News from the Room
Living in the In-Between
There’s a space between knowing and arriving, a limbo where the path is clear, but the final steps remain just out of reach. It’s the tension between belief and action, where conviction alone isn’t always enough to propel things forward.
This in-between place can be unsettling. It’s the weight of potential balanced against the frustration of waiting for the right moment, the right opportunity, or just one person to believe in what you’re trying to do. But this space, uncomfortable as it is, also holds something powerful. It’s where resilience is built, where purpose is tested, and where we decide whether to keep pushing forward or let doubt win.
At Room Eleven, we believe in the power of persistence, in showing up even when the path ahead is uncertain. We believe in community, in the idea that meaningful change starts with connection. One person willing to listen, one voice willing to speak up, one action that sparks another. And we believe in using our experiences, even the painful ones, to create something that matters.
Sitting in this limbo isn’t easy. It asks for patience when we crave momentum. It forces us to trust the process when we’d rather have guarantees. But maybe this space isn’t just about waiting, it’s about refining, about making sure that when the time comes, we’re ready to step forward with clarity and strength. Because when the moment does arrive, when belief turns into action, we’ll know we didn’t just endure the in-between, we made it part of the journey.
The 411
This Week at Room Eleven
This week has been all about momentum—reaching out, making connections, and putting proposals into the right hands. A lot of time has been spent on grant submissions, brand outreach, and partnership opportunities, laying the groundwork for what’s to come.
Next week brings a much-needed family holiday, so things might be a little quieter. But with so many conversations in motion, here’s hoping for some exciting updates soon.
Weekly Musings
Quote I’m Pondering: "Feelings aren't a choice—but how you behave and how you act is"
Don’t you hate those people that say “Happiness is a choice.” Immediately making you feel less than, guilty or somehow broken by not being able to shake those dark thoughts or emotions. No one chooses grief, illness, financial stress, or the weight of the world pressing down on them. Sometimes, life is just hard, and no amount of “positive vibes only” is going to change that.
Feelings aren’t a choice—they show up whether we want them to or not. But what we do with them? That’s on us. Our emotions are automatic, but our actions aren’t. The way we respond shapes everything, from our resilience to our relationships. Feeling things fully but not letting them control what comes next. Growth happens in that space between emotion and action, where we choose whether to stay stuck or turn pain into something meaningful.
What I’m Reading: Romance of the forties – Remembering my Nana and Papa
"Romance of the Forties" tells the story of my Nana and Papa, Patty and Brian Saunders, whose lives were shaped by war, resilience, and love. I stumbled across this manuscript in my email inbox—left unread for over ten years—while searching for information on my previous endurance adventures. I’ve only just started reading it, but what I found was more than just family history.
Every ANZAC Day, I march through Melbourne in their honour, remembering their service, their love, and the legacy they left behind. This manuscript feels like a small gift from them, reminding me that resilience and endurance have always been part of my story—long before I ever knew it.
What I'm Watching: Apple Cider Vinegar
SPOILER ALERT- Apple Cider Vinegar charts the controversial rise and fall of Belle Gibson, a wellness influencer whose fraudulent claims have left real-life scars. The series dramatises how Belle Gibson built her empire on misleading promises, drawing a contrast with another character, Milla—a character inspired by another real-life influencer who, despite actually battling cancer, stubbornly clung to alternative healing dogma to her and her mothers detriment.
Whilst the show is engaging in its depiction of the perils of profit-driven health and wellness, its conclusion feels deliberately unresolved—mirroring the reality that even though her high profile life imploded, Belle Gibson still owes hundreds of thousands of dollars and remains unaccountable for the harm caused, including the misleading of many charities, and the false hope given to a family with a little boy with cancer. Additionally, the series includes Belle’s stillbirth at 23 weeks, which is treated as little more than a detail used to further make Belle seem more callous. Rather than a deeply explored moment of grief, they depict her as almost purposely using the loss of their daughter to aid in growing her fame and profits. After that, her loss isn’t mentioned much, if at all, which I think tracks as it’s influenced by the persistent stigma surrounding baby loss.
Despite strong performances, especially Kaitlyn Dever’s nuanced portrayal with her standout Australian accent, the non-linear storytelling and open-ended finale contribute to an overall underwhelming finish. In the end, the show serves as a stark reminder of how art can reflect life’s messy realities, where unresolved consequences and ethical ambiguities persist long after the credits roll.
The in-between—where you know where you’re headed but aren’t quite there yet—is tough, but it’s also where resilience is built. This week has been all about momentum, making connections, and laying the groundwork for what’s next. As things slow down for a short break, it’s a reminder that growth happens in the waiting too. If any of this resonates, share it, support it, or just reach out.
Always here for a chat.
See you next week!
Rob
Giving Back
Donate a Still Billie Box
Our care packages for families who’ve lost their baby, named after our baby daughter Billie. Offering comfort during what should be a joyful season. Your donation can make a real difference in allowing us to provide free Still Billie Boxes to hospitals across Australia.
Room Eleven is a social enterprise business and does not qualify for DGR status.