Of all the people I’ve (“healthily”) stalked on LinkedIn, I have to say Jo has been my favourite. Not only did she reply to me quite quickly, but she let me join what I believe is the best community yet – The God Damn Inspiration (Team GDI as we call it).

In my innocence, I joined because I thought I was simply going to get feedback on my copywriting skills (or lack thereof). I was, in no way, prepared for what came next…

Let me give you a bit of background… I never bothered proactively networking while I was in my cushy job in India. I didn’t need to. I met enough people through work and life organically. After all, I grew up there.

Adopting Melbourne as my home some years later was a whole different story, however – especially after the 2020 disaster that made the world go digital at lightning speed. I knew no one, and knew nothing about the design industry here. So, I did everything a newbie was supposed to do. I glammed up my LinkedIn profile, I established a business along with a well written (and of course beautifully designed) website, and I signed up for local events as well as online ‘communities’. I use the term communities loosely, because I don’t believe anything over say 40 people truly is one. With large numbers, it becomes a platform/forum/assembly/etc. You’re lost like a fish out of water, and you’re just one amongst the hundreds or even thousands of others in there. Establishing real connections in an online word is hard enough, and  large groups don’t make it any easier.

So, whilst I worked (and still work) hard to meet new people – for work and friendships (because it’s bloody hard making friends in your 30s) – the indescribable crew in The GDI made it feel like home really quite quickly.

Even though they’re literally halfway across the world from me (in the UK), their unmatched gif-game, dark humour, and just pure awesomeness is infectious and addictive. It’s an eclectic mix of humans, with professionalism and personality combined. They’re each brilliant at what they do, who they are, and how selflessly they show up for one another in the group

Each member is so unabashedly themselves, that without realising, they give me such confidence in being myself. I stress on this point, because finding my voice in a new country was hard.

Copywriting, business, social media, life… whatever what you want – GDI is a team in the truest sense of the word (#NotACult). Everything we share stays confidential, there’s nothing you can’t talk about because someone will give you sane advice and support, and I’ve truly never laughed this much on a video call in my life.

Jo, you’re never going to get rid of me. I’m jealous of the in-person catch ups I wish I could be a part of. And I promise to be sassier as I age (in The GDI and in life).

I’m one year old in GDI years, and I can’t wait to be 10.

P.S. In case you’re wondering, I absolutely do get invaluable advice on my writing – you can see it in my blogs, my bio, and my guide.