This Week’s Featured Creator
This week, I’m delighted to introduce Irene Kigais, the writer behind Irene’s Substack.
Quick Introduction
Connecting with Irene has reminded me of the special joy of discovering creators who welcome readers into their world with light, love, joy, and ease.
Kindness, gratitude, and compassion flow naturally through her creative work. Her love for her community, her many creative pursuits, and her heartfelt desire to offer others hope and a sense of belonging are truly inspiring.
I hope you enjoy getting to know Irene and discovering the beauty she shares through her little corner of Substack. May your time there leave you feeling a little lighter, more hopeful, and reminded of the goodness that surrounds us.
Thank you, Irene, for sharing your heart with us! 💖
Conversation with Irene Kigais
What is the heart of your Substack, and what do you hope readers experience when they spend time there?
The heart of my Substack is finding moments of joy, calm and connection in everyday life. Especially in a world that often feels a bit heavy and it is moving far too quickly.
I try to share glimpses of my life working at a hospital but focusing more on the lighter side, the fun, the celebrations and the wonderful colleagues who make each day special.
I also write about my love for my local community and the volunteer work that means so much to me. It is also a place where I share my creative side, my passion for painting, baking, photography and my love for nature.
Spending time outdoors at sunrise or sunset time brings me a deep sense of peace and it is good for my soul. I think that most people by now know how much I love sunsets and sunrises as I share my pictures very often.
I must say that Grief is also part of my story too, after the loss of my parents. Sometimes it finds its way into my writing, but I try to share it gently and honestly, without making it feel too heavy.
More than anything, I hope readers leave my Substack feeling a bit relaxed, uplifted and reminded to notice the beauty in ordinary moments.
What inspired you to begin writing or creating on Substack?
I first discovered Substack back in 2022 through one of the authors here Graham Wardle and his publication Time Has Come . I had been following his work on other social media platforms, and I joined Substack to take part in a poetry challenge the author created back in 2022.
It turned out to be one of the best decisions I have ever made as through that challenge; I discovered a wonderful community and found a love for writing poetry. I even had had the joy of having one of my poems included in a published book, “The Path of Poetry” Discover The Writer Within.
You can read the full story in the post below.
🌟Congratulations to all the poets of the “Time Has Come”Network!🌟
Click the link below to read:
The Path of Poetry - Discover the Writer Within ✍️📚✨
Is there a topic, question, or idea that continually calls you back in your work? If so, what is it, and why does it matter to you?
The one thing that continually calls me back is the power of kindness, human connection, and gratitude.
Through my work as an administrator, a social worker, my volunteering, and my everyday experiences, I am constantly reminded that everyone has a story, and often we have no idea what someone else is going through.
I believe that even the smallest gestures of kindness can make a meaningful difference in someone’s life. A smile, a listening ear, a few encouraging words, or simply being present can mean more than we realise.
My faith also plays an important role in how I see the world. It reminds me to approach life with compassion, gratitude, and an open heart.
Whether I’m sharing a beautiful sunrise or sunset , a personal reflection, a creative project, or a moment from my community, I always seem to return to the same message: Life isn’t always easy, but there is still so much goodness, beauty, and love around us if we take the time to notice it.
That matters to me because I believe kindness is something we can all give, regardless of our circumstances.
If your writing or creative work could make one meaningful difference in someone’s life, what would you hope that difference would be?
If my writing or creative work could make just one meaningful difference, I would hope that it helps someone feel less alone, more hopeful, and reminded that they matter.
We live in a world where so many people are silently carrying struggles, grief, uncertainty, or loneliness. Sometimes all it takes is reading a few comforting words or seeing something beautiful to remind us that there is still light, even during difficult times.
I don’t write because I have all the answers. I write because I love sharing life’s little moments, the lessons I’ve learned, and the beauty I find in ordinary things.
If someone reads one of my posts and smiles, feels encouraged to keep going, reconnects with their faith, or is inspired to show kindness to another person, then I feel my writing has served a purpose.
