As I get older, I’m more and more adamant that nature is my temple. Nestled at the base of the Scottish highlands, there’s something inexplicably magical about that nook of the world.

Growing up, I devoured fantasy tales, with The Magic Faraway Tree, being a core favourite. Although I can barely remember the story, the way the words transported me is still very much etched in my memory, and running through the Forest was like stepping through a portal to the whimsical wonder of my childhood self. It’s incredible how that feeling, that presence, allows you to soak up every rustle, love every leaf, notice all the light spilling through the canopy. It’s an innate animalistic superpower to find that sudden stillness and focus in on our surroundings. Connecting to that feels like flying.

the power of silence

When climbing Schiehallion, around halfway up I paused and sat on a rock. I was overwhelmed by a sudden blaring pressure pressing upon my ears: I realised I hadn’t heard true silence in perhaps years. Not a leaf, a cricket, a raindrop stirred. I’m pretty sure it was in that moment that I felt my whole nervous system reset, like an instant bodily-sigh.

Although that level of silence won’t ever be achievable, it was a reminder of how detached we are from how our bodies are meant to feel. Stimulation is inevitable nowadays- however, actively adding hot chili to the fire sauce won’t improve things. Deleting apps, turning off notifications, setting up app blockers, taking my earphones out every so often, taking time to paint, draw, sit still, is like adding a spoonful of fresh yogurt to the mix instead.

music

The sound that I’d return to upon my descent from the muffled mountains was that of fiddles and folk tunes. On one evening I went to a Wednesday evening music session in The Taybank in Dunkeld. A session consists of a group of people, friends and strangers, all spontaneously playing tunes together by ear with different instruments. Watching everyone play together, whilst feeling the rhythm run through my veins, toe-tapping, I honestly felt like I was watching humanity at its best. Connection, connection, connection. My goodness is it what we need and crave, and thrive off. Music brought the whole packed pub together in that tiny dot on the map.

A week in Scotland felt like medicine for my soul. Much like my time on the Camino Norte, some time away from the city allowed me to put my thoughts on pause, and simply enjoy life as it is. So upon returning to London, and with it a long to-do list, those are three of the things I’m going to keep in mind. Nature, quiet time and a bit of music is a perfect remedy for a sizzled nervous system.

Lots of love,

Eloïse

I’m unsure what I want. I’ll often open my laptop and have twenty tabs open. My room is tidy, but my desk draws are overflowing with unfinished projects, scripts and scraps of paper. My brain, funnily enough works the same. I’m unsure of what I truly want out of life, because I want to do so many things and live so many lives. I think there’s nothing wrong with that, in fact I like how prone I am to dreaming, but it does mean I feel like I’m constantly tripping over potential rather than standing on action. Although I still am unsure with what I want, this summer has made me increasingly aware of what I value, and I’m going to use that as my North Star. Hopefully, by the end of August, by holding what I value in mind, I’ll have been able to close a few of those tabs, and have a clearer desktop.

travel as a form of reconnection. taking a solo walking trip at the start of July was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. The trip really allowed a lot to click for me, as I’ve written about more in depth here. Travel, language and culture forms a core part fo my being and I vow to find nuggets of adventure wherever I can throughout the rest of life.

I value community and would like to build my own. Over the course of summer I’ve felt part of a few wonderful, vibrant communities that honestly have made my heart sing. I love the way that community allows for connection without pressure. It feels natural for people of all ages and backgrounds to gather and simply be. Community is something that humans need, and in an increasingly virtual world, jumping out of your internet echo chamber and into life feels like a breath of fresh air. Inspired by communities I love, I really feel a desire to build something myself.

gentle persistance really does win. Waves, silky water, carves through rock not because of a singular violent storm, but because of centuries of soft persistence. It splits through stone with steady rhythm. With persistence you gradually tap into something deeper. Whatever it is for you, keep going, gently.

go online to get offline. social media has connected me to so many things, people, places this summer. but it is a tool, a means of transport, not a home to sit and stay in.

things are most special because of the story you attach to them. During my first evening in Spain on the Camino, I realised I’d forgotten my walking shorts. Panicked, I stumbled down to a little Spanish second-hand store and found some €2 beige, levis shorts. I love those shorts infinitely. I’d say they’re perhaps my favourite item of clothing in my closet. They’re invaluable to me, because they’re part of my own personal story. You don’t need to spend a fortune to have special things. You give value to things, not them to you.

Have a lovely rest of your summer, and do hit reply and let me know any of you own summer epiphanies I’d love to hear them:)

Lots of love,

Eloïse x

Throughout history, pilgrimages have been an essential part of human life to reconnect with oneself, nature and spirituality. There’s a reason, why walking and nature have been a fix-all remedy for the woes and stresses of life. It seems to seamlessly soothe all pains, doubts, and worries.

A couple of weeks ago I found myself weighed down by an overwhelming feeling of anxiety. It felt as though I’d been plagued with all the emotional ills- experiencing jealousy, comparison, uselessness. Life felt sluggish and I felt stuck in a rut, unable to sleep restfully and tormented by ceaseless thoughts. I’d been talking into the air about wanting to do a solo trip throughout spring, however hadn’t taken action or planned anything ahead, unsure about where I’d go, what I’d do, how much it would cost me. And so, I took the step of taking a day out to walk the Seven Sisters cliffs in southern England. Taking a solo-day out was all I needed to replenish me with the confidence of taking a larger step.

I’d heard incredible things about the el camino de Santiago, from a friend who had walked the whole stretch a couple of years ago. Incited by a force around me, whispers in the wind, and a gut-feeling that I should just act-and-do I booked £75 tickets flying out to Bilbao, and back from Santander with no plan and 5 days left to prepare.

Over-planning, I would say is a plague to our generation. It is said that our generation will be the first to have more memories of other peoples lives than our own, and I am no (holy/remarkable) exception, I’m the first to look up where-to-go, what-to-do, what-to-see, photos and videos of every must-hit before seeing a place. And don’t get me wrong, I think guides are incredibly useful but there is always something insanely exhilarating and special about discovering places you’d never yet seen online. It’s what I adored about Paris- exploring hidden passages, alley-ways places that were perhaps boring to others and yet for some unknown reason felt particularly special and connected for myself. Uniquely my own. And setting off spontaneously on a walking adventure was the ultimate let-go release, disconnected to all noise.

With only 4 full days, I walked from Castro-Urdiales to Santander. And spent my final day exploring the Santander coast and city. It’s incredible how in such a short amount of time I was able to feel so good. I feel I was able to capture and understand the spirit of the camino, and am now eager (and certain) I will return for a longer stretch.

Here are some lessons and reflections I captured in such a short space of time:

1. quiet is healing

   As a self-proclaimed chronic over thinker, I was absolutely certain I would spend my 30km walking stretches thinking through all my life questions, when in fact the absolute opposite happened. My internal monologue was silent, with the occasional “oh that’s a pretty butterfly” “hi

   cow” “aw baby goats!” “aw wow, beautiful”

   “simply be present” is far easier said than done in our modern lives, awakening pumped full of adrenaline and ready to tackle and endless to-do-list, and feeling pressure from all ends. I suppose the camino forces you to just focus on the task at hand which is simply : walking through nature. Being rid of all questions surrounding purpose, direction and meaning, resulted in me feeling an incredible light-ness of being, and a joy and peace that made me feel connected to my true-self. It was quite simply beautiful. I suppose when your direction is the next town and your purpose is to walk, eat and sleep, life feels manageable- and more- wonderful in the simplest way.

