Jenny Wynter - Comedian, Writer, Keynote Speaker

Obligatory Blog

My very occasionally updated thoughts that need to be expressed, and don't belong elsewhere.

Oct 29, 2012

Sharing the Truth of Mummyhood

Above: a rare moment having the best of both worlds, taken in our hotel room on tour with the fam a few months ago. I am absolutely crap, as in CRAPPEDY CRAP CRAP CRAP at keeping up with comments on my youtube channel. Facebook on the other hand? I’m a genius. But youtube? Forget it. But today, I caught up. I always brace myself before I ever check these random commenters’ posts, readying for for the punch in the guts that could just be round the corner. But…the ones I uncove

Jul 10, 2012

5 Rocking Resources On Getting Stuff Done (Especially Cool If You’re Into Writing)

One massive thing I haven’t even told you about yet is that I have been working my BUTTOCKS off – all seven of them – lately on re-writing my entire book proposal. Do you remember I told you yonks and yonks ago about the book I was writing about mothers pursuing big dreams, etc? (You can read one of the interviews from it here if you’re so inclined!) Well, that’s the one I’m on about. The whole premise has had a pretty major re-work, I’m stunningly happy with how it’s heading

Jun 5, 2012

2012 Goals: A Mid-Year Review

Spotted in New Farm. I am a sucker for a giveaway and anything that’s just a little bit purty. I am overwhelmed by spam. Not the “SPAM SPAM” type of spam that can suck you in with its pseudo-friendly “Hey! Jenny! Remember me?”, a subject which possesses such confidence that you give the unfamiliar sender’s name “Rick Aston? Hmmm, sounds familiar. Maybe I do know Rick Aston!” the benefit of the doubt and click on their email, only to be bashed over the head with “$2.99 VIAGRA

May 30, 2012

Finding Clarity Through Crisis (or “The Lump in my Breast and My Throat.”)

Found on Facebook. Original source unknown. Yesterday starts out like any other. I drop the kids at school, drop Cass to daycare, I kiss them all goodbye. I manage to sneak in a quiet coffee and to-do list session before taking a seat in the doctor’s office to get my latest test results. Nothing too serious, nothing too surprising, just the usual pesky thyroid issues and a bit of low iron. All good. Then, just as we are wrapping things up, I say “Oh, it’s probably nothing, b

Feb 13, 2012

Combatting the Anxiety-Riddled Side Effects of Attempting Wild Feats of Awesome

Find a happy place. Find a happy place. Today it has happened. A wave of panic has hit the shore of my being, leaving seaweed trails of anxiety that spell out “AGH! Only 10 days til you jet off to Adelaide for the Fringe!” on the eroding sand of the otherwise relatively calm beach of moi. Did you get that? If so, ten points. All is well. All will be well. But while my to-do list is battling it out with my sense of panic to see “who will be the largest of them all?” I am tryin

Dec 5, 2011

2012 Goals and other Shiny Things

Goals. Yes, I know, I know, carrying on from my last post about the year that’s been, clearly I have absolutely NO lightbulbs going off at all as to how to go about lowering my ambitions. I know all about the ‘why’, but it doesn’t translate into any tangible changes. As I watched Eddie Izzard’s “Believe” doco again the other day, this time with my sister, it really struck me how even though he came to the realisation that his ridiculous over-achieving compulsion was directly

Nov 25, 2011

Breaking the Bad Habit of Setting the Bar Too High.

Image courtesy of Parada Creations. I am pretty much in love with her entire catalogue. Before you read on, know upfront that I have no answers to how to address the problem mentioned in this title. I only have questions. I welcome suggestions. This was all triggered by me putting together a “Year in Review” post – inspired in no small part by a 2010 post by the fabooshy Tess Waters – and already it’s been quite revelatory. And self-indulgent. And back to revelatory. Reading

May 6, 2011

Part Two of the “Five Things I Need to Change Round Here” Series

Part Two: “Getting a New Morning Routine” Again, inspired by a recent blog post by Sarah Wilson (my fave lifehacking blogger by a long shot), I have realised that my morning routine needs a massive overhaul. On a side note, after reading said post, I have hereby decided that Winston Churchill’s morning routine is: a) my personal fave; and b) utter proof that of his considerable responsibilities, child-rearing duties were apparently not one. The thing is, when it current

Apr 4, 2011

A Productive Creative Habit I Shall Admire but Probably Never Do

I loveloveloveThe Creative Habit, a smart, inspiring and helpful book by New York based choregrapher Twyla Tharp, a ferociously driven and creative woman.One of her tips, my favorite, is to “…create a cardboard box for every project you’re working on. That action concretizes your commitment to it…it ensures a physical reminder that you are working on something.”From Broadside’s “Would You Rather Be Productive Or Creative?” Hmmm. Just another brilliant idea that I’ll in all li

