Long Distance Friendships (We're back!)

EPISODE 81 — 29 DECEMBER 2026

 

ABOUT THE EP

We've been on a little hiatus but we're back! Catch up with us on what's been going on in our lives, how we're coping living across the world from each other, and our plan for the next season.

 
  • This was auto-generated by Spotify.

    0:48

    How do we even start this?

    Welcome back.

    We're.

    Back.

    Hi, everyone.

    We're back.

    Yeah, this is going to be episode 1 of Season 5, new brand spanking season that's going to look a little bit different this season, but we are so happy to be back in everyone's listening ears.

    1:05

    So it's been a while.

    Yeah, it's been a hot minute.

    How many months has it been?

    The last time I think we chatted was in May, so how many months is that now?

    I don't know.

    We're in December now.

    It's.

    Like 7 months.

    Well, crazy time goes by so far.

    Crazy.

    Yeah, we've been on a 7 month ish hiatus.

    1:22

    Yeah, I guess we have been on a 7 month hiatus that kind of just flew by really.

    But Wendy and I are back in your ears, so hopefully there are still people listening, yeah.

    Well, based on our our Spotify raft, there are people tuning in all the way from Nigeria apparently.

    So, yeah, really random.

    1:39

    And there's actually been really nice, like people messaging us that like we were their top podcast as well.

    Yeah, which I don't know about you, Wendy, but I kind of got emotional seeing that because we've been away for so long, but we haven't been forgotten.

    And there are people out there listening to our episodes still.

    1:56

    And we're actually getting still, like people tuning into old episodes.

    And it's been nice to hear that people are still waiting for us here, and there's still a little community gobbling away here.

    So thank you for bearing with us and sticking.

    Through it, yeah.

    Today's episode is just going to be really like a catch up to kind of talk about what we've been up to since our very last episode.

    2:19

    Think of it as you just tuning into a yap between Tracy and myself.

    And as a part of that, we're also going to talk about I guess, how it's been sharing a long distance friendship and how we're faring.

    I guess for those who don't know, I don't know, we're doing a bit of a long distance friendship right now.

    2:37

    I'm currently living in London, Wendy's in Sydney.

    And then later in the podcast, we'll also chat about how we're going to plan to run the next season of this podcast.

    So keep listening for that.

    But let's check in.

    How have we been going?

    Let's do a vibe check.

    How are we?

    How are you?

    2:53

    What's been going on, Wendy?

    Yeah, oh, so much.

    When I was like trying to list out all the things that I've been up to, you know, like when you're not reflecting, you're like, oh, not much has happened.

    But then you look back and you're like, wow, actually a lot has happened.

    I have finished floristry school, so that was nine months of me studying since the beginning of this year.

    3:14

    So that was a huge milestone.

    And in that same month, I turned 30 in Japan specifically.

    Oh my gosh.

    Which was really, really special. 30I.

    Know the mid decade, which is kind of cool because our last episode was us talking about going into, you know, late 20s, then entering our 30s and now I'm on the other side of it, which is quite nice.

    3:40

    On top of that also been doing little wedding gigs here and there.

    Trying to like get my floristry business off the ground.

    You need to shout out what the business name is, by the way.

    Yes, my business name is called A Little Love Studio.

    So if you want to follow me on Instagram, see what's up, I'm there as well.

    3:59

    I probably post there more than I do on my personal Instagram, and that goes to show just how much I'm enjoying it.

    Yeah, so, so much to kind of unpack there.

    I think we'll save that for another episode, but that's pretty much been my life last couple of months and in the last month I got news that I got made redundant, so that's also fun.

    4:21

    Just casually drop that into the life update.

    Yeah.

    So we'll chat a bit more about what that looks like for me.

    But I think there could be some career shifts coming up.

    We shall see.

    So all really big things.

    And I think honestly, it didn't even happen in the last like 6 months.

    4:38

    It was more so in like the last two months all of this happened.

    So it's been a really crazy time for me.

    But yeah, I can't wait to kind of talk about all those learnings and share all of that throughout this season.

    Yeah, I think now that like we've we've taken a break and then Wendy and I were chatting about all the things we're going to talk about this season.

    4:57

    And actually it's like there's so there's so much now that that we have to talk about.

    And I think sometimes it's good to try to take a break from all the yapping to store up all the lessons and learnings we've had.

    And then we'll do full on yaps and debriefs.

    So I think there's a really exciting range of topics coming this season, like redundancy, moving to a new country, long distance relationships, all that fun stuff.

    5:19

    Also, when when he and I caught up recently, we both did a those PowerPoint presentations about where have we been in the last few months of our lives?

    And there was a scale that you had on there.

    Was it like, oh.

    I don't even remember.

    Chaos to to effort.

    No.

    Chaos to something.

    5:35

    Energy.

    Was it energy?

    Yeah, yeah.

    I thought that was like a nice kind of visual representation of where you are, Like, so what's your headspace like now?

    It's been a little bit chaotic.

    I'm on like there was like a less, less chaos, very chaotic kind of scale.

    5:54

    And there was like low on energy, high on energy.

    I'm like in the very chaotic but very high energy bubble because I kind of feel like my life for the last two years has been pretty stable.

    Like I feel like there's nothing been crazy that's happened that has made me kind of reevaluate a lot of, you know, what my future looks like.

    6:15

    And then just in the last two months, everything just hit at the same time.

    And I kind of feel like this is almost like, you know, the universe trying to shake up my life and give me something new or a new challenge to focus on.

    And I'm a little bit uncomfortable, but in a really, really good way, which is why I feel quite energised by it because I think I'm the sort of person that just gets really energetic when there's a problem to solve or something to kind of like, yeah, challenge me to overcome that I have to overcome.

    6:44

    So yeah, that's why I'm feeling really energised by this period of my life.

    And I hope throughout that there's gonna be a lot of learnings that I can share through, you know, this podcast as well.

    So yeah, feeling like I'm sitting in that quadrant, but for really good reasons.

    7:00

    Yeah, yeah, So chaotic but energised.

    Yes, yes, yeah, yeah.

    Which is kind of a nice change because I feel like we're always, the theme for us generally is by the time we reach the end of the year, we tend to be quite burnt out.

    Yeah, And the energy levels are quite low, but I kind of feel the same.

    7:17

    I feel like I'm at a high energy right now and luckily the chaos levels aren't that high, so I'm in middle chaos, high energy.

    So it's a pretty good place to be because it kind of means I've got space to think about all the different projects I want to work on, all the goals I want to achieve and all the things I want to put this high energy into so.

    7:35

    Yeah.

    Do you think it's because you are now settled in London and you've got like a cadence?

    So yeah, life.

    Yeah, I think so.

    I mean, we will talk about it a bit more, but it's been ups and downs being in London and a lot of chaotic energy at the beginning.

    7:55

    And then I kind of got to like a routine calm and then more chaotic energy.

    And then now I'm in the the routine calm situation again.

    I'm sure chaos will come again soon.

    But I think it's also because it's winter here in London.

    So I feel like I'm in my, I'm in my hibernation mode.

    8:10

    You know, I am me, time prioritising me, time prioritising routine and yeah, just protecting my space and time a little bit more these days.

    Yeah, sounds like you've you've learnt a lot in the time that you've just been away.

    8:26

    Like how long has it been?

    When did you move there again for our listeners who might be joining?

    Yeah.

    For so far, listeners, I moved to London in February, coming up to a year in London now.

    And so far, since I was just looking back at all this, at my diary from the year, and like, all these things that happened in Australia was such a lifetime ago.

    8:44

    Like I was, I don't know, like I was in NUSA at the beginning of the year.

    I was in China at the beginning of the year.

    Like I did all, you know, all these things.

    And I was like, that was such a lifetime ago.

    So I feel like I've lived so many lives in this condensed period of time because London time just moves crazily.

