customers and the working environment for its employees.

Another high scorer of employee satisfaction according to LinkedIn, the home-grown Australian business is as committed to its operating staff as it is to its corporate.

Currently, over 54 per cent of Woolworth’s workforce is women, and there is an ongoing demand by senior management to push these women into leadership roles.

Rolling out an extensive strategy to be achieved by 2020, Woolworths are striving for gender targeting at least 40 per cent of executive and senior management positions to be held by women.

In order to do this, Woolworths rolled out the Fastrack Program to Management and Leadership, available to operational employees looking to enter a leadership role either in retail stores or in the corporate environment.

Inclusivity and opportunity is the heart of Woolworths’ working culture.

In dedication to this the retailers provide all employees with an Employee Assistance Program, a free confidential, independent counselling service available to workers and their families.

Brought to you by AGL

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Who do you turn to when you want to know what’s coming to Netflix next month, what time shops stay open ’til, where Kate Middleton’s dress is from or why your car won’t start?

The Internet, that’s who.

More specifically Google, everyone’s go-to guru for life’s most pressing questions. The search engine receives roughly 3.5 billion searches per day. That’s 40,000 requests a second.

The trouble is, there are just as many answers out there. A problem when you’re seeking advice as well as an answer.

With the upcoming superannuation changes, we know that super is guaranteed to be top of the search list. So we’ve gathered the five most-Googled superannuation questions and answered them for you.

How financially literate are you? Take the quiz to see how much you know about your personal finances. If you’re looking to sharpen your finance knowledge in general, be sure to check out Bauer’s Financially Fit Females hub.

What is super in Australia?

Superannuation is basically a retirement savings scheme; a nest egg that’s funded by your employer for you to live on when you retire. Under the Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act your employer is legally obliged to pay contributions into a super account (of your choosing) on top of your base salary if you’re over 18 and earning $450 or more (before tax) each month. Full-time, part-time or casual workers are all entitled to super as long as they meet those two requirements. Good news for working teens, too. They qualify for super if they meet the same salary expectations and work more than 30 hours a week.

How does super work?

When you start a new job, you’ll be asked to fill out a choice of superfund form. Always do this and nominate your existing superannuation fund to avoid failing prey to multiple super accounts and multiple fees. If you fear you might have heaps on the go already or have no idea where your past super is, don’t stress. You can easily find and consolidate your super online at REST Industry Super. Essentially your employer takes care of the rest, however financial experts advise that higher super contributions – closer to 12% of your gross salary (your employer contributions only cover 9.5%) – will leave you in a better place financially at retirement and hopefully help you avoid the same superannuation gender-pay gap that currently affects women at retirement age now. Experts suggest that you make salary-sacrifice super contributions or personal top-up contributions from your wages after-tax – these extra contributions, no matter how small, can make a big difference further down the track. Remember that legislation can also change so it pays to keep abreast of superannuation shake-ups and policy changes. One big change out of the 2016 Budget: as of 1 July 2018 you’ll be able to make “catch-up” super contributions if your superannuation balance is $500,000 or less. A win for anyone returning to the workforce after a substantial break.

What year did superannuation come in?

Compulsory superannuation came into effect on 1 July 1992. The Keating Labor government introduced the Superannuation Guarantee (SG) system making employer superannuation contributions mandatory. The minimum employer contribution was initially set at 3%, eventually rising to 9% over the first decade that the scheme was in place. Prior to that, Australia had Aged Pension and “industry funds” retirement schemes, but these weren’t legally enforced or always widely available.

How much is the superannuation in Australia?

The current annual superannuation rate is 9.5%. This SG will apply until 30 June 2021, when it will then increase to 10%, gradually rising to 12% from July 2025.

What is the preservation age for superannuation?

There isn’t a sole preservation age (the age in which you can access your super benefits) and, just to confuse matters more, preservation age is not the same as your pension age. Currently, the minimum preservation age is 55 if you were born before 1 July 1960, but the age raises to 60 for anyone born after 1 July 1964. Fall in between the two? Use this chart from the ATO to work out your preservation age based on your DOB. It’s worth noting that you can only access your super at preservation age if you’re retired or have at least transitioned to a retirement income stream.

Brought to you by REST Industry Super

The post The 5 most Googled superannuation questions answered appeared first on Now To Love.

UPDATE: Congratulations to Dr Georgina Sylvia, who will receive a $20,000 grant to support her career in STEM.

Right now, all roads lead to STEM. The acronym for the science, technology, engineering and mathematics industries is everywhere, in large part thanks to a growing demand for workers in STEM-related jobs.

At last count, it was estimated that 8.65 million STEM workers are currently needed. However, despite the dire need for skills, women are largely underrepresented, making up only 16 per cent of Australian STEM workers.

This is something Bauer Media and our brands — The Australian Women’s Weekly, ELLE, Harper’s BAZAAR, Woman’s Day, Australian House & Garden, Gourmet Traveller, Real Living and more — are committed to changing.

Along with our proud partner, Elucent Skincare, we’re joining forces with an esteemed panel of judges, including Girl Geek Academy co-founder and CEO Sarah Moran, Elucent Skincare microbiologist Alexandra Kite and Editor-in-Chief of The Australian Women’s Weekly Nicole Byers, to help find the next superwoman of STEM, who will receive a $20,000 grant to kick-start her new STEM career.

“Approximately 75 per cent of all future jobs require STEM skills and knowledge, so it’s imperative that we continue to educate young people on the importance of these careers,” says Kite, who is passionate about finding the next generation of beauty scientists to join her.

“STEM underpins our country’s healthcare, infrastructure, resources, export, manufacturing, food production and so much more — and it’s important that women and young girls are able to recognise their contributions in these careers.”

Are you the next superwoman of STEM? Do you know someone who is keen to expand their skill set and kick-start a career in science, technology, engineering or mathematics? Enter below for your chance to win a $20,000 grant to support your career in STEM.

Brought to you by Elucent Skincare

The post Get your #STEMstart with a $20,000 grant — apply for your chance to win appeared first on Now To Love.