   Dr Dacher Keltner has studied the feeling of ‘awe’ extensively. He explains how experiencing wonder, allows us to step outside of ourselves and shifts our neurophysiology resulting in greater internal peace. A diminished focus on the self, results in an appreciation and focus on our connection to the world as a whole. There are many ways to experience awe: a concert, nature, receiving kindness, dancing… and the awe of five days on the camino has truly felt like a natural cure upon return.

2. walking is so natural

   I felt incredibly good walking. Walking felt right. It felt natural. It made me realise how humans are meant to walk and be outside. Our sedentary lifestyle chains us to our chair, and simply waking up, and walking allowed me to once again feel like a human-being as opposed to a human-doing.

3. on communal living (and sleeping) and feeling alone

   On the camino, there is an option to stay in albergues, which are essentially donation-based rooms, often lined with bunk-beds to pack in as many ‘pilgrims’ as possible. This means a room full of people of all ages, genders and nationalities.

   I met a lady on the camino who explained that on one 35km stretch, the longest she’d ever walked, she told herself she’d treat herself to a private room in a hostel after having slept in Albergues and shared dorms for the past week. “I felt so alone that night” she said, “suddenly I missed all the snoring, and shuffling and people around me”

   My first night in an albergue, I admit was nerve-wracking. However, a couple nights in I understood, as with walking, how natural it felt to live-sleep-eat communally. I felt safe. Imagine that! In a room full of strangers, I felt truly okay, and a certain sense of camaraderie at that. Perhaps our cave-men brains and instincts aren’t so different after all. The art of community is something I think we’re losing in cities, and something I vow to cling onto as and when I can.

4. restoration in humanity (international)

   bombarded by social media, the news, information, it’s easy to feel discontented and pessimistic with where the world is headed. I have to say, the simplicity and kindness I encountered on the camino restored my faith in humanity- even just a little bit. People were kind. generous. When my contact-lens-bloodshot eyes were sore, a Spaniard went to get me his eyedrops. When there was only one bed left in an albergue, three Italians offered to sleep in the same bed to allow for extra space “tre in due!” In an albergue in Güemes, we were offered a free meal cooked by volunteers. Seeing people at different stops, you’d say hi, acknowledge, wave, smile. At our core, and in the right setting, stripped back humans are good. I truly, truly believe that. And the kindest on the camino was infectious in the most wonderful way.

5. letting go (people, places, things)

   There was something bittersweet about meeting people, walking sections with them and then graciously saying goodbye, knowing your paths will most likely never cross again. There was something liberating about not necessarily knowing where you were going to sleep that same night, understanding that the albergues may be full so another option would have to present itself. I found incredible gratitude in the very few items I carried along with me, having left all my things back home. Letting go of people, places, things was part of the beauty of the journey.

So those were my thoughts on the camino. I’m ever grateful for the experience, and will absolutely be back for another, longer stretch.

Lots of love,

Eloïse

Feeling behind, I’ve noticed, is a narrative my brain tends to enjoy circling back to. As a result I often have to remind myself of how feeling behind makes absolutely no sense in the grand scheme of Being- it’s a story constructed by the mind, nothing more.

I hope this piece can help snap you back into reality too.

1. who are these people you’re comparing yourself too?

The issue with the internet

The internet was created less than 50 years ago. Instagram launched in 2010. Before the internet, our comparison bubble was restricted to people we knew around us, friends, family and people at work. It might have extended out to film stars and musicians, but we would have only had exposure to such ‘success’ sifting through magazines or seeing them at the movie theatre, but we'd encounter them only in magazines or at the cinema, and we'd hold onto a handful of names at most. We couldn't possibly keep track of everyone.

It’s no wonder that nowadays, when mass media is thrown at us like flashing of paparazzi lights, we’re left blinded and frazzled. As humans we were never meant to see so many faces in our lifetime, keep track of so many people and be bombarded with so much information of where we could be and what we could be doing. It’s simply exhausting. Deciding to block out social media for a while, can be a little step into quieting some of this noise.

The problem with comparaison

I'm certain there are people doing "better" than me. In fact, if you go looking for people who are ahead, you will find them- your brain is very good at selectively focusing on what it's searching for (as the red car theory explains).

The thing is, our lives as human beings are complex. They are a jigsaw puzzle of pieces: relationships, friendships, career, health, finance and so forth. Some of your pieces will be smaller and less developed than others, some parts well connected and others still scattered along the ground waiting to be discovered. Comparing your ‘whole unfinished puzzle’ to someone else’s ‘perfect piece’ is a recipe for misery, and quite simply incomparable. Yes, Jeff may appear ‘ahead’ of you financially, but perhaps his friendships are suffering. Or Amanda is in a ‘dream’ relationship but is struggling with a health condition you’re unaware of. Maybe someone’s puzzle looks more complete, but they’re 10 years older than you, or someone younger appears quicker to piece things together but will have had to sacrifice pieces along the way.

Comparing against your future self

Perhaps you’re not as far ahead as you thought you’d be by now in one area of your life. But take care to consider other areas you have been pouring into along the way and don’t discard them. You may want it all and you can have it all but perhaps not all at once.

Things will grow at different times, depending on what you focus on and right now your focus seems to be on being behind, which is only helpful if you want to feel stuck in that. Don’t attach your worth to a fantasy future version of yourself when there is such radiance in who you are today.

2. Being ‘behind in life’ only makes sense if there’s a finish line, but life has no fixed endpoint. Not for you, not for anyone.

Even if you still feel like people are ahead of you, it’s worth asking: what is it they’re actually reaching for? Is what they have even what you want - or just what looks appealing from the outside?

If the answer is the latter, let it go. If the answer is the former, let it fuel you as a reflection of what you value, what you’ve focused on, and where you might want to direct your energy next. Either way, trust that each season of your life is teaching you something, even the uncomfortable ones.

3. The Game never ends. You’ll always fine someone ahead

Even when you “catch up” to one group, there will always be someone further along- so comparison can never lead to contentment. Each achievement might feel like you’re stepping up but unless you allow yourself to acknowledge that step, and how far you’ve climbed, you’ll always be looking up the mountain at the next person instead of admiring the view around you. If your focus is on your own lack now, it most probably will be 10 years from now too.

Everyone is on different paths with different starting points and timelines. It’s not an equal race.

If we think of life as a race, and feel some people might ‘finish’ before us- how does that truly affect us? Does the trophy they receive erase the race we ran? Perhaps we reached the finished line a little later because we stopped to smell the flowers on the way. We must also remind ourselves that many people will have had a head start. Some people will start 10km ahead; others were handed a race car. And on the flip side, there maybe people behind us carrying children on their backs, or stopping to help others. Does that make their journey any less rich and meaningful, simply because it took a little longer?

It's impossible to compare yourself to those around you, because we're not all starting at the same time or with the same advantages. We're not even running the same race. What race are you running? That's the question.

I think that's why watching marathons is so moving- you witness the vast diversity of people chasing different things, running for all kinds of causes, running through grief, love, injury, and determination, and keeping going despite all odds. And then there are the people along the way: cheering you on, holding your hand up steps, pulling you through mud. Perhaps that matters more (and is more interesting) than someone just chasing the fastest time and trampling over people to get there.

If this is all a race and you feel behind, maybe the answer isn't to run harder. Perhaps it's to savour where we are, to notice who is alongside us, holding our hands and cheering us on. To catch the light sifting through the trees, illuminating our path. We may never reach the people miles ahead, and that's okay. What's the point of reaching the finish line having wished the whole race away?