    9:04

    Like the London timeline is insane because the time moves like so fast.

    And every week you're experiencing, it's like another chapter, another chapter, another chapter.

    So yeah, so nice.

    So, but in terms of like my quick kind of highlights in terms of what you guys have missed out on, I think, I don't think I've talked about it, but I moved jobs, yeah, I think I've talked about this, but yeah, yeah, yeah.

    9:27

    So when I moved to London, I came with a job and I was in that job for about 3 1/2 months coming just up to probation and it just wasn't the right fit for me.

    And I can talk about this in on by episode, but I just wasn't happy where I was.

    I was really grateful I had a job coming over to London because it's quite hard getting one, but I was not happy questioning like, oh am I at the right place, blah, blah.

    9:48

    And then lucky for me, a opportunity came, came forward.

    Is that what it's called?

    An opportunity landed on my plate, like some connections I had and I got offered a job and another place.

    So I'm currently now at a creative agency called Pablo and I'm loving it.

    10:03

    Like it feels like that London advertising agency, like environment and experience that I was dreaming of coming here.

    So it feels so much more right.

    And that has really contributed to a huge part of why I feel a bit more settled out in London because the first three months I was like, oh, God, like, I'm spending all my time at a work that I don't really enjoy.

    10:25

    I mean, a new city.

    So I think I just, like, got this thrown a lot, a lot in one go.

    Yeah.

    And I was already burnt out before I even started.

    Yeah, the first 3.

    Months I was in London, I was completely shattered.

    I didn't have time to do like travels or anything like that.

    10:41

    I was just like trying to stay alive, like I was surviving.

    I was, you know, gasping for air constantly.

    So yeah, so new job.

    I'm now six months into the work.

    It's really good.

    That's kind of probably the biggest milestone.

    10:58

    And then like summer in London, like such a beautiful time.

    Lots of music festivals, lots of gigs with friends.

    Then I guess the recent updates or highlights is that my sister Monica came over for three weeks and she stayed with me in London and we had a lot of sister time, which was really nice because we haven't been apart for this long before.

    11:19

    So it was nice to, to be with her.

    And then shortly after she left, like literally 2 days after she left, Gavin, my partner came over to Europe and we travelled for three weeks.

    Then he left and then I was like heartbroken and homesick for about 3 weeks after that.

    11:35

    Like, I've never been that homesick and, like, so sad and, like, feeling really, really lonely in the city because, like, my sister and Gavin left and I was just questioning, oh, my gosh, why am I in London?

    All my loved ones are at home.

    What am I doing here?

    And then after three weeks of just hibernating and just, like, focusing on myself and getting back to your routine, I feel like more like, OK, I've moved past the battle of homesickness and I'm here for, you know, a reason.

    12:02

    It's hard, but it's it's not as hard as it was, like fresh out.

    Like he left.

    Yeah.

    Yeah.

    That's always really hard when people remind you of what you left behind, I suppose to like pursue something new, right?

    12:18

    But I feel like that's totally normal with like, living away, especially because you're literally on the opposite side of the world and time zones as well.

    Makes it feel even harder at times as well.

    Yeah.

    And like, I don't think I realised how hard it was until I spent three weeks, like, quality time uninterrupted with Gavin.

    12:36

    And it was like, such a good time.

    But it was so bittersweet.

    I was on the verge of tears constantly because just thinking about, Oh my God, we have to separate again.

    Yeah.

    And knowing I guess what you're going back to, which is like a room where he's not going to be in there anymore, like their stuff is not going to be in the room anymore.

    12:55

    So I think the goodbye, the second by was definitely the hardest because you know what you're leaving behind.

    Yeah, my mum definitely got a lot more calls from me during that period.

    And she's like, this feels so good.

    She's calling me all the time.

    Yeah, wow, she must be so love so much.

    Yeah, she's like, she must have so much time on hand so be calling home.

    13:12

    But I would be just like, any reason to call family.

    Yeah.

    And even I was just even like, oh, my God, can I even last since London for three years?

    Like, do I go home early?

    And I was having all those questions, but now I'm like, hey, yeah, I've snapped out of it.

    I've snapped out of it.

    13:27

    I'm bad guys.

    She's back.

    No, it will.

    It will come and go and it will definitely get easier once Gavin gets over there as well for sure.

    Yeah, yeah.

    So that's the highlight or the headlines?

    Yeah.

    Well, so much to talk about, but were there any, like, life lessons that you've learned since, I guess, like our time away from the podcast that you want to share?

    13:52

    Yeah.

    I think my life lessons I intertwined with my experience in London and it's actually been really nice to have a break from the podcast.

    And actually I, I don't know, I don't know if I said, but like I really appreciate because like Wendy, before we before I move, you said to me, if we need to take a break from the podcast so you can focus on leaving London, you know, integrating.

    14:15

    I'm open to having that conversation and I want you to focus on your London experience.

    I was really grateful that you even offered that as a thought to me because like I, as much as I love the podcast, it it's just been so much and it's been really good to just like experience it rather than feel like we have to like churn out episodes every fortnight.

    14:34

    And I'm sure it's the same with you with floristry, right?

    Like having the actual mental space to do that.

    It's been and now having the podcast to return to has been really nice.

    So I just want to say thank you for, you know, giving me that space to experience all the life lessons I've experienced so far.

    14:50

    And three main lessons.

    One, letting go over control.

    London is actually chaotic.

    Like London, this city is mad.

    But anyone who lives in London, it is like an insane city.

    But what I love about it is that everyone's so different.

    15:09

    You got so many crazies in this city and nobody even like, there's no judgement here.

    Like, I feel like you can be whatever you want, You can do whatever you want, and nobody really judges you for it.

    I feel like New York is probably similar when it's so crazy but nobody like really bats an eye.

    You can't do that in Sydney without being judged, no.

    15:26

    Sydney, there's that tall poppy syndrome, right?

    Whereas here you literally can be as wacky as you want and not really get judged for it.

    So twofold, I think from that I've learned to like really let go of control.

    There's a lot of stuff that happens in life in the city that I can't control.

    15:45

    And I'm just like, go with the flow.

    I, I don't plan much anymore.

    I just like literally every day.

    I'm just like, what am I doing today, you know?

    And there's so much room for spontaneity here, which is like really, really nice.

    And even my planning trips, I mean, shout out to my Sydney group, it's because they're so good at planning.

    16:03

    Yeah, are.

    You a passenger planner?

    I am 100% not I'm.

    I'm a passenger Princess.

    That's so good.

    That's so different for you, you know.

    I know, but it's so weird because like I'm really learning about myself or like learning different parts of myself because like I feel like in Sydney I'm such a type AI would be the planner.

    16:24

    I would like call the shots.

    But coming to London, I've just completely let go of control and I've like really embraced a bit of type B behaviour and like I've let go, I've let go of being so in control.

    Now I'm just like embracing my inner child as well.

    16:42

    So let it go, go control and embracing my inner child because I feel like the people I've, I've met here a bunch of crazies, but like, I really like, love them.

    And I'm lucky enough to like find people where I'm able to just fully be unfiltered, authentic and then not get judged for it.

    17:03

    And then I've been able to be a bit more loose.

    I feel a lot more loose here.

    And I feel like I can be more childish.

    I can have more fun.

    I can let go of all that.

    Like the control.

    Yeah.

    Do you think so?

    Because.

    Like being in Australia, being living in your family home or being around your family and also being around people that you've grown up with who have come to know you as a particular type of person, which is like, you know, type A, very organised, all this kind of stuff.

    17:31

    Do you think it's just being in a new environment where like nobody knows you or nobody knows that version of you?

    Is that part of?

    It, I think it's not, it's not that nobody knows me because I feel like I'm still being very much myself, but I think nobody needs that version of me right now.

    17:47

    Yeah, that's good.

