Embracing Slowanuary
Lots of sleep please
Hello there,
I’m embracing Slow-anuary this year and haven’t set any intentions for the year yet. My only intention is to finish my 2023 reflections and set some intentions by the first week of February. Despite the recent freezing spell, Spring is in the air. I’ve seen my first snowdrops of the season and even daffodils. Have you seen any signs of Spring? Do let me know in the comments below.
Since I last wrote, we’ve had a smattering of snow in Brighton and I celebrated by dancing barefoot at Devil’s Dyke at sunrise and swimming in the sea. After fending off illness in the first part of winter, I finally succumbed to something a couple of weeks ago and was forced to rest for a bit and annoyingly was unable to swim. I returned to the sea this week and it’s helped me feel back on track. I hope you’re finding ways to be self-compassionate and slow down if you need to and able to.
Being bed-based during illness meant my sleep got a bit messed up so I found myself reading in the middle of the night. I’ve found re-reading Katherine May’s Wintering particularly comforting and would recommend it to anyone going through a challenging wave of life or who just wants to go inward during this colder time. As someone who tries to remember deep gratitude about being able-bodied, what I am grateful for is the feeling of feeling better after being ill.
As February approaches, I’m looking forward to marking Imbolc and the season of hope in a women’s circle. I’m already noticing the longer days and trying to witness as many sunsets and sunrises as possible. What are you looking forward to in 2024? Are you planning to plant any metaphorical seeds as the wheel of the year turns next week?
Uplifting News Stories
Two single friends, one radical plan: why I’m having a child with my gay best mate | The Guardian
Video: Stranger knits hat for baby on flight | CBS News via X
The DLR is getting steering wheels so you can finally ‘drive’ the train | Time Out
Rachel Charlton-Dailey has written a book about a girl with dyspraxia | Via X
Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation Partners With New Broadway Show ‘My Son’s a Queer’ | Billboard
How one man nurtured a community on an east Bristol allotment site | The Bristol Cable
Cancer survivors empowered by posing nude for calendar | BBC News
Worth Sharing
How to Live Your Best Busy Life | Nedra’s Nuggets via Substack
This new book delves into the social history of rap and grime | Dazed
Silent multi-faith peace walk held in London | The Guardian (Thank you to Bernadette Russell who mentioned this in our good news chat)
Is this the year of meong – a wellbeing trend I can actually master? | The Guardian (Thank you for sharing Nancy)
I made a lot of mistakes | Marianne Power’s ‘Help Me’ via Substack
Phase 2 | Donna Lancaster A Pilgrimage for the Soul - walking back to meet ourselves via Substack
In the restful houses of women who live alone | Poorna Bell’s As I Was Saying via Substack
How do good news stories make you feel? | Join The Uplift discussion on Substack
How to boost your mood: 11 tips to help you thrive in winter | Women & Home
Things That Have Brought Me Joy Since I Last Wrote
Reading my friend Nicola’s amazing Guardian feature on having a baby with her gay best friend Tom who I had the honour of meeting in December. Link in the good news stories above.
Spending time with family, including the niblings, and my Uncle and Aunt visiting Brighton.
Watching huge starling murmurations on Brighton beach.
Watching The Traitors and popping back onto Twitter to read everyone’s hilarious tweets about the shenanigans.
Binge watching Jack Rooke’s STUNNING and hilarious second series of Big Boys on Channel 4. The raft of five star reviews are truly well deserved.
Discovering you can order all different stamp designs on the Royal Mail site including SPICE GIRLS and wildlife rather than the standard ones of Charles.
Eating at The Real Junk Food project, which is a pay-what-you-can food waste scheme on Tuesdays and Wednesdays in Brighton. The food was delicious.
Receiving a tarot reading for 2024 from Philippa Woodsford.
Being part of Donna Lancaster’s Deepening Into Life community.
Doing oracle readings for friends from my new Dream Goddess and Healing Waters card decks. If you’re my friend, feel free to drop me a WhatsApp for a free reading.
A Few Recommendations
Thrive LDN have been in touch to let us know the Great Mental Health Day is happening in London on Friday. The theme is meaningful connections and there are lots of free events. Details here.
Bipolar UK have asked me to let you know about World Bipolar Day on March 30. Details here.
This redefining routine event with Dr Rangan Chatterjee in London at the end of Feb looks great.
My friend Dan Simpson is running An Introduction to Authentic Relating workshop on February 25. Details and tickets here.
Sex coach Jem Ayres is running a number of exciting events in Brighton. Visit her website for more information.
There’s a special edition of Connection Jam in Brighton on February 15. Details and tickets here.
Donna Lancaster is running her mentoring programme Wakey Wakey for a second time - from July to December. I did it last year from January to June and it changed my life. Details here.
OK, that’s it from me for now lovely folk. Do press the little heart if you enjoyed this post and join the conversation in the comments as it’s always nice to hear from you. Feel free to share any uplifting news stories you’ve spotted. If you have any feedback on the newsletter, including constructive, feel free to reply to this email.
Until next time,
BB X
Really nice read for the end of first month of new year.
Thank you Becky such a rich and comforting article xxx