JULIE STAFFORD is a multi-dimensional creative, blending writing, photography, painting, and her solo woman travel adventures into powerful storytelling that inspires creativity and transformation. A leader in recognizing what’s relevant in today’s fast-advancing marketplace, Julie draws on a lifetime of experience, diverse skills, and a deep passion for writing to fuel her work. With an advanced understanding of AI and how to harness it as an assistant, coach, and editor in the writer’s process, she has created

The AI Storyteller’s Studio—a writing course for aspiring authors that teaches the art of storytelling while using AI to elevate creativity, sharpen craft, and unlock new levels of writing mastery.g

is the well-known Australian author of the famous healthy-eating cookbook series that changed a generation's eating habits in the 80s and 90s.

Her best-selling 'Taste of Life' cookbook series sold over 2.2million copies worldwide.

After her 30 year partnership with husband Bruce, who beat his first life-threatening cancer diagnosis just two-and-a-half years into their love story, but lost a second totally unrelated cancer battle with mesothelioma (terminal asbestos cancer) in 2006, Julie found herself alone.

To heal from insatiable grief, she began a journey to discover her capacity as a solo woman and who she would become in her next chapter. Conquering fears and challenges as a solo woman traveler, Julie dived deeper into her love of writing, photography, and painting, and anew chapter was born.

Traveling solo to beautiful and remote destinations, Julie has learned to observe life at a deeper level, embrace uncertainty,

let the least-likely characters teach her life's golden wisdom, turn obstacles into opportunities and grow through life’s most unexpected (often serendipitous) moments, all the while embracing new technologies (especially AI) and teaching others to explore and advance their

transformational journeys following in her footsteps.

JULIE STAFFORD'S profound messaging to chase after the life in your life rather than merely survive life encourages her audiences to step

outside their comfort zones to achieve personal and professional success, and taste the true happiness of living.

JULIE STAFFORD

Profound, purposeful, passionate, Julie Stafford is inspirational in all she touches.

Drawing from a life rich in extraordinary experiences, Julie weaves her insights into every story she

tells—through books, blogs, social channels, writing retreats, her camera lens, and the bold strokes of her paintings. Her work inspires, motivates, and lights a creative fire in writers and artists alike, awakening the desire to live a fuller, more vibrant life.

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Happy Mother’s Day to all you amazing mums out there… what a blessing, what a privilege what a joy…❤️

To the Anzacs… never forgotten. In our hearts forever … grateful

It’s halftime at the ‘G, and the tension is thicker than the grey clouds hanging over this cold, wet night.

80,000+ fans packed in, drenched but unshaken, because this isn’t just any game—it’s Collingwood vs. arch nemisis Carlton.

And right now? Carlton is up by 5.

FIVE. POINTS too close for comfort.

The rain is pelting down, the Pies are soggy, and my black-and-white heart is pounding. But if there’s one thing we know about the Mighty Magpies—we thrive under pressure.

One big second half coming up. Let’s turn this around, boys!

Who’s at the ‘G tonight?
Who’s backing the Pies?
Drop a “GO PIES!” in the comments if you believe we’re about to storm home! ⚫⚪🔥 #GoPies #MCG #ThursdayNightFooty #collingwoodforever

Julie’s Big Salad and it is sensational.
#salad
#bigsalad

Colours of Melbourne after the rain… so beautiful 😍

Thursday Dinner … Beef, Apple, Avocado and Chili… simply delicious.

Today’s rain in Melbourne inspires these words in my writing warm up…

Dance in the Rain

Who told you dreams have an age limit? That the years carve walls around what’s possible? Step outside. Feel the rain on your skin—cool, insistent, alive. It does not ask how old you are before it falls. It simply invites you to dance.

Let it wash away the doubt, the hesitation, the voices that say it’s too late. Tilt your face to the sky. Let your feet find their rhythm in the puddles. Remember what it feels like to want something just because it sets your soul on fire.

You are not made of endings. You are made of movement. Of new beginnings. Of laughter in the storm. Of dreams that refuse to be forgotten.

The rain does not wait for permission to fall. You do not need permission to rise.

So dance and bring out your sunshine 🌞

The storm front that hit Melbourne last night with rain and rainbows suggests autumn is ready for its moment. Change is in the air. It prompted my writing warmup…

The Seasons of You -

There’s a moment, just before the leaves turn, when the air shifts—subtle, almost imperceptible. A whisper of crispness in the warmth. A pause before the fall.

Life changes like this too. Slowly, then all at once.

