February 2026 Newsletter: The Need for Sadness in Art
Shirley Hay Shirley Hay

February 2026 Newsletter: The Need for Sadness in Art

When my girls were young, they often heard me listening to Jann Arden’s music. If you’re unfamiliar, her lyrics are a poetic observation of what it means to be a human. She is an observer, a storyteller, a witness.

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December 2025 Newsletter: Embracing the Unknown
Shirley Hay Shirley Hay

December 2025 Newsletter: Embracing the Unknown

When I studied psychology, the idea of a schema (or script) really resonated with me. This refers to patterns we use to inform our behaviour in a given situation, usually based on previous experience. In other words, people like to know what to expect. But sometimes, not knowing can be a welcome surprise.

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October 2025 Newsletter: Plan Interrupted
Shirley Hay Shirley Hay

October 2025 Newsletter: Plan Interrupted

I am a planner. Anyone who knows me will tell you as much, and although sometimes I feel subtle teasing lingering behind those smiles (there she goes again, overthinking the details!), I know this personality trait has its benefits.

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