“Joy is for everyone” Donna Lancaster
Hello there lovely reader,
Life is very full, busy and full of joy for me at the moment and I am feeling very grateful about that and want to spread joy wherever I can. A few months ago, I didn’t feel like this so I am savouring every moment, riding all the waves and sending love to anyone having a darker time right now.
Things continue to unfold by the sea in Brighton and nearly five weeks in, I continue to regularly sea swim, gaze at the ocean and the moon, meet new people and try new things. Since I last wrote, I have taken on some freelance work with We Love Brighton writing guides and reviews. I have written about sober speed dating, my first escape room experience, a full moon fireside circle, a silent disco up the i360, a Christmas wreath making workshop and Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus at the Brighton Dome.
I’m still working for the amazing homeless charity Catching Lives in Canterbury and doing a sponsored swim for its Winter Appeal to raise £50k. If you enjoy this free newsletter, please do consider sponsoring me. Something like £5 goes a long way. You can sponsor me here.
Elsewhere, I am nine weeks into a wonderful course in London once a week that is giving me so much purpose. I am enjoying reading and learning.
There is so much darkness going on in the world right now and I know closer to home, the festive period can be challenging for some people, so I hope this newsletter brings you a sprinkle of joy wherever you are.
“Plant enough seeds of gratitude deep in your heart and water them daily, then watch how flowers called joy begin to bloom” Donna Lancaster, Wise Words For Women
Uplifting News Stories
Skipton wedding shop makes bucket list dream come true | BBC News
Wildlife artists tweet goes viral | Via Twitter
Cathy Newman has another book coming out | Twitter
Charlie Smith, friend of The Uplift, signs book deal | Twitter
Canterbury ‘Sainsbury’s cat’, Griffin, racks up hundreds of online followers | Kent Online
Nepal finally registers first same-sex marriage for LGBTQ+ couple | Pink News
Features Worth Sharing
At 43, I’m unmarried and child-free – I’m finding my purpose when society says I have none | The i
The L word (loneliness) | Colouring Outside the Lines | Isabel T.
BBC 100 Women 2023: Who is on the list this year? | BBC News
‘I thought I was going to die’ - the reality of sleeping rough in Kent | Kent Live
Gwyneth Paltrow: is her life a work of performance art? | The Guardian
Councils are housing people in tents because our social contract is broken | The i
Things That Have Brought Me Joy Since I Last Wrote
Four visits in four weeks to Abysinnia Ethiopian restaurant
Sea swims and walks with friends old and new
Volunteering at Stanmer Sauna Garden
Having a sauna and cold dips at Stanmer Sauna Garden and beautiful treatments by sauna master Bella
Sauna and cold dips at Beach Box Sauna
Spending time with family including my precious niblings
Deepening Into Life with Donna Lancaster, especially the recent session on Gratitude, Grace and Joy
Attending VegFest in London with friends
Visiting my Uncle and Aunt in Cambridge
Being gifted The Path to Kindness poetry book by James Crews (Thank you Kathryn)
Discovering Brighton’s charity shops
Christmas lights
Sunrises and sunsets
Stepping into midlife by purchasing a long Regatta gilet
The first mince pie of the season
Making a very impressive looking Christmas wreath from scratch
Treating myself to a slap up solo dinner at Non in Islington
Support British Gospel Arts Choir at their Christmas love concert
Making new friends
Purchasing a nearly new secondhand DryRobe for a great price
Being part of Selina Barker’s Club You community
A Few Recommendations
My lovely friend Dan Simpson is speaking about how to be excellent to each other at Sunday Assembly Brighton this Sunday. Details here.
The Stanmer Sauna Garden is now open every Saturday. You can book here. I cannot recommend enough!
Therapist Beth Turrell is holding online sharing circles with funds raised going to the Gaza Emergency Appeal. More here.
Donna Lancaster’s 2024 offerings include Becoming An Elder and the Falling In Love with Life retreat. Follow her on Instagram for updates.
A new friend Alice makes beautiful crystal jewellery. She’s Brighton-based but will be at London Queer Mart on Friday. Follow Get Stoned Jewellery on Instagram.
My dear friend Lina is a birth worker who has moved to Brighton and can be your doula in Brighton and surrounding areas. Do recommend her to anyone who might need birth support. Follow Global Doula on Instagram.
If you live in Stroud and need an incredible massage therapist, then Jessie Lily is now practising in Stroud.
I’d love to know how you are and what is sparking joy in your life right now. Please let me know in the comments below and click the little heart if you enjoyed reading The Uplift.
Sending much love,
B x
I love the word niblings!❤️
Aww I was loving these links, Becky, and then arrived at your mention of Lina! I know her too. What an absolute diamond she is.
Obviously I'm crying at the wedding related videos...