I would love for people to leave my little corner of Substack feeling a little lighter than when they arrived.
And if that kindness continues beyond my writing and reaches someone else, then that would be the greatest gift of all.
A Favorite Photograph
My favourite photo that I’m sharing with you today is very special to me and holds a special place in my heart. This is the last picture I took with my mother only a few days before she passed away. We were at a sunset dinner cruise celebrating my 50th birthday together with friends and family.
Featured Articles
One of the articles that I had the pleasure of writing about was of one of the members of our Substack Community, I wanted to honour Lucy Bernas a remarkable woman and dear friend from our community, whose courage continues to inspire me every day.
After her long battle with cancer, 30 surgeries and counting, Lucy continues what she calls her beautification journey and she has a Substack account where she often writes and shares her poetry, the account is Lucy’s Beautification Journey and Prayers, for those who want to follow her or perhaps share it with someone who needs a message of hope. You can read my article below.
Click the link below to read:
A Story of Strength,Faith and Courage!🥹💪
Another article that is close to my heart is the article I wrote after my town was hit by a cyclone. It was my thank you to our Substack community for caring and taking time to check in with me to make sure my family and I were safe.
A sneak peak into the article:
I just wanted to take a moment to thank everyone who has reached out to check on me and my family these past few days. Your messages, prayers, and love truly meant so much. I haven’t had the time to respond to everyone individually as It’s been an incredibly intense time here, as Cyclone Fina became one of the strongest cyclones to hit our Darwin commun…
Click the link below to read:
A Heartfelt Thank You From Darwin 💜
What activity or hobby brings joy into your life?
One of the things I love most about my free time is being creative. Painting gives me the opportunity to slow down, switch off from the busyness of everyday life, and let my imagination take the lead. I especially love painting the beauty of nature, and there’s something about the beach, the colours of the ocean, and the peacefulness of the coastline that brings me so much joy.
For me, creativity isn’t about creating something perfect. It’s about enjoying the process, expressing myself, and allowing myself the freedom to play, explore, and discover something new.
Life can be busy, and I’ve learned how important it is to make space for the things that bring us joy. Painting is one of those things for me. It nourishes my soul, gives me a sense of peace, and reminds me that it’s never too late to explore our creativity.
Please share about Irene & Linda’s Book Club.
It is a little corner of the world where books bring us together, friendships blossom, and meaningful conversations begin.
We come together from different places and backgrounds, united by our love of stories, the joy of discovering new perspectives, and the connections we create along the way.
Whether a book makes us laugh, moves us to tears, challenges our thinking, or stays in our hearts long after the final page, there is always something wonderful to share.
Click the link below to learn more about Irene & Linda’s Book Club
Is there a book, quote or piece of wisdom that has influenced your life?
One book that has had a profound influence on my life is The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. It reminded me that creativity is not just about making art, it is also about reconnecting with ourselves, finding our voice, and having the courage to explore what is possible at any stage of life.
I began to understand that we are never too old
to learn, grow, or follow a dream.
The wisdom I carry with me is that we don’t have to have everything figured out to take the next step. Sometimes, we simply need to trust ourselves enough to begin.
I believe that kindness, compassion, and creativity have the power to change lives, including our own. Whether I am painting, writing, supporting someone through a difficult time, or connecting with people in my community, I hope to create a little more light, hope, and belonging in the world.
For me, life is an ongoing journey of learning, becoming, and discovering that some of our most meaningful chapters can begin when we least expect them.🙏💜
Connect With This Creator
Creator Name: Irene Kigais
Publication Name: Irene’s Substack
If This Resonates With You
One of the most meaningful ways to support a creator is simply to read their work and stay connected to it.
If something here speaks to you, I encourage you to take a moment to explore Irene’s Substack.
You can also support their work in small but powerful ways:
Subscribe to their publication so you don’t miss new writing
Leave a comment to let them know what resonated
Restack or share a piece you loved
Pass their work along to someone who might need it
These small actions are what help independent writers continue creating and what make spaces like Substack feel alive.
Interested in Being Featured?
