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What to Do After a Traumatic Event: A Guide to Healing and Recovery

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 01:08:00 -0800

A traumatic event is any experience that overwhelms your ability to cope — whether that be a serious accident, natural disaster, personal assault, loss of a loved one, or another life-altering situation. Trauma affects mind and body. It can cause:

Intense fear or helplessness

Disrupted sleep patterns
Heightened stress responses
Emotional numbness or flashbacks
Everyone’s response will look different, and that’s okay. Your experience is valid, and there are ways to recover. Recognising what trauma can do is the first step to healing.

Recovery isn’t about “snapping out of it.” It’s a process. And it begins with understanding.

Immediate Steps After Trauma

Ensure Physical Safety

Right after a traumatic event, your first priority is safety. Physically check for injuries, seek medical care if needed, and get to a space where you feel secure.

Your nervous system is designed to react in emergencies — so feeling overwhelmed is normal.

Connect with Supportive People

Humans are social beings. After a traumatic event, connecting with someone you trust — a friend, family member, community member or support worker — can help you feel grounded and understood.

If you’re struggling to talk, even being in the presence of someone who listens without judgement can be soothing.

Practise Grounding Techniques

Grounding helps bring your mind back to the present when your thoughts feel distressing.

Simple techniques include:

Lipstick at the door: the quiet defiance of Italy’s first women voters

Mon, 08 Dec 2025 00:46:22 -0800

In June 1946, Italy stood at a crossroads. The war was over. Fascism had fallen. The country was exhausted, bruised, and trying to imagine a future beyond rubble and ration cards. On the ballot was a decision that would reshape the nation: monarchy or republic.

For the first time, Italian women were invited into that decision.

They arrived dressed carefully, often in their best coats, hair set, gloves pulled on. Many wore lipstick. And at polling stations across the country, they were told to remove it.

This is not a footnote of trivia or a quaint anecdote. It is a story about how women’s bodies are policed at moments of power. About how femininity is framed as a threat to legitimacy. And about how even the smallest acts of control reveal deeper fears about women’s autonomy.

The vote that changed Italy

On 2 June 1946, Italians voted in a referendum to decide whether their country would remain a monarchy or become a republic. On the same day, they elected representatives to a Constituent Assembly that would draft a new constitution.

It was the first national election in which Italian women could vote.

The right itself had been won only months earlier. After decades of exclusion under a patriarchal legal system and then outright suppression under Mussolini, women’s suffrage was introduced in 1945. The vote was framed as a reward for women’s wartime contributions as carers, workers, and partisans. Yet the tone was cautious. Gratitude did not equal trust.

Roughly 12 million women turned out. Their participation rate rivalled men’s. They queued, they waited, they voted. And in many places, they were instructed to wipe their lips.

Why lipstick mattered

On the surface, it sounded neutral. Practical. Almost reasonable.

But the instruction was not applied equally. Men were not asked to prove their mouths were free of residue. Women without lipstick...Read More

Taking Control of Your Money Story

Mon, 06 Oct 2025 01:19:07 -0700

For many of us, financial planning isn’t something we were taught—it’s something we were left to figure out, often with a side of shame, self-doubt, or confusion. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by budgeting apps, financial jargon, or pressure to “do it all” without clear guidance, you’re not alone.

At SheThrives, we believe in rewriting the money narrative for women. Not just through spreadsheets or investment talk, but by approaching financial planning with clarity, compassion, and confidence. This isn’t about perfection—it’s about empowerment.

Why Financial Independence Matters

Economic empowerment is a key pillar of gender equality. When women have financial agency, we have more choices—about our careers, our families, and our futures. But too often, we’re discouraged from talking about money or made to feel like managing it is a solo, shame-filled exercise.

Research shows that women are still playing catch-up when it comes to wealth building.

The gender pay gap sits at 12% (Workplace Gender Equality Agency, 2024). And many women take career breaks for caring responsibilities, impacting their long-term earning potential.

Financial planning isn’t just about numbers—it’s about choices, freedom, and peace of mind.

Step 1: Know Your Starting Point

Before setting goals or adjusting your spending, it’s essential to understand where you are right now. Review your recent bank statements and spending habits. Where is your money going? Are there patterns or surprises?

Create three simple categories:

What the Salem Witch Trials Still Teach Us

Mon, 01 Sep 2025 05:43:24 -0700

Power, fear and the punishment of women

In 1692, the small town of Salem, Massachusetts became infamous for a series of trials that led to the execution of 20 people—most of them women—accused of witchcraft. More than 300 years on, the Salem witch trials continue to fascinate, frighten and prompt uncomfortable questions about the way society polices, punishes and scapegoats women.

