Welcome to The Haven…
…a place where you can take a breath, find comfort and understanding, inspiration and ideas to overcome your overwhelm and move forward with more calm and joy.
It’s been a minute since I last wrote. Which you may or may not have noticed. After several extremely busy months I’m creating a little more space for myself.
During this time something new personally has come up that is taking me some time to wrap my head around. I’ll definitely be sharing it with you once I have things a little straighter in my own mind, sorry to be cryptic!
However, I miss writing to you.
I know the nature of these posts/emails makes them quite one-sided but as I write I imagine I’m chatting with you, as if we’re sat on my sofa, shoes off, curled up with a plate of biccies between us and mugs of tea in our hands. And your comments and messages are always so, so welcome because I definitely don’t feel like I’m talking to myself when I read them.
While I’m still processing stuff (being cryptic is annoying, right?!) I thought I’d share some of what else has been going on with me including some recommendations.
Creating…
First up, I’m living out a childhood fantasy of becoming a librarian. Sort of. I’ve set up a free community library (and seed swap) in my village. I found a bookcase that fits perfectly in the space available (the man selling it said it belonged to his mother-in-law who was an English teacher and although she’s no longer able to read she’d be thrilled to know how it will be used).
My obliging hubbie fashioned a platform for it to sit on because the ground underneath slopes in two different directions, and gave it multiple coats of weatherproof paint. We also swapped the glass sliding doors for perspex so they can’t be accidentally broken (health and safety!).
A post in the village Facebook group has resulted in lots of enthusiasm and donations so I’m hopeful the little library is going to get lots of use.
Are you custodian of a free community library or have one in your neighbourhood? I’d love to know if you do, especially if you have a piccie.
Reading…
Staying with books, I always have several on the go at the same time but I finished these three recently: Sensitive by Jenn Granneman and Andre Solo, Exhausted by Anna Katharina Schaffner and Soothe by
. Bit of a theme, would you say?!I realised quite a while ago that I’m highly sensitive and while Elain Aron’s book was enlightening it didn’t entirely sit right with me and I enoyed Sensitive much more. Exhausted (dust jacket missing because the pup chose to use it as a chew toy) is an A-Z of what creates exhaustion and burnout with fascinating historical references and insight. And I mentioned Soothe last time, it’s a wonderfully practical guide to somatically soothing your frazzled nervous system.
More reading…
I’m delighted that the fabulous Breathe magazine has included an edited extract from The 1% Wellness Experiment in its latest issue. There is SO much goodness in this magazine, it’ll keep you going for hours. A few years ago I used to write regularly for the magazine and I know that’s how some folk came across me, so if that’s you, hi!
Watching…
Friday night is movie night in my house and last week we watched the ever so heartwarming Next Goal Wins. It’s based on the true story of the American Samoa football team who lost a match to Australia 31-0, and what happens next with their new coach.
I love an underdog film and the story is beautifully written and performed. One of the footballers is transgender so we learn about faʻafafine, described by Wikipedia as ‘people who identify themselves as having a third gender or non-binary role in Samoa, American Samoa and the Samoan diaspora. A recognised gender identity/gender role in traditional Samoan society, and an integral part of Samoan culture’.
I laughed, I cheered, I teared up and by the end I felt better than when I started which is a sign of a great movie to me. I also really want to visit American Samoa now.
Savouring…
Spring has been a loooooong time coming, right? Despite the random bursts of rain and even hailstones, and the yo-yoing of temperatures there are lambs in fields, blossom on trees, lawns being mown and even the occasional opportunity to go without a coat!
If you’d like to make the most of this long-awaited Spring, and be more thoughtful about how you move through the season and into Summer, my ebook – Savour the Season: Step into Spring with Mindful Intention – will help you do just that. It’s available with instant access here so do take a look.
Did you know you can now message me directly on here?
Listening…
Finally, a reminder that although my Pressing Pause podcast is on pause there are 141 episodes in the back catalogue to choose from! Including episode 141 itself which, in lieu of an audiobook, is where I’ve recorded the book’s introduction for you to listen to for free.
You can find the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Until next time,
PS Some book links go to my store on bookshop.org where I may receive a small fee if you go on to purchase.
More for you:
Get your free guides for more calm and joy
Listen to the Pressing Pause podcast
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Buy my book The 1% Wellness Experiment
How you can work with me:
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Take an online course
Supervision for coaches and people who support other people