    So I don't have to dial that up at the moment.

    It's nice that nobody needs type a Tracy at the moment so I'm able to be like more loose Tracy.

    Yeah.

    Yeah, so it's been really nice to be able to embrace my inner child.

    18:04

    And I've really learned that from the people I've been surrounding myself here because, like, I see them, like, wow, they're just, like, living without inhibitions.

    Yeah.

    Yeah.

    Is that right?

    I think so, yeah.

    Like they're not being inhibited by anything.

    Oh.

    Inhibited.

    Yeah.

    They're not being inhibited by things.

    And it's literally just like living life and like, you have a whim, you go for it.

    18:21

    Like, you know, you want to fucking jump into the ocean, we're gonna jump into the ocean.

    Like, it's just like embracing your inner child without getting judged.

    And that's been really nice.

    And it's actually really interesting because when Monica and my sister came, she had asked my friends like, well, like, what's Tracy like in the group?

    18:37

    Because like, obviously I see her as like an older sister and like this type of person.

    And then like, though some of the words that my friends were using to describe me, like we were both like, oh, never heard those words being described in you before.

    Yeah.

    18:53

    Like my friend Ben shout out, he was like, she's so whimsical.

    She's a loose unit.

    And then it's just like, I know.

    And I was just like, yeah.

    It's just, I think it's how I'm like with my cousins and sisters.

    Like when I'm with them, I feel like completely like crazy vibes, you know, all like when we're like delusional, we need Ruby and delulu and like all the inhibitions are gone, you know.

    19:13

    So it's like me that, but every day.

    Yeah, yeah, yeah.

    So those are my lessons.

    I've also really learnt that people need people.

    This is a big one that I've learnt.

    I think I can be really hyper independent, you know, or a child, whatever, like really hyper independent.

    But then I realised that like, you can't really like as a person, you can't really live by yourself.

    19:32

    Like you need help from people.

    You need to lean on your support network.

    And like in some of the times where I was like going through some really, really hard struggles and I'd walk out of the office at like 11:00 PM at night and be like, I have no one.

    I don't know who to call, you know, But it was just like my instincts.

    19:49

    I need to call somebody.

    Even learning to do things with other people.

    I don't know about you, but like things like shopping, I like don't really like to shop with other people.

    Neither.

    Yeah, but I think because if we have like what we want to do and we go and do it, we just do it, you know, like if I want to buy shoes, I want to buy glasses, I'm going to, I want to be by myself because I don't want to burden people.

    20:11

    Yeah.

    Of like my indecisiveness and like me browsing and then I feel like they have to wait for me.

    Like it just stresses me out.

    The social anxiety of that stresses me out.

    But even little things like everyone just goes shopping together.

    And I've just learned to like, like that a little bit more and like be less hyper independent.

    So I've learned that people need other.

    20:28

    People.

    Wow.

    That's nice and.

    I've learned to cook.

    That's another life lesson, but those are my life lessons.

    I imagine you're cooking a lot of, like, home food stuff.

    Yeah, yeah.

    Yeah, I'm chef.

    I'm chefing it up like I'm not, I'm not gonna lie.

    I'm like a chef, OK?

    20:45

    I'm not a chef, OK?

    I'm not OK, actually, actually, I'm gonna take it back.

    I'm not a chef compared to all my friends, but I'm cooking so much more.

    Like I cook every week, every day.

    So life, life lessons for sure.

    But those are kind of like what I've been learning in the last seven months or so.

    21:01

    It's so there's just one something that you said that I want to touch on.

    You know, the scenario that you gave around like 11:00 PM, Yeah, coming out of work, I want to call like, I just want to call someone, but it's like, who do I call?

    It's so funny because I've had that exact same reaction, but with just you like as in, yeah, me being in a tricky situation and the person that I want to call is you because I know that you are the first person I would want to call.

    21:28

    But not having you like access to you because I know that in different time zone, it's just like, oh, oh, a.

    Cut for real.

    It's like, what do you what do you what do you mean?

    I have to deal with this by myself.

    Like I need, I need to call Wendy, but like now I have to like, process my emotions by myself, huh.

    Yeah, literally, yeah.

    21:44

    So it's funny, you have obviously for you it's like because you're over there and like you have friends, but they're not like people that you've grown up with and become really close.

    Yeah, they're not.

    They're not.

    I mean, yeah, like, we're really close, but it's not you.

    You know what?

    I can just go to you and be like, OK, here's my dilemma.

    22:00

    Like, what should I do?

    Because you just know me so well that you're able to just give me some perspective.

    But anyways, what have your lessons been?

    I have a few.

    I want to touch on age first because I think being turning 30 has so much fear attached to it for a lot of people.

    22:20

    But I kind of feel like the fear that you feel is like a social construct has been pushed onto you that like people are saying, you know, when you turn 30, either you're going to love it or you're really going to hate it.

    And I feel like I spent the last year telling myself that I'm going to be really excited for my 30s.

    22:40

    And I kind of was building that narrative in my head that like, I think that I am really gonna enjoy my 30s because I'm at a really peaceful time in my life.

    But even just given the last two months, when she hit the fan, once I like turned 30, I still don't feel frustrated or like annoyed at the fact that I'm 30.

    22:59

    Like I don't feel any of those negative emotions.

    And I kind of feel like it's because of the narrative that I've built up in my head has mentally prepared me for all these things that were coming.

    And I think I'm really embracing that now that I've turned 30 and, you know, this this decade, I'm so excited for what's to come 'cause I just know that this is the beginning of it.

    23:20

    And, you know, the things that are happening with work, with floristry, all that kind of stuff, they're like really, really interesting challenges that I don't think I would have been ready for two years ago, you know, but I'm at this period where I'm like, I'm 30.

    I'm like independent, like financially independent.

    23:37

    Like I can do this.

    I've got like, you know, pretty stable life, stable, stable friends, stable family, all that kind of stuff.

    So I almost feel like it's the narrative that I've created in my head has helped me be get into a really good place with turning 30 and being 30.

    So that's kind of the first, I think the first lesson that I've really.

    23:55

    It's like, is it emotional maturity?

    Like you, you know, you've got to a point where you know how to respond to things and like not fall trapped into external factors and the chaos of things, how to respond in a way that's healthier for you.

    I think also just knowing that you can resolve things on your own without needing to involve others.

    24:15

    You know, I think it, I mean, I'm very lucky that I have, you know, my partner who lives with me and we can go through these things together.

    But I feel like when I was much younger, say, even 10 years ago, it would not just be my problem, but it's almost like everyone else's problem around me as well.

    24:33

    So I think I'm at a stage where like, yeah, I'm, I'm emotionally mature enough to be able to kind of deal with these things on my own.

    And I know myself and I have awareness of how I deal with these sorts of adversities when they do pop up.

    I'm not going to lie, therapy has probably helped with that too.

    24:49

    Yeah, yeah, self self reflection, introspection.

    Yeah, self knowing. 100% and I'm pretty sure, I don't know, maybe like season 2 or season season 3, I was like, oh, my focus for X year, I think it was 2023 was like introspection or something like that.

    25:06

    So yeah.

    So it's pretty cool to see that with the new decade that has come through now, I'm also feeling really, really positive about what's what's to come over the next few years.

    I think my other lesson is probably tied to the age thing.

    25:26

    I celebrated 30 with my closest friends for a while.

    I wasn't gonna do anything and I didn't want to, you know, throw a big party like most people do when they do turn 30, because I didn't really feel like that was me.

    So what I did was instead I booked out one of my favourite restaurants in Sydney, Russo and Russo in Newtown.

    25:45

    And I invited like my closest friends who have been my kind of support network for the last, I don't know, five years probably consistently, which consisted of like, you know, high school friends, my Deloitte friends, my boyfriends and some some other friends from different walks of life, like uni, primary school, which was really incredible because I think the feeling that I think he asked me, oh, how was everything?