One day, you wake up and realize the summer of who you were has passed. The version of you that once bloomed so boldly is fading into something quieter, deeper. You shed—beliefs, people, places—like autumn trees surrendering their leaves to the wind. Not because they have failed, but because they have fulfilled their time.

Then comes winter. The stillness. The waiting. The ache of empty branches reaching toward a sky that offers no answers. But even in the cold, something stirs beneath the frost—a knowing that this, too, is necessary.

And then, one morning, light filters in differently. The air carries a scent of possibility. The thaw begins. Tiny, almost invisible buds of change push through. Spring arrives, and with it, the version of you that has been waiting beneath the surface, growing in silence.

So Julie, let yourself change. Let yourself fall and freeze and bloom again. Trust the seasons of finding who you were always becoming.

You were never meant to stay the same.

When sleep alludes you and a Melbourne morning rewards you….❤️ Thankyou Melbourne ❤️

Almond, Raspberry and Pistachio Pancakes … Thursday off to a great start ❤️

Melbourne turning it on for its last day of summer…. These are the kind of days that we love ❤️

Melbourne. A little bit of everything. 34degrees today…

What happened to summer Melbourne 🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️…

She’s back. 👏👏👏 After spending most of January in bed with pneumonia I’m feeling my normal self again and now ready to catch up on all I missed out on. 😃 Thank you for popping in and sending me lovely messages of love and wellness… You know who you are… ❤️ I call you my little rays of yellow sunshine. You broke the monotony of my days in bed with ridiculously bad brain fog. I found my greatest joy was to go down the YouTube Rabbit Hole of spectacular architectural homes around the world and appreciate how architects respect small and large spaces to create magic and bring to life strangers dreams. I loved the simple lines of structures. I loved the quirky ways to let light in. I liked how what was created sat on land unobtrusively . I loved how walls and corners were created to feature and honour an ancient tree and how a tree against a feature wall or a water feature became the art in the house. It left me thinking we need more architects who instinctively know how to enhance an environmental space rather than overwhelm it. Their perspectives and bravery were better than any medicine …

My absolute favourite was…

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFKtVU4SX9S/?igsh=aDcwYmtsdXN5ejgw

#houses
#healing
#architects
#bravery
#perspectives

When jetlag won’t let you sleep….

#melbourne

Something magical happens when you have a photography editing app on iPhone that turns ordinary photos into artistic memories … @essaadimarrakech

#marrakech

It’s so exciting along the roads of your travels when you stumble upon an accommodation that ticks all the boxes of your great loves…. Books, Art. Curated Spaces, Inspirational Food, Elegant Stylish Furnishings and Fabrics, Soft Mood lighting, Exotic Plants in pots, and walls adorned with climbing fragrant flowering climbers, an intimate Bar, rooftop terrace restaurant, Spaces to lose oneself to write, Tea and Coffee making machines in your room, friendly staff that feel like family. I found such a place in the Medina in Marrakech. Talk about striking gold ❤️❤️❤️ @izzamarrakech

#marrakechmedina #marrakesh #marrakechstyle #smallhotelsoftheworld #luxurytravel #solotravel #solowomantraveler

Bringing in the New Year with a drive to the Ourika Valley to see the snow peaked Atlas Mountains and eat a scrumptious Meat and Vegetable Tagine by the fast flowing stream … yes it was cold ! #happynewyear #happynewlife #happinessalways #moroccotravel

Apparently I haven’t been eating enough garlic and that’s why I’ve come down with a chest infection. 🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️ so say the locals here in Morocco . So I’m guessing after tonight’s dinner, I should be totally cured by tomorrow. 😳😳😳

Hats off to the chefs @riadcledesol

#foodporndaily
#moroccotravel

Outside my door … the sun has decided to shine. I’m in bed fighting a chest infection and massaging the final draft of my screenplay - “Seagulls on the Ganges.”

I’ve just finished a tutorial on screen play writing that suggests if you haven’t done 10,000 hours on your screen play then it’s by no means finished!! I look back over the thousands of hours I’ve invested in my screenplay to tell my amazing story and I think I am close to being ready.

That’s the thing about writing something special - it takes time. It means you have to hide yourself away from the chaos of life . I’ve been doing that in all sorts of destinations around the world lately, but this just might be one of my favourite destinations to lose myself in solitude and just simply write and polish snd write and polish and see my story clearly.

