I feel as though I’ve been in perpetual, messy evolution. Internally and externally.  While in other ways my focus has remained stubbornly consistent. Keeping me somewhat the same. Sun Scorpio, Moon Tarus, Aquarius Rising. FYI.  Since I was a child, I always considered myself an artist. Even during the decade I spent working in a call center. I’ve always thought being an Artist was a way of seeing the world, rather than making stuff or having big exhibitions.  Despite that I was still convinced it was inevitable for me to become a “professional” artist in some capacity. Which upon achieving, threw me into a tailspin. It’s hard working towards something for a long time and then realizing you need to find other things to work towards. Forever & ever. I’ve come to understand that evolution is constant. We’re never a finished product and we often have to shed parts of ourselves in order to make way for who we are becoming. 

 

How do you balance career, personal life and passions? Is there such a thing as balance? 

  

 

Hahah, I keep a very thorough color-coded Google Calendar. That visually proves despite my best efforts I do not balance career, personal life and passions. There’s always an aspect taking up too much while another gets neglected all together. Which one could argue - is in fact balanced but the motto I follow is, you don’t manage time, you manage energy, effort and expectations. The past 7 years were really career focused for me to the point of sacrificing other aspects of my life.

This year has been much more about  personal life and re-establishing what my passions even are. After monetising them removed some of the joy. Capitalism encourages a culture of constant progress but it's not sustainable. I prefer the natural world’s distinct seasons where in times that are cold and harsh (like a looming global recession after a pandemic ) resting, recovering and just staying warm is enough of an achievement. 

 

 

 

How have you evolved as a person? 

 

The most profound change in recent time has been intentionally developing self compassion. I used to hold myself to really unrelenting standards. I imagine a lot of people do because of the ways our culture uses shame as a form of punishment and punishment as a means to control behavior. But working for myself it became really clear that I had internalized a strict teacher/mean boss/bullying way of speaking to myself. Which probably never served me but was beginning to really negatively affect me. Now even if I make huge mistakes, I try to speak to / treat  myself gently and kindly which actually means I’m able to find solutions a lot faster.

  

 

It’s very easy for me to spiral into either catastrophe or big delusions of grandeur. I have an incredible imagination. So staying grounded is something I need to actively practice. It’s a multi-pronged system involving the basics like keeping the house tidy, feeding myself and trying to get enough sleep. Then making time to support my nervous system like yin yoga, the sauna, dancing, walking outside in nature. As well as actively leaving room for things that inspire or entertain me. I wish culturally in Australia we’d  talk about seeing/ making art as essential to our emotional health as exercise is for our physical health. Instead of it being viewed as either elite, pretentious or frivolous. If I’m getting depressed 9 times out of 10 going to the cinema, or listening to a new album OR wearing a Collective Closets piece will restore my joy of living and give me a new perspective. 

Finally in an ideal world, I journal everyday, sometimes just dot points, sometimes multiple pages with returning characters, complex plots and big feelings . But always ending with a daily gratitude and a love note to myself. Honestly writing down “I love you Juliet, I’m proud of you xoxo” before I go to sleep has been a real game changer. Journaling in general has quite literally saved my life. 

 

What stage of your evolution are you currently in? 

 

I’m 33 - which some refer to as your Jesus year or an ego death. It does feel like I’m on the precipice of a new chapter (Although I am in the middle of house hunting so it could be that ). But in recent years I also started professionally mentoring younger artists and many of my friends entered parenthood. So I’m definitely no longer a “young person”. Throughout this time a number of my own creative mentors passed away unexpectedly, so it feels particularly profound to be entering this stage where I’m being asked for advice. Where my opinion and expertise seem to hold weight. I feel an immense duty of care and responsibility, which feels like an honor and privilege while simultaneously feeling surreal at times. 

 

Why is it so important to honor yourself? 

 

As you've changed and evolved, how have the people in your life adapted to your evolution?

 

 

 

What do you envision the final form of your evolution will look like? 

 

When I feel existential about where life is heading, I often come back to this Mary Shelly quote “There is but one solution to the intricate riddle of life; to improve ourselves, and contribute to the happiness of others.” So when I envision the future it's always through this lens. I love learning and I love connecting, supporting, inspiring or just entertaining others.

I can imagine all kinds of paths for me, an antique store owner, a CEO, an Oscar winner,  a foster parent, the Mayor Of Melbourne, a dancer, a poet, but in final form… I’ll either end up the leader of a cult or an eccentric patron to the arts. Living in the East End of the CBD, somehow with a garden?! Murals painted all over my walls. Hosting dinner parties on my lounge room floor, singing Fiona Apple songs like their show tunes around a baby grand piano.  I’ll still go to all the shows, all the talks, all the events - supporting the arts community however I can and undoubtedly looking fabulous with a purple rinse through my hair. When ingenue’s question “Who is that?” other people will gasp and say “Juliet Miranda Rowe!”, my name will be on plaques on the back of seats in all the theaters and when I die I’ll donate my wardrobe to the Melbourne Museum. 

 

 

 

View Juliet's work here & follow her on instagram here.