15/12/2025
Today feels heavy.
I’ve really struggled to do much. I feel flat, weighed down, and a bit undone. And if you’re feeling the same after what happened in Bondi last night, please know you’re not alone, and there’s nothing wrong with you for feeling it.
It’s been everywhere. On the TV, across social media, in quiet conversations at the shops. Even the atmosphere feels different. Seeing increased security with bullet proof vests on at my main Shopping Centre makes it all feel closer to home, and honestly, helpless!
Some of us will find ourselves watching every update, trying to understand it all. Some of us won’t want to see or hear anything about it at all. Both responses are okay. Both are ways our nervous systems try to cope.
And then there are the kids.
What do we say to them?
How do we explain something that doesn’t make sense without passing on fear?
How do we answer questions when we’re still processing it ourselves?
Children often take their emotional cues from the us, the adults around them. You don’t need perfect answers. What matters most is reassurance, reminding them they are safe, that you are there to protect them, and that it’s okay to talk about worries or feelings as they come up.
It’s important to know that reactions don’t always happen straight away. In the days or even weeks to come, you might notice feeling flat, on edge, teary, distracted, or just not quite yourself. That’s a very normal response to something deeply distressing. Our brains and nervous systems process events like this in their own time, there is no right way or timeline to feel.
If today feels off, or the coming days feel heavier than expected, be gentle with yourself. This is what being human looks like in the face of something deeply unsettling.
From all of us at The Blank Canvas, our hearts are with everyone affected by this senseless and deeply distressing act. We stand with you in grief, care, and compassion. 🌸
And if at any point it feels like too much, whether it's today or weeks from now, please reach out. Support can look like debriefing with a friend, checking in with someone you trust, or contacting Lifeline on 13 11 14.
📞 Lifeline 13 11 14
Available 24/7
You don’t have to carry this alone 🌸