I can see the finish line and it kind of makes me excited. I couldn’t imagine a nicer place to be sick and write @riadcledesol

Waking up to a spectacular view of the snow peaked Atlas Mountains. After cold morning starts and beautiful sunny days it’s a grey rainy day here in Aghmat today , about 30 km south Marrakech. The rain is trying to dampen my spirits but it’s having no luck… seriously, with a view like this I can’t wipe the smile from my face 😊 @riadcledesol

@riadcledesol

Clouds remind us of life’s beautiful impermanence. They drift, shift, and reshape—a dance of transformation across an infinite sky. Some days, they gather heavy and dark, promising storms that cleanse the earth. Other days, they scatter like whispers, offering only soft shadows and endless wonder.

Clouds are storytellers, painting moments of serenity, chaos, and renewal—teaching us to embrace the transient beauty of our own journeys.

#CloudGazing
#NatureWisdom
#MindfulMoments
#SkyStories
#SoulfulLiving
#naturelovers

@banksy_streetart_official

it seems so easy so why is it so hard?

Some say it’s not wise to return to a destination where all the elements were perfect on your first visit but once touched by a @riadcledesol sunset I was always destined to return … feels like a homecoming looking over the tops of olive trees to this sunset falling behind the snow capped Atlas Mountains.

All the colours of Christmas… each representing a magical memory of childhood Christmases, teenage Christmases, family Christmases and quieter Christmases. This year I’m acknowledging Christmas in Marrakech.. it’s not so much a celebration of Christmas as it is a grateful prayer for all my blessings… laughter with family and food and sharing a present and wishing each other health and joy for a coming new year will happen in January this year… a reminder that the feelings we so long for and treasure at Christmas can be found on any day of the year if you have love in your heart and a desire to be with the ones you love and you love the giggles of small children and hearing their stories. I have loved the pace of these Christmas days here in Marrakech… The lack of chaos …no Christmas commercialism… most hotels have Christmas trees and in the background Christmas carols play… each carol sparking more memories …It’s a softer than usual kinda Christmas … blue skies, sunshine and enough snow on the peaks of the Atlas Mountains to remind you what time of the year it is. Whoever you are, and wherever you are I hope this time of the year is an easy time for you and that hope and dreams fill your heart to embark on a year that will reward your efforts ❤️

Happy Christmas to loved ones far and near from Marrakech. 🎄❤️🎄❤️🎄❤️🎄

When windows take your breath away …

#essaouirabeach
#essaouira_city

@riadmimouna

Mini magical moments at the iconic La Mamounia Hotel Marrakesh. An amazing my beautiful place for people from all around the world….

“The gateway to the heart opens widest when love is offered without expectation and received without fear.”

Goodbye Essaouira… as always you were amazing … one last drink before I go at the best cocktail lounge in town ❤️

“Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.” — Maya Angelou

A perfect Melbourne morning before the hustle and bustle rush of trains, cars, boats and helicopters … and the hum of footsteps pounding the pavement …

#happywednesday
#chasingballoons
#melbourne_insta
#melbournemornings

Melbourne storm and sunset all in one. Did you see the rainbow… 🌈

#melbournecity
#rainbows
#sunsetsofinstagram
#sungoingdown

Storm and Sunset … a magical combination setting over the city of Melbourne.

#melbourne_insta
#sunsetlovers
#stormchasing
#happysunday

Night time reflections outside my Melbourne window…

#melbourne_insta

My nightly walking track among the giants of Melbourne… the word spectacular comes to mind ❤️

Melbourne …. Winter holding on … Spring desperately trying to arrive … I guess it’s another chance to wear my beautiful @marrakshi.life coat ❤️

🌿 Wandering through the enchanting Majorelle Garden in Marrakech, where vibrant cobalt blue meets lush green oases. Designed by the French painter Jacques Majorelle and later restored by Yves Saint Laurent, this garden feels like a living work of art. The vivid colors, exotic plants, and tranquil water features make it the perfect escape from the city’s lively buzz. Every corner tells a story. Solo travelers, don’t miss this slice of paradise – it’s a photographer’s dream and a peaceful retreat all in one. 🌵💙 #majorellegarden

When this is the weather in Europe it’s time to chase the sun downunder….I’m on my way Melbourne … what an amazing adventure I have had…looking forward to a hot Melbourne summer 🌞🌞🌞

