Michaelwilkes.kiwi

13/11/2025

Sometimes, the simplest act — a song, a smile, a moment shared — becomes the most powerful legacy we leave.

In this week's Friday Reading, I share a story that reminded me: real legacy isn't about what we leave behind. It's what we give while we're here.

Want more of this kind of fuel for the soul?
👣 Grab The Unschooled Life — now available at michaelwilkes.kiwi
📬 Or sign up for my weekly Monday Motivation emails — short, raw, and real.

07/11/2025

We live in a world obsessed with capturing every moment…
But in the rush to document life, we miss actually living it.

This week's Friday Reading is a raw reflection from a moment I won’t forget — when I watched my kid crash his bike through my phone screen. I could’ve caught him… if I’d just been present.

📖 In a culture of constant performance — on socials, at work, even in our faith — we forget that presence is more powerful than perfection.

Read the full piece and take a breath. This one might hit home.

👇 Grab the book or sign up for my Monday Motivation newsletter at the link in bio.

02/11/2025

Feeling stuck? Like the spark’s gone?
Whether you’re a teen just trying to make it through the week…
Or a parent, leader, or friend who’s lost motivation in the middle of the grind…
This one’s for you.

We’re seeing more young people in crisis — and it’s not always about mental illness.
Sometimes, it’s about a lack of meaning.
And adults feel it too.

This reel is a gentle reset — a reminder of what really fuels purpose and passion when life feels flat.

🙏 Watch now
📚 Grab Chapter One of my book The Unschooled Life
📬 Or sign up for my Monday Motivator emails
👉 Link’s in the bio or just Google “Michael Wilkes Unschooled Life”

30/10/2025

Are your kids getting the best of you… or just what’s left?

Too many young people I talk to feel like they’re missing out at home.
Not on stuff — but on presence.
They’re getting the tired, stretched-thin, post-work version of their parents.

And hey, I get it.
Life’s full on.
But we’ve got to ask the question:
What would it look like to reset… before we walk through the front door?

💭 I had a real moment with one of my kids recently.
I asked, “Do you think I’m the same person at home as I am at church?”

She said:
“Sometimes you come home grumpy. Tired. You don’t want to do anything.”

That one stung.
But I listened.
And it reminded me — my kids are watching the real me, not just the version I show the world.

So here’s a thought:
Use your commute home as a pause.
A moment to shift your focus.
And walk in the door with intentionality — ready to show up for the people who matter most.

07/08/2025

Yo, if you missed the sale of my first book - The Unschooled Life jump on over to Amazon and grab it now while it's on special.
I'd really appreciate the support, and the book has been impacting many who read it. You may be next!
Link in the comments.

02/08/2025

The launch night was a great success. Here is a snippet from the testimonials shared on the night.

I am almost out of the first run of book in NZ. So if you want a copy without waiting please order soon at www.michaelwilkes.kiwi/the-unschooled-life or you can grab a copy through Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Unschooled-Life-Finding-Growth-Beyond-ebook/dp/B0F4PYNRV1?ref_=ast_author_mpb

20/07/2025

We did it! 🙌 The Unschooled Life is now fully funded—and fully in print!

This isn’t just a book… it’s the start of a movement. A movement to help people find grit, grace, and growth beyond the systems that held them back.

To every single one of you who backed, shared, encouraged, or cheered from the sidelines—THANK YOU. This happened because of you.

🎉 The launch party is 1st August in Thames
If you’re local, I’d love you to come celebrate with us! Check out the Facebook event for details.

📚 Paperback copies are arriving this week, and I’ll be sending them out as soon as Kickstarter releases your details.

👀 If you haven’t seen it already, you can check out Chapter One of The Unschooled Life by messaging me “yes please”—I’ll send it straight over.

This is just the beginning.

03/07/2025

Feel like you’re falling behind?
Like something’s wrong with you because you’re not where you thought you’d be?

Pause for a second.
You’re not broken — you’re becoming.

I put together a little visual reminder — 5 signs that prove you’re still in the game, even when it doesn’t feel like it.
They’re raw. They’re honest. And they might just be what you need today.

🧭 Because The Unschooled Life isn’t about having it all figured out — it’s about learning to grow through the struggle.

📖 Flick through the carousel — and if it resonates, message me “yes please” or hit the link in my bio to get the first chapter of the book.
Check it out for yourself.

26/06/2025

I had the privilege to catch up with Rob Holding last week from Coromandel's CFM and share about "The Unschooled Life"
Thanks for your time Rob and the chance to share a bit.
Check out the interview on Spotify. https://open.spotify.com/episode/2bRYlJKjYlvUVvhjgc6LMH?si=0UhTqETDStCopILIyzUCCw

CFM's Interviews · Episode