Tanya Sim on Commune

In each edition of our journal*, we ask a handful of people to reflect on our chosen theme. This is Tanya Sim on commune:

One of the blessings of ageing, and with it, life experience, is that I have a much more intentional, sometimes belligerent approach to what I do with my time and who I choose to share it with. With this intentionality, I feel deeply caring and often fiercely protective of the community of people around me. I love this. Those that I ‘commune with’ aren’t centred in a physical space – certainly not a church, but we each choose to show up and share. It may be an exchange of thoughts or feelings but equally it may be a business transaction or an idea for a project. Many friends are also, or have been, colleagues, clients, suppliers, employees, family or part of a brains trust.

I love bringing together people who may not know each other yet, or who I know would work really well together. And this communal pot of sharing is beneficial in so many scenarios – growing a business, raising children, emotional support, finding great information.

In my business, some of our best work has been because of the people we’ve collaborated with – in fact collaboration is fundamental to any success we’ve had.

Fundamentally, my close posse/s have shared values and will speak up with their opinions, thoughts and ideas. For me though, perhaps a difference between those that I commune with and ‘anyone’ – is my ability to be completely authentic, vulnerable and honest.

* Tanya is a Co-Founder and Director at Block Branding, Board Member at the Perth Theatre Trust, Chair of Highgate Primary School Board and Committee Member at the Borderless Friendship Foundation WA. Copies of Commune can be purchased at The Fulcrum Press , with all proceeds going towards projects within First Nations communities.