    26:09

    And I said to you, like, it just feels like my cup is so full because I'm so blessed to be surrounded by such amazing people who I know I can first lean on if things get hard, but also people that really genuinely inspire me to do better as well.

    26:26

    And I feel like for me to have a tight knit group of people who are able to do that every day as friends, like that's a pretty incredible feeling.

    So to have everyone in one room.

    And I also was able to do like my own flowers for the event.

    The food was amazing.

    26:42

    Like everything was just vibes.

    So yeah, it was so wholesome.

    Yeah, exactly.

    So yeah, I just kind of like felt like really grateful for my friends and my family as well.

    It's almost like seeing the photos from your 30th as well.

    26:58

    It's like a accumulation of your 30s, like your 30 years of living, you know, like people from all walks of life that you've collected over the last 30 years of living in one room is like pretty special.

    Yeah.

    And one of my other friends, I think it was one of my Deloitte friends, Irene, she was like, because majority of the friends there were mostly high school friends and I think some of my primary school friends and everything like that, we all kind of knew each other because we all grew up in the area, right?

    27:25

    So everyone was quite comfortable with each other.

    And she just said to me, she was just like, wow, I can't believe you have such a big group of like high school friends.

    And I'm like, yeah, I guess it is pretty rare that you stay in touch with this many high school friends.

    And it's, you know, because we played volleyball with them.

    27:42

    It's because we've, you know, just kept in touch through, like, parties.

    Yeah, live in the same area.

    And like, mind you, these are not all people that we hung out with as a big group in high school.

    It just so happened that we all stayed connected and we're all very friendly with each other, which is so nice to see.

    27:58

    Yeah.

    So that just kind of made me realise just how lucky I am to be, Yeah, around people like that every single day, which is awesome.

    And then the last life lesson is probably work and career.

    Like, I think because of the redundancy, I've, I've had time to reflect about what does work mean to me?

    28:20

    What does my job mean to me?

    And I don't think it carries as much weight as it did when I first started working.

    I mean, I think a lot of people reach maybe I'm seven years into my like full time design career, right.

    And I think I'm at a point where I'm realising that like work is just work.

    28:38

    It's just a means to an end.

    If you're not happy in your job, like there's, it's up to you if you want to go somewhere else.

    But you also have to realise that like where you choose to go, it doesn't need to be the place that gives you complete happiness.

    28:55

    Do you know what I mean?

    And I think for a, for a long time, I was very much all in on my career.

    I wanted to get the most out of it.

    I wanted to climb the ranks and I've almost like hit the ceiling where I'm at right now with my experience.

    And I think I'm starting to see that it's just like a means to an end.

    29:13

    It's I'm not working because, you know, it is my entire life, but I work so that I can do other things outside of work as well.

    And for it to fuel other things like, you know, my side hustle and my other hobbies.

    And also it just, I think I had a big realisation that my work is not saving lives.

    29:32

    So it like really is not that deep, I think in the, in the grand scheme of things, you know, so I feel like I used to put so much pressure on myself to deliver every single day for like project outcomes.

    And it's just like, really we're just building like an app or website.

    29:49

    And unless this Apple website is like saving lives, yeah, literally, it's not something to, yeah, waste your time stressing over after hours.

    Yeah, I think it's not that deep.

    It's such a good mantra that I've been telling myself, which I learned from my friend Stacy, who's like, it's not that deep.

    30:07

    So when I'm really stressed, I'm OK.

    It's actually not that deep.

    Yeah, it's like just step back, yeah.

    And take a look at everything and like, realise that yeah, it's, it's nothing to be stressing over to the extent where it's like really impacting your mental health as well.

    30:23

    Yeah, and I think we could do a whole another episode about how how our relationship with work and the concept of work has changed as well.

    Because me and you like growing up have always been the people who are like, we have to do what we're passionate about.

    Our career needs to be what we're passionate about.

    Like for now, I think the concept of work has shifted post pandemic and it's more like actually, I don't really need to be passionate about the things I'm doing at work.

    30:46

    Sometimes I just need to be able to spend my time intentionally, yeah, whether it's in work or not in work, so.

    I do think that it is helpful be that I have something else to focus on, like my side hustle, my floristry, stuff like that.

    I have not felt alive about doing something outside of work until now.

    31:05

    And it's pretty amazing having that feeling because I look forward to doing it.

    I look forward to investing time to it outside of work.

    But the thing that really like, I guess I get annoyed about is if I'm so tired from my 9:00 to 5:00 that I don't even have energy to invest into that.

    31:23

    It's like, So what is all of this for?

    You know, if I'm just pouring everything into, what, 9:00 to 5:00 that I genuinely am not enjoying anymore, what is the point?

    So yeah, I think it is obviously a luxury and a privilege to even have something that I've found that I'm so passionate about.

    31:39

    But it's because I have that passion that I don't look for that passion in my 9:00 to 5:00 anymore either.

    Yeah.

    Yeah, your creative cup is being filled elsewhere.

    And that's how I feel about like the podcast and we're doing it.

    And I'm all getting so excited about that.

    That really filled my creative cup.

    And without doing it, actually, I've been like really just like itching to do something else.

    31:57

    Like what else can I do?

    You know, what creative hobbies or projects can we work on?

    So it's kind of nice that the podcast is back as well.

    Yeah, on that.

    Should we touch on like, what we're planning to do with the podcasts?

    Yeah.

    Should we or should we do at the end?

    Maybe we.

    32:12

    Should do it at the end.

    Yeah, we'll do it at the end, so it's going to look different, but we'll touch on on the end.

    Yeah, yeah, yeah.

    Cool.

    Now let's talk about long distance friendship.

    So how has it really been Wendy?

    So Tracy and I wanted to share some news that we're breaking.

    32:33

    I'm just kidding.

    We're breaking.

    Up.

    We're breaking up.

    Yeah, that Season 5 is actually just one episode.

    Could you imagine the clip right, I'm dead.

    Yeah.

    When when I was like, thinking about this question, I was like, oh, I think I thought of the quote, distance does really make the heart grow fonder.

    32:58

    And as cheesy as it sounds, I feel like obviously we've been friends for how many years now, Tracy?

    Like, oh, definitely more than 15 years, right.

    Something like that.

    Yeah.

    And I kind of feel like this point in our lives has not even just been a big change for you, but I think it's been a really good change for our friendship because I think it's got me reflecting on just how much I appreciate our friendship and how much our friendship means to me.

    33:27

    I think throughout the last 10 months that you've been away, I feel like what we're doing is like, we're really supporting each other from afar, and we can do that without saying anything.

    And I feel like it was like almost like a, yeah, it's just like a mutual kind of not agreement, but a mutual thing that just happened.

    33:48

    And I think we can do that because our friendship has been built over so many years together.

    And I think if we didn't have that, you know, the depth of friendship that we do have.

    It wouldn't have been a foundation.

    Yeah, yeah.

    And I think it's like we've gone through so much together that it's just so much easier for us to maintain a friendship no matter where we are in the world.

    34:11

    And I've really felt that this year where I know that like we're like rock solid, you know, as friends.

    And it's, yeah, pretty amazing that you can, we can do that.

    Because I know that if our friendship was much fresher, it probably wouldn't be that easy, right?

    Like we'd feel the distance so much more.

    34:27

    But I feel like I'm just, like, honestly, even more grateful for our friendship now that I've had time away from you and knowing the fact that you are across the world has left.

    Like, you know, a hole where I know that, say, for, like, those examples where if I want to call someone, I'm like, oh, shit, I can't call Tracy.

    34:44

    And it's like reminding me just how much I lean on you for, you know, that sounding board and as a friend as well.

    So yeah, it's kind of those little moments that I catch myself, I'm like, oh, it would be great if Tracy was here, you know?

    Yeah.