Between self-help books, memoirs, inspiring interviews and Pinterest quotes, there’s an awful lot of career advice out there — particularly aimed at women — which, let’s face it, can make it tricky to decipher the useful from the, well, not-so-useful.

In this time-poor era, where we’re still facing issues around the gender pay gap and women are largely underrepresented in STEM jobs — despite there being a growing demand for workers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics industries — we’re cutting through the clutter and going straight to the top, asking five strong, successful and smart Australian women to share the career advice that’s stood them in good stead.

1. Embrace the challenges

Interior designer Shaynna Blaze may be a familiar face thanks to The Block, but her career wasn’t an overnight success story. When Blaze started out, interior styling wasn’t a well-known job, but she stuck to her guns and turned challenges into opportunities — something she attributes her success to.

Her advice to others? “Not everyone is going to like what you do and you’re going to be challenged every day, so embrace it! Because that’s how you get great results.”

2. Don’t buy into stereotypes or stigma

Life could’ve looked differently for Alexandra Kite, a microbiologist at Ego Pharmaceuticals, formulators of Elucent Skincare, if she’d let stereotypes and stigma stand in the way of her STEM career. “In general, science and STEM-related careers are predominantly male-led. Perhaps this is partly a result of stereotyping and that young people have a perception that certain genders work certain jobs. For example, a study found that two thirds of children aged between nine and 11 drew a man when asked to draw a scientist,” she says.

Passionate about changing the conversation around women and STEM, and inspiring the next generation of female scientists, Kite is one of the judges of Bauer Media’s #STEMstart competition, in partnership with Elucent Skincare, which is offering a $20,000 grant to one Australian woman to help her pursue a career in STEM.

Kite’s advice to young women, whether they’re working in STEM-based careers or not, is simple: “Be confident in yourself and your capabilities, volunteer your time if you can, build good bridges — my dad has always told me that every person you meet is a potential door to a new opportunity — and find a workplace that fosters equal opportunity for its employees.” Kite has happily found that — and “a newfound sense of appreciation for skincare” — working for Ego Pharmaceuticals.

3. Learn how to say no

Writer and actress Michelle Law is known for breaking down gender barriers in her industry. Over the course of her career, Law has gone from strength-to-strength — writing her own play, Single Asian Female, and debuting her first mini-series, Homecoming Queens, last year — but she’s the first to admit that her dedication to her work has also been her downfall.

“I’d like to stress the importance of a good work/life balance. I have workaholic tendencies and I need to remember taking a break should be a part of your job,” says Law. The creative also encourages women to accept that it’s okay to say no — not just at work, but in your personal life, too.

4. Accept that you’ve still got a lot to learn

She may be one of Australia’s most successful and well-respected broadcast journalists, but Leigh Sales‘ journey to triumph hasn’t always been smooth sailing. Early on in her career, Sales was told that she didn’t have the face or voice for television. Taking that jab with a grain of salt, the veteran reporter dug deep, worked hard, and now graces TV screens most evenings interviewing big names like Shane Warne, Hillary Clinton and Michael Caine.

For young women about to embark on their career, or those who find themselves at a crossroads, Sales reiterates the importance of enjoying what you are doing in the moment and learning from those around you. “The journey is long so you can’t always be focused on the destination, you have to enjoy the journey itself,” she says. “[Also] try to work with people whom you admire and from whom you can learn. And be open to learning. You only realise later how much you didn’t know.”

5. Find a mentor

The creative force behind Qantas’ Flying Art series planes, Ros Moriarty, is a former journalist turned author, Aboriginal literacy advocate and managing director of Indigenous design company Balarinji.

Not short on success, Moriarty credits her achievements — which include being inducted into the Design Institute of Australia Hall of Fame — to having great female mentors, both young and old, in her life. “I think mentoring is not just someone who’s trod it all before, I think it’s someone who will challenge you on the way you think about something,” says Moriarty. “They’re the best mentors.”

Brought to you by Elucent Skincare

The post 5 successful Australian women share their best career advice appeared first on Now To Love.

In fact, according to Tim, Eilish outperforms any other apprentice he has been involved with in his 20-plus years in the plumbing industry.

Meet the Rheem Apprentice Plumber Grant winner Eilish Anderson-Grundon from North Lakes, QLD

Eilish, who is in her fourth year at Skills Tech Acacia Ridge, loves plumbing as it offers plenty of variety and gives her the opportunity to learn something new every day.

“I knew it was a career path that would keep me physically and mentally active,” says Eilish.

Eilish invests the same amount of dedication and hard work in her AFL career. For the past five years she has played women’s AFL in Central Queensland and since relocating closer to Brisbane in 2016, has been selected two years in a row to play in the Queensland State AFL League.

“Coming from a small regional competition to a high-level state completion has been a big change and a huge personal achievement,” says Eilish.

Eilish is already using her plumbing skills to help her family, including fixing her grandparent’s leaking roof and helping her father with the pool pump.

“I’m also in a great position where I can encourage and support women to pursue a career in what is traditionally a male-dominated industry,” says Eilish.

Eilish plans to complete her apprenticeship, a Certificate IV in plumbing and a Certificate IV in project management then travel to broaden her knowledge of the trade and volunteer in third world countries to help provide clean drinking water and adequate sewage facilities.

About Rheem Apprentice Plumber Recognition Award winner Nicole Harrington from Clontarf, QLD

Nicole Harrington may only be in the second year of her plumbing apprenticeship but her passion for plumbing and building and experiences in a male-dominated industry has seen her nominated for a National Association of Women in Construction’s 2017 Young Achievers Award and an HIA award, present talks to Brisbane school students on what it’s like to be a female plumber, and represent her company, Plumber Rat, at the Business and Professional Women in Australia Panel.

She has also played an active part in the legislation change to remove non-conforming plumbing products, which saw her liaise with Brett Basset, QBCC Commissioner and become a mentee in the Women’s Plumbing Alliance, working closely with Carli Lowe, the MPAQ Female Plumbing Ambassador and Plumbing Inspector for the Brisbane Council.