Creator Spotlight exists to celebrate writers, artists, and creators whose work brings meaning, reflection, creativity, and connection to the Substack community.
If you’d like to be considered for a future feature, feel free to reach out. I’m always open to discovering new voices and sharing work that deserves to be seen.
Want More Discoveries Like This?
If you’re enjoying Creator Spotlight, I invite you to subscribe to Savor Life Studio.
Each week, I feature a creator whose work brings insight, creativity, encouragement, and heart into the world.
If you’d like these discoveries delivered straight to your inbox, I’d love to have you join us at Savor Life Studio.
Thank you for being part of a space where creators support creators and thoughtful work is shared and celebrated. Your presence here means the world to me.
With much love and gratitude,
Lis 💖
________________________
Explore More Creator Spotlights
Meet Courtney Cunningham, the first creator featured in Creator Spotlight, and discover the heart, inspiration, and story behind her work. Click below to read.
Creator Spotlight: Courtney Cunningham
________________________
Meet John Rinaldo, one of Substack’s most inspiring and courageous voices whose writing and conversations stay with you long after you’ve experienced them.
________________________
Meet Saira Anwar, an award-winning poet whose writing is filled with insight, courage, compassion, and wisdom that linger long after her words have circled your heart.
Creator Spotlight: Saira Anwar
________________________
Meet Dr Christine DiBlasio, A psychologist, martial artist, and writer weaving trauma, resilience, and hope into meaningful change.
________________________
Meet Sam Messersmith, A Certified Forest Therapy Guide Helping Others Rediscover Connection and Belonging.
Creator Spotlight: Sam Messersmith
________________________
Meet Juli Hammersley, the inspiring writer and creator behind Peaceful Healer, who gently invites us to slow down, reconnect with nature, and discover the beauty and peace available in the present moment.
________________________
Meet Debra King, the inspiring writer behind Beautiful Things Grow Here. Debra is a trauma-informed writer and poet, Debra shares personal essays, poetry, and gentle reflections that linger long after the final words have been read.
________________________
Meet Jane Duncan Rogers, and discover how embracing ageing can open the doorway to a more meaningful and joyful life.
________________________
Meet Colin Durrant, who shares inspiring stories of transformation, resilience, and the wild places that teach us how to live
Creator Spotlight: Colin Durrant
________________________
Meet Jill Hart, who offers an inspiring and authentic approach to turning visibility into meaningful relationships, opportunities, and a thriving business.
________________________
Meet Maya Sarin, who writes about about living authentically, joyfully, and peacefully, while inspiring others to embrace their interior life and live their best life.
________________________
Meet Jeff “H” Harrington, who writes about about music, creativity, and how to release music on Substack.
________________________
Meet Jeannie Ewing, who writes about Microkindness, Authenticity, and What It Means to Belong.
Creator Spotlight: Jeannie Ewing
________________________
Meet Barbara Anderson, who provides a welcoming Space to bloom, thrive, and connect.
More From Savor Life Studio
A five-month Substack conversation and the moment trust was lost
Savor Life Studio Weekly Schedule
Tuesdays – Anchor Reflection
Personal reflections on life, creativity, and living slowly and meaningfullyFridays – Creator Spotlight
Featuring inspiring voices and creative work across SubstackSundays – Community Table
Free resources, creative gifts, and shared inspiration
________________________
New subscribers are always welcome here — encouraged and appreciated more than words can say.
________________________
🌿 Want to know more about Savor Life Studio?
Come take a peek behind the scenes and meet Lis, explore the mission, and pick up some peaceful freebies to add more calm and clarity to your days.
Thank you Lis for featuring me in your article and for shining a light on fellow creators and for creating a space where we can connect, inspire and encourage one another.🙏💜
I’m honestly speechless, and my eyes are filled with tears. I can hardly find the words to express how much this means to me. You are truly amazing, my friend! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for including me in your interview and allowing me to be part of something so special. I’m deeply touched and incredibly grateful. As I said, I’m simply speechless at this moment. Sending you so much love! ❤️