4. Progress is better measured by your own actions (what you do each week)

After taking the time to recognise and acknowledge where you are now, if you still feel stuck, you can choose to redirect your focus from comparison toward attention- to your own life, your own direction, your own small daily movements forward.

Taking action, in my experience, is the quickest way to feel a little better about your journey. Try writing down all the different areas of your life and choosing one to give your energy to each week. Write down your weekly wins too, not to perform progress, but to remind yourself that you are, in fact, moving. Even when it doesn’t feel like it.

The focus shift is: from comparison → to attention, presence, and your own direction.

5. You’ve got this.

There is an uncomfortable liminal space between who you are and who you want to become. That transitional phase is messy, mistakes are make and things are trialled. Things aren’t polished and that’s’s okay.

You’re not behind anyone.

Lots of love,

Eloïse

It’s been a strenuous, long winter. We’ve toiled, bent-backed for months on end and it’s time for us to sit back and relish in the fruits of our labour. Life is full of ebbs and flows and allowing yourself to let your summer be full of ease, is a gift you absolutely deserve to give yourself.

It’s time to tap into my inner French, and this is how you can too:

1. sit outside

Something I deeply miss about Paris is the outdoor living. Replicating this wherever you are is an essential part of an été français.

• Host people in your garden (or embrace outdoor picnics)

• Sit by a body of water, wherever you are- in London, I’ve been thriving by the River Thames along the Thames Path, it might not be the cobblestone banks of Paris, however the energy flowing through the water, lamplights, and social buzz of letting your feet hang, still allows energy to flow through me.

• Head to coffee shops or terraces that have an essence of ‘French-ness’. People watch and indulge in how life entertains you, as if you’re watching your own show and relish in how beautiful is it to see how your life intertwines with others.

2. carry a journal or sketchbook

How incredibly romantic to be your own secret artist and have a notebook as an extra limb. You need not write pages and pages, in fact treat it like a scrap-book: doodles here, fleeting thoughts there, snippets of life as and when they come to you. The ability to transform your existence and observations into art is a gift we all have lying within us. And allowing yourself to casually tap into that, opens up so many doors to joy within you.

3. girl go tan in a park and laisse-toi faire

Stretch out, bask in the sun, allow your skin to glow golden and indulge in summer. You absolutely deserve it.

Intentionally leave space in your diary. In The Artists Way, Julia Cameron calls this an artists date: time scheduled in to do nothing, is essential to feeding your creativity. Allowing yourself the space to do absolutely nothing has become a luxury in a society where we have constant distractions. Ditch your phone, slow down and enjoy the here and now.

4. join a language class

Learning a language is one of the most joyful intellectual activities you can undertake.

If you really feel that language isn’t you thing, then build towards something else: sign up for a race, a challenge or anything you have to consistently build towards and that provides you with a thin layer of frustration (and gets you off your phone). Building towards a goal outside of your work I believe is a little hack to getting more purpose out of life when things feel a little out of your control.

note: do reply to this email if you’d be interested in online French lessons- or if you have any thoughts in general- I love hearing from you and I reply to every email :)

5. buy a linen white blouse

It’s just a French summer staple. My go-to item to reach-for that feels elegant yet effortless. Vinted will definitely have you sorted!

6. eat seasonally

I think there is nothing more French than biting into a fresh, cold, crisp peach. And a basket of fresh fruit on your kitchen countertop not only looks absolutely beautiful, but is a token of health, nature and natural decoration- who needs to spend on home decor, when nature brightens a space for pennies. For June:

• Fruit in season are : strawberries, raspberries, apricots, rhubarb, lemons, kiwi, cherries…

• Veg in season : courgettes, rocket, broad beans, spring onions, lettuce, pepper, asparagus, aubergine, elderflower…

  

  side note: grow seasonally too. If you have a garden, (or a windowsill) growing fruit and flowers is simpler than one would expect, and infinitely rewarding.

6. embrace your natural face

Challenge yourself to ditch the makeup and let the summer glow speak for itself. The liberation you feel when you train yourself to accept your face without any layers is something I wish for all women. In a world where everyone is contorting themselves to look a certain way, remaining natural is one of the most unique and valuable things to hold onto. Embrace the natural messy waves, textured skin and smile lines.

This list could honestly go on, but I’ll leave it there for now.

Lots of love,

Eloïse

The Victorians were right when they’d send their sickly ailing-selves to the seaside for a dose of healing ‘sea air’. The rolling of waves on your eardrums, the salt that sits in the air, the concoction of people from all walks of life simply rejoicing in the same pleasure that we all feel when faced with the overwhelming liberty of a far-stretching bright blue.

It’s funny, the first few days of my trip to the sea I was haunted by my home-stress, I’d lost a freelance job the week before, and felt the niggle of London-life shadow me, the devilish hiss of moneymoneymoney at my shoulder. In a city like London- as wonderful as she can be- it is a bubble that seems to praise the pursuit of more. However, I’d squeezed out of that sticky, soapy globe and found myself in quite a different atmosphere, so naturally I let myself float with her: Taghazout.

II. I went to Morocco

Taghazout- a village off the West Coast of Morocco, a fisher-village, a surfer-spot, little vendor shelves filled with pottery and hand-woven rainbow rugs, the friendlest dogs trotting by your side and cats looping around your legs. Thank you. And what a blessing you were.

Granted, I have a romanticised view of this place- it was a week-long trip, enough to capture the highlights in my net and hold them close to my heart without facing the inevitable realities of difficulties and downsides all places have. I’m not discarding the benefits London has too, however, a trip elsewhere created enough distance for me to recognise and acknowledge that I was stuck in a bubble.

III. Onto the bubbles

We mustn’t forget that the world is full of bubbles and sometimes, when the bubble we’re currently in feels like the only one, it can feel a little suffocating. Our bubble can feel shrunken, and like we don’t belong to it at all - a stifling feeling I was experiencing after a long winter in London. I had come to feel as though I was helplessly floating down a path I had no control over.

We must remember the world is filled with bubbles. Sometimes popping out of our bubble to visit other bubbles can allow us to gain perspective on where we feel aligned and what matters most to us. It shows us that we can always choose a different way of life.

I think this also applies to areas of our lives- friends, work and routine. We do not need to stay stuck in the same spaces that make us feel small. We can recognise what feels expansive and move towards what feels right over what feels ‘okay’.

Personally, morocco has me reflecting on the option that remains to do something completely different. I’ve left with an urge to create more opportunities to travel, reignited my love for languages, have even less want for material items and the conviction that a dog is in my 5 year plan.

IV. draw your bubbles

I’ve found myself reflecting on what my bubbles are this week, where I feel trapped and understanding which ones are simple illusions. I’ve been drawing out other bubbles that I feel I’d want to visit.

I think things can feel a little too serious and permanent sometimes, and reconnecting to the childlike joy of seeing bubbles is bringing me peace lately.

Lots of love,

Elo

Being a tadpole in the great pond which is the world, often makes us feel like we are inconsequential or like our actions don’t have much weight. However the tiniest ripple can have the greatest effect on those around us. When faced with the grappling question of ‘what our life’s purpose is’ one can feel stifled, overwhelmed and inconsequential. It feels as though some mighty answer awaits us- that once we reach that epiphany of our ‘calling’, we’ll finally feel resolved. All will make sense, and all will click together in place. Although as time goes by, I truly wonder if anyone has a ‘life purpose’ at all.