Nicole knew what she was getting into before starting her apprenticeship, having grown up surrounded by the trades in her family’s plumbing and building business, where she currently works. Her extra activities aside, Nicole enjoys plumbing’s variety and mental and physical challenges and most of all, being able to quickly solve customers’ plumbing problems.

While Nicole’s future career dream is to run her own work site, in the short term she plans to travel with her church to Cambodia to help build new homes and install plumbing to provide clean water and sanitation for the She Rescue Home.

The post Meet the ladies making waves in the plumbing industry appeared first on Now To Love.

My heart sank. There was nothing on the menu under $30.

“I’ll just get a coffee-I had a big lunch” I lied.

“Suit yourself” my friend Hayley said.

I was out with some old school friends and as usual, they’d picked a restaurant well out of my budget.

All the girls had well-paid jobs or rich husbands. I, on the other hand, was a single mum to twin girls, constantly struggling to make ends meet.

It wasn’t long before the conversation turned to everyone’s favourite topic: My pitiful love life.

“So any men on the horizon?” Jen probed.

“Nope. And that’s the way I like it” I replied.

“You need a nice man to take care you and the girls” Hayley said.

The four girls nodded their heads in agreement.

Back home, as I rummaged hungrily in my empty fridge I thought back to the conversation over dinner.

Maybe the girls were right.

I’d been single for over five years, ever since the twin’s dad left me. Was it time to take the plunge and try online dating?

Before I could talk myself out of it, I jumped on the computer.

The choice of dating sights was overwhelming. But then one caught my eye.

It vowed to match wealthy males dubbed ‘sugar daddies’ with loving female companions who became their ‘sugar babies’.

Often, the men just wanted women they could lavish with gifts. It seemed too good to be true and was free to join, so I figured there was no harm in setting up a profile.

It’s been a long time since I’ve been wined and dined…I typed.

The next morning, I woke up feeling foolish.

Who would find a frumpy mum of two attractive? I thought.

But sat in my inbox were 28 messages.

Some were crude and other were creepy, but a few seemed genuine.

After I’d dropped the girls off at school, I replied to one guy called Steve, 50.

Chiselled, with broad shoulders, he was just my type.

That evening, after the girls were in bed, he called.

“I haven’t dated for a while” I confessed.

“Well it’s time you started putting yourself first” Steve replied.

We arranged to meet that Friday night, as the girls were staying at their dad’s.

Steve wasn’t as attractive in real life but he was charming, interesting…and loaded.

He owned a chain of gyms and properties overseas.

Naturally, he took me to the best restaurant in town.

If only the girls could see me now! I thought.

“What designers are you into?” he asked.

“I love Gucci” I lied.

The only label I wore was Target.

At the end of the evening, he kissed me goodbye and we arranged to meet the following week.

During our second date, Steve presented me with a gorgeous Gucci bag.

“I don’t know what to say” I gushed, admiring the soft leather.

That night, I went back to Steve’s and we slept together.

It hardly set my world on fire but I wasn’t in it for the sex.

That was two months ago and Steve and I still regularly meet up.

He’s bought me a designer dress, Ipad and some gorgeous jewellery.

My luxury gifts aren’t exactly helping with the bills, but I love being spoilt.

Some people would think our arrangement is seedy.

But who’s it hurting?

The post True confessions: “I have a Sugar Daddy” appeared first on Now To Love.

With boundless amounts of energy and enthusiasm, you’d never tell the 40-year-old has just been through one of the most challenging periods of his professional life.

Ever the optimist, Grant’s very much a glass-half-full kind of guy when discussing the recent axing of Network Ten’s Family Feud game show.

“As the saying goes, ‘to get where you’re going, you need to leave where you’ve been,'” he wisely tells us.

In this exclusive interview, Grant talks to us about his “humbling” Gold Logie nomination, the secret weapon responsible for his incredible career and the three loves of his life, daughters Sailor, seven, Scout, two, and wife Chezzi Denyer.

Grant Denyer on his Gold Logie nomination

Despite having 22 TV WEEK Logie Award nominations under his belt, the presenter is still pinching himself over his Gold Logie nomination.

“It’s really lovely and quite humbling. I never expected to ever be nominated for a Gold Logie for a game show. I didn’t think that people held game shows in that regard,” he says.

“It’s been a total surprise! Obviously with the show finishing, the messages have just blown me away. I can’t believe how much people have held the show in their hearts, they’ve been outraged [it’s over]… they’ve sent me the nicest possible messages I’ve ever received in my entire life,” he adds of the bitter-sweet timing with Family Feud finishing just days before the full list of TV WEEK Gold Logie nominees were announced.

“The whole thing is really overwhelming but lovely.”

A very Aussie Logies

This year signals an exciting new chapter for the long-running award show, with the 60th TV WEEK Logie Awards uprooting from Melbourne and heading to the sunny Gold Coast as part of a four-year deal with the Queensland Government and Tourism and Events Queensland.

And Grant has big plans to fully embrace the change of scenery.

“Well, because it’s on the Gold Coast now, limousines are so passé. I’m going to ride a dolphin to the red carpet. When the night’s over, I’m going to jump on my moped in my thongs and boardies and ride down to the nightclub district with Tracy Grimshaw on the back,” he laughs of hitting the town with his fellow Gold Logie nominee.

“Then you’ll find us at 3am in Cavill Avenue, with me pushing Tracey down the street in a shopping trolley with a slab on my shoulder. We’re gonna do it in spectacular Aussie style!”

Grant also has a word of warning for any celebs planning to let their hair down at the after party.

“If anybody does something silly, I’m recording it! That way, I’ve got leverage over either celebrities or television executives to ensure my employment for the next 15 years,” he deadpans.

Farewell to Family Feud

If Grant does indeed win Gold on July 1st, he’ll be using his time on the stage at The Star to thank the dedicated team who worked around-the-clock on Family Feud.

“The crew put more effort in than I did, and they put the show before their friends and families and loved ones, and I can’t repay that,” the Family Feud host explains.

Closing the curtain on the show Grant credits for saving his career proved to be one of the hardest things he’s ever had to do.

“That last day of records was incredibly difficult. We had a rule where no one was allowed to say that it was the last day because otherwise I wouldn’t have gotten through it. I would have broken down. It was really tough and very emotional,” he admits.