My face might be smiling, but the heart is heavy… it’s my last night in Marrakech. I’ve been here for 68 days.. part of me feels like I’ve just arrived while the other part feels like I’ve been here forever. That could only possibly mean one thing…Maroc is feeling more and more like my home. Why? It’s because of the warm, mild climate. It’s because of the warm hearts of the people @riadcledesol @essaadimarrakech It’s because of the colours of life that radiate here @elfennmarrakech @marrakshi.life @villa_aaron_marrakech @jardinsdelakoutoubia @museemathaffaridbelkahia It’s about the music, it’s about fresh fish bought direct from the blue boats at Essaouira and cooked at a local restaurant in a haze of smoke with incomparable flavour. It’s a fast train to Casablanca and back in a day. It’s lunch at Ricks Cafe.,Its a winding adventure into the Atlas Mountains to sleep under the stars. It’s lunch on the terrace at Richard Branson’s newly reopened @kasbahtamadot (after the earthquake damage). It makes me want to write…. And I’ve spent a lot of my time here bringing writing projects closer to the finish line. Plus I’ve been doing a lot of things I wouldn’t normally do. I have visited places off the beaten path on the back of a motorbike falling madly in love with art galleries, country riads, tasting Tagine cooked in earthenware by raging rivers, drunk the local Medallion red wine, exploring extraordinary gardens here in Marrakech and out in countryside, wandered through local village markets chasing melon size pomegranates, happening upon the famous Fantasia with the majesty of the Arabian horses and their masterful riders… this is my Morocco. I love it so much ❤️❤️❤️

The joy and point of travel is to connect the threads of our human kindness and communicate using our vibrational energy rather than be eloquent in a foreign language. When this is our travel purpose lifetime friendships are formed that can never be broken though the miles between us might be many.

Big Thankyou to my new @riadcledesol family who have given me priceless memories that will rest beside me on my pillow for my lifetime.

Until we meet again Aziz, Nazhar and El Houssaine and sorry I missed a goodbye to Walid too… ❤️

Spectacular display of the traditions of Fantasia…a stylised reenactment of the cavalry charge from the days of tribal wars and the extraordinary bond between horses and riders. Often it’s recreated for the tourists and festivals but staying here @riadcledesol it’s happening in a field not far from the village of Aghmut…performing in front of a crowd of local villagers and me. ❤️

#moroccotravel
#fantastia
#horsesofinstagram
#traditions
#marrakech🇲🇦
#solowomentravelers

The old and the new colliding on the bustling streets of Marrakech. Horse and buggy nights in Marrakech are a must do activity to really feel the vibe of this extraordinary city…❤️
#marrakech
#solowomentravelers
#solowomentravel2020
#marrakechbynight

There are some birthdays you know you will remember for a lifetime. My most recent birthday yesterday will be one of those birthdays. My day began with a gratitude walk in the beautiful gardens of the @essaadimarrakech hotel followed closely by a happy birthday song sung in Arabic by the hotel Concierge and the local taxi drivers. Next, an invitation to birthday lunch at one of Marrakech’s newest restaurants @villa_aaron_marrakech .., a stunning old riad styled eclectically in Moroccan and French design retaining elements and photos of the original owners. Great company. Delicious food and fresh fruit cocktails. Then a fast ride home on the back of a motorbike, a poolside rest before Jalapeño and Ginger Martini’s and the signature black cod miso dish at Nobu, followed by a horse and buggy ride around the Kasbah and Old Medina and then finding a birthday cake on my pillow from the lovely staff at @essaadimarrakech

Counting my blessings❤️

An easy distance from @riadcledesol the enchanting Anima Garden just outside of Marrakech, is a breathtaking oasis that blends art, nature, and tranquility. This magical garden, created by artist André Heller, features vibrant sculptures, lush greenery, and fragrant flowers, offering a serene escape from the city’s hustle. I loved wandering through winding pathways, exploring themed sections, and immersing myself in the colorful mosaics and artistic installations hiding in the lush greenery. Each corner reveals a new surprise, making it a perfect spot for photography and reflection. Snd in the background, a hint of snow on the highest peaks of the Atlas Mountains.

@riadcledesol

#gardeninspiration
#gardenlove
#visitmarrakech

“Why do we have all this life if we don’t live it? Why do we have all these hopes and dreams if we don’t chase after them?” Shirley Valentine

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JULIE STAFFORD

JULIE STAFFORD

Profound, purposeful, passionate, Julie Stafford is inspirational in all she touches.

RESUME/CV

THE ARTIST

TASTE OF LIFE

AN INTERVIEW

FINE ART PRINTS

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JULIE STAFFORD

THE SOLO TRAVELLER

THE JUICING QUEEN

THE WRITER

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WRITING RETREAT MOROCCO

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Join me on my journey

JULIE STAFFORD

Profound, purposeful, passionate, Julie Stafford is inspirational in all she touches.

WRITING RETREAT MOROCCO

COMING SOON

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