SUNDAY STUDIO - ND AFAB community

When: Sunday, 15th March 2026 | 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Cost: Free

Focus: Co-creating our community guidelines, followed by a dedicated body doubling session.

Location: 41 Tompson St, Wagga Wagga (In the Yellow House Gallery) Google Maps

Online Link: https://meet.google.com/qnh-wdjj-cde

Text or call Bex if you have any difficulties

Last session

Thank you to everyone who came to our first session.

Tara did an INCREDIBLE job skill-sharing her passion for poetry, and running a mini slam. I am beyond appreciative at the effort and strength it took to be the first to stand up and share.

For those who connected to the poetry space, I want to acknowledge the vulnerability shown in sharing their creativity and ‘self’ with us all.

For those who came to work on tasks or just gave their nervous system time to adjust to the space, I appreciate your time and energy.

This poem encompassed why we are building this community, and my passion to create space for those who feel ‘othered’.

An Innate Otherness

I don’t know how to start this.

Maybe a good way is to start with I like being different. In my adult life, I’ve never wanted to be part of the collective, I’ve prided myself on being different, unable to be shoved into a mold or a specific shape; the idea of going along with things I hate just to be accepted revolts me. If people want to accept me, if they want to like me, they should like me for me.

I can’t say the same for teenage or child me. I used to bend over backwards to fit in, to be liked; like it was necessary for my survival (it was). But by doing so, I still did it wrong — was too much, or not enough. Still strange, still wrong. Once I hit 21, I started to lean into my inherent strangeness and that which others label wrong and started accepting those parts of myself by doing what I wanted and acting as I wanted. I embraced being ‘weird’. Slowly accepting myself made it easier to start liking myself, even if there were still days of extreme self loathing and wishing I wasn’t different. It would be a lie to say those days aren’t frequent, because they are.

I like being different, I like being difficult for others to label. And then something happens, someone makes fun of my sometimes too formal speech, makes a light hearted joke out of my preference to avoid eye contact, or the way they look at me when I say something they see as strange and out of turn. Then my stomach twists a little, I don’t know with what. Rejection, probably. Maybe a little internalised shame, as well, because I thought I was safe and they’ve just reminded me that I’m not.

I say I don’t feel shame, that I don’t have internalised issues towards my ‘otherness’, because the idea of still rejecting such a massive part of myself after everything I’ve been through and everything I’ve done to accept myself feels wrong. Feels impossible. And yet it’s there, a tiny part but a part regardless.

Healing is hard, accepting myself is harder.

- Jamie

What to Expect This Sunday

Part 1: Designing Our Space (12:00 PM – 12:45 PM)

Instead of a skill share this week, we will spend the first part of our session forming our guidelines and boundaries, so that everyone feels ‘safe enough’ to unmask, participate, not participate, let others know they are uncomfortable, or leave, if they choose.

We will be discussing:

  • How we use body doubling and parallel play to share momentum without social pressure.
  • Establishing our judgement-free zone.
  • Setting personal sensory boundaries and safety protocols (like the “Bex Rule” for when you need to step away - Your well-being is more important than the task or the social expectation. Do what you need to do, just let me know you are safe.).

Part 2: Body Doubling & Crafternoon (1:00 PM – 2:00 PM)

After a quick break, we will move into a full hour of body doubling. This is your time to tackle whatever you need to get done.

  • Bring your current craft project, a boring admin task, or something from your “pile of denial”.
  • We will use a timer for a focused work sprint to help combat time blindness and executive dysfunction.
  • We will work quietly together. Mics will be muted to protect everyone’s focus, and cameras are completely optional.

Low Demand, As Always

Participation is always challenge-by-choice. If you don’t have the energy to contribute to the guidelines discussion, you are more than welcome to just listen, “lurk” with your camera off, or start your body doubling tasks early in the background.

There is no cost to attend, and you do not need to apologise if you arrive late or need to leave early.

Bring along any food and drinks (non alcoholic) you would like.

If you don’t know what to bring, here is a reminder of last session’s creative brilliance

Hummus

Hummus is a Smokey Barbeque Temptress.

She calls to me from across the table.

Who am I to deny her siren song?

If only the dinosaurs could have indulged.

- Phoebe

Looking forward to sharing space and getting things done together!