Hello and a happy Saturday to you.
Congratulations; January is done and we’ve made it to February. Praise be.
If you’re an avid follower of The Uplift, you may have noticed I haven’t sent you a newsletter on the usual Friday for a couple of weeks. My new job is taking up a lot of my time and it’s obviously quite a big change going from freelancing to a full-time role.
Anyway, the good news is, I am really enjoying my new job. I might just have to send an Uplift twice a month on a Saturday. Let’s just see how it goes as I fall into a new rhythm of life.
I’m writing this message to you from a train from London to Leeds, where I am sitting in first class having got a last-minute cheap upgrade for £13 extra. I did not realise it included free food and drink and have been trying to play it cool as my weakness is free stuff. I’ve managed to resist the huge free glasses of wine but I have eaten stew and mash and have four brownies stashed in my bag after a man opposite me saw me ask for two and then got two for me. Joyful and cringeworthy in equal measure.
Uplifting News Stories
Male Penguin Couple Doing 'Great Job' Raising Foster Hatchling, New York Zoo Says | HuffPost
A redwood forest in California has been permanently returned to its Indigenous tribes | CNN
Gary Lineker backs higher tax for the wealthy to help rising cost of living | Indy100
Boss gives staff a pay raise and a four day week to cover National Insurance hike | Metro
Boy sneaks home-made comic into library and becomes national sensation | Independent
Features Worth Sharing
First UK patient to try bespoke cancer vaccine 'hopefully looking for a brighter future' | ITV
The world’s oldest living land animal? At age 190, it’s Jonathan the tortoise | Washington Post
The farmer fighting to save Britain’s waterways | The Guardian
What I’m Reading
I’ve somehow read seven books already this year and have several others on the go. Since I last wrote to you, I finished Bryony Gordon’s There’s No Such Thing As Normal, which was comforting and brilliant. I also just finished Fearne Cotton’s Bigger Than Us, which I listened to (oh that’s how I’m getting through more books). I’ve read quite a few of Fearne’s books and this one was my favourite so far. It explores all sorts of ways that there is something ‘bigger than us’ - from exploring prayer with the amazing Donna Lancaster to astrology, ritual and intuition with several other experts. Would definitely recommend.
OK, have a lovely weekend all and I’ll speak to you soon,
BB x
This is The Uplift, a weekly newsletter by me, journalist Becky Barnes. If you enjoyed it, feel free to make a donation to Choose Love.
The Uplift will might arrive in your inbox every Friday, featuring good news and self care. I also have a podcast about life advice.
A bit about me: I’m a journalist living in London. You can find me on Twitter and Instagram.
I'm glad the new job is going well, and thank you for the Fearne Cotton's book - I will have to add that to my 'to be read' pile as it sounds like its right up my alley.