MORE ABOUT ME:
LISA KISSANE (& PAN)
Ah, hello, friend 👋
Want to know more about me, huh?
Working in traditional employment never suited me. I worked as an administrator, account manager, social worker, teacher and pretty much everything in-between.
I tried employment for nearly 20 years, but eventually the anxiety of having to be visible and available for 8hrs every day got too much. I felt chained to my desk. It was exhausting.
So what changed?
My dad died.
It was completely unexpected and shattered my soul into teeny tiny pieces. I spent the next two years hating my job (and therefore, a large chunk of my life) more and more. And then some more.
Until, eventually, I broke.
It wasn’t as dramatic as that, honestly. But like most decisions in my life, I persevered and persevered until I couldn’t anymore.
I needed to work for myself. It was a visceral need that left me ugly crying daily, desperate to get out from under the corporate thumb.
My mental health has never been what anyone would classify as ‘good’ and the grief of dad dying brought it all bubbling up to the surface.
I’d been learning about copywriting on the sly for a while by then, so, armed with a bunch of new skills and a dream of finally being in control of my own life, I waved goodbye to my safe, secure job and threw myself into freelancing full time.
I wrote for friends, and friends of friends, and I improved.
I’ll never stop improving - as a writer, and as a human being.
Throughout my life, I’ve had therapies, practised mindfulness and learned (slowly, oh so slowly) to listen to my body. Some of these attempts left me flat on my face, but the others changed my life.
No, really.
Wellbeing practices are the single most important thing I’ve ever done for my mental health, and this goes way beyond just doing some yoga and getting therapy.
So as a copywriter and strategist, I decided to work with other heartful entrepreneurs. You amazing creatures who channel your heart and soul into helping people like me in all kinds of way, like photographers who help build confidence; financial advisors who educate about money; and coaches who support people with a plethora of challenges.
Since going freelance, my mental health has been…better. More manageable, at the very least. I’m not ‘cured’ and I accept things like intrusive thoughts as a necessary part of life (thanks, amygdala). But I’m thriving in a way I never have before.
I have people like you to thank for that.
Working collaboratively with other soul-led businesses has brought me so much joy.
How could I ever do anything else?
Who's Pan and why is he here?
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Pan is a shih tzu crossed with a toy poodle who came into my life in October 2021, two months after my dad died unexpectedly.
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We got him at 8 weeks when he could fit in the palm of my husband's hand, and he continues to bring joy and light into my life each and every day.
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He's my hero, best mate and business partner. Some of my most productive meetings have been just the two of us. He's a great listener.
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If you resonate with this I urge you to read Kate Spicer's novel, Lost Dog, which is bloody wonderful.