While the idea of witches being hunted and hanged might seem like a relic of a distant, puritanical past, the themes that ran through Salem—fear of female autonomy, moral panic, mob mentality and patriarchal power—are anything but outdated.

A Perfect Storm of Fear and Control

In the late 17th century, Salem was a deeply religious Puritan community grappling with instability: disease, political uncertainty, a recent war, and a brutally cold winter. Amid this tension, a group of young girls began exhibiting strange behaviour—fits, screaming, contortions. Accusations followed. The word “witch” was whispered, and panic spread like wildfire.

What’s important to remember is that most of those accused were women—particularly those who were single, childless, outspoken or somehow “other”. Sound familiar?

As historian Carol F. Karlsen writes in her seminal work The Devil in the Shape of a Woman, “Witchcraft was one of the few crimes where the majority of the accused and executed were women.”

In Salem, women who didn’t fit the narrow mould of wife, mother and pious servant were the first to be condemned.

Less Than 0.5%: Australia’s Record-Low VC Funding for Women in 2025

Sun, 24 Aug 2025 11:31:43 -0700

Female founders face historic funding drought

In 2025, Australian startups with all-female founding teams received less than 0.5% of total venture capital funding—a historic low that underscores persistent gender disparities in the startup ecosystem.

A Downward Trend

This alarming statistic marks a significant decline from previous years.

Despite increased participation in early-stage deals, the overall share of capital allocated to female-led startups has steadily decreased.

The Scaling Challenge

While early-stage funding shows promise, with women-led or mixed-gender teams accounting for a significant share of angel and pre-seed deals, this momentum stalls at later stages. At the Series A and B levels, representation of women plummets, and the capital available to female founders diminishes sharply.

Structural Barriers Persist

The persistent funding gap is not due to a lack of capable female entrepreneurs but rather systemic issues within the venture capital landscape.

This disparity is often attributed to unconscious biases and a lack of diversity among investors.

The Economic Case for Change

Investing in female-led startups is not just a matter of equity; it's economically sound. Research indicates that businesses founded by women often deliver higher returns on investment. Moreover, closing the gender funding gap could significantly boost the economy.

Moving Forward

To address these disparities, experts suggest implementing measures such as mandatory reporting for venture capital firms on gender-based funding...Read More

Finding Your People: Why Your Tribe Matters

Mon, 18 Aug 2025 01:14:34 -0700

Somewhere along the line, we were sold the myth of the lone heroine. The woman who does it all, asks for nothing, and rises without needing anyone. It’s a compelling story—but it’s incomplete.

Because the truth is, even the strongest among us need our people. The ones who show up when the façade cracks. Who send that “thinking of you” text just when we need it. Who remind us we’re not meant to carry it all alone.

Finding your tribe isn’t a fluffy add-on to success and wellbeing—it’s fundamental to both. In a world that often thrives on competition, comparison, and individualism, creating a community where you can be your full self is a quiet form of resistance.

What is a tribe?

Let’s be clear. We’re not talking about curated social media followers or a massive network of surface-level contacts. A tribe is your circle of trust—people who celebrate your highs, hold space for your lows, and see you as you are. They might be colleagues, family, friends, or mentors. They might even be people you meet through an online group or a shared interest who simply get it.

It’s less about numbers, more about depth.

Why it matters

Having strong social connections is not just good for the soul—it’s backed by research. According to a landmark study by Harvard University, good relationships are the strongest predictor of long-term happiness and health, even more than money or career success[^1].

And for women especially, community matters. The Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health has consistently shown that women with strong social support are more likely to report better physical and mental health outcomes[^2].

But beyond health, our tribes serve as mirrors and...Read More

The Freelance Frontier: Building a Career on Your Terms

Mon, 11 Aug 2025 01:21:50 -0700

For many women, the traditional 9-to-5 no longer fits. Whether it’s seeking more flexibility, creative autonomy, or simply the space to breathe, freelancing and remote work are no longer fringe options—they’re fast becoming a first choice.

At SheThrives, we know the pull of purpose and autonomy. That’s why we’re diving into the evolving world of freelancing and remote work: what works, what doesn’t, and how to make it sustainable—especially for women balancing ambition with the realities of life.

Why Women Are Choosing Freelance and Remote Careers

The pandemic accelerated a shift that had been brewing for years. The rise of remote and freelance work wasn’t just about location—it was about lifestyle, mental health, and reclaiming time. For women disproportionately affected by unpaid care, rigid hours, and workplace bias, these career models offered something more: control.

A 2023 survey by Payoneer found that nearly 30% of global freelancers are women, with more entering tech, writing, marketing, and consulting fields source. In Australia, platforms like Freelancer.com and Expert360 have seen a noticeable rise in female registrations.

