Meet the face
behind the posts
Welcome to my blog, where I invite you to embark on a journey of inspiration, self-discovery, and personal growth.
I am Willem van Schalkwyk, Nestled in the picturesque wine lands of the Western Cape, specifically Franschhoek, and I am thrilled to have you join me on this virtual exploration of life's many facets.
Here, I share my thoughts, experiences, and insights on topics that resonate with my soul and, hopefully, ignite a spark within yours.
Who am I? Well, I am a passionate dreamer, an avid seeker of beauty in the ordinary, and an eternal optimist.
Life has been my greatest teacher!
Writing has always held a special place in my heart. It became a powerful outlet for me during a challenging time in my life. When my dad passed away of cancer, I turned to writing as a means of processing my emotions and navigating through the difficult journey. It became a therapeutic tool, helping me express my feelings of anger, disappointment, and grief, while also capturing moments of happiness and hope. Since then, I have continued to keep a journal, and now I am excited to embark on this blogging adventure.
Within these virtual pages, you will not only discover more about me, but also delve into my passions, beliefs, and the thoughts that are close to my heart. Through my words, I aspire to inspire and encourage others, sharing the joys and challenges of living a truly fulfilling life. Writing has become my way of connecting with others and making a positive impact, and I hope that my stories and reflections resonate with you, providing insights and perspectives that enrich your own journey.
After my time at the University of the Free State, life took me on a rollercoaster ride of ups and downs, ultimately leading me to discover my true passion. However, the journey of self-discovery never truly ends for me. I continue to explore new interests and opportunities, embracing the joy of discovery and relishing in the delights that the world has to offer.
Throughout my journey in life, I have ventured through various career paths, embracing change, following my passions, and embracing the lessons that come along the way. From the corporate world to selling exquisite Red Carpet jewellery and art objects made by the great-grandson of Carl Fabergé, Theo Fabergé, on cruise ships around the globe, I've experienced the diversity that life offers.
Entrepreneurship and creativity have always been woven into the fabric of my existence. As a child, I reveled in creating beaded flowers and making fudge with my little sister, and as I grew older, I delved into the realm of jewellery making, stringing pearls for women in my home town, and engaging in countless other ventures.
Presently, I find myself immersed in the realm of freelance floristry, adding an enchanting touch to various events as part of InBloom in the wine lands. I firmly believe that flowers and design elements play a vital role in breathing life into any occasion.
In addition to my floral endeavours, I have also been involved in an incredible business called Motherdough for the past almost three years. At Motherdough, we support and educate home bakers on the art of sourdough bread making, using a sourdough culture that is soon turning 104 years old. It has been an extraordinary journey, spreading the importance of proper and naturally fermented bread while creating mouth-watering treats such as cinnamon buns, chocolate brownies, rusks, Taralli, and even dog biscuits, among others.
When I'm not immersed in my various endeavours, you can find me pottering around my garden, finding solace in nurturing plants from cuttings and seeds, and embracing the joy of experimentation. Building my own home nursery has become a therapeutic outlet after a long day, and I've even dived into the intriguing process of curing olives.
I possess an unwavering desire to explore and embrace new experiences, seeking to extract the most out of life. Through this blog, I aim to share everything I love, do, and experience, whether it's personal anecdotes, insights from my work, side hustles, or simply the thoughts that traverse my mind. Expect raw, authentic writing that reflects who I am, without pretension.
And if you happen to stumble upon a spelling or grammar mistake, well, it's all part of the charm.
So, join me on this exciting path as we explore life's intricacies and celebrate its beauty together. Through heartfelt prose, I aim to create a space where we can all find inspiration, healing, and a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
In my pursuit of a simple life, this blog serves as a space where I can share, converse, and let my words flow freely. I thrive on the opportunity to connect with readers, and I must admit, I do love a good chat! So, sit back, relax, and enjoy the honest narratives that await you.
Grow My Vision
I want to welcome you to my world. A world where I want to get as much done, humanly possible. A world where I am having fun!
Through my posts, you'll get to know who I am and what I stand for. I have a servant's heart and aim to turn my life's joys into opportunities for others.
These opportunities can help people find their purpose, learn new skills, receive a boost in life, and move forward on their own journey.
My vision is to leave an empire behind one day,(FYI, I am planning to turn at leats a 100 years ;) ) a safe haven for others where they can be helped, those in need being taught and help teaching love, appreciation for everything, new skills, educate them the basics we all need.
Come walk with me on this growing journey, not just growing my vision but to water those seeds in others so they can grow into the best possible human they are meant to be, let's take that first step towards betterment together.