Chloe is a wise, courageous, inspiring practitioner of science and the arts - an experienced soul, I believe she has lived in this world many times before. Chloe is a large part of my life - she is not only based in my own network of healers and practitioners, we connect creatively on all levels (we can empathise as both MG & Aquarius') and she is also a dear friend who I get to spend summer holidays with in Perth. Chloe is available for naturopathic consultations, somatic practice or creative collaboration in Melbourne and digitally across Australia, if you are charmed to connect with her you can find her website at the end of this interview - I personally cannot recommend her enough. I hope you enjoy this inspiring read.
If you’re feeling uninspired, how do you transform your energy?
I feel inspiration comes when I make space for it. I may try to create that space by going for a slow walk or connecting to my body through movement or meditation. I also find op shops very inspiring. I like spending hours sifting through all the shelves and racks for objects, clothing, books or imagery in old postcards or records.
I am very aware of the conditions that make me feel uninspired – fatigue, overwork, or too much thinking/mental exertion. I'll first amend these states trusting inspiration will come once I have created the conditions for it.
What rituals do you have in place to take care of yourself?
- Connecting to my body daily through movement or a body centered practice
- Cooking / eating
- Including herbs in my daily life: Taking them medicinally in a tincture, drinking herbal teas, including them in cooking, bathing in them
- Doing things that bring me joy
- Having at least 1 day a month where I have no plans/objectives
- I also have a very decent network of body workers, healers, and teachers that support me. Working with my body and with trauma demands that I take care of myself so I can show up for clients and stay grounded
Who has been an expansive influence to your career so far?
Jenny Dorrington, a shiatsu practitioner, teacher, and former director of the Australian Shiatsu College. Jenny made my studies incredibly accommodating to my life circumstances. Through this, she helped me embody how I can be moving through complex life circumstances, acknowledging my limitations, while also showing up in my work- and how there is worthiness and humanness there that is valuable to my practice and studies. She taught me that everything is a teacher if you let it be.
Her teaching method is very powerful, and taught me a lot about embodying knowledge, accountability, and mastering through action. She also reached out to me and encouraged me to apply for my current role at Foundation House which I am incredibly grateful for.
My mother, who has this beautiful and often frustrating quality of believing anything is possible. Sometimes I think she is quite delusional (albeit endearing). But lately I’m realising how grateful I am that I grew up with this energy. This woman has been in situations knowing the odds and outcomes were dire and just came out the other side like “I told you so, I am the 1%”. This is even more powerful considering her background was not one of privilege. I’m learning how I mistook her courage as avoidance, and I am realising, this is perhaps, because there is a part of me that couldn’t imagine such courage.
There is something about her blind optimism that has taught me a lot about the impossible; or more specifically that possibility is defined by our capacity to dream/imagine/believe, and can act as a powerful metaphor if anything else. And how I would rather live my life not bound by what I believe is impossible and rather seeing the limitless possibility in every moment.
How do you successfully get out the door on time?
This is not my strength. On a good day I pack my bag the night before and have my clothes chosen.
I try to wake up with plenty of time. But often, I’m still rushing.
How do you manage boundaries with your phone or computer?
By staying conscious of my actions. Everything you consume whether it be food, information, imagery impacts and alters you. So, when I make choices, I like to consider the impact. How is this imprinting upon who I am becoming? Is this helping me move in the direction I want to move in?
Sometimes I’m ok with spending too much time on a screen, but I try to keep the intention there so I don’t lose myself. It’s an ongoing exploration. I think we can know on an intellectual level what is “good” or “bad” for us. But by understanding what a habit does to you on an embodied level helps integrate this information in a way that drives action.
How do you overcome feeling anxious, uncertain, or nervous?
I wouldn’t say I try to overcome them, but allow them to be present with compassion, an open curiosity and an intention to deepen my understanding of myself.
When I feel any big emotion, my instinct is to allow it to reveal more of myself. I should be clear that this is not generally a comfortable process, although from my experience the resistance makes it more uncomfortable. For me discomfort has always been a portal allowing me to form a deeper understanding of myself.
What are your rituals for sparking creativity?
- Going for a slow walk somewhere new
- Play/exploring an idea/technique without outcomes
- Collaborating with others
- Meditation & Somatic practices – these practices have become creative portals for me
My creative practice is not something I consider separate from my everyday life. As long as I’m well rested, fed, and have time, I usually have something I am exploring creatively. Whether it be through healing sessions, research, or dedicated creative projects.
I also plant little creative seeds for my future self – through voice notes, or journal entries, personal rituals and sometimes even more elaborate, durational and performative acts (such as my tattoo or mosaic). These rituals have become an integral part of my life. I think a lot about time as circular. I am deeply intrigued by coincidences and have a trust in timing that has been reinforced through the way these rituals play out. My past self often returns to my future self at the perfect moment, imparting some profound wisdom that has taken on a new meaning.
I imagine the ways I actively participate in coming into contact with my past or future self is a sort of dialogue or practice in lived reincarnation. It is grounding even in its abstraction.
For me it is the tangible aspects of creatively where I lose motivation, the idea starts to become bound by logic. This is where I get most stuck creatively – trying to figure out how to get the idea into a tangible form. This is where I have learnt the value of working with others.
Chloe Sobejko is a Naturopath, Shiatsu Therapist, Somatic Bodyworker, Artist, Photographer and Creative generalist. Her work can be found here: