Hello there Uplift subscriber,
I hope you are having a nourishing Monday.
It’s been nearly five months since I last wrote a newsletter and it feels really good to be writing to you again.
So much has changed in my life since December. The main thing is I’ve left my home in London after 10 years and have based myself in Kent at my mum’s house while I decide my next move. For the past three weeks, I’ve been soaking up the abundance of nature that surrounds her house, savouring the bird song and am trying to learn the paths in the nearby woodland on my daily walks. It’s also a gift to spend some quality time with my mum as she recovers from cancer. I am filled with deep gratitude and feel I am exactly where I am supposed to be right now as I let whatever’s next for me unfold.
Of course, there have been moments when I wonder what I’m doing with my life and my saboteur/ego/shitty committee has taken over, when I fall into the trap of comparing myself to other people and society’s standards but right now, things feel peaceful and exciting!
Self care for life transitions
I’m going to share a few things that are keeping me grounded and on track during some big changes.
Planning and cooking nourishing meals for my mum and me.
Going on at least one walk in nature on my own every day. Everyone deserves to feel the sun (or rain) on their face.
Limiting news consumption, screen time and being mindful of who I follow on Instagram. I’ve deleted all my friends off Facebook - sorry guys! and am just using it for community groups. I also have had all alerts for everything turned off since I stepped away from journalism last year. WhatsApp alerts have been off for years. And my phone is always on silent.
Work with coach and therapist Donna Lancaster. Over the past two and a half years, I have done lots of healing work with Donna and I am now doing her Wakey Wakey mentoring programme. I cannot recommend her enough. She posts great stuff to Instagram for free too and has had two incredible books out in the past year: The Bridge and Wise Words For Women.
Finding community. I am living in a new place and it’s also somewhere I grew up so I am lucky enough to have some friends in the area. I am grateful to have community with people I met through Donna’s Deepening Into Life. I am also in career change coach Selina Barker’s Club You, which has a great network of people, as well as anchors for the week including a mini motivating podcast every Monday, WhatsApp group, monthly workshop and a weekly Zoom connection to do focused work using the Pomodoro method.
Trying new things. Since I arrived in Kent, I went to a magical sound bath, which included movement and breathwork by Cacao and Moon. I also tried ecstatic dance for the first time with the amazing Sarah Grattan aka DJ Bearfoot, of Yoga Health and Wellness, and then trained in Reiki 1 with her the following day (see below!) Another way to meet lovely new people, build community and follow dreams.
OK, there’s plenty more, but I’ll leave it at that for this week. Let’s get you some uplifting news.
Uplifting News Stories
Full list of 45 London Marathon world records set on incredible day to mark 2023 | The Mirror
One Good Thing: why it’s time to start noticing ‘microjoys’ | Stylist
Parrots taught to video call each other become less lonely, finds research | The Guardian
Features Worth Sharing
The Dress (guest piece by Amy Key) | The Single Supplement by Nicola Slawson (Substack newsletter)
Things That Have Brought Me Joy
The recent repeat of House of Games where host Richard Osman meets his now-wife Ingrid Oliver. The chemistry is palpable.
Britain’s Got Talent being back. Highlights include new judge Bruno Tonioli pressing the golden buzzer in the middle of an act and dancer Nathan bringing so much joy to the show.
Nourishing Substack newsletters. The Hyphen by Emma Gannon, Things that make my heart sing by Melissa Hemsley, Tough Love by Tiffany Philippou and Nancy Groves’s Life, Pending to name a few.
Buying art from the fabulous Corinne Peacock. It’s made me feel so much more at home to put two of Corinne’s paintings up in my mum’s spare room. (A third is on the way ❤️ ) Corinne generously shared her wisdom in a previous life advice newsletter here.
This tweet by Elizabeth Day. And anything else she says, frankly.
Righto, that’s it from me for now. Hope this week brings whatever you need.
Until next time,
BB x
I love this piece becky and your offerings here. thanks for sharing...and for your kind words about my work. Loving you xxx