Thoughts, Stories & Reflections by Stephen Mitchell
Observations on Being a Weekend Father, Creating New Memories & Figuring Life Out
Recently I stumbled across a word that stopped me mid-scroll – otrovert. It’s not in any proper psychology textbook as yet, and you won’t find it neatly defined in the Oxford. It seems to be one of those modern, internet-born labels. Yet the more I read, the more I thought, “Hang on… this might be... Continue Reading →
I voted for the Marijuana Party as a teenager. Here’s why I still would. I’ve been voting for the Marijuana Party, or whatever version of it happened to appear on the ballot, since I was old enough to vote. Back then, it felt half cheeky, half defiant. You’re young, you see a list of parties... Continue Reading →
Whilst watching a behind-the-scenes YouTube video about the Bond movie Casino Royale, one of the producers said a line that really stuck with me: “Many people say if it ain’t broke, don’t fix or change it. I say that’s a recipe for complacency — in everything we do in life.” It hit me hard in... Continue Reading →
This isn't something I would normally write about, yet whilst seeking information about my own chromosomal abnormality, I had the urge to seek more information about bio-synthethic humans. From there, this article flowed out of me: Ever dreamed of building a human genome from scratch — not editing, but writing it, start to finish? Well,... Continue Reading →
What follows are declarations from a book that changed my life, attitude, and peace of mind way back in mid-1995. I’ve remembered them ever since. They've helped to remind me to laugh when I can, to push through when I must, and to see every setback as part of the climb. Whilst life has thrown... Continue Reading →
Not Broken, Just Wired Different I want to put this here, in my own words, for those who might need to hear it. At age 44, I was diagnosed with Klinefelter syndrome (XXY). It all started with one simple, honest question from my then-wife: “Why can’t we have kids?” That led to tests, those tests... Continue Reading →
Turns out, the greatest financial wisdom shows up when life guts you clean and you’re left rebuilding from ground zero. These days, I’m a single bloke on Kangaroo Island, running a window cleaning business that brings in about a grand a week - some weeks only half that. I clock maybe 10–20 hours, then spend... Continue Reading →
After recent events impacted heavily on my lifestyle, I decided it was time to revise my food intake. Many years of easy-to-buy food - i.e. hamburgers, yiros, salty hot chips, etc - I have finally accepted that home-made preparation and cooking is not only better for the body, it's less expensive! With help from ChatGPT,... Continue Reading →
I’ve always been a fast typist, yet recently, with my right hand bandaged up, I’ve had to rely on speech-to-text more than ever. Let me tell you, it’s been an eye-opener. While my phone and tablet offer built-in voice-to-text features, my computer (where I do most of my work) offers next to nothing. Unless I... Continue Reading →
My avid readers would know I’ve been making my own smoothies for years. I recently decided that keeping them simple and nutritious is the key. No unnecessary sugars, no weird additives - just whole, healthy ingredients that fuel my day. My staples? Bananas, rolled oats, hemp powder, yoghurt, milk, frozen mango, and honey from my... Continue Reading →
My 2024 has been a whirlwind - economically and health-wise. Between juggling my business and grappling with stubborn health niggles (thanks stress and depression!), I’ve been in a constant state of doing with barely a moment to just be. It’s no wonder the idea of meditation has been tugging at me. My Emotional Wheel So,... Continue Reading →
Lately, I’ve noticed a significant shift in the way I approach activities and conversations. Yes, finally, I’ve come to realise I’m not searching for a winning argument anymore: What I really crave is peace and clarity. Instead of getting lost in the negative and divisive chatter, I’ve started prioritising my mental well-being. It’s been a... Continue Reading →
Thoughts, Stories & Reflections by Stephen Mitchell 
[…] with XXY, and alone now, has taught me that my brain is wired differently to most – yet I…
[…] Living with XXY, and alone now, has taught me that my brain is wired differently to most – yet…