THE Creatives: A Cuppa with Hana Klokner

We sit down with Hana Klokner, a dynamic social media strategist, content creator, and children's book author. With a steaming cup of tea in hand, Hana shares her journey of developing a passion for writing memoirs (or blogging), drawing inspiration from everyday life, and finding joy in the little celebrations. Join us as we delve into Hana's world, exploring the intricate balance between her diverse roles and the creative spark that fuels her work.

I’ve always loved creativity in all its forms. When I was in high school, I ran a fashion blog in Slovakia, my home country, with multiple editors. I soon ventured into writing fiction and published a few short stories and a children’s book.

Like every creative person, I struggled with parts of the process and wished I had learned to overcome my creative blocks. My biggest challenge is perfectionism, which can paralyse me because I start to think I’ll never get it right. 

Over the years, I’ve learned that creativity is much more than just writing or content creation. It manifests in many ways, from cooking to gardening, both of which I enjoy as a mum, a wife, and a new home owner. 

Currently, we're doing a full-house refurbishment, so I'm involved in painting, furniture restoration, and even upholstery. I have an abundance of house plants, and I love styling the rooms with them. I see creativity as a tool for making what’s around me better, nicer, and more pleasurable.

For me, inspiration comes in two forms: as input and through long moments of stillness. I usually need some stimuli before starting a project, whether it's seeing new artwork or visiting a nice shop. But sometimes, you just have to push through the work until you feel inspired. That's where stillness becomes so important.

Last year, I found myself uninspired because our house was upside-down, completely disrupting my routines. Having a creative routine is crucial because it drives the completion of each project.

My husband, Andrej, is like my golden retriever—he comes home from work with a big smile and a hug, no matter what happened that day. Then there are my twin boys, Alfie and Tony, who bring a bit of chaos into my life, but I completely forgive and eternally love them! Having a relationship where we can speak our minds, change, evolve, and still be loved is a big part of my joy.

I didn’t understand this when I was younger. I had a high school classmate who used to say things like this, and I would just roll my eyes. But as I went through life and experienced loss and grief, I started to value the things I once took for granted. Moving several times and losing friends made me appreciate finding new ones who share my interests, like going to the theatre. And, losing my sense of identity during motherhood made me appreciate the things I missed out on when my boys were born.

Small, random acts of kindness are my favourite. Doing something for someone when they need it or least expect it makes a big difference.

Some time ago, while taking my boys home from preschool, they were riding their bikes fast by a main road. It’s every parent’s nightmare. An older gentleman started disciplining my boys to slow down and follow their mom.

At first, I thought the last thing I needed was a stranger telling me how to parent. I thought I’d shake him off but he was persistent and he just kept on.

Then I saw the boys to finally slow down, and he gave them a pound to buy sweets. He said to me, “Sometimes you tell your own kid to do something a thousand times, but they will only listen to a stranger. You’re doing great.” 

I’m still touched when I think about what he did for me. We all need someone like that gentleman in our lives!

I love wearing my R&R socks at home, whether I'm working or getting ready for bed. My feet tend to get really cold when I'm not moving, and these socks are so warm and comfortable for lounging. I like to match the pink styles with my pyjamas and the cream colours with my denim.

In the winter, when I wear a lot of Chelsea boots, I can't wait to get some Betsies in black. They might not be the most fun colour, but they’re definitely the warmest, perfect for staying comfortable through autumn and winter!

I’m probably more conservative when it comes to socks, but Rock & Ruby has expanded my fashion style! Before R&R, I used to wear only thin cotton socks in black, beige, and white, but I’ve started enjoying thicker styles and a bit more colour.