Author: Thuy Wood

Thuy Wood (formerly known as Thuy Yau) is a freelance writer and Youth Worker working in higher education. She resides in Perth, Australia. She loves to share her own personal experiences about overcoming adversity, as she believes that human beings are more capable than they realise. She writes to make a positive difference in the world and to inspire others to learn from themselves and their own experiences. Her writing has been discussed on radio, won writing contests, appeared on The Huffington Post UK and major Australian sites such as news.com.au, SMH, Kidspot and Essential Kids. She has just completed her first book – a memoir - and is on the search for a publisher.
— Change, Confidence, Decisions, Determination, Feelings, Happiness, Hope, Inspiration, Purpose, Relationships, Respect —

Culture Begins With You: Commentary on Domestic Violence

October 11, 2026

At 11:00pm last night, I had an unexpected passenger in my car. One of my teenage children had been out all day with her friends when she told me she was on the train ride home. As with any other night, I drove to the train station to pick her up. When she got off… Read More Culture Begins With You: Commentary on Domestic Violence

Thuy Wood (formerly known as Thuy Yau) is a freelance writer and Youth Worker working in higher education. She resides in Perth, Australia. She loves to share her own personal experiences about overcoming adversity, as she believes that human beings are more capable than they realise. She writes to make a positive difference in the world and to inspire others to learn from themselves and their own experiences. Her writing has been discussed on radio, won writing contests, appeared on The Huffington Post UK and major Australian sites such as news.com.au, SMH, Kidspot and Essential Kids. She has just completed her first book – a memoir - and is on the search for a publisher.

— Change, Confidence, Decisions, Determination, Feelings, Forgiveness, Happiness, Hope, Inspiration, Miscellaneous, Moving Forward, Purpose, Success —

Be The Change You Wish To See In The World

October 7, 2026

When I was only 10 years old, my English teacher accused me of plagiarism. Our class had been asked to summarise the plot for any book we had read recently. As someone who loved to write, I took on the task with great amounts of enthusiasm. Not too long after came her response. My teacher… Read More Be The Change You Wish To See In The World

Thuy Wood (formerly known as Thuy Yau) is a freelance writer and Youth Worker working in higher education. She resides in Perth, Australia. She loves to share her own personal experiences about overcoming adversity, as she believes that human beings are more capable than they realise. She writes to make a positive difference in the world and to inspire others to learn from themselves and their own experiences. Her writing has been discussed on radio, won writing contests, appeared on The Huffington Post UK and major Australian sites such as news.com.au, SMH, Kidspot and Essential Kids. She has just completed her first book – a memoir - and is on the search for a publisher.

— Change, Confidence, Decisions, Determination, Feelings, Happiness, Hope, Inspiration, Love, Moving Forward, Parenting, Purpose, Relationships, Support —

Child Protection Week: A Survivor’s Perspective

September 13, 2026

Trigger warning: Sexual assault, child abuse Last week was National Child Protection Week (6-12 September). Here is my story – a survivor’s perspective. 10 years ago, I revealed to my loved ones and to my readers online that I had kept a secret hidden for 20 years. That I was a survivor of child sexual… Read More Child Protection Week: A Survivor’s Perspective

Thuy Wood (formerly known as Thuy Yau) is a freelance writer and Youth Worker working in higher education. She resides in Perth, Australia. She loves to share her own personal experiences about overcoming adversity, as she believes that human beings are more capable than they realise. She writes to make a positive difference in the world and to inspire others to learn from themselves and their own experiences. Her writing has been discussed on radio, won writing contests, appeared on The Huffington Post UK and major Australian sites such as news.com.au, SMH, Kidspot and Essential Kids. She has just completed her first book – a memoir - and is on the search for a publisher.

— Change, Confidence, Decisions, Determination, Feelings, Happiness, Hope, Inspiration, Love, Moving Forward, Purpose, Relationships, Success, Support —

Child Safeguarding is Everyone’s Responsibility: My Story

March 11, 2026

Trigger warning: Child abuse, sexual assault For many adults, childhood was a delightful time filled with fun, play and beautiful memories. It was probably a time where many didn’t have a care in the world. My childhood was anything but carefree. My childhood was not being able to go to sleep in case I got… Read More Child Safeguarding is Everyone’s Responsibility: My Story

Thuy Wood (formerly known as Thuy Yau) is a freelance writer and Youth Worker working in higher education. She resides in Perth, Australia. She loves to share her own personal experiences about overcoming adversity, as she believes that human beings are more capable than they realise. She writes to make a positive difference in the world and to inspire others to learn from themselves and their own experiences. Her writing has been discussed on radio, won writing contests, appeared on The Huffington Post UK and major Australian sites such as news.com.au, SMH, Kidspot and Essential Kids. She has just completed her first book – a memoir - and is on the search for a publisher.

— Change, Confidence, Decisions, Feelings, Happiness, Hope, Inspiration, Love, Moving Forward, Purpose, Regret, Relationships, Success —

Be Proud To Be You

March 2, 2026

When I was 16 years old, I fell in love for the very first time. I remember how special he made me feel, how he would rush to call me after work, how he understood me in a way that most people have struggled to do. He was also the first person to help me… Read More Be Proud To Be You

Thuy Wood (formerly known as Thuy Yau) is a freelance writer and Youth Worker working in higher education. She resides in Perth, Australia. She loves to share her own personal experiences about overcoming adversity, as she believes that human beings are more capable than they realise. She writes to make a positive difference in the world and to inspire others to learn from themselves and their own experiences. Her writing has been discussed on radio, won writing contests, appeared on The Huffington Post UK and major Australian sites such as news.com.au, SMH, Kidspot and Essential Kids. She has just completed her first book – a memoir - and is on the search for a publisher.

