Image source: Nat Girsberger
Hi friends,
Annnnnnnnd we’re back with an interim newsletter from me. BUT I can assure you in the coming weeks the lineup is vibes and hot so. get. pumped.
I don’t know about you, but I’m only just getting back to myself post-lockdown. I’m learning about this new me, one that is hybrid in life, writing the rule book in real-time (an opinion Joe Holder and I share, as noted in his latest GQ piece). It means I’m conscious of the things that work for me, and those that make me wobbly.
Last week I got quiet. I left my phone at home. I went to my local cafe, sat in the corner, and banged out things in my brain on a page. I got deep and laid out what I wanted to do. It always comes back to elevating people’s voices and creating meaningful moments of connection - both with oneself and the community. More on this soon…
For now, take a dip into my dating life, fitness routines, and energy shifters of late.
Grateful to have you here.
Where I started
I found Anne-Laure Le Cunff’s writing through an article on mind gardening (more on that here). Her platform, Ness Labs, is a space dedicated to mindful productivity and one of her popular posts is called “The Science of Curiosity”. It was a light and helpful read, serving to remind me of the value of curiosity. It’s proven to keep you young, helps you learn, and fosters better relationships. Check out her piece and pointers on cultivating curiosity.
Where it led to…
In my pursuit to cultivate more curiosity, the article suggests -
Learn about yourself: curiosity doesn’t need to only be outward. Explore your feelings, ask yourself about your goals and behaviors, or even research your past and family history.
This is relevant for a few reasons, one of which piggybacks off my current post-lockdown learning period, where I’m understanding what works for my body and how life feels these days. And naturally, with this comes another great way to learn about oneself…and of course, we’re talking about dating.
My dating life as a fitness routine
I know we’re over talking about exercise but HONESTLY, covid fatigue is a thing and we need to normalise making movement work for us, not the other way around. This is less about exercise shaming and more about encouraging movement.
So…I propose thinking of exercise like dating. Similar to dating, there’s no one size fits all approach. What works for me may not work for you, and in order for me to understand what makes me feel good, I need to first be aware of how I feel as I try new things and explore new relationships.
When we start dating someone, we’re dipping our toes in. We’re encouraged to explore, discover, and ultimately “information gather” as my therapist calls it.
So in short, the answer is, if something intuitively feels good and brings you joy, that’s where you’ll find longevity. It’s the honest conversations we have with ourselves that usually reveal the reasons why things work out or don’t.
Next time you try something new that doesn’t feel good, like for example… spinning, don’t shame yourself! Ditch it and try something new. Take it one step at a time, explore different “snacks” that keep movements short and fun like these, and take solace in articles like this that claim science says you may need less exercise than you think to live a long and healthy life.
Just remember - stay curious and have fun ;)
Brain space
If you have trouble sleeping, need brain space, or want to take your meditative practice deeper, give sound baths a go. There’s a slew of benefits whether you decide to visit a studio, or practice at home through audio (there are a bunch of playlists on Spotify).
If you’re based in London, I’ve been heading to House of Wisdom. I’m woo woo at the best of times (case in point I’m obsessed with my nails), but there’s science behind south baths, and this place also offers reiki with their 45 min sessions if that’s a mood for you.
House of Wisdom looks amazing! Thanks for the recommendation