Spotlight | Jess Staskiewicz, Dorothy Way

Health & Wellbeing

11 Dec

Where traditional psychology meets the woo-woo!

Published 11 December 2019
Photography by Morgan Smith

As a professional psychologist, Jess Staskiewicz travelled the world with the United Nations. Now home in Toowoomba, Jess reimagined her career and life vision into Dorothy Way, a home to explore, discuss and meditate on whatever life may be throwing at you. Offering a safe space for women, Jess’ circles and blessingways have been incorporated into local women’s lives as a way to celebrate and cope with victories, changes and curveballs.

We spoke with Jess about what led her to start Dorothy Way, as well as her favourite local businesses now that she’s home.

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first things first: why Toowoomba?

I’ve been in and out of Toowoomba. We grew up in rural Queensland and I went to boarding/high school here, then moved to Brisbane to study. I’ve lived the majority of my adult life abroad, primarily in France, the Palestinian Territories and Bangladesh. I moved back to Toowoomba two years ago having decided that the Foreign Aid expat life was no longer for me — and to be closer to my mum and dad as I was pregnant with my little girl.

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what is dorothy way?

Dorothy Way provides an intentional space for women to connect with themselves and with each other. Women's inherent strength, wisdom, intuition, and softness are traits both underplayed and undervalued in society. As a result, at different times in our lives, we find ourselves feeling lost and like we’re wading in the shallows. But I think life lives in the depths! Dorothy Way offers a path to find this connection. I offer monthly women’s circles for the every-day girl to engage in collective story sharing, rituals, and soul-searching, bespoke Blessingway celebrations, which provide a meaningful alternative to baby showers and hen’s parties, and individual counselling and coaching to help you achieve your goals, find your purpose, or reclaim your life through addressing past trauma and shame. There’s so much more to life than the everyday presents, and I’m dedicated to women and men stepping up into their true selves. I like to think Dorothy Way is the best mish-mash of traditional psychology meets eastern philosophies and the woo-woo!

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What have you learned about running a business in Toowoomba?

I really feel like I’m just wetting my feet! I felt really out of touch with the town when I moved here two years ago and was questioning whether it was the right space for me. Having birthed both a child and a business here I found two fantastic avenues to meet people, and wow — the community here is really where it's at. There are so many individuals and businesses making such a great contribution to this town, and it all feels really heart-driven. That’s very inspiring. Toowoomba celebrates its historical and country heritage, but it is really growing up and there is so much potential for the patient. That being said though, it’s still half-way between a small town and a city, which means you can’t escape the cliquey, conservative (or bogan!), which just adds to its colour.

What does an average day look like for you?

I’m not sure that exists! My day will always start with intentional time for me. I wake early and set myself up with a yoga and meditation practice before flying solo-mum to my bub and going with her flow. I have two set days per week for work, which consists of a meld of coaching clients, self-directed learning and research, and working (dreaming!) on the business. I hold the Women’s Circles one Sunday a month. On the non-work days we flit around to parks and cafes and meet-up with friends and family.

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What does your ideal Toowoomba weekend look like?

They’re pretty ideal as they are. Saturday starts with an early swimming lesson for Anya followed by our weekly shop at the farmer’s markets, a coffee and pastry nearby and a play at Queens Park usually with one or two grandparents in tow. Sunday mornings we always spend at my Mum’s place, and it’s the longest brunch you’ll ever have. I usually leave at dinner time!

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