☕ Coffee with Luke – Finding Strength in Stillness


Hi everyone, and welcome back to Coffee with Luke — your favorite corner of the internet where stories are shared, mental health is honored, and the simple moments in life are celebrated with a hot cup of coffee in hand.

Today’s post is a bit more reflective. It’s about stillness — not in the sense of doing nothing, but in the power of slowing down and listening to what your body and mind are telling you.

☀️ A Quiet Morning in Brisbane

I’m writing this from my small but cozy spot in Brisbane. The sun filtered gently through the blinds this morning, casting a soft golden hue across the kitchen. I brewed a strong long black — my go-to lately — and sat down with my journal. The first thing I wrote was:

"Stillness isn’t silence; it’s space."

In a world that moves fast, especially with the noise of city life and the constant stream of content online, it’s so easy to get swept away. But I’ve learned — sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is pause.

📸 Capturing the Moment

Photography has taught me this too. When I’m behind the lens, I see the world differently. A small drop of water clinging to a leaf. The curve of a market apple. The light catching someone’s eyes in the perfect way.

These are things you miss when you're rushing.

One of my favorite shots recently was of a simple crate of peaches in the shop where I work. The colors were rich, warm, and full of life. I posted it to my photography feed and got a surprising number of comments — not because it was flashy, but because it was real.

It reminded people of summer, of childhood, of family road trips and backyard barbecues. That’s the magic of a photo taken with presence — it captures not just an image, but a feeling.

🧠 Mental Health Check-In

As many of you know, I’m a mental health advocate — not just because it's important, but because I’ve lived it.

There are days when my mind feels foggy, when my body aches with tension (shoutout to George, Travis, and my whole incredible care team who help me work through it), and when the weight of having an intellectual disability feels overwhelming. But here’s what I’ve come to realize:

Healing doesn’t always look like progress. Sometimes it looks like rest.

And that's okay.

I had a session recently with my psychologist, Jodi, and we talked about how the brain stores tension from past experiences — how even happy moments can feel heavy when you’ve gone through a lot. But she reminded me that joy can still exist alongside struggle. That we can hold both.

I carry that with me daily.

🍏 Life at the Fruit and Veg Shop

Working at the shop keeps me grounded. There’s something so therapeutic about sorting apples, chatting with regulars, and learning where the produce comes from. I’ve become a bit of a connoisseur of mandarins (you must try the Honey Murcotts this week if you’re in Brisbane — sweet like sunshine!).

There’s a man named Geoff who comes in every Thursday. He always buys three bananas, a bag of spinach, and a big smile. We chat about music, sometimes cricket, sometimes nothing at all. Those small interactions build something bigger — connection.

And sometimes, that’s all a person needs to keep going.

💬 A Conversation Worth Having

The best part of this blog isn’t what I write — it’s the conversations that come after. Whether you’re reading this in Tasmania, Brisbane, or beyond, I want you to know that you’re not alone.

If you’re feeling tired today — not just physically but emotionally — know that I see you.

If you’re managing pain, anxiety, or just trying to find your place in the world — you belong here.

And if all you did today was make a cup of coffee and breathe… that’s enough.

📝 What I’m Grateful For

Before I sign off, I want to share three things I’m grateful for this week:

  1. My cousin Jacqui – who has shown me what unconditional support looks like. Lunch dates with her and the kids are pure medicine.

  2. My best friend Mandy – for her loyalty and encouragement through every twist in life.

  3. The Brisbane breeze – cooling the air after the rain, reminding me that storms always pass.

Until next time...

Take care of your mind, cherish the stillness, and never underestimate the power of a warm drink and an open heart.

With love,
Luke ☕


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