Life does not revolve around one climactic discovery. And people’s mission is, if it’s from a place of goodness, often their own manifestation of beauty. Life is cyclical and come is waves of highs, lows, brighter days and darker storms, there are months where you feel energised and others where you’re battling demons.

I’ve been thinking about purpose a lot, and how my purpose has changed over the years. My purpose as a student felt tied to grades, and academia, a purpose I felt more than comfortable in and that shook me to the core when I dove into the world of work. I found that last year I clung onto the purpose of ‘actor’ and felt inclined to work jobs I didn’t enjoy, and drive myself into the ground in order to fulfil that purpose. I find myself now, in part-time jobs that don't necessarily feel like my end career, that are stepping stones to where I would like to ‘end up’ and struggle with the idea that I’m perhaps not fulfilling a ‘purpose’ or my full potential.

I think it’s unfair to put that pressure on on myself, on oneself. To discard the efforts in your life, just because they’re not tied to the ‘dream’ idealistic future version of yourself. Purpose’s change, tasks change, and you adapt, accept and recognise your efforts accordingly. Do not trample your current self under the weight of your future self, because otherwise you’ll never let her grow into her.

I think this is why I’m seeing the ever glowing importance of creating beauty in my day-to-day. I think regardless of all else, this will be a purpose that will never change.

Creating beauty in your day-to-day is a purpose absolutely everyone can fulfil. The act of taking care of yourself, your environment, or something else is the easiest way to create joy and peace. It urges you not only to take time in tending to something, but also taking time to indulge in gratitude. If you look hard enough, every creature is a beacon of beauty in her own way. Contributing to this, romanticising your days, is a hack into finding joy in your days, which make up your life. There is infinite opportunities to create beauty in your days, and each person will feel aligned with different things.

Here are a few of my favourites:

start with yourself

I think we can create beauty by taking care of our appearance, not in an obsessive-controlling way, but from a place of genuine love and care. Taking time to stretch, create shapes with your body, dance, feel. Taking particular care on a body part you love- moisturising your skin, filling your nails, or immersing yourself in a luxurious bubble bath lit by candles. Romanticise yourself and you’ll find energy circling back to embrace you.

transform your bedroom into a haven for you. Fill it with self expression, curate your space in a way that exudes beauty for you. And tend to her. This is where you wake up each morning, waking up with beauty.

tend to something

buy some plants, plant some plants. The easiest currently are sunflower seeds, often supermarket seeds are enough- plant in a pot of soil and experience yourself creating life from a seed. Fill your windowsills with roses, and tend to them, watch them grow.

Humans plating trees, flowers on windowsill, putting bird feeder out for the birds, tending to their homes are all examples of how beauty brings joy to others. If everyone tended to their own garden and created beauty, life would be an endless succession of beauty

create art

create art. art for the sake of art, art you don’t need to share or show anyone, for art is an external manifestation of an inner-most self, and that is beauty in itself. draw, knit, crochet, write, sing, dance, draw, paint, scribble, carve, cook.

create for yourself, create for others. Your art, no matter how small or grand is uniquely your own, and there is beauty in that.

beauty in words

gratitude journalling. being kind to yourself and others.

We are all creators at heart. Every action with take, move we make, we are releasing energy out into the world. Every breath is a vibration contributing to creating a life we are a part of.

When watching nature, no rose deems herself ‘better’ than the other, she just grows in the best way she can, given her circumstances and environment. Comparison when curating beauty in your life, will kill all chances of your own beauty blossoming.

By leading your life in a direction of beauty, and following what you feel inclined to I believe will help you show up better in all other areas of your life. If your aim is for your life to be beautiful- in an inner, not materialistic way- I don’t see how you can go wrong.

If you make it a life mission to create beauty around you, that is something you absolutely can control and feed into as an ever flowing river. And I assure you that when beauty is created, joy follows- particularly when you know it is you who has created it.

Beauty is the simplest of pleasures. and often the simplest things are the best.

Lots of love,

Eloïse

note: do drop me a message to let me know ways that you personally create beauty. seeing other people’s art is one of my all time favourite things.

This evening, I trudged along to a yoga class I couldn’t cancel. Wrapped up in my puffer jacket, braving the icy British wind, and crouched under a flimsy umbrella I walked in the down pouring rain to the studio. And I’m glad I did.

Something this yoga instructor made us do honestly flipped a switch inside of me.

In my experience, people tend to keep to themselves in gym classes. There we all were on our individual mats, in our own bubbles holding our ‘warrior three balances’ when the instructor tells us to stand in a line and hold hands. Awkwardly we all shuffled around. She had to repeat the command before we actually physically acknowledged each other.

And there we stood in the line, arms out, hand in hand and in a line across the room we all balanced together.

And that simple act of doing a simple movement together brought the most brilliant lightness to the room, and smiles shone on everyone’s faces. The room felt a little lighter. Everyone a little friendlier, more familiar. Our poses, 10x stronger when in union.

I think in the world we live in we lack that communion. I find it myself, as a freelancer, my day-to-day isn’t surrounded by people and community, I spend a lot of my time alone. Seeking communities we can become a part of, of all ages is essential to helping us find meaning and fulfilment in this life. It’s a simple hack to feeling accepted and finding belonging. Trying to scratch out and carve an individual path for ourselves is exhausting work, without a river to source your water and energy from. People to hold you.

So here I thought I’d write a little list of ideas on where and how to find communities around in your area:

communities centred around the arts

• Salsa and bachata dancing (In Valencia I attended social dances weekly and absolutely loved it)

• Céilidh dancing (I recently went to a an event in London- chaotic but so fun!)

• Music groups/bands

• Choirs

• theatre groups (I joined a theatre group when in my Erasmus year in Spain, some of my closest friendships I’ve formed came from that)

• life drawing classes

• pottery/ceramic studios

• film clubs / indie cinema screenings

communities centred around sport

• run clubs (my go-to in London for meeting people, different clubs have different paces and there’s plenty of inclusive, welcoming ones)

• walking groups

• other sport clubs (tennis/cycling/martial arts, netball…)

• gym, yoga, pilates classes (and actually say hi to the people there)

• cold water swimming groups

• meet-up groups on instagram and Facebook (I love the Ordinary Girls Club on instagram)

communities centred around learning

• language exchanges

• book clubs

• public lectures and talks (universities often host open ones)

communities centred around rituals

• volunteering (community gardens, food banks etc.)

• religious and spiritual places

• be a regular at a café

• cultural/heritage community groups

Perhaps find ways to connect to your own roots and heritage or cultures you’re interested in or inspired by. There’s so many communities out there, think small and simple- an activity you want to try, a skill you want to learn, a sport you can do with others and I’m almost certain you’ll find a niche community that can host you. Community can sound like a big word but often it’s found int the simplest of places.

A small final note:

community takes time, it’s not a one of it’s a repeatedly showing up that builds momentum and strength. You need to persist until it’s comfortable. Good things take time and effort, bonds and memories aren’t formed overnight

When I think about it, some of the strongest communities in my life were built by following things I naturally enjoyed and was curious in and then kept showing up:

• Erasmus meet-ups in Paris and Spain

• My theatre group in Spain

• Salsa and bachata nights in Valencia

• Run clubs in London

None of these started as “my community.” They became that over time. But community didn’t just find me, I had to meet her half way.

It takes courage to take the first step, sign up, say the first ‘hello’. But my goodness does the world reward you when you do.