“In fact for the very last show we recorded, we had to have two goes at the opening because I walked out the first time and just broke down in tears.”

He adds: “I had to run back behind the set and have a little cry, get it out of my system, then I pulled myself together to finish the job. It took every bit of strength that I had because 1200 episodes, over four years is a major commitment. One of which I’ve cherished and enjoyed every single second.”

Four weeks after Family Feud was put to bed, Ten announced the father-of-two had landed a brand-new hosting gig on the Australian version of Game Of Games, a unique entertainment show created and hosted by Ellen DeGeneres in the US.

“It’s going to be off-the-charts crazy! It’s only just gone to air in America and it’s a massive hit,” Grant vouches.

“It’s basically crazy games on a monumental level. The lunacy is cranked up to an 11. It’s silly stuff but in a stadium environment.”

Grant’s secret weapon

The other person Grant will be thanking if he walks away victorious at the TV WEEK Logie Awards will be his wife, Cheryl “Chezzi” Denyer, who he married in 2010.

“My wife is a massive part of my career and it’s a great night for her to join me so we can celebrate it together. I would not have gotten here without her. She’s incredibly strong, creative and supportive and she’s built my career with me,” he reveals.

“It’s a great night for us to spend together and reward her for all the work she’s put in.”

The couple, who are based on a farm near Bathurst in NSW, first met when they worked together at Sunrise in 2005.

And for Grant, it was dislike at first sight.

“To be honest, we didn’t really like each other at the start. I think we were really similar and we had really similar fears so therefore we actually clashed,” he recalls.

“She was quite pushy in terms of how she thought I should do things and then I was a smart alec know-it-all who thought I knew better. There was a tug-of-war situation that went on for quite a while until one day, I brushed her hand accidentally and then I just felt this tingle from the top of my head to my toes just come over me.”

“And it was from that exact moment that I realised, ‘Oh my God, I can’t live without this woman! I need her in my life forever!’ and it was instant from that moment on. That was the moment and I still remember it to this day.”

The Denyer dream team

Grant admits that working in TV comes with a unique set of challenges and credits Chezzi for being the ultimate backbone of his career.

“Because we worked together, we have a great understanding and love for the same industry. We kind of combined all of our skills and poured it into my career. And the cool thing about that is, she’s got me a triple Logie nomination, which is lovely, and now she’s expanding her own projects.”

“She’s working on Mummy Time, an online parenting platform which is a mum’s resource where you can have a laugh about the good and the not-so-fun parts about being a parent. She’s done an incredible job. I’m really proud she’s doing her thing and making her mark.”

“I’ve often felt guilty and uncomfortable that she’s put so much time on my career because I don’t feel it’s healthy in the long-run for her. She needs to be doing stuff for her own soul but she likes to further the family. It’s just team work!”

Meet the mini-Denyers

Becoming a father to Sailor and Scout is Grant’s proudest achievement to date.

“They’re very funny, cheeky and very compassionate and they’ve got that right amount of spunk about them,” he tells Now To Love.

“I’m totally besotted by them and in love!”

WATCH: Grant Denyer jokes about with his daughters. Post continues…

In fact, his little ones are already following in his motor racing footsteps and they already know how to drive.

“We’ve got a long drive way at home and Scout climbs in the front, sits on my lap and she steers down the driveway. At two years of age, that’s pretty incredible!”

“I learnt at seven, Sailor drives on her own now and I taught her to drive properly at six. We do that on the safety on the farm. I think it’s critical to learn how to drive as early as possible because it only make you a much safer driver.”

As for whether they’ll have a third child, Grant says “never say never.”

“I don’t know if we’re done with kids or not? I’m blessed to have two gorgeous girls, who are so much fun. I don’t need anything more in my life but we haven’t exactly closed this door just yet.”

Grant Denyer’s career in numbers

22 Logie nominations

1 Silver Logie win in 2016

1997, the year he landed his first break on TV, working as a news reporter in Wagga Wagga

500 motor car races since he the age of 14, 2 crashes

3 TV WEEK Logie nominations in 2018, including Most Popular Entertainment Program for Family Feud, Most Popular Presenter in All Star Family Feud and Family Feud and the Gold Logie for Best Personality on Australian Television.

The post EXCLUSIVE: Grant Denyer on going for Gold, the end of Family Feud and his gorgeous girls appeared first on Now To Love.

If you work with plenty of members of the opposite sex, there’s no doubt a little fantasy (maybe just a micro-fantasy), of an office romance has passed through your mind.

This week, news Barnaby Joyce is expecting a baby with an ex-staff member has the issue of office romance in the spotlight.

While the instinctive reaction to an office crush for most is to ignore and deny, there are quite a few stories that prove the fantasy could be worth the risk.

A recent survey found that couples who meet through work (as opposed to online or in a bar) are most likely to marry.

Barack and Michelle Obama are one such example. They met when Michelle was assigned as a mentor to Barack, while the pair were working at a Chicago law firm back in 1989.

There are many laws in Australia which mean an office romance could quickly become a legal issue. Make sure you’ve done your research here and understand what the romance could mean for you, your partner and your careers

A few people who have been part of an office relationship have generously shared their stories online, lest we all learn from them before taking the plunge.

I ended up marrying someone I work with

But it didn’t start out all roses and flowers. We dated at first, and I left him, and then it was REALLY REALLY REALLY awkward because even though we were in different departments (and on different shifts!) we still had to both go to the same place every day and see each other sometimes. It sucked. Bad.

When we got together again, things were okay. But here’s a few rules:

1.) No relationship stuff at work. None of it. Especially making out.

2.) Don’t bother telling anyone (even your bosses). They’ll figure it out, but it’s not their business as long as you keep it outside of work.

3.) As a woman at a new job, dating someone at your office will not give you any credibility. Don’t be surprised if you get passed over for promotions and stuff like that.

4.) Let me emphasize again that you do not engage in PDAs at work, no matter how tempting it is or how private the corner seems.

Just be as professional as possible and wait to ravage him until you’re out the doors at the end of the day.