    But also, I feel like even though there are those moments, what's it's given me, like, like we've still been able to be there for each other even, you know, when we're really in those critical moments where we really need somebody, Like we're only like about 10 hours maximum away from you, you know?

    35:16

    Like, I feel like despite being so far away, I still feel like you're one of my biggest support systems.

    And even though we're so far away, you're still there.

    Does it make sense?

    Yeah, it's like they're still presence, but in a different way.

    I don't have to describe it.

    35:32

    Yeah, but it's a good feeling.

    And I feel like I was actually dreading it for a while because I was like, how are we gonna maintain the podcast?

    How are we gonna maintain our friendship and all this kind of stuff?

    But honestly, I think out it's been easy because we just know each other so well and we know how to communicate with each other, especially in times of need.

    35:56

    We know how to make time for each other when there have been those situations.

    And I'm telling you, there's been a few that you guys haven't seen.

    So it's like, you know, like as soon as we both need each other, it's like, OK, I'm going to make time for you.

    And I think just having that mutual understanding is just, yeah, it's what's kept this going.

    36:12

    Yeah.

    I think we're really good at prioritising and like prioritising what is urgent and important like in our friendship and in each other's lives as well.

    And like, what what you said is like, really nice.

    Is that being supportive of each other?

    I feel like a little cheerleader, like I've been really proud to see what you've done this year.

    36:30

    And like, Oh my God, you know, another post on her Wendy's forestry page.

    And then I even seen your 30 years.

    Like, it's so beautiful.

    Like I feel like a really proud friend from afar to like, watch you like experience all these things.

    And like you said, because we're so secure in our friendship and it's almost like low maintenance.

    36:50

    Yeah, that's.

    That's we don't have to talk all the time to know that we're really rock solid friends.

    I see you like hanging out.

    I'm like so proud rather than being jealous.

    So it makes it like, I feel like other people could be like, oh, I'm so I'm so jealous.

    I'm not there, you know, I'm so like, oh, so she's becoming she'd become closer with other people, but others like we'll be so past that stage, right, Because we're I guess more mature now.

    37:12

    So it feels like I'm just watching for a place of like, pride, like, yeah, she's my friend.

    Go girl.

    Like like that, rather than like having any insecurities over our friendship.

    Yeah, yeah, that's exactly it.

    And like vice versa, when I see you like on holidays and stuff, I'll be like, oh, just living vicariously to trade.

    37:29

    I love that she's like, she's just living it up, you know?

    And it's like.

    So nice to see that yeah yeah.

    But in different living our best lives in different ways for sure.

    Yeah.

    So I, I feel like, yeah, I wasn't sure how long distance friendship would go.

    And there's a lot a part of me that feel guilty, like not just about our relationship, but like about other friendships as well.

    37:52

    I feel very guilty that I'm not able to like, spend more time or like respond, you know, like respond faster or like be on my phone and like be having a full conversation, catching up and like reaching out to people like how are you and things like that.

    38:08

    And I feel there's a level of guilt for me because I feel like I feel like sometimes people check in on me more than I check in on them.

    Yeah.

    And I feel guilty about that because I'm like, dog, I want to maintain those relationships and friendships, but also I don't want to do it like half assed.

    38:25

    Like, I don't want to go how are you?

    And then not reply in three days.

    Yeah.

    Yeah, for sure.

    So.

    But I feel like for us it's like.

    Yeah.

    There's a level of like, yeah, mutual understanding that, you know, you're busy living your life over there and you have new experiences that you're you're experiencing every single day that like, I know that I wouldn't want to take up time in that either, though.

    38:50

    Yeah, it's not.

    It's not.

    It's just like the quality time is just so much better when you're like, having a conversation, you know, rather than like texting.

    I think that's so hard.

    But a lot of people revert to texting.

    And then sometimes people might think, oh, because I haven't, we're not texting that much.

    Our relationship's not that strong.

    But as soon as you kind of get together in a room or get together in a call, it's like nothing's ever changed.

    39:08

    Yeah, Out of curiosity, this might be a bit of a tangent.

    Like like apart from us too, because I feel like we're, because we know each other so well, we've got such a secure friendship.

    How has it been with other people?

    Trying to maintain your friendships with those people?

    It's more like me sending text messages here and there, like hope you're well, like thinking of you or like commenting on the Instagram stories and like really small kind of like closed ended comments to show that I'm here and I'm thinking of you, but not having the time to actually have conversation with people.

    39:41

    Yeah, and I think that's so fair, you know, because it's just like literally, honestly, if you try and have be friends with someone in London, even though it's 10 hours, it's just the opposite ends of the day, which makes it really hard to have like a decent conversation, you know?

    39:56

    Yeah, Yeah.

    But.

    Like what I feel though is that our friends and when we know.

    No one's like, giving me shit for that.

    Does it make sense?

    Yeah.

    Like, I don't feel as in like, everyone's so supportive and understanding that everyone knows.

    40:12

    Like, she's doing her right now.

    I'm going to give her the space and she's going to be when she's back, she's back, you know?

    So I feel like very grateful that all my friends back home has been so positive over it.

    So yeah, how has life been different with each other since we're in different cities?

    40:28

    I think it's more so than what we touched about in terms of like, oh, not you're not on speed dial like I can't, I just like call you.

    Yeah, I have to.

    We have to like kind of schedule it in advance a little.

    Bit, yeah.

    So I think that's, that's just a little bit different, like the cadence of when we meet up and stuff needs to be organised.

    40:45

    Yeah, before it's, it was still organised, but I guess a lot, a lot less last minute as well.

    Yeah, and also like a thing that doing specific things because you'd be my go to person to do specific things with like yeah, events.

    Yeah.

    41:01

    You know, like, oh, I see this event that'll be so cool.

    I would hit you up and then know that you'll be interested in it.

    But sometimes I'm like, oh, I see this really cool thing.

    I guess I'll go by myself.

    Yeah.

    Or you have to think a little bit harder on like, oh, who should I ask or who would be down?

    41:17

    Whereas I know like you'll be always down.

    Like if I need an art date, I'll hit you up.

    Or if I need to go out to an industry event, I'll hit you up.

    Like, you know, just be like my go to person to do things with.

    So that's like a oh OK, well what do I do now?

    Yeah, you catch yourself that like, yeah, subconsciously not you would you would think about a certain person and that for me is like you as well.

    41:38

    It's like 1 less person to share like cool creative events or ideas or days out with right.

    And then you just realise, like, without you being here, I'm like, oh, OK, well I guess I gotta ask someone.

    Not that people.

    Are like saying the second best options, but no, no, no, no.

    Yeah.

    But it's just like certain things, like the creative stuff, for example, I think without you physically being with me, like I don't think I'm nourishing that side, the ideation side of me as much because I'm just living, you know, I'm just living and having fun.

    42:07

    But I'm not having like you there to go, what if we did this?

    What if we did that?

    Like I've been thinking about this project and this project.

    And then that way you like, you know, you start thinking about those things.

    I'm not, I don't have that.

    And another different thing is I guess like we're not like day to day updating each other as much.

    42:22

    So there will probably be like chunks of like life events or like little things that happens in our lives that we're not updated on anymore.

    Yeah, it's like what?

    We did.

    Next time we catch up, we have to.

    Yeah, yeah, yeah.

    Yeah, Yeah.

    That's why that was good because we did like, literally we had to think about all the things that we would have wanted to tell each other but didn't get a chance to.

    42:42

    Yeah.

    And then through that, like, presentation, it was good to even see, like, literally so much happened with you that I didn't even know because I assume you just feel so like saying too busy, like living that you didn't want to, like, post everything as well.

    And I feel like we're past posting everything on our socials.

    I'm still posting heaps of stuff because that's for me how I've been keeping everyone else updated.

    43:01

    Yeah, true.

    Yeah.

