Jake Pearson  00:00

Are you trying to figure out the secret to happiness, we're here at “What makes you happy" with Jake Pearson, we want to make that happiness more accessible for you in your life. So stick around as we interview everyday people, inspirational leaders and your favorite celebrities on what makes them happy.

Welcome back to the podcast where we ask the question, what makes you happy, my name is Jake Pearson. And today we have with us Ky Garvey, who is a writer and fellow podcaster from the Totally Lit! Podcast, a podcast celebrating reading, writing and creating literature. Ky, how are you? And where are you?

Ky Garvey  00:46

I'm based in Brisbane. I'm a children's book author and podcaster. My podcast Totally Lit! interviews are the authors [phonetic 00:56] about their latest works and about their journey in becoming an author just to support all those writers out there who are starting their journey. And I just want to support those writers to keep going.

Jake Pearson  01:08

I love that. Thank you for sharing. So what makes you happy?

Ky Garvey  01:12

Oh, what makes me happy, a good cup of tea. At the moment, I'm really into roller skating. When I was a kid, my dad used to take me roller skating and I loved it. I loved music and it was 80s of course then, and just [unintelligible 01:29] my hair and the light. And just-- Yes, skating my little heart away. And now I've actually written a children's book that is about a little girl learning to roller skate. So I'm excited for that to be coming out in March 23. And I've really embraced my love of Roller Skating. I've been hitting roller fit on a Friday night, or going to our local skate room. And yes, so I'm just loving that. And I've also been checking out pinball. So going to-- We've got a place here in Brisbane called Netherworld, which is sort of a retro arcade and bar. But they-- Once a month, every first Tuesday of the month, they have a ladies group of gamers show up and we play pinball together and it's amazing. And it gives me a little bit of happiness to be reconnecting with those things I love when I was young.

Jake Pearson  02:29

I resonate with that so much that you said that you're roller-skating and doing things that you used to do when you're younger, because I was on a bike ride the other day, I hadn't been on a bike ride forever. And we're just out into the bush cruising down some back road, and the sun was out and the weather was just perfect. And I just felt like a kid again, just cruising on my bike, pedaling really fast. And then relaxing. I was like, this is something I haven't done in so long. But it was about me connecting back to a lot of memories I had when I was a lot younger. And I was thinking I need to do more of this. This makes me happy. And I love that you've found those little connections and you're going back to a little- I guess your roots to rediscover a bit of happiness. So what would you say to someone who's struggling to find happiness in their life right now?

Ky Garvey  03:13

Think of those things that you loved when you were young and get out and do it. Don't worry if someone thinks you're silly, I'm 45 years old. I'm loving getting on my skates. I bought this beautiful pair from Impala. They're nice and shiny. But don't care about what anyone thinks. Don't let anyone think you're too old. Just get out and do it.

Jake Pearson  03:36

It's a really, really good advice. Just get out there and put yourself out of your comfort zone. But it is hard sometimes when you're worried about what other people think, isn't it? You know, did you have any reservations? When you started this?

Ky Garvey  03:49

A few years ago, I started going to the gym and I felt really intimidated. I know I don't look like a gym junkie, that I have a gym. That's a really warm, welcoming community. And it makes me now feel like part of the suburb I live in because I often see people from the gym that the supermarket or out somewhere-- Because they were so welcoming. And I just got over that little bit of fear that I had. It really opened up a world to me that I didn't have before. So I really say to people especially because I do struggle with a bit of anxiety and shyness like I'm quite a reserved internal person. But there's so much I'm missing out on when I let that get to me so I sometimes just feel a fear and do it anyway. But going to the gym has brought me a wonderful group of friends. Going roller skating is made me feel happy and enjoying something I love again. And yes, I think it gives you-- It reconnects you with you.

Jake Pearson  04:56

I love that. Thank you so much for sharing that, that was really beautiful. 

Ky Garvey  05:01

No problem, Jake. And yes, I hope that it might help someone who might be feeling a bit now, uh, I really want to do this, but I'm a bit embarrassed to do it, just do it.

Jake Pearson  05:10

Absolutely. If you're listening to this right now, and you want to connect with Ky, you can check out all the socials in the podcast episode description below, and maybe strike up a conversation. If you're someone who's interested in literature and writing and podcasting just as much as she is. And you're maybe a parent as well. Or you want to reconnect to your childhood and you need some support in the corner. You can do that by checking out the shownotes in the episode description below. Ky, thank you so much for coming on the podcast.

Ky Garvey  05:40

Thanks for having me, Jake.

Jake Pearson  05:42

Thanks for listening to the podcast. We hope it gives you something to think about on your quest to discover what makes you happy. Don't forget to leave a review or a comment and follow us on all our social media platforms so you can see our upcoming guests calendar. Thanks for listening. We'll see you next time.