My wife and I met at work so I have some pointers

Find out your company policy about office relationships – some have strict no dipping your pen in the company ink policies, some require you to sign off on the relationship with mgmt to avoid any issues if the relationship ends, some places just don’t care.

To avoid becoming office gossip keep your work life and personal life 100% separate. People gossip at work and the last thing you want is for people to point to you are your partner and claim they don’t do work because they are to busy flirting and chatting all day. Keep professional stuff professional and you will be fine.

My girlfriend and I have been together 2.5 years and we met at work

We work in different departments, although we do interact (I’m in IT, so I do provide tech support for her and her department).

First, you will be office gossip. No way to avoid that. Just make sure the gossip isn’t stuff you would be embarrassed about!

Second, relax. Act professional. If you are not in a direct supervisor/employee relationship, In my opinion it’s nobody’s businesses what you do. Yes, I know that many businesses “frown upon” or even outright ban inter-office relationships, but those bans are not the law, just the business’s policy. If you provide value to your business and don’t cause distractions, they will not fire you.

Work is work, it’s not your life. Anything you can do to make work more enjoyable makes you a better worker, so just go with it.

The post Should we really ban the office romance? These people don’t think so! appeared first on Now To Love.

Surrogates are hired to carry a baby when the biological mother is unable or unwilling to carry her own child, giving the most powerful and beautiful gift imaginable.

The parents (or parent) sign a contract with the surrogate mother which includes sections such as a clause for the parents to make decisions about abortion should a reason, like unwanted multiple pregnancies occur.

Our minds are racing with a million questions, who are these amazing women and what drives them to make such a sacrifice?

Jess* lives in the states and is just about to undertake her third round of surrogacy, including a previous round carrying twins.

“It truly was the most rewarding experience,” Jess explains on Reddit.

“I had pretty low self confidence and was basically always a quitter growing up.”

“I got the idea in my head that I wanted to help a set of parents become a family, and it completely changed me. It was incredibly hard work, but I persevered and was able to carry twins for a very deserving couple, then a little boy the following year to help complete another family.”

Jess has also just been matched with a family for her 3rd surrogacy journey.

“I’m looking forward to doing this crazy thing all over again!”

Below Jess has bravely answered some of the public’s most burning questions about what it’s really like to be a surrogate, be warned some of the answers are a little confronting.

Pictured below is Tyra Bank’s son York, born via surrogacy.

Is it difficult to let the babies go to their intended parents after birth?

Not at all. I knew what I had signed up for when I applied to be a surrogate.

I had no genetic link to the babies, and I adored the families I was carrying for. I was so happy for them to finally be parents. The best way I can describe it is as if the babies were nieces or nephews. I cared for them and loved them while I had them, but I still got to sleep through the night once they were born!

Was it fun?

For the most part.

As a gestational surrogate, I have no genetic link to the baby I am carrying. Therefore, I go through IVF in order to become pregnant. It involves hormone injections and many monitoring doctors appointments so it’s very time consuming.

When I carried the twins, I had terrible morning sickness that didn’t go away until I delivered. But the good definitely outweighs the bad. I’ve stayed in touch with both couples and watched the babies grow, and that part has been very fun!!

Do you believe in prebirth imprinting and is a baby born by another mom less compatible to their DNA parents?

I have read things which lead me to believe that babies do pick up on some things, like stress levels, while in utero.

I don’t think that the baby is any less compatible to its biological parents, though. I spent a week with the nearly two-year old twins recently, and those kids adore their mother.

They were so wanted, and you would never know that she didn’t carry them herself. The babies don’t know anything different, and I don’t believe they’re any worse off because of it.

How much do you make being a surrogate?

The compensation varies (Ed’s note: Jess is from the US, it is illegal for an Australian surrogate to accept any form of compensation).

If you go through an agency, you agree to their standard package. If you match independently, you can ask for whatever you want, you just have to find a couple willing to pay it.

The standard for a first time surrogate is usually $20-25k, plus all the medical expenses covered.

I received $25k base my first journey, paid in monthly increments starting when the pregnancy was confirmed, and I received the last payment after delivery. For twins, you get a bit extra. In my case, it was another $4k after delivery. And there’s other payments listed in the contract, depending on circumstances. A cesarean, for example, would’ve paid an additional $1500.

Subsequent surrogacies get paid more, as you’re now “experienced.” So I earned off the second singleton pregnancy what I earned off the first one, which was twins.

It’s certainly not enough money to live off of, if you look at the journey as a whole. Both times for me, it was about 18 months from matching to delivery, and I was lucky enough that both IVF cycles took on the first try. Some people invest a lot longer into it.

What happens if you miscarry or have a stillbirth? Are you still compensated? Has this ever been a fear for you?

It’s not morbid, it’s stuff that has to be discussed during the contract phase of surrogacy.

The payments are in installments throughout the pregnancy. And while different lawyers might do it differently, in my case I received a small fee when I started IVF meds, and a small fee after the embryo transfer, and the first actual payment once a heartbeat was confirmed.

If you miscarry, or lose the pregnancy at any point, you keep whatever payments you’ve received up until then, but you don’t get paid the full amount until you’re full term, or close to it. It would be the same if the parents opted for an abortion, for whatever reason. Miscarriage was a fear for me, probably more so than my own pregnancies. In part, because I’ve been fortunate never to have had one.

I didn’t want to disappoint the parents, because I knew how much they had invested in their baby, even if rationally I knew it wouldn’t have been my fault.

One surrogate I’ve spoken to ended up pregnant with triplets, a single baby and a set of identical twins.

Those intended parents opted for an elective reduction – as the twins were showing signs of health problems – and she ended up carrying the healthy singleton to term. You can’t really “not believe” in abortion to be a surrogate. It’s part of the contract that you would agree to it, if the parents made that decision. Legally, if you were pregnant you could still make the decision to not go through with it.

There have been cases of this happening (which do give surrogacy a bad rep), and there have been surrogates who have ended up keeping the child they carried. Personally, I would’ve had an abortion it if that was what was asked of me. I felt like it was not my baby, not my decision.

But, I was very fortunate that it didn’t come up.

