Ruby here, founder of Dew & Dawn and a woman who always wondered what her purpose was. I've decided to start a little series where I interview women about what living with purpose means to them, with the intention of gaining inspiration and insight from their unique journeys. Through these conversations, I hope we can explore the many ways purpose can manifest in our lives.
We are all so different, yet we each go through experiences that shape our sense of purpose in the world. Sometimes it feels tangible, and other times it can be difficult to capture.
Through these stories, I want to celebrate the diversity of what it means to live with intention and purpose while sharing valuable lessons that resonate in our own ways.
For the first conversation, I spoke with Brooke, a flower farmer tending to a biodynamic flower farm in the Yarra Valley. We talked about her experience of purpose—how it has evolved over time and how raising three little kids (with another on the way) has shaped it.
This conversation with Brooke came at a time when I felt like I had put way too much on my plate. It left me feeling deeply inspired and served as a little reminder to just do what you can—and not let the myriad of excuses we tell ourselves get in the way.
Ruby: What does purpose mean to you, and how has your understanding of it evolved over time?
Brooke: For me, purpose is about being aligned with what you’re doing and feeling comfortable with yourself. It's about finding that balance in life where you’re not only doing something meaningful, but you also feel at peace in the process.
Definitely. I've gone through so many different phases of what I thought I wanted to do and what I thought my life would look like. Purpose has evolved in waves for me, and I can see how it could continue to shift.
Having kids really changed my perspective. I want to be around my family, and that’s become my priority. Before, I was a hairdresser, but it wasn’t viable for my family situation anymore. Now, I find myself falling in love with nature—something I never really imagined would happen. I used to be such a city girl, but when we moved here, I started connecting with the earth in a way I never had before. Having my hands in the soil, tending to the garden, it just felt right.
Having a family-centered business has been really important for us. I wanted something that worked with our lifestyle and allowed me to be around my kids. I didn’t want to put them in childcare, and this path allows me to have them close by while still doing something meaningful.
Ruby: Can you share a moment or experience that was pivotal in helping you discover your purpose?
It was when I read a book that Nick bought me in 2018—a flower farming book—that I thought, “I’m going to be a flower farmer.” That’s how it really started. I just became obsessed with the flower world. I started growing flowers slowly, and over the years, it’s just expanded.
It’s always been in me to garden. My grandmother on my father’s side loved roses and was always gardening. I lived with her when I was about five, and all I wanted to do was be out in the garden with her, picking flowers. I hadn’t remembered that until recently—since her passing. So, it’s felt like a full-circle moment.
At my other grandma’s house, I used to pick lavender and make potpourri, and then go sell it for five cents around the neighbourhood. So I’ve always been surrounded by the plant world, it’s always been there.
More recently, the response I’ve been getting from people, and the way things have been growing, has felt like the confirmation I needed, that I’m doing what I’m meant to do.
I don’t know if you’re familiar with Human Design, but it’s always said that, for me, I’ll be invited into what I’m meant to do. That’s something I’ve really started to notice. People have been reaching out and saying, “I want your flowers.” Of course, you have to put yourself out there — but having those invitations, it’s just been growing from there.
Ruby: How do you balance pursuing your purpose with the demands of everyday life? (especially having three little kiddies and one on the way)
Brooke: I’m still figuring that out. At the moment, it's manageable. I can do little things with the kids.
I think the biggest thing for me is finding the time, like being okay with what’s in front of me right now, and not always thinking about what’s next. Just using the time that I have.
But also just knowing that they need me, they still jump on me, and they are the priority. Being their mum is the most important thing; the farm comes second.Their emotions and needs come first.
Things will change as they grow, the kids are forever changing, it's always about figuring it out as we go.
Because this is my last baby, I know that one day I'll have so much time I won’t even know what to do with myself. I try to soak it up as much as I can at the moment.
Ruby: Do you think purpose is something we find, or something we create? Why?
Brooke: I think it’s a knowing and something you create. You know, you constantly think about what you want your life to look like and how you want it to feel, and then you vision it before it happens. You do the steps to make it happen, but it’s also a deep knowing within you, a sense of alignment when you're on the right track.
I know the life I want to live, it’s home-centre, family centre, nature-centred, having my hands in the soil. Knowing what you want and envisioning it.
Ruby: Are there any daily practices or habits that help you stay aligned with your purpose?
Brooke: I wake up in the morning and I water my flowers, I’m barefoot and I just have so much gratitude for what I’ve grown, what I’ve grown from seed, for what I've nurtured. Right now, that’s what it is—it’s so simple. There’s so many other things I’d love to do, but right now that’s what it is. It anchors me and reminds me of what I’ve created.
Ruby: What challenges have you faced in living with purpose, and how have you overcome them?
Brooke: The biggest challenge was definitely using kids as an excuse. I’d always tell myself, “Oh, I can’t do that right now because of kids.” But recently I’ve realised I can do it with the kids, I feel like I’ve overcome that. I am having a baby in June and I’ve just been thinking what I can do now, how can I make this work. So it's about creating consistency rather than stopping and starting.”
Even though life is busy, it’s about finding ways to make it work. The challenges will always come, we always find ways to keep going and adapt. Changing the perspective instead of the circumstance.
I think in a few weeks or months I’ll have a new challenge.
Ruby: Who or what inspires you to stay connected to your purpose
Brooke: Having my hands in the dirt, always being in nature.
And the flowers—seeing them grow and bloom reminds me that I'm on the right path. It’s that connection with the earth that keeps me grounded and connected to my purpose.
Ruby: If you could give one piece of advice to someone searching for their purpose, what would it be?
Brooke: Don’t overthink it. I look back and I think, “Why did I think about it so much?” Now I finally feel aligned. Just go for it. There’s nothing to lose. You might swap and change, but as long as you’re following what feels right in your heart, it will bring you closer to what you’re meant to do. I’ve always cared too much about what others think, and now I realise that it doesn’t matter. If you feel like you want to do something, just go for it. And if it’s not the right thing at that time, it’ll still bring you closer to what’s right for you in the end.
Brooke wears the Sarai earrings and Nila ring.
If you would like to learn more about Brooke, find her @lunaandbloomflowers