But choosing flexibility doesn’t mean choosing less. If anything, it means betting on your own skills, resilience, and the value of your time.

Getting Started: Setting Up for Freelance Success

1. Define your offer.
Freelancing isn’t just about being good at something—it’s about clearly articulating what you...Read More

From Surviving to Thriving: Tools We’re Loving

Mon, 04 Aug 2025 01:24:56 -0700

We’ve all had those weeks—where just getting through the day feels like an achievement, where our calendars are overflowing, and our energy is running on fumes. But here’s the truth: it doesn’t have to stay that way.

At SheThrives, we’re always on the lookout for resources that don’t just help us survive, but help us feel more organised, more connected, more grounded, and frankly—more ourselves. We’re not into hustle culture. We're into intentionality, kindness, and tools that work with us, not against us.

So here are a few of the personal and professional growth tools we’re loving right now. Whether you’re navigating freelance life, juggling work and caregiving, or just trying to find five minutes of peace—there’s something here for you.

1. Notion

If your brain has 47 tabs open at all times, Notion might just change your life. It’s part to-do list, part journal, part knowledge hub—and completely customisable.

We love using it for:

Weekly planning: Create a dashboard to plan your days without feeling overwhelmed.
Goal tracking: Set personal, financial, or wellness goals and track your progress in a way that feels motivating, not punishing.
Digital journalling: Use templates like “Daily Gratitude” or “Thought of the Day” to stay centred.

It’s great for women who wear a lot of hats—whether that’s business owner, student, carer, or creative—and want to stay on top of things without burnout.

Try it here: https://www.notion.so

2. Insight Timer –...Read More

Tabitha Babbitt and the Circular Saw They Forgot to Credit

Sun, 27 Jul 2025 11:09:57 -0700

Innovation isn’t always loud. Sometimes, it happens in the hum of a spinning blade, in the quiet discipline of a Shaker community, or in the clever mind of a woman who saw a better way and made it real. Such is the story of Tabitha Babbitt, the oft-overlooked woman behind one of the most game-changing tools in modern industry: the circular saw.

While her name might not roll off the tongue like Thomas Edison or Alexander Graham Bell, Babbitt’s contribution was no less revolutionary. Her 1813 design introduced a more efficient way to cut wood—one that would become a cornerstone of industrial woodwork. Yet, like many women inventors of her time, she received no patent, no formal credit, and little historical attention.

Let’s set the record straight.

A Shaker Woman With Sharp Ideas

Tabitha Babbitt was a member of the United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing, more commonly known as the Shakers, a religious sect known for their craftsmanship, innovation, and egalitarian values. Based in Harvard, Massachusetts, Babbitt lived in a community that valued collective ownership and contribution over individual recognition.

That ethos likely influenced her decision not to patent her invention, as it was customary within the Shaker community to eschew personal profit for the greater good. But that doesn’t mean her contribution was minor.

She observed the men in her community sawing logs with a two-man pit saw, which required two workers to push and pull a long blade back and forth. The physical toll was immense, and—crucially—only one half of the motion actually cut wood. The return stroke was a waste of energy.

Her solution? A circular blade that rotated continuously, cutting in a single,...Read More

Mentor Walks: Empowering Women, One Step at a Time

Sun, 20 Jul 2025 11:37:03 -0700

In a world where professional guidance can often feel out of reach, Mentor Walks offers a refreshing approach to mentoring—combining the simplicity of walking with the power of conversation. Founded in Australia in 2016 by entrepreneurs Bobbi Mahlab AM and Adina Jacobs, Mentor Walks has grown into a global movement, connecting aspiring women with accomplished female leaders for one-hour walk-and-talk sessions in cities across Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Canada, and the UAE.

The Concept: Intimate, Accessible, and Impactful

Mentor Walks is built on a straightforward yet powerful idea: match senior female leaders with women seeking guidance, and let them walk and talk together in a relaxed, natural setting. These sessions are designed to be intimate without being intimidating, providing a safe space for mentees to discuss career challenges, aspirations, and questions with experienced mentors.

Each walk involves up to three mentees paired with a mentor, fostering a collaborative environment where participants can learn not only from their mentor but also from each other. Mentees are encouraged to come prepared with a specific question or issue they'd like to explore, ensuring that the conversation is focused and meaningful.

A Growing Community of Women Supporting Women

Since its inception, Mentor Walks has facilitated over 474 walks, connecting more than 13,943 mentees with a network of 800+ mentors. These mentors are accomplished women from diverse industries, including CEOs, directors, executives, and...Read More