Lots of love,

Eloïse

This list could easily stretch to pages and pages, but today I’ll just share five of the key French lifestyle habits that I truly live and swear by.

incorporating movement in every day life

When I lived in Paris, my step count was through the roof. Parisians walk a lot. The metro doesn’t have escalators on every floor like in London, and you’re lucky to get a lift in a Parisian flat. So stairs, steps and speed walking is the way forward. You don’t need to go to the gym because your top floor chambre de bonne is your daily work out.

Here in London, I actively walk when I can, walk up the escalators and ensure I keep my body active, moving and healthy. Simple daily movement choices like cycling to work, or walking an extra 20 minutes over a bus are accumulative habits that can change your health over time.

carrying a book or notepad everywhere I go

In France, cultivating a culture générale is deemed as highly important and necessary. ‘Culture génerale’ refers to a person’s general knowledge across the various fields of history, literature, the arts and sciences, as a way to encourage critical thinking. That’s to say, in France, regardless of which industry you’re in, you’re encouraged to read, discuss and appreciate the arts. I remember being at University and the lecturer scolding us for not holding what he called ‘basic ancient-greek knowledge’ not on the syllabus, but on the syllabus of life nonetheless.

I think this cultural understanding of the importance of art, literature and history is a reason why it’s so common to see people reading in France, be it on the Metro, or sat in Parks. Independent and secondhand bookshops are found on every corner, (along with a boulangerie), fuelling the desire to read. Regardless of whether I plan to read or not, having a book in my bag just-in-case and build up the read-don’t-scroll habit is a French lifestyle habit I strive to conquer.

Intellectualism, learning and curiosity is proudly engrained in French culture, and the symbol of that is the classic livre de poche in each French bag.

skincare over makeup

Something my mum drilled into me growing up was the importance of skincare. In France, heavy makeup isn’t the norm, and it’s much more common to invest more time and money into skincare over makeup- which is no surprise hence that many top dermatological brans are French.

In France, women tend to embrace a more ‘natural’ look, in order to embrace their natural features. Daily exposure, to natural faces in France is refreshing. It seems there’s an acceptance and understanding that beauty is simple, it glows strongest when we’re in our most natural state. Often a little concealer, a dash of blush and a touch lipstick is all you need to feel ready for the day.

I prefer to moisturise and wear a good suncream over spending lots on makeup, and that’s a generational French habit I think I’ll always keep.

having a daily uniform

We have too many decisions to make day-to-day and automating outfits is one of my favourite ways to fight decision fatigue. My daily uniform is a French classic, you’ll see on women of all ages in Paris and that’s because it’s simple, elegant and effective.

In winter it’s the classic: turtleneck top, blue jeans, black boots and a wool coat. In Summer, a sundress, or switch the warm top for a white blouse. Perhaps you can jazz it up with some sunglasses and a nice bag and boom you’re sorted. You look good, feel good and didn’t drain your mental battery at all in doing so. A classic French outfit default will always be my go-to.

having a signature perfume

I believe that one thing to invest in is a good quality perfume you love. You don’t need many, one is sufficient. ‘Le parfum’ is a historical symbol of luxury and refinement, and my goodness do you feel it when you use one you love. One signature scent that you look forward to spritzing is all you need to feel put together and ready for the day.

I hope you have the loveliest Sunday,

Eloïse

I have to admit it’s been a terrifying realisation that has kept me up at night, dampened my cheeks, and made me question many things.

I find it strange, even painful to look into my past and to try and somehow accept that things that were real then, perhaps aren’t so now. That people, places, things as I knew them the have changed or disappeared altogether. That life is just a meandering journey of incessant shifting, morphing and adapting to what is sent our way.

I find it extremely difficult to come to grips with the fact that those who I love now won’t be in my present forever. Confusing, to understand that even myself, as I know her now, will be changed and shaped by her days, and weathered by the wind.

I don’t like change. I never have. If anything, I’ve always battled against it, leaving early, swiftly and discreetly at parties to avoid a lingering goodbye. However I know that I must not fight it. That life is change, and that’s a stable truth. And perhaps I’m realising that accepting that no person, place or moment will ever be the same and is never promised forever is the path to leading more joyful days, weeks and seasons.

Here are a few of the ways I’m reframing change to love her, rather than fight her:

the beauty of impermanence and being able to start again

I wonder if there’s an antidote to this burdening realisation. Perhaps it is simply, ‘being present’ a prescribed pill we know we should take but regardless are reluctant to swallow. We stay tied to our busy routines, and don’t take the time to sit and take the tablet of ‘here and now’.

The only way to deal with the truth of impermanence is the radical acceptance of it. To understand that the only security is found within yourself. This is why cultivating acceptance and kindness within yourself throughout your life is of utmost importance. Allowing yourself to pause and reflect, and simply be during moments of our day, be it at a bus stop, knitting, or breathing in the air on a walk. Holding the belief that regardless or all the uncontrollable, shifting events that happen to us day to day, you will trust that you will be okay and you can always find a way and direction to start again. Because that is the beauty of life, you can start something new, or chase a new direction at any point in time. That you have yourself and will never lose that, and you have the choice to move towards whatever you desire. Each day you have a choice to discover a new street, meet a new person, to try something new. You, in your present hold all power to design and direct your days. You can choose to bring people and opportunities into them, but also don’t depend solely on that because you understand that you cannot control those factors.

stagnation is suffering in itself

There’s such joy and possibility in this idea. We must cherish our present, whilst understanding that life as it is now will not be the same in ten years time. In fact, lack of change would be its own punishment, for we would come to take what we love for granted. Countless philosophers have long recognised this, that being stuck in repetition and stagnation is suffering in itself. That change is not just inevitable; it is necessary. How dire and unsettling would it be to watch a film replaying the same day over and over, as opposed to one filled with love, longing, struggle, grief and hope. This rollercoaster journey of change is what makes us feel alive. To feel every inkling of emotion, light or dark, drip through your veins is a blessing and a reminder that this is what it is to live. So we must embrace change with open arms and understand she is here to help us live, not tie us down.

remembrance from a place of joy not lack

Easier said than done I know, but I find myself comparing my current self to my past self and feeling a sense of lack with where I am now. When I was a student, I was traveling more, free-er, more youthful and naive- the list goes on and on. I think reflecting on our past from a lens of lack is never going to yield a good result. Instead, from a perspective of gratitude we can yield more helpful conversations with ourselves: yes, I had some beautiful times, memories and my goodness am I grateful for those. I am also grateful for how these experiences, pretty or ugly have shaped me into the person I am today, wiser and more grounded. I’m now building something new, different, with an understanding that I cannot sit back in the past because the person I am today would not enjoy them as much as I did then, because I’ve already done those things, felt and lived those experiences. That now I am learning new lessons that i’ll look back on in 5 years time with a different type of gratitude. Finding grace and gratitude in your current reality is so important because it’s difficult. It’s so much easier to romanticise the past because it isn’t real. It’s a story that you can twist and enlighten as you please. There is always light to find in your present but you need to focus to find it. You need to intentionally notice it.

stop holding on

There’s something I know you’ve been holding onto that you know it would do well to let go of. A feeling, a place, a person, a mindset, a habit. Allow yourself to recognise where you’re resisting change and allowing that to let you sink into suffering. We tell ourselves stories every day, can you tell yourself a new story.

I think mine might be that I quite like change.