Story continues after video.

Do you do anything differently for your surrogate babies than you did for your own pregnancies?

I did, actually. For both IVF cycles I gave up caffeine through the first trimester, which I did not do for my own pregnancies.

It felt, somewhat, like there was pressure on me for the cycles to be successful, even though in reality my decisions had little to do with if the embryo(s) implanted or not. I felt that, if giving up caffeine lowered my chances of miscarriage, I could give it up for a few months. I had no contractual obligations to eat or not eat anything specific, though.

I mostly followed standard practices when it came to pregnancy. I also did a lot of research during the twin pregnancy and ultimately decided on a natural birth, after having epidurals with both of my own children.

I opted for a natural delivery with the second surrogacy, also, and likely wouldn’t choose pain medication in any pregnancy moving forward- whether it was my own or another surrogacy.

Emotionally, how different were your pregnancies and your sorrigate pregnancies? Do you keep in touch with the families at all even if it’s just something like photos and letters?

It’s hard to compare them, because there was about a five year break in between my youngest daughter and my first surrogacy.

I was 20 and 21 when my daughters were born, so the emotions for that were mostly a mix of excitement and fear.

For the first surrogacy, it was all excitement. I was on such a high after the first natural birth, and the thrill of completing something that I had dreamed about doing for a very long time. There was some sadness saying goodbye to both sets of Intended Parents when it was time for them to go home, but not in a devastating “I’m giving away my baby” kind of way.

Very similar to if a sibling who you care about is moving away, but you know that you’ll see them again. I cared about the parents, and I was sad to see them go. And again, it marked the ending of an amazing journey that I had invested a lot of myself into.

I do keep in touch with both sets of Intended Parents. The nearly 2-year-old twins actually came and visited us about a month ago. Between the two families – one in Europe and one in South America – we keep in touch via text messages, email, Facebook, and Skype.

Gotta love technology!

*Jess is not her real name.

The post “The good definitely outweighs the bad” : What does it really feel like to be a surrogate? appeared first on Now To Love.

The return to work creates not only bonding obstacles between mother and baby but many social and cultural barriers in the reassimilation to working life.

Let’s recap breastfeeding statistics 101.

In 2003, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended mothers exclusively breastfeed their children for the first six months of their lives.

Further studies found continued breastfeeding until two years (and beyond, if possible) was advised for the optimum in mother and infant well-being, as well as the child’s cognitive development. The adverse effects of early weaning transform quickly into higher levels of illness and disease.

So what exactly is the problem with breastfeeding at work? Why not just give your baby the bottle?

Ah, if only it were that simple…

Charlotte is a first time Mum who is about to go back to work but is facing a dilemma; she’s still breastfeeding her 5-month-old daughter.

“I return to work on the 29th of January,” Charlotte told NTL.

“My daughter is 5-months-old, and financially I have to go back to work.”

“After trying for months to get my daughter to prepared for drinking expressed milk (my milk) in a bottle… she just will not take a bottle.”

“My boob is, therefore, her only source of nutrient/water etc. and I feel insanely guilty leaving her to go back to work.”

“I now have to leave work in my lunch breaks to go and breastfeed her so she doesn’t starve,” a frustrated Charlotte reveals.

“I am entitled to additional breastfeeding/expressing breaks but these fall during my lunch and short breaks.”

“It’s also incredibly hard to keep up my milk supply on the days I am at work because I have to express/empty my boobs regularly, so my body continues to produce it.”

“Expressing takes up to 20-30 minutes and is most effective if you are relaxed.”

“Pretty hard to relax when you’re sitting in a locked room (with your boobs sitting in something that resembles a cow milking machine) in constant fear someone will walk in.”

“I also have to cart an esky with me to store milk and pumping equipment. While I’m sure I could, I don’t feel comfortable leaving my breastmilk in the communal staff fridge.”

“All that expressed milk, if I had a baby who drank from a bottle, would be put to use – instead I have to freeze it while I pray that one day she’ll start taking a bottle.”

“I am gutted that I have to go back to work, a process which is stressful enough on its own, and now my entire days are structured around pumping or driving to my child to quickly feed her before handing her over to someone else,” Charlotte finishes.

Charlotte is a teacher, and her strict breastfeeding breaks take place over recesses and lunch.

Amelia is a nurse and agrees that time frames add to the pressure of young mums going back to work.

“I went back to work while breastfeeding and had to express in a cubicle on a time limit, was hard work,” she told NTL.

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01:00

Health

August 7, 2019

Celebrity mums on a mission to normalise breastfeeding

By Now to Love Staff

Next

All states have legislation that protects your right to combine breastfeeding and paid work – meaning it’s illegal for someone to treat you differently for breastfeeding or for your status as a parent.

According to Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace, it’s also generally unlawful for your employer to refuse to make “reasonable” arrangements to assist you to breastfeed at work.

But, to get the benefits of these laws it’s up to the individual to discuss what is needed with their employer, and that will mean different things for different jobs and different people.

Creating a supportive environment for breastfeeding at work is simple when the right tools and communication are involved, all of which is readily available on The Australian Breastfeeding Association’s website (ABA).

Most important is always knowing your rights – your well-being should be in the best interest of your employer.

For the barriers faced through mother and baby bonding, the ABA recommend talking to other mothers, taking part in the ABA online forums or contacting the trained counselors on the Breastfeeding Helpline, who are always available to discuss your individual situation and help you put a plan in place.

Breastfeeding at work and away from you baby is never going to be an easy process, but with the right information and support it can certainly be less painful.

For any concerns around breastfeeding and returning to work head to the ABA website.

The post “My boob is her only source of nutrients right now,” The REAL struggles of breastfeeding at work appeared first on Now To Love.

In fact, the whole royal family has special dietary requirements that the palace kitchen must adhere to.

Royal Chef Darren McGrady, who worked for the royal family for 15 years explains that Roayls do not eat garlic, starches, potatoes or pasta and all fruit and vegetables must be seasonal, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

Think you have what it takes to be a place chef? Well, good news.

The queen is looking for an assistant chef (or a Demi Chef de Partie) to join the royal kitchen and applications close on the 1st January.

