Hello and welcome to Chasing Words And Wonder!

How lucky am I that you found my wee corner of the sprawling web

Hello wonderful you and welcome!

My name is Christina and I am a Scotland-based poet, writer and creative coach.

I began writing Chasing Words And Wonder in winter 2022 and have been loving connecting with writers, poets, artists, scientists and thoughtful humans here ever since.

My initial plan was to explore creativity and wellbeing in this shiny new online space. I’m an ex-journalist, photographer and magazine editor, and publication launches are a wonderful deliverer of dopamine. However, I inevitably began getting lost in metaphors and falling down rabbit holes along the way (late-discovered neurodivergent human here!). So instead, it’s turned into a less polished sharing of my work in progress, wobbles with creative self-belief and other discoveries.

During lockdown I decided to hang up my camera and go back to school.

I’m now the proud - if exhausted - holder of a Masters in Applied Positive Psychology and Coaching Psychology. If I can get to grips with writing a systematic literature review, then you can do big scary things too my friend.

I’m also embracing my lifelong love of poetry and attempting to give myself an apprenticeship via short courses and workshops. Like the science degree, it’s a steep learning curve. I still get lost in stanzas and sistinas (and what the hell is a villanelle?), but am having fun playing and experimenting.

If the last few years have taught me anything, it’s that there really is no quick fix, one size-fits-all approach to the wild and wonderful act of flourishing. Instead small, sustainable steps, regular course corrections and fun experiments to find what works for you at this time is what it’s all about.

More than anything, I love helping folks carve out time for creativity, cultivate self-belief and feel all the wellbeing benefits this brings. I do this while navigating the complexities of being a parent/carer and deeply appreciate you supporting my work here.

Finally, my favourite thing about Substack is connecting with folks all over the world, from my wee village in Fife, Scotland. So please do drop a note in the comments and let me know where you are today and what is sparking joy for you right now.

Free subscribers receive a weekly-ish inbox drop of curiosity and wonder. Paid subscribers (£6 a month or £60 a year) get access to the full Chasing Words And Wonder archive, plus membership of The Spark Crew - a cross-discipline creative community hosted here on Substack. We’re gathering fortnightly to experiment with new practices, be inspired and to share our work, and would love to have you join us if you can!