Lots of love,

Eloïse

What I’m reading: Humankind: A hopeful History

This past week I feel like I’ve risen up from the depths of Hades’ underworld to finally stretch out and bask, glow and glisten in the sunlight. Beauty is everywhere. We’ve been blessed with a couple sweeping azure sky days where the clouds have cleared and showered everything with colour. Actual colour. The trees are starting to blossom: cherry and magnolia buds bursting open, birdsong twinkling in the air.

I’m simple. I open the curtains, see sun and turn into a golden retriever. Up and ready to do any and everything. Sprinting to Sainsbury’s to pick up £3 roses and daffodils and hyacinths. We’ve made it through winter. We’ve done it. We should celebrate. No we must celebrate.

The darker, shorter colder months are difficult, and the season of winter reminds us that, at times, we must give in to the rhythm of life. That not all months are the most ‘productive’ and that we must recharge and hibernate. That at times, we do need to sit difficult emotions, tough times, and situations through because as much as we would sometimes like to, we can’t force time to tick faster. That in winter, we learn the lessons of patience, persistence and looking within, to ourselves, when external opportunities feel less available to us. This Sunday, take a moment to congratulate yourself for making in through.

And now we can look forward to March. And isn’t she the month we’ve been waiting for. Where January was for restarting and February for building, I believe there’s an energy in the air that tells me March is the month of absolutely going for it.

Allow the extra hours of sunlight to instil in you the belief that whatever you’ve been thinking of starting, or wanted to implement in January is still worth tackling. That we must drink up this newfound energy and throw it back up into our day-to-day lives lavishly and outrageously.

Perhaps you want to: paint more, read more, get up earlier, sign up for a race, apply to that job, sign up for a solo trip you’ve always wanted to take, take up knitting, email that person, reach out to that old friend or start that blog. March is shining light on whatever dream you’ve neglected and calling you to pick it up and start revving its engine. Take advantage of the momentum of inspiration immediately and act on it, because inspiration ebbs and flows, and we don’t want our spring showers to dry up before summer.

Do not feed into the lie that you will have more time, energy or resources ‘later’. For later is always met with its own obstacles. This is a lie we tell ourselves to appease us when we choose comfort over discomfort and dwell in old habits rather than choose to start the challenge that calls us, yet terrifies us.

March’s sunlight has told me to start planting. Don’t wait for permission to start something, be someone, share your experience to the world because no one will grant it to you. You must find that within yourself, allow yourself to be seen and let go of any blockage that is preventing you from expressing yourself, your art and your vision.

Imagine how beautiful the world would be if everyone allowed themselves to scatter their seeds into the soil and let their flowers grow. I see a world bursting with thousands of magnificent gardens of all shapes and sizes, an abundance of beauty. So please, whatever you’ve been thinking of doing, saying or being, in March, go for it. The world never has enough flowers.

What you will plant now, you will reap in the summer, autumn and the rest of the year to come.

Lots of love,

Eloïse

What I’m reading : Humankind: a hopeful History, Rutger Bregman

You don’t need to have sold a million copies to call yourself a writer. You don’t need to have starred in a Hollywood film to call yourself an actor. You don’t need to have won races to call yourself a runner.

You absolutely don’t. In fact you absolutely mustn’t wait to.

Because I can almost guarantee there’s something you’re holding back from, something you want to try, express, pursue but you’re hesitating because you don’t feel ‘qualified’ or ‘worthy’ to claim it. Opportunities are slipping through your fingers because you are afraid to dare to start. You think: well, I’m not that yet, so I couldn’t bear introduce myself as that to the world.

Life is simply building. And you build by laying the first brick. And as soon as you lay that brick you absolutely have a right to call yourself whatever you want. These concepts and titles we battle with in our minds are simply that- words. So call yourself whatever you want to be.

A thinker thinks, a gardener plants, a dancer dances. There’s no need to overcomplicate things.

You are and can and will be whatever-you-want-to-be. Embodying, accepting and taking pride in that is the only way things will fall into place.

Show up unpolished, brave and audacious.

We’re all just building.

Eloïse x

What I’m reading : Humankind: A Hopeful History, Rutger Bregman

What I’ve watched recently : Lost Atoms, Hammersmith Lyric (I really do recommend seeing this if you’re in London- a great piece of theatre)

Whilst January was a delightfully busy month for me, February been filled with an engulfing feeling of overwhelm. I think it’s warranted, having set myself goals and wanting to keep up with so many different things, hopes, dreams and projects.

I’m such a starter. I relish in the large vision of things and then scramble to keep the cogs turning, to keep myself accountable, often struggling to keep up with myself.

I want to give you a moment now to take a deep breath and let go of whatever is overwhelming you right now.

remember your weekly wins

As a creative, I find myself on the hamster-wheel of ‘always having more I could be doing.’ What has recently helped me a lot is sitting down and recognising what I have achieved. I have a little weekly planner, and at the end of each week force myself to sit and write down a few weekly wins.

I also have a ‘what I could do better for the next week’ list, however I ensure that list is a whole lot shorter that my weekly wins.

Weekly wins can be anything that you’re even a tiny bit proud of: seeing a friend, meeting someone new, doing that run or walk you’d been meaning to, stepping into the gym even if only for ten minutes, or watching a film that inspired you (Hamnet for me, oh my goodness).

time as cyclical

Since starting this in January, I’ve found that we can’t treat every week the same. Last week was a socialising-win week for me; the week before was more of a money-making win week; and before that, a rest-win week.

In many Eastern philosophies, (notably Hinduism and Buddhism), time is presented as cyclical, with events and themes seen as recurring and repeating. In alignment with nature’s seasons and cycles, time isn’t solely about the next thing and reaching an endpoint, but about being in constant flow and acceptance of the patterns of life and nature. I find this way of seeing things deeply reassuring.

I’ve found challenging the Western, linear viewpoint of time -so engrained in my mind- takes the pressure off to perform each day ‘better’ than the last. We need to allow ourselves to accept the seasons within our weeks, our months, our years.

trust

I sometimes feel like I’m losing sight of where I’m headed and what I’m doing. Is any of what I’m doing worth it? Why do I keep trudging along… am I spending my time wisely? I feel like I’m running out of time, like I’ve already missed my shot, my chance.

None of it is true.

Trust in the lessons you learn. Trust in your journey and where it is taking you.

it all stems from trying to reach an agonisingly unattainable degree of perfection.

Perfection is unnecessary, it’s also impossible. The ravishing rose sat in a vase in front of me is not a product of instant perfection, but of million years of imperfect versions, that over time led to her current form. And this is not her final form either - she will continue developing, changing and experimenting for millions of years to come. Striving for an impeccable final product fills us with a ridiculous amount of pressure, because we know, deep down, that it’s not quite possible. Discard perfection.

And understandably, like myself you probably feel physically sick presenting an imperfect version of your own work, for fear others will tie it to your worth and de-value their opinion of you. Terrifying. And yet, so often untrue. We fabricate this ‘worse-case-scenario’ to protect ourselves, and like overprotecting children, when you spend too long in your bubble, you’ll find yourself isolated and suffocated by your own fears. Showing up in your imperfection and living, breathing, vulnerability is what connects us to others. It’s where can share, and understand, and revel in our mutual flaws and strive to continue cultivating our roses together. And isn’t that perfect?

Simplify things, darling.

Below is a diagram of how my brain often feels.

Sometimes drawings just explain things better.

We complicate everything, battle with our own thoughts, try to tackle everything all at once and then wonder why we’re so exhausted all of the time. Pick one thing. Start there, start small and grow without taking on the world on your own.

