Welcome to a place where you can be seen, share your experience, and find rest.
- Michaela Tester
In a world that often feels disconnected, my blog aims to bring people together through shared stories and insights. Here at 'A Place to Be Seen,' I strive to create a comforting space where everyone can feel understood and find solace. My writings are crafted with the hope that you will discover that you are never alone in your journey. Embrace the peace that comes with shared experiences and let this be somewhere to find rest and tranquility.
Welcome to my website!
This is where our journey together begins. I invite you to come and get to know me and the journey that has brought me to share parts of my story with you. Despite the challenges, I can't be ungrateful as I have been provided the opportunity to observe, learn, and see beyond myself. Through my experiences, I have learned I am passionate about community, connection, self-discovery and self-love, which is why I am here putting my thoughts, stories and experiences to words in hopes others may find a "me too" moment. If you desire, please share your experience, as my ambition is for us to do life and grow together. I am so glad you are here to be a part of the story.
The power of “me too.”
In my opinion, one of the most powerful ways someone can connect with another is when they hear a piece of another story or experience and from that they feel a relativity to it and at that moment you hear the words inside whisper "me too." And at that moment you feel a sense of comfort that instills hope because it's here you realise maybe you aren't so alone and there are others out their fighting their own battles and challenges and in someway it creates a sense of association that makes you feel less alone.
About me
Welcome to A Place to Be Seen, a blog dedicated to creating a sense of community through the power of words.
My favourite people call me Aunty, most call me Michaela and a few special people call me Micky. People are important to me, connection and community are at the foundation of my heartbeat. I love almost all music, I enjoy sunrises and sunsets, and Christmas is, in my opinion, the best part of the year. I will forever feel at home by the ocean. I am a long black girl but will occasionally treat myself to a cheeky almond flat white with a dash of honey. I have a degree in Behavioural and Social Sciences, and have been fortunate enough to work in varying parts of communities throughout Australia for over 10 years.
So how did I begin my blog journey? Well, I have always inclined myself to two things; creativity, and providing opportunities for people to be seen. For most of my life, this has been expressed through songs that have formed from my own heart. When I am evoked by a person's situation, I often find that my capacity and strength to help is with creativity.
In May 2024, I got quite unwell, and as a result lost my ability to verbally speak, and sustained right side numbness, alongside many other symptoms. The diagnosis is Functional Neurological Disorder(FND). Initially, this disorder created a barrier, as I usually express myself through instruments and song. So I found a new outlet in this season, and found beauty and healing in forming the writings that I share here. This then flowed to many other sources of creativity that I hope I progressively get brave enough to share. My hope is the words and creations that I have been fortunate to produce during this time may connect with you. The topics are not limited and range from hospital admissions, relationships, immense love and vast grief, inner and outer struggles, my mental health journey and basically anything that spurred my mind to externalise.
My hope is that you may relate or connect with me or words through your own hardships, thoughts or experiences and there find the power in "me too."
Thank you for sharing this space with me, you are so welcome here.
All my love.
Near, far, forever, always.
Michaela Tester (aka Aunty/Micky)