🕊️ Why I Started Bellbird Song. Real People and Stories That Matter.
A serendipitous mishap recently set me on a path that led to the creation of Bellbird Song.
It all began when I arranged to meet a new contact to discuss a bubbling passion project of mine. But I accidentally dragged a complete stranger off the street, took her out for coffee, and had an epiphany instead. True story.
For about a year now, I’ve been trying to figure out how to channel my energy – to combine my love of writing with my interest in people and turn it into something meaningful. (Or until I win Lotto – always plan A.) You might call it a crossroads, or just a midlife moment. In truth, it’s possibly a bit of both. Whatever it is, I’m down the rabbit hole now.
☕Back to the woman I accosted on the street.
I’ve always had a rather unsubtle talent for striking up conversations with strangers. I love to find out about people and what makes them tick, in whatever time and space I happen across them. The enthusiasm isn’t always reciprocated, but it fills my cup until the next opportunity comes along. Although ‘this’ was a genuine accident… Officer.
While I was misreading my new acquaintance's signals and pouring out my hopes and dreams to them, it struck me out of the blue - ‘this’ is what I want to do. An epiphany that arrived at the same moment she politely escaped.
Let me back up a notch and explain.
Lately, I’ve been scouring the bookshelves, hunting for something that speaks to me, where I am in my life right now. I’ve been searching for a kindred spirit between the pages of a book but have inadvertently found myself knee-deep in the self-help aisle, rummaging through titles like Your One Wild and Precious Life and The Let Them Theory. To be fair, they are proving to be quite useful, which is possibly something I should make a note of...
You see, sometimes, when you’re trying to make sense of your surroundings, you want to find something relatable. When escapism doesn’t quite fit the mood, nor does someone’s glamorous or bleak life, you end up in the section that assumes you need help. What I haven’t found (and possibly for good reason – ask me again in 12 months) is something that captures and celebrates the marvellously, extraordinarily ordinary. And that’s why I want to do ‘this’. Because I believe there is a place for it.
Not with me yet? Hold on.
Have you ever been told a story that, for no particular reason, stuck with you? The teller wasn’t sharing a magical, life-changing lesson, a tale of reinvention or a dramatic, death-defying calamity. They were just ordinary and grounded – even unremarkable on the surface – but their story was honest and quietly resonant. You may even have thought, “Someone really ought to write that down.” Well, yes, maybe someone should!
I like to think this is exactly what not-Jean was thinking during our little moment together in the café. And for all I know, she’s beating me to it. Preferably that than searching for a panic alarm in her bag under the table.
There are stories everywhere.
Everyone has a story to tell, more than one. Everyone who ever was, ever is, and ever will be has a life of experiences and anecdotes. Like being dragged into a café and meeting the soon-to-be author of Bellbird Song. Imagine it!
I know from my work (shameless plug incoming) that authentic communication creates real impact. Think customer testimonials – if the story comes from personal experience, it’s naturally engaging and interesting. I believe that everyday conversation is just as impactful. There’s something powerful about sitting down, paying attention and connecting with someone over a story - but only if, as the listener, we’re actually listening.
I mean properly listening, beyond simply picking up the words. I’m talking about absorbing the sentiment, seeing the illustrations conjured, and understanding the journey. Yet we don’t always listen wholeheartedly. We drift. We scroll. We skim. But we don’t always let it become part of us - part of our own life experience.
Never in history have we had so many tools to capture and share so many stories - and so little time to listen to them.
It’s a conscious choice. We can put down devices and strike up a chat while we wait for a coffee if we choose to. (Or even drag someone in off the street to unburden ourselves upon them - although, to be clear, I’m not endorsing that one.) There are people everywhere, searching to connect – and if you look up, you’ll notice them.
🚪Sliding Doors moments.
Nothing monumental happened with not-Jean that day. She didn’t give me the winning Lotto numbers. But the path I chose led to a moment that ignited a thought. How many connections do we miss simply because we don’t stop to share one? And how many engaging stories fade quietly into history, lost because no one stopped to listen?
All stories matter, but so many of them go untold. It’s not just the spectacular ones that should be shared, but the kind you’re told in conversation with your grandparents and the comfy ones shared over an impromptu cup of tea. Everyday relatable stories that help keep the ordinariness inside of us balanced. Not every story will make a 400-page bestseller, but each is unique and interesting. Because people are interesting, and ordinary people are extraordinary.
That’s where Bellbird Song comes in.
That unexpected meeting was serendipitous—an accidental conversation that led to a much bigger realisation, with meaningful results. That one connection helped me find what I was searching for: a sense of grounding. It reminded me that everyday moments can quiet the noise, and authentic words, when shared, can have a real impact. That’s why I created Bellbird Song.
Bellbird Song is my quiet rebellion against the busy noise. It’s a place to pause, notice, and reconnect with what’s meaningful and authentic.
This blog is part story-gathering project, part personal compass.
So, if you’re someone who believes stories matter and you can spare a moment, stick around. You can even subscribe below to get the latest stories delivered to your inbox.
I’ll be sharing real voices, honest reflections, and the kind of everyday moments that connect and ground us. One day, I will even tell you why I’ve named my little venture ‘Bellbird’.
So, if you have a story to share or know of someone who might, contact me for a meaningful conversation.
Welcome to Bellbird Song. I’m glad you’re here.
You too, not-Jean – thank you for unknowingly becoming my inspiration.