Simplify what you need to get done in a day, sticking to three manageable tasks and don’t beat yourself down. Stick to the simple. Simplify you brain, your life, your many tabs. Declutter. Prioritise what means the most to you then work from there. And if you don’t know yet, then experiment and endeavour to not beat yourself down for trying.

be kind to yourself, recognise your little wins.

Recognise where you’ve come. Be grateful for yourself. You’re doing amazing!

Lots of love,

Eloïse

What I’m reading: Humankind: A Hopeful history, Rutger Bregman

Every now and then a beautiful film emerges, that transforms the way you see the world and urges you to reflect on life. Hamnet was that for me, and it encapsulates why I love reading, watching and performing theatre.

we are one and the same

Day to day we define ourselves by our differences: how we look, act, think compared to others around us. We seldom remember that we all feel very similar emotions and experiences, and Hamnet reminds us of that, filled with an ache that we all recognise as an audience. We are one and the same.

We suffer the same grief. Ruminate over the same questions. Battle with our minds.

Hamnet is a heart-wrenchingly beautiful film that delves into the concept of love in all her colours. Opening with young, free-spirited love, to sacrificial and familial love to ultimate agony and hollow healing, we are taken through the precarious dance of life and love. Her most prominent form is grief, the painful truth that life’s dance isn’t eternal in its physical form and that only in our minds, hearts and art can she be so. That we all will lose and let go of the people we love in some point in time. That life is delicate, must be cherished and never taken for granted. That life is difficult and living can feel like a struggle of the mind and soul, that humanity is imperfection in itself and as we make mistakes we’ll sit with guilt and shame and anger and sorrow, knowing that despite all we must keep moving forwards.

That life is a quest for us all- and always has been- and always will be, for centuries past and to come, humans have suffered the same pain and revelled in the beauty that we do today.

nature and the innate beauty of womanhood

Womanhood is cinematically intertwined with nature through the character of Agnes Hathaway, and the presence she holds is the feminine power in all its beauty. She is breathtakingly beautiful, full of intuition and strength, bound to Mother Nature and strong-willed in the way we all ought to let ourselves be. Regardless of potential historical inaccuracies, Agnes is within all of us and a representation of women whose histories we’ve lost, suffocated and stifled by centuries of persecution. Intelligent, creative and bold women accused of sorcery and shame. What she portrays throughout the film is an extraordinary inner strength that women hold, an intuition that we forget to listen to, a determination and tireless fight for those she loves, sacrifice and selflessness in the face of adversity, symbiosis with nature and a simultaneous emotional fortitude and gentleness, a superpower we brush off.

An honourable mention to Jessie Buckley’s acting which is just incredible and deserves particular attention. I felt and heard every thought behind her eyes.

humanity and connection

Hamnet is a reminder of what theatre and film are truly about. Connection. Healing. Processing and experience emotions together. To understand and cry and celebrate together. To acknowledge that we’re all living a shared experience that transcends centuries. We are never alone.

I could go on, and in great depth of all the parts that touched me within the film, the imagery, cinematography and brilliant performance of the actors, however I’ll finish here and without spoilers, simply urge you to see the films yourself.

Lots of love,

Eloïse

Kids have an expansive imagination that should be nourished. They should be urged develop their creativity, to draw, act, imagine and stretch their version of reality to show them that life is mouldable to their hopes, interests and desires. That there is power and joy in seeing and doing things differently. What message are giving them when gifting them a new plastic toy weekly: to divide their attention, to never be satisfied with what they already have, that constant consumption is a reward, that old things lose value, that boredom is something to avoid?

It’s the same with dogs. People will buy endless toys for their pooch only for them to them to forage for their own twig and finding endless joy in it. By over-consuming and constantly adding to the conveyer belt of new things, we lose appreciation for the things we have, and respect for these items.

I draw the example of dogs and children, however we are feeding ourselves the same poison. We base our personalities on what we own, our worth on what we buy and we turn consumption into a hobby, with the cover up of ‘treat yourself’ as a plaster to cover up the gaping wound that is: our society depending on external sources to feel joy, seek distractions to stop us sitting in our own mind, to avoid the friction of actually thinking.

I feel suffocated by the amount of ‘things’ that come into my life. As someone with an impulsion to keep twenty tabs open on her laptop, I find it despairingly difficult to not collect unread books, products and thrifted clothes that I simply do not, and will never use. An intention I have this year is to de-clutter my life and to cut consumption in order clear my mind and space.

This is where I’m starting:

Cutting consumption

- Coffee out is a rare-treat and sit-in only.

- Always carry a portable water bottle- no more buying plastic bottles

- Resisting the urge to buy items I don’t need: only having ‘one’ of what I need.

- Reducing social media time and access to influencers selling products.

- Finishing skincare products I don’t use, then not buying more, only sticking to what I know and love. One moisturiser, one serum, one suncream, one mascara, eyeshadow pallet, eye pencil, etc.

- Prioritising cooking food at home and making pack-lunches rather than buying out.

- Creating presents, or buying experiences over material things

-Tracking spending to see where your money is going

- Not buying new books until I’ve read all the books on my shelf

De-cluttering my wardrobe

- Not buying synthetics (prioritising natural fibres like cotton, wool: more expensive however I will have less of them).

- Looking after items I already have like using a de-bobbler, sewing, polishing boots.

- Selling items on vinted : I’m making it my mission to do a big de-clutter of clothes that I no longer wear or that just don’t excite me, I think anyway I naturally gravitate to the same items which are items that feel good on, that look good on, that age well, and that breathe better or keep me warmer.

-Do a wardrobe audit on what you have and what you actually need (and don’t)

- Question your the voice in your head that says ‘buybuybuy’ ask her: how will this serve me, will it clutter my life or bring me value?

- Make it harder to online shop: log out of sites, delete apps, make them harder to access.

De-cluttering my social media:

We consume far too much online, leaving us no room to think for ourselves and form our own conclusions. I’m guilty of this finding myself repeating things and thoughts that aren’t my own and being swept up in trends.

- restricting social media consumption to 15mins/day

- unfollowing creators who make you feel pressured to need ‘more, more, more’

De-cluttering my brain:

- Simplifying my environment: keeping my bedroom clear and tidy

-Brain-dump : to de-clutter the mind, draw a big cloud on the page and just brain dump everything, no matter how small just put your probems onto paper. If you find journaling hard I truly think this is the best exersise to get into it. Then circle what thoughts or worries stand out and question them, or give the advice you would to a friend.

- Keeping a planner

- Google calendar: putting events and reminders directly into your calendar in order to have them out of your mind yet documented.

-Declutter your computer files

- Feeding into your offline hobbies and interests

My brain is busy enough, I don’t need to amplify the noise by keeping her in a busy environment.

Lots of Love,

Elox

What I’m reading : The Psychology of Money

Looking after yourself is the utmost important thing you can do to thrive in other areas of your life, you can’t run on empty and keeping yourself fuelled with rest, love and clarity is essential.

I hope some of these can be helpful :)

1. Reduce social media

For me this the core of all stress: time-stress, comparison-stress, sensory overload. Within minutes you’re sucked into a different world that consumes you. As humans we weren’t meant to have access to so much information all at once, no one else in history had so many people to keep tabs with, to be bombard by with information- we’re being blitz-ed!

Create an obstacle between you and the virtual world, be it logging out, deleting the app or only having access to it for a certain amount of time. I often find that I gravitate subconsciously to my phone when my mind is busy, stressed or seeking a distraction, so disrupting that cycle snaps us back into reality and allows us to either stand tall and face what we’re putting off or deciding to settle the mind in a healthier way through movement, journalling, or meditation.