Jan 25, 2011

If Success Falls in a Forest…

John Keats as portrayed in "Bright Star" I finally got around to watching “Bright Star” this week and it got me thinking – I mean, aside from the tragedy of a great love cut short – about the nature of success. What really hit me – especially after getting my John Keats-google on (and if you’ve perchance stumbled on here by googling that phrase then hello and I can’t quite decide if I love you or loathe you) – was the revelation that John Keats met his death believing himself

Jan 17, 2011

Having Kid Early vs Having Em Later – The Impact On Your Life

‘ I had a very enlightening conversation last night – one of many, in fact – with my host here in Sydney, Ms Jodie Ekert. I first met Jodie many years back when we were both fresh faces on the stand-up comedy scene (not saying anything about the current state of our faces, mind you, I am speaking purely metaphorically…ehem) – we hit it off and when some many months later she came to town to perform and was looking for an MC, she called on yours truly. Fast forward x years lat

Dec 8, 2010

4 Semi-Coherent Thoughts On Keeping Momentum Going

I doubt I'd ever be game, but something deep within me freakin LOVES this. My dear friend (and fellow chaser of the challenging performing/Mummy combination) Alex called me this morning, and asked me something which has since sent my cogs not just turning, but spiralling inwards on themselves in confusion not seen since I exposed the poor darlings to Inception: “How do you keep your momentum going?” I tried to answer, but realised afterwards that what I’d really been talking

Nov 10, 2010

How To Get What You Want and Other Lessons from an 8-year-old

#manipulation #letter #motivation #ohdearLordletthebeggingbegin #kids #gettingwhatyouwant #family

Oct 22, 2010

National Novel Writing Month! (Or, “Just Another Train Too Many I Feel Compelled to Jump On&#8

In NYC - the tavern where the likes of Jack Kerouac hung out. And wrote. And drank. So it’s time again for National Novel Writing Month! I’ve signed myself up (cos you know, that’s exactly what I need right now. Another freaking project. What is WRONG WITH ME?! ) and I’m using these last few days of October to decide exactly which project to dedicate it to. Hmmmm. Actually, to heck with it! Let’s bring on the poll! I mean, chances are, if you’re reading this, you’re obviously

Oct 5, 2010

Links of the Week (or WHAT?! You mean there’s more to cyberspace than ME?!)

1. Truly faboosh blog. I’ve already spent hours there. Print from Sweet William 2. The gorgeous store Sweet William (where the adores-balls print above is from) on the Aussie version of Etsy, madeit.com I am in love with their stuff and already buying up big on hubby’s behalf dropping massive hints for Christmas. 3. Interested in starting a creative biz? 4. Oh yeah, have I not told you I’ve started an improv theatre company? I’m so damn excited it’s kinda ridiculous – we’ve g

Sep 3, 2010

On healthy detachment from dreams

I had a lot of lovely comments and emails in response to last week’s post: “Your dreams: what if you knew you’d never get there?” One was from a rather wonderful woman I had the very good luck to meet in Canada at the Banff World TV Fest – we hit it off straight away and have managed to stay connected since. She even took me on a little behind-the-glossy-awesomeness-of-Vancouver tour when we were in town. Anyway, I love what she wrote so wanted to share it here. Thanks Mona!!

Aug 11, 2010

Success Envy

*Image courtesy of motifake.com A recent conversation in the comments thread got me thinking about an old post I wrote on the topic of jealousy and bitterness over other people’s success. I do still struggle with this. Absolutely. But I’d like to think that I’m getting better at dealing with it, namely with a bit of a self-coaching that goes something like this: “The only reason this rubs you up the wrong way is because it makes you doubt yourself, whether YOU will ever get t

Aug 3, 2010

Links of the Week! (Or WHAT? You mean there’s more to cyberspace than ME?)

Aprons for sale found in New York City 1. Great article on spreading the word about yourself without being a complete tosser over at the always interesting Art Biz blog. 2. The very amazing looking Creative Connection event. When oh when will it come to the land Down Under? Pretty, pretty please? 3. And oh, how I wish I’d had these for my wedding cake! Sigh…(or should I say, ‘belch’?) Cake toppers from BlueButterflyDesign #arts #linksoftheweek #motivation #silly

Aug 2, 2010

Fitting Your Own Oxygen Mask First

Found in New York City In having spent the past 11 days on the other side of the globe from my darling kidlets, I have finally had the space to think about them with the benefit of distance. In essence, giving myself some love, attention and fuel that I’ve been needing, has actually allowed me to shock, surprise: realise how much I want to be a better parent. I don’t mean that I felt guilty about going, (though of course, this came up from time to time), but rather, what I’m

Jul 31, 2010

On crazy and audacious goals

It's a long way to the top, so the journey better be funky, yo. Back from the Big Apple and into real life and blog-land; am slowly catching up on my faves, including this newly discovered one by artist Dana Barbieri. I especially love her ‘art biz mama’ interviews, featuring insights from women juggling life as artists and mothers respectively. This part of her interview with Jen from Bird From A Wire, jumped out at me like a mugger in a dark alley: “…it’s really important t

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