    Like my stories, like I've been posting so much more in London because I just know people were like, I don't have to explain.

    Yeah.

    But maybe it's lazy?

    Curious.

    I think.

    People are very curious.

    It's just my my lazy way of like updating all my cousins, updating all my friends so they know where I am and I don't have to like reach out.

    43:21

    Yeah, you don't have to like send photos separately to everyone.

    Yeah, yeah.

    But yeah, like you said, like there's a lot of things.

    I was like, oh wow, you did that.

    I didn't.

    I didn't even realise you did that.

    So it's just like things like that.

    Yeah, yeah, yeah.

    How would we rate ourselves in this long distance friendship?

    43:40

    I just saw your answer on your note.

    You can go first.

    I was like confidently 11 out of 1011 out.

    Of 10.

    Love that.

    Yeah.

    I just think like there is the reason why I give that answer is because there is no nothing that comes to mind that makes me doubt us, our friendship that we have done.

    44:02

    You know what I mean?

    Like I think we've both given each other the grace of time to enjoy and do what we needed to do in life.

    I think we've shown up for each other when we've needed to, when it's like either not even just like the urgent shit where I'm like, fuck, I'm freaking out.

    44:20

    I need somebody to talk to.

    It's also like to celebrate each other's milestones.

    It's been, I think we've found ways to kind of like be present in our in each other's lives through that as well.

    But yeah, just even like we would update each other here and there, but there's no, I guess expectation to constantly be on all the time for this friendship.

    44:43

    And we, yeah, haven't hit any roadblocks.

    And I don't foresee us hitting any roadblocks because it's very like, chill.

    There's no like crazy expectations of each other.

    Like we would never get mad at each other for replying late to each other because we just know.

    I think even though this has been like a dis disruptive, and I say that in quotation marks, like change, I think we've navigated it very well without like, you know, having to plan like, oh, how are we going to maintain our friendship?

    45:08

    Are we going to do like monthly catch UPS every every month?

    Like we've done none, none of that.

    Honestly, it's been very good with the flow and it's worked out very well for us, Hence why.

    Because we can't really plan.

    Yeah, compare much.

    Damn, that's really confident.

    I was going to give myself like a 7 out of 10 or like a 7.5 maybe because it's that guilt that I feel like I just feel like, Oh my God, like sometimes I don't reply for two days or three days, you know what I mean?

    45:32

    Like.

    I'm just fine.

    I'm just like Oh my God and then and then I reply and it's like a one sentence reply and then I'm like lying in bed.

    I thought Oh my God I actually need to reply more so then.

    No, just, I think I'm not judging you for that, you know?

    Yeah, yeah.

    45:47

    I think that's my way.

    I would minus points because I would love to spend more.

    It's so hard.

    Like if I had more time, you know what I mean?

    It's just like, I just feel, I feel bad sometimes when I take so long to reply to people because I want to like give it a proper thought, blah, blah, blah, blah.

    46:04

    So that's why I would rate myself a bit lower than the 10 because I feel guilty about that.

    But then I think there's this whole level of guilt just leaving Sydney, to be honest.

    Maybe this is something bigger, I don't know.

    You had to.

    You had to be selfish to in order to experience this this in your lifetime.

    46:21

    You know what I mean?

    Like you're always going to feel that.

    But nobody is what I mean.

    Speaking personally, like I'm not kind of annoyed at you for doing that.

    Yeah, if anything, I'm the opposite.

    I'm like proud of you for doing that.

    And like, even if you don't reply to things, I'm kind of like, I bet you she's just like, you know, off enjoying like a really nice like dinner or in a different country or like, Oh, I wonder where she is that she's not replying this this weekend, You know, like it's definitely not like, oh, she's she's ignoring me.

    46:51

    There's no I'll intentions I think.

    OK.

    Yeah, Yeah.

    Thank you.

    That's a little bit confident plus.

    Plus points I just.

    Feel guilty.

    I just feel guilty.

    That's me.

    Next question, what have we done differently to keep our friendship alive since living apart?

    47:08

    I don't.

    I don't think, do you think we've been doing anything like crazy different?

    I mean, the, the life update was just like an idea that I had last minute and was just like, would you be down to do this?

    Yeah, She made us do PowerPoints.

    It was really fun actually.

    But then her PowerPoint was like so nicely designed and I was like, Oh my God, she put in so much effort into this.

    47:28

    And my was like an ugly word art like PowerPoint presentation.

    It was kind of nice though, because it kind of just goes to show like just like I'm so extra when it comes to these things because I just enjoy doing it so much.

    Like maybe we'll share some of it as well or other socials as well.

    47:44

    We can do one of those.

    You know, there's collage Instagram things are popular now, like with the text thing.

    So OK, yeah, we'll do.

    That's a millennial talk of me.

    But yes, you do these collage things.

    Yeah, with a little text in the corner.

    Yeah, little text.

    And then we will survive carousels.

    Maybe we'll do on each.

    Yeah.

    47:59

    Yeah, no, but I think that that honestly was just like a one time thing.

    It sounds like we're doing it like every single time we've caught up, but every other time has just been like, I don't know, settings time aside in advance, like, oh, when are you free this that?

    48:14

    Yeah, it's like, it's almost like, isn't that a need to know basis?

    Is that what they say?

    Like it's like when we need each other, then we'll make the time and then we'll organise the time and then that's when we catch up, you know?

    Exactly.

    Rather than like talking constantly all the time, Yeah.

    But I think like through that, what has been nice is like, even if we aren't catching up regularly, we're doing a bit more thing like, you know, hey, thinking of you or like saw this and thought of you or like, oh, just random memories that pop up and you would just like text each other.

    48:43

    It could literally be like a 32nd conversation where I think the other day I was like, I saw an ad for a DJ that we saw in Mykonos and he's coming to Sydney.

    And I was like, ah, Tracy, it would have been amazing that if you were here for this, there's a lot more like capital letters and exclamation marks.

    48:59

    Yeah.

    Oh.

    It's like a little thing, a sausage dog the other day.

    How's being?

    Good.

    Yeah, Yeah, exactly.

    And I think it's just like a little a little bit more of that than usual.

    But those are the things that kind of let each us know that like, you know, we're thinking of each other, which I think is really nice.

    49:15

    Yeah.

    Do you have advice for people doing long distance friendships?

    Like what have we learned?

    Any advice or tips we want to give?

    I mean, I think, I think Tracy and I, like I said, have been friends for so long, so it does sound and feel easy.

    But I think individually, what I've been trying to do is like just being understanding and considerate of like what you're living over there and like what your time is like over there.

    49:41

    Like, I think, you know, people can easily get frustrated when, you know, a friend is more absent or they can get like angry.

    But I think just knowing that we're at a point in life where we're busy doing our own thing, where it doesn't mean that we're not thinking about each other when we're doing that, you know, And I feel like that has helped me come to terms with, obviously you're not as available as like you used to be, but that's OK.

    50:09

    And it makes it feel even better knowing that you are just living your best life over there because you've made a conscious decision to actually experience this.

    So I've want you to experience it all without feeling the burden of like, oh, I need to like tend to my friends at home.

    But also just knowing that like, I know if I need you, you will make time for me.

    50:28

    And that has given me the confidence that like, if I call you and be like, Tracy, I need to talk like right now, you'll be like, sure, I'll make it out right now.

    And the other thing that I would say is like, don't discount the little things, like, you know, the little messages that you send to your friend to know that you're thinking of them or making an effort to surprise them on a day where that, you know, they might feel homesick.

    50:54

    Like, for example, say your birthday, that kind of stuff.

    Like, I think those can hit harder than you think.

    And I think it's like, so worth the effort of like doing all those things, even though they might seem like, you know, very incremental.

    I think they make like the biggest difference in someone's like, yeah, making them feel like you're there with them as well.