Of course, there will be challenges, and the job only pays £20,143 per year but whoever gets this job will be living in Buckingham Palace … and there’s more.

The new assistant chef will get 33 days off, a 15 percent employer contribution to their pension funds, and all meals are taken care of, and you don’t even need to be a master chef – as long as you’re willing to work hard.

Here’s a bit on what they’re after in the Master of the Household’s Office:

“As you’d expect, standards are exceptionally high here, and every day is busy, so you’ll need to be an ambitious and qualified chef,” reads the job description on the Royal Household website.

“You’ll have some experience, possibly within a premier kitchen or volume catering, however, this isn’t essential. We’re more interested in your ability and enthusiasm to deliver across all four sections of the kitchen.”

“Teamwork is everything in the kitchens, and with your strong communication skills and adaptability, you’ll enjoy working alongside your colleagues.”

“Attention to detail is vital too, as is your ability to meet deadlines and make sure food is delivered on time.”

“Most importantly though, you have a clear passion for food and the catering industry, and will be eager to learn new skills.”

Remember, applications close on the 1st of January so get in there quickly.

The post Queen Elizabeth and the palace are hiring a new assistant chef appeared first on Now To Love.

Well, we can’t really help you there (sorry) but what we can do is help give you an insight to what people are thinking and not saying based on their body language.

Remember that TV show Lie to Me or ever marveled at the ‘all- knowing’ Sherlock Holmes? They know what they know because they read body language.

Psychologist, Clare Mann and Counselling Psychotherapist, Dr Karen Phillip help you crack the mystery of what’s really going on inside other people’s heads by understanding what their body language and facial expressions are trying to tell you.

Strap yourself in, here we go.

How to tell if someone likes you

If someone likes you, they’ll use friendly, open body language cues. This includes smiling, making consistent eye contact, keeping their arms by their side and leaning forward when speaking to you.

“They’ll look at you, then look away, before looking back again and smiling. They do this to get your attention and gauge your response before approaching you,” psychotherapist Dr Karen Phillip explains.

Smiling’s one of the clearest signs of attraction, so learn how to spot a fake. The best way to pick a phoney smile is to look for the absence of crow’s feet or if bottom teeth are visible.

A true smile will usually result in semi-closed eyes as well as exposed top teeth. People will also try to close the distance between you and them.

“You may find they start mirroring your body movements and breathing rate. This is called match-and-mirror,” Dr Phillip says.

How to tell if someone’s afraid

If someone’s really scared, they may display subtle changes in their facial expression, usually affecting their eyes, eyebrows and mouth. Or it could be something more overt, such as raising their hands in front of their face.

Hiding behind a barrier is a normal response we learn during childhood to protect ourselves.

“Someone may stand behind someone else, slightly shielding themselves,” Karen says.

The arm-crossing gesture can also be an attempt to block a perceived threat.

People who are fearful may also avoid making direct eye contact. Instead, they may look at the floor, at their hands or at their surroundings. Alternatively, they may gaze at you with a wide-eyed stare.

“Other non-verbal signs to watch for include shoulders rolled forward, feet pointing away from you and fast and shallow breathing,” she says.

Fearful body language is often and easily misinterpreted as anxiety, nervousness or even aggression.

How to tell if someone is anxious

Anxiety is one of the emotions that can’t be identified by a single body language signal; rather it’s a conglomeration of factors coming together at once.

Some red flags include persistent fingernail biting, fidgeting, finger tapping, sweating and whistling. Shoulders may also appear slouched, which is a sign of stress, and the person may struggle to find the right words to say, which can result in avoiding interactions altogether.

When trying to make sense of other people’s behaviour, psychologist Clare Mann says there are four categories of emotions to remember: glad, sad, bad and mad.

“When someone’s anxious or upset, they tend to show more bad behaviours because there’s more pent-up energy behind their emotions,” she reveals. “They can appear more aggressive than upset, which is an avoidance technique.”

Don’t immediately assume the behaviour has anything to do with you. Instead, Clare advises using friendly body language towards someone showing these signs to help them feel more at ease. someone’s guarded “Closed body language signals, such as folded arms, are classic signs of someone who’s taking a guarded stance or is on the defensive,” Clare says. It reveals an insecurity or hostile attitude.

There are various ways to fold your arms: with clenched fists, arms crossed tightly or loosely, or clutching arms. Each gesture projects defensiveness, but on a different scale.

The double-arm grip indicates someone isn’t buying what you’re selling. It’s characterised by the person’s hands tightly gripping their upper arms to reinforce themselves and avoid exposure. It’s commonly seen in doctors’ and dentists’ waiting rooms. Karen says this creates an artificial barrier to help people feel more secure.

She says, “Other classic signs that may suggest someone is shielding themselves include less direct eye contact, feet pointed towards an exit and not matching your body language at all.”

How to tell is someone is lying

A lack of eye contact may seem like a telltale sign that someone is telling you a fib, but according to Clare, it’s not necessarily always the case. Too much eye contact could also be a warning sign that you’re not getting the whole story.

“Sometimes people who are lying try to avoid eye contact in an attempt to evade being caught out, but they may also overcompensate to appear more genuine. Either way, their behaviour will appear markedly different to how it usually is,” she says.

They may also glance away while leaning back, blink more often, cover their mouth, stammer or touch their arms or their nose.

Dr Phillip says people who cross their arms or legs, continually twitch or keep their feet pointed away from you while speaking may also have some sort of hidden agenda.

“Dishonest people may think they’re in control but more often than not the effect of adrenalin running through their body makes it obvious they’re trying to hide something,” Clare adds.

The post How to read the body language of others like a pro appeared first on Now To Love.

The funny thing about retirement is, however, it’s not always everything it promised to be. It might be that you have too much life on the other side of retirement and you’re starting to feel the pinch, or maybe you miss that buzz from being busy and always on the go.

Whatever it is, an increasing amount of Australians are looking for part time jobs as retirees. We spoke to career coach Simon Bennett to hear about what to look out for as a retired worker.

Consider your lifestyle

Before you start your job search, Simon says it’s important to take 
a step back and think about what type of lifestyle you want.

