Maria Tate

2025 has been an incredible year for so many reasons.

There have been so many high highs, and just as many low lows; but the one thing I'm grateful for the most is the support from so many people; both here on YouTube and in my everyday life.

YouTube has always been an outlet for me to express whatever I felt resonated with me at any given time; from being self employed and juggling two kids, to going through the 482 visa process, moving to Australia and then finding our feet in a small town that frankly, was never going to be our first choice.

The whole point of the journey is to be honest, emotionally open and vulnerable, and to share the creative side of my personality that looks at any limitation as an excuse to create something new from it. I do it because otherwise I might explode if I kept it in, but this year has given everything a new purpose - to connect to other people. To make them feel safe, seen, accepted and validated; even if there's no one else in their life to do it for them. ESPECIALLY so in those cases, and in doing so, I've learned to apply all of those things to myself.

I grew up always feeling like the outcast, never good enough - or cool enough - to fit into a particular group of people. And even when I did, I always questioned when the time would come that they would realise they no longer want me. I'll admit that I let some of that project onto my YouTube channel in the past 12 months. I let trolls control what I posted, what I said (or didn't say), and in the end I almost quit the channel because I was afraid that if I kept being honest I'd get cancelled.

But I'm so proud of myself for sticking to my guns, doing the hard inner work to accept myself as I am, and to now go into 2026 with a newfound love and sense of soul for the content I create on YouTube. I will continue to share what I feel, what I think and how I spend my time - because it's important to me to show not just other people how to have their dream life, but also for myself. Because that is something I'm learning to create in my present timeline, instead of just waiting for the right time (or place) to have it.

I am so very thankful to each and everyone of you who watches my videos, engages with me to leave a like or a comment, and to those who have financially supported my channel I can't begin to tell you how much it has meant to me. It's incredible that absolute strangers watch the channel each week and support my self expression in any way they can.

I have a huge dream to make my YouTube channel a source of income with millions of subscribers, views etc, and I'm no longer embarrassed to say that; because I now see it as a way for me to impact people in a way that makes them feel cosy, happy and accepted as they are. In return, I promise to always speak my mind, from my heart and create a space that feels genuine and safe for anyone who wants to spend time here.

I can't wait to see where we're at at the end of 2026, but for now, I hope everyone has an amazing Christmas and a very happy and safe Hogmanay.

Maria (and fam!) xx

4 weeks ago | [YT] | 24

Maria Tate

Moora is the lil old town that keeps surpassing my expectations, and today was no different!

I've accepted a part time permanent role, and with that came the need for office wear again; so off to the Op shop I go - and I can't wait for you to see the bargains I found for just $10!

I'm planning on doing one of these videos down in Perth soon to see what gems I can find for Christmas. I'm also doing a whole DIY Christmas series where I've created a few trending items from Kmart this year and made them myself at home for free - would anyone like to see them? 🥰

2 months ago | [YT] | 1

Maria Tate

QUESTION!

Where do you personally think is the best op shop in Australia?

I've been so obsessed with watching people on YouTube thrifting and then styling or DIYing their finds afterwards, and it really drove me to finding Moora's op shop and brick-a-brack shop in this weeks vlog.

I'd love to check out some others, so let me know if there's any you'd recommend in Perth or Sydney (as we've just booked a trip for January!)

2 months ago | [YT] | 1

Maria Tate

🎬 NEW VIDEO DROPS TOMORROW! 10AM AWST

I'm taking you thrifting in lil old Moora town with just $15... and you won't BELIEVE what vintage find I got for $2! I'm also sharing my Christmas prep with you for our 1st Aussie family Christmas + some DIYs I'm planning.

Is anyone else obsessed with watching thrifting videos online? I'm desperate to check out the bigger stores in Perth, but having these on my doorstep in Moora has been a pleasant surprise 🥰

2 months ago (edited) | [YT] | 2

Maria Tate

NEW VIDEO! 🎃 I attempted to build my own pumpkin patch in the Australian countryside because we don't have PYO farms near us to go to. Watch for the pumpkins, stay for the plot twist I wasn't expecting as I started decorating...

2 months ago | [YT] | 2

Maria Tate

Hi everyone! How are you all doing? I'm just editing my outdoor halloween decorations + our costumes that we've all got sorted ahead of our Lolly Hunt that I'm hosting on Halloween, but incase you missed it, here's my full indoor decor walkthrough. I've loved putting all of this together this year, making things that I couldn't find that I'd seen online and just generally making it a whimsical experience for ourselves and the kids.

I've loved hearing that a few people both here and over on Instagram have felt inspired by my content this year to decorate themselves, and I think it just shows how much impact we can all make when we share the things that make us happy. Halloween - just like everything else in life - is about taking what feels good and discarding the rest. Above all, it's important to have fun!

So I hope you enjoy the vlog - and let me know if you're decorating this year in the comments of the video too.

2 months ago | [YT] | 2

Maria Tate

Lately I’ve been reflecting on how much has shifted. At first, I felt like I didn’t belong here… but lately I’ve started noticing little moments that feel like home.

🍞 Coffee and croissants from the bakery.
🌻 Familiar faces at the shops - I love that people know us now and say hello.
🌞 Quiet mornings sitting out the front of our house, in the sunshine.

I’m curious — for those of you watching from Australia (or anywhere else in the world!), I love asking people what brought them to the place they live in & how long they've been there for, so:

👉 Do you live in a small town or a city?
👉 And what do you love most about where you live?

4 months ago | [YT] | 26

Maria Tate

If anyone likes comedy and wants an excuse to pop up to Moora to see what it's like 🥰

www.moora.wa.gov.au/events/?fbclid=IwY2xjawMH2Ctle…

4 months ago | [YT] | 16

Maria Tate

Over the past 6 months, I’ve shared everything from our visa process to what life is really like in Moora.
Some videos have been personal and emotional, others more about this beautiful little town we now call home.

I’d love to hear from you — what would you be most excited to watch next (from the below)?

Or… is there something else you’d love to see that I haven’t covered yet?

Your answers will help me focus on the videos that feel the most valuable and the most fun to make. 💛

(P.S. If you want to choose more than one, let me know in the comments)

4 months ago | [YT] | 8

Maria Tate

Hi everyone, I've got a very different post for today - it's actually one I've created for the Shire of Moora and would love you to watch it.

This is the first in a series called The Heart of Moora; where we explore the people in our community who have made it what it was, is now and will become in the future. It's a celebration of everything we have here, and how proactive our community is. Moora wouldn't be what it is today without them!

Episode 1 is with Lyn Hamilton - a truly wonderful woman, so I hope you enjoy a little snippet into Moora's history and story.

Below is the Moora website if you would like to come visit and get involved in future events - we have lots of fun things happening at the Moora Performing Arts Centre that is deffo worth the trip!

www.moora.com.au/

5 months ago | [YT] | 7