    51:15

    And I think the last thing I will say is that like it's obviously a two way St, like it takes 2T.

    And I think we both give the same amount of effort and energy to this friendship and that makes it all the difference.

    Because if it's just one person, like constantly putting in the energy, like eventually it gets to a point where you know you're going to hit a point where one person's going to be really dissatisfied.

    51:40

    And I feel like because we're both putting in just in the same amount of energy and kind of meeting each other where we're both at, that has really helped like maintain this like, I don't know, friendship and cadence or whatever you want to call it.

    Yeah, yeah.

    Yeah, I agree.

    51:56

    And I think it's like also a practical advice.

    It does take a little bit of planning, I would say.

    And I think at least like protecting like when when you do try to jump on a call with like your long distance friend, I think my recommendation is protecting at least at least two hours, you know, yeah, of time because maybe you think, oh, I have an hour here and I can just chat.

    52:17

    I can, I can get it all done in an hour.

    We can never finish yapping in an hour.

    And it's all an hour is generally just like one person's updates, you know?

    Usually, yeah.

    So I think practically, like now I'm when I catch up with friends, I try to make a bigger effort to protect more time.

    52:33

    Like if it's in the Sunday morning, then knowing that whole morning is basically out because, yeah, your yaps are probably going to take longer than you think that it will take.

    But you can go out and do walking meetings, you know, like you can.

    You can do things like that, Yeah.

    Yeah, but I think you in your last job, you were like, Oh no, we've done that a few times when you've been walking to work and you've just called me, which has been really, really nice.

    52:56

    Yeah, Yeah.

    So.

    Practically, I think just plan ahead and like sometimes we do have the schedule course like 2 weeks ahead because like the only time we can do is a weekend and then we both have to be free in that specific time slot.

    So that is advice.

    Yeah, I don't really know what the advice to give people doing this.

    53:16

    Oh, you know what I did, which was helpful?

    I had London time on my home screen.

    Oh yes I do the same.

    I've got Sydney time clock on my screen.

    So, you know, yeah, helped me, yeah.

    Have like visibility of what time it is over there.

    53:32

    This was a lot more helpful when our time difference was a bit bigger before daylight savings.

    But now that it's like after, it's so much.

    Easier to convert, like you're an hour ahead of me, but yes, opposite.

    Like daytime, not time.

    Yeah, it's PM, AM.

    Yeah, yeah.

    And I think also being really direct and commutative is really important.

    53:51

    Like you said, like if you really need your friend, tell them.

    And I need to jump on a call with you, like, I need your help.

    And I think normally when you say those words to a friend, they'll be like, oh, OK, this is urgent.

    Like, I will make time for it, you know?

    Yeah, yeah, yeah.

    So.

    Definitely.

    Yeah.

    Yeah.

    54:07

    Is that everything we want to talk about with friendships?

    Anything else to add?

    I mean, there's always so much more we can talk about, right?

    But I feel like this is a really nice entry into a new season.

    We're back and we hope that you you're glad that we're back.

    54:24

    Yes.

    Are people still out there?

    Yeah, people are still listening.

    But if you are still listening, we can give you a little idea of what we think this season will look like.

    I think we're both still, I mean, I think we kind of worked it out, but like this season is going to be a little bit different because all Four Seasons that we've had in the past, we've been pretty militant about getting an episode out every fortnight, doing a solo episode, a guest episode, a solo episode, a guest episode, alternating and planning all our episodes in advance, pre recording, scheduling things like we're pretty militant about.

    55:01

    Yeah.

    The podcast, but I think Wendy and I chatted and we feel that for this new season we want to be a bit more flexible because we're both still like she's doing flourishing, all these other things happening.

    You know, I'm still doing London stuff.

    So we want to be a little bit more flexible to our personal needs and probably do more one on one like me.

    55:21

    Just me and Wendy yapping.

    Yeah, not so much.

    I guess focus this season and then also maybe not put the pressure on us to stick to a schedule.

    Yeah, it's kind of like, you know, very like go with the flow.

    55:37

    If we feel like doing an episode, not even if we feel like doing an episode, because I've always feel like we're always up for a conversation, right?

    But it's more like if we feel like we've got the time and the energy to put out something, we will.

    And I feel like that's kind of nice because it's like little eggs throughout the year.

    55:54

    Kind of, yeah, I think so.

    And then it also means, like the content that everyone gets will be really intentional because you will know that it's like when we really have something to say, yes, yes, we have something to say.

    So hopefully it will be richer conversations and you can come along with our journey or figuring out our lives for the next year or so.

    56:16

    I think it'll be really cool because it's almost like a documentation of like our life at this present time and our friendship at this present time.

    It's almost like you'll get up to date live documentary on what's going on in our lives.

    Yeah.

    So don't even know how many seasons.

    I mean, how many episodes will be this in this season?

    56:33

    Yeah, We don't have 20.

    Could be 10.

    We could cap it at 10.

    I don't know.

    Let's see what we get up to see.

    Yeah.

    And you know it.

    Might be like, it might be like some surprise type episodes where you know, it could be just one of us.

    Yes, exactly.

    It could just be one of us, or maybe we sometimes have a guess.

    56:50

    Yeah, somebody else.

    Yeah, just see where it.

    So we're keeping it.

    Open.

    We're keeping it open, but I already know there's a lot that we want to talk about already.

    So it's not going to go quiet.

    It's just more the time for us editing and all of that and recording.

    So it won't go quiet, I promise you that.

    57:06

    And there's another episode coming up because preview is that my sister Monica, when she was here, her and I actually recorded a spontaneous podcast episode on my bed and which I haven't heard it guys, by the way.

    So I haven't even listen.

    57:22

    I haven't listened to it back yet.

    I haven't done the edits for it, but you will get a bonus episode about me and my sister sisterhood living overseas, living apart from each other.

    Like it was like a when we were really raw talking about our emotions of living, living overseas.

    57:39

    So I think that's going to be a really nice episode to come your way as well.

    Yeah, so much to look forward to.

    And I feel like this is like, yeah, quite a nice pivot for our podcast.

    It's like a new chapter in a lot of ways as well, so I'm really, really excited about it, yeah.

    57:55

    Even more cosy, like I feel like I see our tables getting more cosy like more intimate.

    Yeah, to come up with like, you know, the right environment in my home for that too.

    Cosy vibes.

    Yeah, cosy vibes, Cosy catch up vibes.

    Oh, I like that.

    Yes.

    58:11

    Yeah.

    Anyway, so much to look forward to.

    But something that hasn't changed is our dinner table questions.

    They're still here.

    First up is what's something new in each other's lives that we don't know about yet?

    I've booked four wedding jobs for next year.

    58:33

    Really.

    Yeah, wait, that's so good.

    Like so she wedding jobs?

    Yeah, like proper jobs.

    People have inquired through like my page or got referred from by someone.

    Like, gosh, yeah, Congrats.

    What the hell?

    That's amazing. 4 is huge.

    58:49

    I know it's like quite a lot and I haven't been actively looking like I've kind of just been trying to warm myself into the industry, like, you know, going along for like ride alongs with my friend who works in the wedding industry and like just posting whenever I feel like it.

    59:05

    But yeah, for the four to come through when I'm not really actively trying to get leads has been pretty incredible.

    But I also have to just say like, so like so much thanks to people who not just are coming through my website, but it's people who have referred their friends to me as well, like you know who you are.

    59:22

    I think that's been really nice to see.

    It's also like complete, not strangers, but people that I'm not 100% close with, like they're not my close circle friends.

    It's just people that I know through, you know, different walks of life and they're still referring people to me, which is like pretty cool of.

    Course.

    59:38

    Wow.

    So that's.

    Wow, that's so good.

    When are they?

    Yeah.

    It'll be in May, I think it's like May, June, and then it skips a few months and then October, November.

    Well, that's such a huge deal.