Create a budget for all the things you’d like to do and then work out how much money you’ll need to maintain it – is it achievable or is there a shortfall?

“Doing this will give you some insight into the type of work – and how much of it – you’ll need to do 
to achieve your goals,” Simon says.

Start with 
what you know

If you already have a skill and enjoy using it, Simon recommends taking 
full advantage of it. “It doesn’t matter what it is, there’s probably a market 
for it somewhere,” he says.

Suzanne used to work as a journalist before moving into public relations, 
so she had public speaking experience. “I wanted to find a job where I could combine my skills,” she says.

“Retirement is meant to be the best years of your life, so it was important 
I did something I enjoyed but was also comfortable with.”

It wasn’t until she performed the eulogy at her dad’s funeral that Suzanne realised she wanted to become a funeral celebrant. “It’s not that I overly enjoyed the job as such but rather it gave me 
a sense of satisfaction,” she explains.

“The combination of my skills 
in journalism and presenting means 
it doesn’t feel like a job. Plus it gives 
me an opportunity to meet new people.”

Find your 
second career

Retirement is the perfect opportunity to try something new – especially if you have a burgeoning passion. Whether it’s baking cookies on the weekend, playing a musical instrument or making your own clothes, turn that hobby into a little money-spinner.

“While it’s never going to replace 
a full-time income, if you’re excited about your hobby you can make some decent money from it,” Simon reveals.

Suzanne adds it’s about looking at your past career and what you like, and finding out how these aspects can be applied to a new job.

“If you’re doing something you love and you’re willing to persevere at it then everything else seems to fall into place,” she says.

Network 
with everyone

Ease your way into your job search by starting with contacts you already have.

“A lot of people tend to target large chain employers such as Bunnings and Woolies and, while that’s fine, everyone else is applying there. So it makes 
it difficult to stand out from the 
crowd,” Simon explains.

It’s better to look around your local neighbourhood and target smaller businesses because they don’t have hundreds of people applying for the same position.

“If it’s a small family retail business and you know the owners, you’re already halfway there,” he says.

Lollipop Lady

The interaction with chirpy, energetic children along with the fresh air makes this job a great choice for retirees.

“It’s nice to work outside, especially if you’ve spent the past 35 years in an office,” Simon says.

The appreciation from families can also bring about a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction, knowing they’re grateful for your presence.

What it pays: $25 per hour.

Bookkeeper

If you’ve got admin skills from a previous career, put them to good use by taking on clerical work. “Skills and experience from your work history are valuable and transferable,” Simon says.

It will help you stand out and slip straight into your new role. It also keeps your mind active while you earn extra money to put towards something nice.

What it pays: $27 per hour.

Walking Postie

Combine the outdoors with exercise and serve the community at the same time.

“It’s incidental exercise, which is great for the body and mind. It can also be quite social,” Simon explains.

It gets you out of the house and it’s a wonderful way to meet fellow retirees.

What it pays: $22 per hour.

The post The best jobs for retirees appeared first on Now To Love.

It’s a quick intensifier which helps to hammer home exactly how much ‘more than’ you’re feeling.

You’re not just happy to catsit for your friends while they’re away, you’re very happy.

Sure it’s easy, but it’s also lazy.

Remember what Robin William’s says in Dead Poet’s Society?

“Avoid using the word ‘very’ because it’s lazy. A man is not very tired, he is exhausted. Don’t use very sad, use morose. Language was invented for one reason, boys – to woo women – and, in that endeavour, laziness will not do. It also won’t do in your essays.”

If you really want to enrich your conversations and look more professional at work, try using some of these words to replace the word very.

24 words to use instead of very

Instead of very noisy say earsplitting

Instead of very often say frequently

Instead of very old say ancient

Instead of very old-fashioned say archaic

Instead of very open say transparent

Instead of very painful say agonising

Instead of very pale say ashen

Instead of very perfect say impeccable

Instead of very poor say destitute

Instead of powerful say compelling

Instead of very pretty say beautiful

Instead of very quick say rapid

Instead of very quiet say hushed

Instead of very rainy say pouring

Instead of very rich say wealthy

Instead of very sad say sorrowful

Instead of very scared say petrified

Instead of very scary say chilling

Instead of very serious say grave

Instead of very sharp say keen

Instead of very shiny say gleaming

Instead of very short say brief

Instead of very shy say timid

Instead of very simple say basic

You’re welcome.

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A paper route got you a measly couple bucks a week! These teenage influencers on social media are racking in more cash than most of us “actual adults” see in a freakin’ month. According to the New York Post:

“Co-founder Timothy Armoo said the service has worked on over 300 campaigns with its 1,000 influencers who attract between 10,000 and one million views per Snap. ‘Last month, our highest earner was a 17-year-old kid who got $7,000 through delivering ads in our network,’ he told Adweek. ‘The average person is making around $2,000 a month.’”

“Each influencer is given a ‘Fanbytes Score,’ which helps determine how much cash they will receive from the advertising — those with up to 25,000 followers can expect to earn around $1,500 per month, while those with 150,000 plus receive upwards of $6,500.”

We’re sorry, but for a lack of a better descriptor — that’s total horsesh*t. Yeah yeah, the power of social media is vast and unwavering, but what does a 13 year old need $7,000 a month for? To buy comic books?

Do teens even read comic books anymore? We’re so out of touch.

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June 30, 2016

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Er, maybe we’re just jealous. After all, university is expensive and HECS-HELP debts could very well be resolved by youth employment with Snapchat. Now isn’t that a happy (ridiculous) thought? We suppose stranger things have happened in 2017 and we should just get used to the younger generations trampling over us with their tech-savvy brains and enviable ability to always choose the perfect filter for any occasion.

To all you parents out there pressuring your kids to become doctors or lawyers, save your breathe. Hand them an iPhone straight out of the womb and get that social media training started — ASAP. By Kindergarten they’ll be paying the mortgage on your house.

This story was originally published on FHM

The post The amount of money teen “Influencers” make off Snapchat is everything that’s wrong with the world appeared first on Now To Love.