The Quiet Rituals of Writer Danielle Gay
Danielle Gay has spent much of her career shaping the way women connect with stories—first through the pages of Vogue Australia and Gritty Pretty, and now more quietly, more intimately, through her Substack Reservations. Her writing carries a rare kind of clarity, at once composed and curious, anchored by a deep commitment to inner life. Meditation is her constant. Books are her refuge. And the ocean, of course, is never far. In this gentle moment, Danielle shares the small rituals, passing thoughts and poetic inclinations that make up her world—one of creativity, stillness, and deep attention.
What is your current state of mind?
One of clarity and creativity.
How do you switch off?
I have a daily meditation practice, which involves a silent, mantra-based technique. It’s completely transcendent – I really go somewhere else.
What is the trait you most admire in others?
Awareness.
Which living person do you most admire?
This changes. I’m going through a poetry phase and I’m really into David Whyte right now; I admire the way he synthesises his spirituality into his work.
What is your greatest extravagance?
Retreats. A moment of respite.
What is the first thing that you do when you wake in the morning?
I use a copper tongue scraper, brush my teeth and then sit down to meditate.
What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
Justice. It can be a force for good, but more often I’m seeing this virtue play out in the culture in ways that aren’t helpful: righteous indignation, a need to be right and blind anger.
Do you have any daily rituals?
Meditation is my one constant, though I try to include some form of movement in my day too – yoga, Pilates, a walk, or even a light stretch.
What do you most like about your appearance?
How it’s ever-changing but also somehow stays the same.
What does wellbeing mean to you?
Knowing when to accelerate and knowing when to brake.
What is the quality you most like in a person?
Curiosity.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
I’d have to ask my family and friends..
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
We have to be our own great loves first.
When and where are you happiest?
When I’m writing – or rather, having written.
Which talent would you most like to have?
I’d love to be multi-lingual.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
Dissolving illusions to align more and more with my true nature – the infinite, unchanging reality beneath all appearances.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Recovering from heartbreak.
If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?
I’d like to be an astrologer in another life.. although I suppose there’s still time in this one.
Where would you most like to live?
I’ll be spending a month living in Villefranche-sur-Mer later this year – a dream come true.
What is your most treasured possession?
My books.
What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
A terrible meal.
What is your favourite occupation?
Writing.
What is your most marked characteristic?
Love.
What do you most value in your friends?
Good conversation.
Who are your favourite writers?
Joan Didion, Sally Rooney, Jhumpa Lahiri, Deborah Levy, Rachel Cusk, to name a few…
Who is your hero of fiction?
Reading, for me, is a somatic experience; I feel it deeply. It makes me connect with every character I come across, even if only briefly.
Which historical figure do you most identify with?
Maharishi Mahesh Yogi.
Who are your heroes in real life?
Joan Didion. Or do they have to be living?
What are your favourite names?
I don’t have any. Is it usual to have favourite names?
What brings pleasure to your day?
An ocean swim.
Do you have any products or objects that you can’t live without?
My little alarm clock goes everywhere with me – I can’t stand phones in the bedroom.
Where is your favourite place to wake up in the world?
Anywhere by the sea.
What is your motto?
Even this. The idea being acceptance: a reminder to transcend even this.
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