    How exciting, no?

    59:54

    Yeah, yeah, I can't wait.

    Yeah.

    That's a really good update.

    I'm I'm, I don't have anything that fun.

    What's new that you guys don't know about our lives?

    Is Wendy's coming to London to visit?

    Yeah, yeah.

    Yeah, as a part of the redundancy, it's like this is the only time that I'm going to be able to get off without having to ask for leave.

    1:00:14

    So I'm visiting Tracy and we're going to hang out and we're going to record.

    Some episodes, yes.

    So we're going to hang out in London for a while, so we're going to have someone on one time, so stay tuned for that.

    But that's pretty good news.

    It is.

    It is something you don't know about me.

    1:00:30

    Do you know what I mean?

    I'm in a book club, do you know that?

    No, I don't know what.

    Tell me more.

    This is why I mean I'm reading.

    More on Goodreads or adding stuff.

    Oh, have you?

    Yeah.

    Yeah, yeah.

    So my friends and I, some of my friends and I, we started a book club like maybe five months ago.

    1:00:45

    So I think there's six or seven books in now and we do a monthly read and then we just go out to eat and we just chit chat with the book.

    But then mainly just Yup about life and.

    Then I was gonna say, how much of A do you actually talk about the book?

    We actually do, you know, we're actually pretty good about this because we get Chachi BT out and then we go give us some questions to discuss about the book.

    1:01:05

    Yeah, it's actually been really, really fun.

    Like I, it's kind of a nice excuse to just see my friends every month.

    And like it's, it's actually definitely got me into reading again because for the longest time in London I was like, I'm not commuting far away anymore.

    I don't have a reason to read.

    1:01:20

    And now that like book club I'm in thinking about books more.

    So I'm reading a lot more.

    So I'm really excited about that and I'm going to manifest this and something I want to do as well is maybe create like a crafting club type of situation, maybe bimonthly monthly get together with some friends where we do a craft project each month.

    1:01:40

    Yeah, I haven't really expressed this to anyone, but it's been percolating in my head because I miss like painting, I miss embroidery, like all that stuff.

    So like maybe TBC watch this space.

    You should.

    You totally should.

    Well on that.

    What have you been consuming lately, like physically or mentally?

    1:01:59

    Yeah, so physically, I mean by food mentally as in like watching and reading and stuff.

    Yeah.

    So I have been consuming.

    I've been really into Persevance lately.

    I think, 'cause they're in season at the moment.

    I've been eating a lot of Persevance.

    Where am I go to?

    Oh, wait, wait, wait.

    1:02:15

    I have a really good one.

    OK, so there's these apples called Kissabel apples, and they have been developed in the South of France for 20 years, and they've recently started coming out to commercial markets.

    And it's in Sydney now, by the way, but only in some specialty stores.

    And it's in some stores in London, like M&S and Waitrose.

    1:02:34

    And it looks like a pink lady when you bite into it, it's red flesh on the inside and it's a bit tart, but it's like so juicy.

    It's like it kind of like is really juicy, like a Fuji apple, but has a tartness that's not so much a Granny Smith, but a little bit tight.

    1:02:50

    So a bit of sweet, sour, juicy, crunchy and like guys, get on this.

    This is.

    Like that time on exchange I discovered doughnut Peaches.

    And the Italian?

    1:03:05

    Peaches, yeah, the Italian Peaches and they were not a thing in Australia and now they they are every season and now there's but if you guys see it, nectarines as well.

    Yeah, if you guys see these, please try them.

    Let me know.

    Pete, DM me.

    1:03:20

    DM me.

    You're trying them anyway.

    Send Tracy a photo.

    Yeah, that's what I'm gonna continue lately.

    OK, last question.

    What's on your 2026 vision board?

    Obviously my.

    Forestry business #1 Vision board #2 new job, maybe don't know, We'll see.

    1:03:45

    And #3 it's not just a vision because it's reality.

    I'm coming.

    Wow.

    OK, OK, OK.

    See you.

    OK.

    She's coming.

    Yeah.

    OK.

    That's not a vision board then.

    That's just like a reality, like you said.

    But it would have been on my vision board had it.

    1:04:02

    True, True, True.

    True.

    True.

    True.

    True.

    True.

    Yeah, literally, we've been planning this for the last like 2 weeks.

    It literally just happened.

    Yeah, Yeah.

    What about you?

    My vision board is Tomorrowland 2026 which I think.

    Will happen.

    I'm so spewing about this.

    1:04:19

    Maybe I will come, who knows?

    So Tomorrowland is going to be on the vision board.

    Another thing on the vision board is I literally got inspired last night.

    It might sign up to a 10K run and then.

    You'll be fine. 10 KS.

    Yeah, I know, I completely know I'll be fine because I can run a bit more than that, but I've never done a race.

    1:04:38

    Oh, actually, I I'm completely lying.

    I've done city to surf, sorry.

    I'm completely lying.

    I've done city to surf.

    Sorry.

    OK, maybe I have to be a bit more ambitious.

    But anyways, I want to run, do a short, a short like run in London because I haven't done an official one in London.

    Yeah, I want a medal.

    I want a medal.

    1:04:55

    And this may be crafting club situation.

    Yeah, yeah, yeah.

    We love that.

    We love that for you.

    Yeah.

    Oh, another thing.

    And I want to get more involved in the creative community here as well.

    Do like more, go to more events, go to more networking events, that type of stuff.

    1:05:12

    Oh, a good question is what's on our 26 vision board for the podcast?

    Oh.

    I mean, other than what we've already said, like I feel like, do we have like a grand vision for what this is going to be calm?

    1:05:27

    I have no idea neither, and that's the point of this new season.

    I did have a thought.

    What was my thought?

    Oh, my thought was more when we're in London together, I was like wondering what it would be like if we did like a travelling podcast.

    1:05:48

    So almost like we're recording, but it's at different points in the day and we're doing.

    I love that.

    You know what, that is a great vision board thing because I've been wanting to do that type of editing for a while.

    Like more of a docu, not docu style, like a more storytelling, like a you get sounds of what's happening, like live, live conversation, live snippets, like people listening and then put it together into a podcast episode.

    1:06:09

    Yeah, yes, that's a great one.

    Done.

    Done.

    Don't know what we're gonna do that's live planning for you guys.

    Yeah, like more authentic, like less talking to camp, like talking to a microphone, but more like, you know, with.

    That little microphone.

    We're running for the train.

    1:06:24

    Like that kind of vibe, Yeah.

    OK.

    That was a great first episode back.

    Everybody.

    Thank you so much for tuning in.

    Thank you for staying here, thank you for clicking on us, Thank you for supporting us.

    DM us.

    We always love it when you send us some loves.

    1:06:40

    It kind of validates what we're doing.

    It validates us personally as well.

    So send some validation through.

    We'd love that.

    Yeah, quick shout out to Gemma, who we did an event with a while back in Sydney.

    And also shout out to Cindy.

    These are two people that like messaged us specifically and said like, you're in my top like 10 or whatever it is for Spotify rap.

    1:07:02

    So shout out to both of you because that honestly made made our day.

    And I just I genuinely got teary.

    I'm not even joking.

    I genuinely got teary.

    I was like, Oh my God, a top podcast or someone's Spotify wrapped is our podcast.

    That's so crazy.

    It's pretty insane.

    But like, yeah, it's those little interactions, but the little pieces of I guess like feedback that we get that makes doing all of this feel even more worthwhile.

    1:07:24

    Like, we love talking to, you know, the mic and sharing our experiences so that you can influence and impact others as well.

    But I think just having those little kind of conversations with all of you understanding, like just how much this podcast means to you too, it gives us more of a reason to keep going.

    1:07:42

    So thank you so much.

    Thank you.

    Love you all.

    All right, see you the next one.

    Bye.

Next
Next

Life in Our Late Twenties