— Change, Decisions, Hope, Moving Forward, Purpose —

How a Knife Attack Shaped My Stance on Youth Justice

December 9, 2025

It was 2021 and I was working as a Residential Care Worker in a residential group home in Western Australia for children aged 10 – 17 years. These children had been deemed so challenging and aggressive that unfortunately no foster home was no longer suitable for them. This afternoon shift was no different for me.… Read More How a Knife Attack Shaped My Stance on Youth Justice

Thuy Wood (formerly known as Thuy Yau) is a freelance writer and Youth Worker working in higher education. She resides in Perth, Australia. She loves to share her own personal experiences about overcoming adversity, as she believes that human beings are more capable than they realise. She writes to make a positive difference in the world and to inspire others to learn from themselves and their own experiences. Her writing has been discussed on radio, won writing contests, appeared on The Huffington Post UK and major Australian sites such as news.com.au, SMH, Kidspot and Essential Kids. She has just completed her first book – a memoir - and is on the search for a publisher.

— Change, Confidence, Decisions, Feelings, Happiness, Hope, Inspiration, Moving Forward, Purpose, Regret, Relationships, Respect, Success —

You Are the Hero of Your Own Story

November 18, 2025

Earlier this week, I completed Youth Mental Health First Aid training for my job in Youth Services. Statistically speaking, given the high level of risk factors I’ve faced in my life, I am more prone to anxiety, depression, substance abuse disorders, self harm, and suicide. Yet somehow, none of these mental health issues are a… Read More You Are the Hero of Your Own Story

Thuy Wood (formerly known as Thuy Yau) is a freelance writer and Youth Worker working in higher education. She resides in Perth, Australia. She loves to share her own personal experiences about overcoming adversity, as she believes that human beings are more capable than they realise. She writes to make a positive difference in the world and to inspire others to learn from themselves and their own experiences. Her writing has been discussed on radio, won writing contests, appeared on The Huffington Post UK and major Australian sites such as news.com.au, SMH, Kidspot and Essential Kids. She has just completed her first book – a memoir - and is on the search for a publisher.

— Change, Confidence, Decisions, Determination, Feelings, Happiness, Hope, Inspiration, Love, Moving Forward, Purpose, Relationships, Success —

Why a Reverse Bucket List Teaches Gratitude

October 15, 2025

So often, you hear people talk about a “bucket list” – all the different things they want to achieve, experience and/or attend in the future etc. Whilst it is always important to have goals to aspire to, I think it’s equally important – if not, more – to focus on what you have already achieved.… Read More Why a Reverse Bucket List Teaches Gratitude

Thuy Wood (formerly known as Thuy Yau) is a freelance writer and Youth Worker working in higher education. She resides in Perth, Australia. She loves to share her own personal experiences about overcoming adversity, as she believes that human beings are more capable than they realise. She writes to make a positive difference in the world and to inspire others to learn from themselves and their own experiences. Her writing has been discussed on radio, won writing contests, appeared on The Huffington Post UK and major Australian sites such as news.com.au, SMH, Kidspot and Essential Kids. She has just completed her first book – a memoir - and is on the search for a publisher.

— Change, Confidence, Decisions, Determination, Feelings, Happiness, Hope, Inspiration, Moving Forward, Purpose, Regret, Relationships, Success —

What High School Taught Me About Paving Your Own Path

September 3, 2025

One of my children asked me an interesting question recently. She asked if I have stayed in contact with any of my friends from high school. I thought for a moment then told her:“No, I haven’t. There are a few I used to have on social media but no, most of my friends I’ve met… Read More What High School Taught Me About Paving Your Own Path

Thuy Wood (formerly known as Thuy Yau) is a freelance writer and Youth Worker working in higher education. She resides in Perth, Australia. She loves to share her own personal experiences about overcoming adversity, as she believes that human beings are more capable than they realise. She writes to make a positive difference in the world and to inspire others to learn from themselves and their own experiences. Her writing has been discussed on radio, won writing contests, appeared on The Huffington Post UK and major Australian sites such as news.com.au, SMH, Kidspot and Essential Kids. She has just completed her first book – a memoir - and is on the search for a publisher.

— Change, Decisions, Feelings, Happiness, Hope, Inspiration, Moving Forward, Purpose, Success —

How My Local Government Job Has Changed My Life

August 20, 2025

Not many people can say they look forward to coming into work. I do. Every single day. For most of us, myself included, we’ve worked in roles that have brought us some level of anxiety, unhappiness and/or dissatisfaction. For some of us, maybe being employed in a role that just helps us put food on… Read More How My Local Government Job Has Changed My Life

Thuy Wood (formerly known as Thuy Yau) is a freelance writer and Youth Worker working in higher education. She resides in Perth, Australia. She loves to share her own personal experiences about overcoming adversity, as she believes that human beings are more capable than they realise. She writes to make a positive difference in the world and to inspire others to learn from themselves and their own experiences. Her writing has been discussed on radio, won writing contests, appeared on The Huffington Post UK and major Australian sites such as news.com.au, SMH, Kidspot and Essential Kids. She has just completed her first book – a memoir - and is on the search for a publisher.