When was the last time you gained some legit life advice from someone 20 years younger than you?
I’ve always thought that we (and by we, I mean we middle-aged folks!) have been quick to write off the younger generation. I mean, what do they know, right? They’ve yet to reach ‘adulthood’ and still have all that ‘life experience’ to rack up. But here’s the thing. We have plenty to learn from our rangatahi, especially this current generation. I had one such aha moment with one of Mercury Bay’s brightest young stars, Francie Lidgard.
A 17-year-old Mercury Bay Area School (MBAS) student, Francie is an all-rounder, achieving high standards in sports, academia and the arts. For some of us being a high achiever comes at a price – namely, self-deprecating, perfectionist, impostor syndrome tendencies that swallow us whole. This is why Francie’s approach took me by surprise. What emerged out of our conversation was the story of a young woman who works hard but, more importantly, treats herself with compassion and care.
Francie is the daughter of teachers (Mum is a primary school teacher and Dad is a science and chemistry teacher) and the granddaughter of artist Warwick Lidgard. She grew up in the picturesque Rings Beach/Kūaotunu area of Mercury Bay, and has two older siblings. This year she’s Head Student for MBAS, a role she’s excited about. “Being a leader gives me the opportunity to get involved with school events and the community. I think it’s important that students of all ages support and learn from one another, and I can’t wait to help our kura continue to grow.”
In 2022, she was named Top Academic Achiever in her year – Biology and English are her two favourite subjects. “English is great for thinking creatively and I also enjoy finding deeper meaning and themes in literature. Biology helps the world make sense, and everything I learn is fascinating!”
When she’s not studying, she’s staying active. She represents MBAS in netball and last September was selected for the Magic in the Making Netball Waikato programme, a player development opportunity for Year 10-12 players. While professional netball isn’t her dream job, she’s learned important lessons. “The day I decided to build my resilience and accept my mistakes as learning opportunities, my netball improved so much. I will always remember what my coach said to my team before our most important game of the season, “I wanna see all of you go out there and give it all you have, just like Francie does.” Hearing that was one of the few moments where I felt proud of myself.”
Despite her age, Francie is aware of the pitfalls of expectations and the subjective nature of success. “Everyone has a different opinion of what success looks like. To succeed, they say you are meant to have completed something and done it well. But I don’t believe I’ve ever really finished anything and felt completely satisfied. That’s the drive that keeps me going, keeps me chasing the feeling of accomplishment and the joy of learning or creating something new. To succeed is to try your best, fall over a couple times, learn, and grow.”
To unwind, she enjoys exercising and finding a peaceful spot to write music, and often the two go hand in hand. “A lot of my best lyrics have come to me while I’ve been running. I am able to think, reflect on everything, allow myself to feel my emotions, embrace them, and then let them go. I can run with joy or with frustration, or I pick up the guitar and write. Both improve my well-being.”
A talented singer-songwriter, Francie regularly performs locally, at ease in front of a crowd with her soulful melodies and captivating musicianship. “The feeling when you write a good song is indescribable. Often it comes from your feelings and tells an honest story. The best songs are written from the heart. Some days I’ll play for hours and end up with nothing, other days it just flows, and I’m telling you, there’s no better feeling.” She draws songwriting inspiration from artists like Adele, Olivia Dean, Amy Winehouse and Olivia Rodrigo. “These women have a lot of heart in their songs – a rich sense of emotion and powerful lyrics that I really admire.”
Francie’s thoughtful approach to success is inspiring. “Setting unrealistic expectations for myself is setting myself up for failure. Trying to be perfect all the time leaves me feeling disappointed, when really, I can’t do everything, every day.”
Instead of putting undue pressure on herself to be perfect, Francie chooses self-compassion. “Anything is better than nothing, I say. This applies to alI of my interests. I no longer beat myself up about being slack, because I trust that I will try harder another day, when I am feeling up to it. This keeps my hobbies enjoyable, doing them because I want to.”
After high school, she’s keeping her options open. “I would really love to go to Otago University and study sports science, or register for an officer role in the Navy. I’m not sure yet. There’s music as well.”
Francie is wise beyond her years, with a bright and fulfilling future ahead of her. “In five or ten years, I just want to be the best version of myself. I don’t care where I am, as long as I am happy. I also hope I’ll be on a solid career path, while making time to help people where I can, surrounded by my family and friends and playing music.”
As for that aha moment, this is the part that stuck with me the most:
“Some days it takes a lot of motivation to get yourself up, put your shoes on and go, but once you get started, you remember why you do it.”
You can catch Francie performing at A Taste of Matarangi on 6 April 2024, and listen to her original music on the MBAS South Highways ‘22 and MBAS Saltwater Frequency ‘23 albums.
Words by Anusha Bhana
Check out Francie’s Instagram Profile here.
Coromind: Coromandel’s Collaborative Magazine
Help us take Coromind Magazine to new heights by becoming a member. Click here
Change the Weather for Your Business: Advertise with Us.
Advertise your business in the whole Hauraki Coromandel in the coolest Coromandel Art Magazine, from Waihi Beach/Paeroa /Thames up to the Great Barrier Island.
Advertise Smarter, Not Harder: Get in Touch
