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dancelightly_

@dancelightly_

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💧Building confidence + connection to self through the constant changes of life 🖐🏽Let’s connect ↓

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Sourdough teaches you to slow down 🤎

When I first started baking, I followed a recipe to the minute. Watching the clock, counting the minutes between coil folds and until the recipe said the dough should be shaped. And I couldn’t understand why my breads didn’t turn out like “on instagram”.

But here’s something I wish I knew, and every beginner who’s struggling to get those beautifully risen breads:

Don’t watch the clock. Learn to read your dough.

Look for the signs of fermentation. The way it traps air, becomes more light while coil folds, if the dough is stretchy or weak and tears.. Learn to recognise when it’s ready for the next step, rather than expecting it to follow a schedule.

Especially be aware when moving into a new season — colder dough takes longer to bulk ferment than warmer doughs during summer.

And once you learn to understand those signs, everything starts to make more sense. You become less dependent on recipes and more confident in your own hands.

Perhaps that’s one of the most beautiful lessons sourdough can teach us: not everything needs to happen on our timeline.

Give it time. Learn to trust the process 🤎

And if you’re still finding your way with sourdough, I’m here to help.

🍞 My book @a_sourdough_journey — to guide you from your first loaf to your best bake.

🌾 My @substack — for recipes, step-by-step guides, and everything I’ve learned along the way.

🤎 And 1:1 sourdough coaching — for personalised help with your starter, fermentation, shaping, or whatever is keeping you from the loaf you want to bake. Come have a look on my website www.thebrownbakery.dk (take a screenshot, then click on the link and it will work kind of like a QR code)

You don’t have to figure it all out alone.

Save this as a reminder for the next time your dough needs a little longer, and find all links in my bio 🤎

Reel inspired by @dancelightly_ 🫶🏽

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This is Ha’apai 🐚🥥🦪 an absolute paradise on earth. What an honour it was for @breeesea & I to host a retreat in the place that will live long in our memories.

🎥 Thank you for these stunning shots from the sky @courtney.m.cox

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For Dana, surfing has always been about more than waves — it’s about the people, places, and sense of connection that make us feel at home.
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As the surf industry changes, her story is a reminder to protect what brought us to the ocean in the first place.
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From Ocean People Issue 01𓂅

📸 @patternoftheocean @hamimes_

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Uoleva island, Ha’ apai 2026 from above 🦅

@djistoreau mini pro 3
#tonga #drone #island

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So much love for this special place & these special people 🤍

📍On retreat in Ha’apai, Tonga 2026
@breeesea

📸 @alyssamullingscreative, @courtney.m.cox & myself

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Here’s our latest styles in our beloved community <3

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Not sure where to start with this one 🤍 @breeesea and I closed off our wonderful season in Tonga with 13 of the most positively radiant women.

We laughed (a lot), danced, sang, dived, laughed some more & shared magical memories in a place you could only describe as paradise on earth. Even when the whales were scarce, everyone brought abundant positivity and gratitude.

Thank you to every single one of you for bringing the energy that made this an incredibly special trip. 🤍🐋 and of course, thank you to the team at Tonga Whale Sanctuary for creating the most stunning space.

📍 Uoleva, Ha’apai, Tonga
📷 by @alyssamullingscreative & myself

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The most amazing encounter I have ever had in nature! This ultra rare baby is a hybrid Humpback Whale X Bryde’s Whale calf and I can’t believe I got to witness this with my own eyes 🥹🐋🤍 •
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📷 @erezbeatus •
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#humpbackwhale #whale #tonga #haapai #whalecalf

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🐋💙 📷 @polly.jacko 🤍 •
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#humpbackwhale #tonga #haapai #underwater #whale

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Oceanic life moments of late
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Thanks to all the beautiful humans & aquatic beings I’ve spent time with since being back in Australia, it’s been a beautiful return so far filled with much wonder

From making whales swim !

To swimming with whales !

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Let go of the “what ifs.” Just enjoy the moment you’re in. 🌊

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We surfed. We dived. With the queens of the ocean @breeesea & @dancelightly_ 🌊🏄🏽‍♀️🐋🌞🤿

The best retreat week above and below the surface, feeling comfortably uncomfortable doing things that push us out of our every day and back into the ocean.

Thank you to the amazing group of empowering and supportive women we could share this with 🤍 especially @saltygirlssurfschool @belenkimble for allowing us to share your beautiful waves. 🏄🏽‍♀️

Big shout out to…
🤠 @willandbear for our beautiful hat decorating afternoon
🌊 @tweedgoldcoastdivecharters Dave for taking us on the ocean for line diving, turtles + whales
🤿 @curiousblue__ @courtney.m.cox for freediving training alongside @breeesea
🧘‍♀️ @bradwhitfield for closing off the week with breath work & sound healing

🤍

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