Lismore author launches memoir on motherhood and anxiety

LISMORE author Amie Weekes has launched her debut memoir Anxiety is a Bitch … and so are Lunchboxes, a personal account of motherhood, anxiety and a family road trip around Australia.

Written with humour and raw honesty, the book follows Weekes and her family on a 101 day road trip they call a “Blockie”, travelling from the Northern Rivers through four states and two territories.

On the journey she reflects on her mental health, the pressures of modern motherhood and a fragile marriage while navigating long stretches of road with insufficient bra support.

The book began as a humorous blog written for family and friends during the trip before gradually developing into a memoir over the following decade.

“When I started, I was dealing with some pretty significant mental health issues. Writing was a way for me to understand what was happening and also find my way through it,” she said.

“My friends told me I should write a book. But I am not a writer, I am a nurse. I did every writing course I could do locally, I travelled to Melbourne, Sydney and did courses online. Somewhere along the way, ideas started to become chapters and then a book sort of formed word by word. And at a certain point you just have to put yourself out there.”

Her short story A Harbour was published in The Gathering of Kindness anthology by Hambone Publishing.

“We need to be kind to mothers! Mothering is so hard these days. I don’t know when it got so complicated.”

“A lot has been done to de-stigmatise mental health issues and dismantle the fantasy of the perfect mother, but there is still a lot we can do.”

Weekes said a road trip might not be the answer for everyone, but believes being kinder to ourselves and each other is a good place to start.

Anxiety is a Bitch … and so are Lunchboxes is available at The Book Warehouse or online at amieweekes.com.au.

BY STAFF REPORTER