Read more on the benefits of offline-living

2. Prioritise sleep

We spend approximately 1/3 of our lives sleeping. Let that sink in. There’s a biological reason sleep is so important: it revitalises us, strengthening our body, our immunity, our memories, hormones, cognitive function. We must treat it as sacred as caring for our sleep correlates directly with how we feel upon waking up.

Before bed make time to do nothing. Schedule your down time in. Dim the lights, light a candle and create a ritual for yourself so you can sink slowly into switching off completely.

I’ve found these things have massively improved my sleep: good outdoor time during the day, exercise, brain dumping worries in a journal before bed, a nighttime routine, hydrating, earplugs. Allow yourself time to do absolutely nothing.

3. Start saying no.

Quit people, places, jobs that are draining you- or at least start making moves or plans to. If you feel trapped, write your anti-vision, highlighting the way you don’t want to live and find incremental little steps that will help you move away from that. Prove to yourself every day that you put yourself first and before you know it you’ll have moved miles from where you once were.

4. Exercise regularly

Run streak for stress, yoga for heartbreak, walks for overthinking: this year myself I’ll be moving every day. Start small and don’t force pressure onto yourself. Not only does it benefit your body, but it’s a sign that you’re choosing to look after yourself above all else, which is a beautiful message to yourself.

5. Choose more offline activities and hobbies

A good way to discover what you may like is to think back to what you did, enjoyed doing as a child. I personally really liked drawing, painting, being outdoors so things I’m leaning towards as an adult is that: drawing, painting, gardening (houseplants and outdoor plants in spring im prepping to plant lots of flowers)

Here are some ideas for hobbies : knitting, crochet, sewing, clay modelling, art journaling, crosswords, colouring in, cleaning, reading, singing, dancing, sports, cooking, decluttering, photography, foraging, calligraphy, scrapbook for yourself or someone else, journalling.

Create more gifts over buying them – it spreads the love and helps with overconsumption in the cluttered age we live in. Grow your garden of hobbies in the real world.

6. Spending time in nature

A reminder to yourself that you are connected to something greater. Aim for pockets of nature every day: gardening, a park, day rips away. I recently took a weekend trip out from London to Eastbourne to walk the seven sisters trail, and I already know it’ll be in my yearly highlights.

read more on how to find nature

7. Do the things you’re putting off now.

Schedule time aside to tick off what you’ve been putting off. If it’s a task that’ll take you less tan 5 minutes do it now. Procrastination clutters your brain. Getting things done is a miracle antidote to anxiety.

8. If you need help with things, ask help.

Write a list of things you are unsure about or insecure about and address them. There’s no shame in asking for help from people around you. If you feel there’s no one to ask, then find help via YouTube, but always try and talk to your community first.

9. Brain dump

Draw a bubble on a page and write down any stresses/thoughts that come to mind. No matter how small or silly they may feel. Then take a step back and I promise you your thoughts and mind will feel clearer.

10. Journal

Journal, Journal, Journal

In my recent podcast episode I go into a little more depth, so feel free to listen on Youtube or Spotify. And please share your thoughts!

What I’m currently reading: The psychology of money

For many, I know this time of year can be undercoated with a quiet sadness beneath the smiles. Grief for those we’ve lost, distance from loved ones, feelings of loneliness, or the ache of family dynamics that don’t quite match the perfect picture we wish for. The pressure, the expectations, the unspoken disappointments.

I’m especially sending love to anyone having a not-so-merry Christmas, and the reminder that there are many more joyful times to come.

I’m sending you the light of the fairy lights hanging from balconies, the laughter of toddlers discovering snow, the vitality of pine leaves and the strength of holly. I’m wrapping you in tinsel and warming your heart with hot chocolate, (with extra whipped cream and marshmallows).

Love is around you, it surrounds you, and it will never leave you.

Wishing you a loving Christmas,

Elo x

I’m currently in the mountains, wrapped up in layers and braving colder winds, and it’s reminded me of something I always come back to:

In nature, I find solace.

Last year, I solo travelled through the Baltics, targeting the capital cities: Vilnius, Riga and Tallin. Cities can feel riveting, but also daunting and lonely at times. And yet, every time I wandered into a park or nearby forest, a soothing silence would envelop me. Bathed in pine branches and bird-song, focusing only on the rhythm of my footsteps; I instantly felt less alone, or at least more at peace in my solitude.

That became my biggest reflection from the trip: when I’m in nature, I feel most at home. From then on, I knew I’d make seeking the outdoors a new year’s intention I return to every year.

Growing up, whenever I was upset, I’d take our family dog around the fields near our house. With her, I’d laugh into the wind, let teardrops soak into the soil, dance with the leaves and just be. Sitting in the mud, red-nosed I found such solace looking out into distance with one arm wrapped around her. Emotions would pass like the seasons, and feel less important, in the comfort of her ever-changing nature.

Nature invites awe: a reminder that there is so much more-than ourselves, proven to be one of the best ways to reduce anxiety, stress and spark happiness and peace. Whenever you’re feeling stuck, mentally frozen and overwhelmed: getting outdoors and movement is the best way to clear your head and refresh your perspective. It boosts our creativity, restores reasoning and improves our sleep. It’s my favourite fix-all, and something I plan on intentionally coming back to throughout my life.

This new year to be closer to nature you can:

• find nature where you already are: explore local parks, rivers, forests.

• get your hands stuck into soil, plant seeds, propagate plants, create a herb garden

• take a trip to a national park in your country: each country has it’s natural beauty, and often we forget to be tourists and revel in it.

• Take active efforts to get outside each day, even just for a walk, especially in winter- sit on a bench, take a journal and smile at some dogs.

• set nature bucket-lists: distances you want to achieve, mountains you want to climb, rivers you want to swim in.

• Take a trip with a friend: nothing bonds you more than a muddy hike riddled with laughter and soggy socks.

• Move outdoors in a way that feels right for you: walking, cycling, swimming, dancing

Challenge yourself: swim in the cold sea, hike up scary heights, allow yourself to skip the makeup, hair running wild, and forget yourself, in order to remember the moment. Nature doesn’t judge you, she’s as perfectly imperfect as yourself, our souls tie with hers.

Have the loveliest Christmas,

Lots of love,

Elo x

My podcast episode from last week:

Listen on YouTube : What 2025 has taught me

Listen on Spotify : What 2025 Has taught me

What I’m reading:

Wuthering Heights, Emily Brontë

December: the month of fairy lights, carol singing and silky hot chocolate by a crackling fire.

December : also the month of that intense pressure- a new year, a new age, a whole new chapter of our lives.

Born in January, I tend to spend much of December reflecting on the what this past loop of the sun has taught me; nestled in the warm glow of my little bedroom, this year I’ve concluded my main lesson to be:

I’ve always been hyper-conscious of time, chasing numbers and achievements in the belief that ‘more’ meant a better use of my time, and that anything less was equivalent to ‘wasting my life’. Throughout education, progress was linear and measurable. However upon finishing my Master’s last summer, I was thrown into the depths, having to figure out my own metrics, goals and definitions of success.

Honestly, this wild, bumpy road has turned out to be a real gift and chance to embark on my journey of figuring out what actually counts for me and what I value in life.

Earlier this year, without grades to track progress, I found myself rushing into situations that didn’t serve me, overworking and burning out. I was trapped in a loop of comparing myself to my past self, running endlessly on a hamster wheel, reaching for reassurance and validation in places- and from people- I didn’t value. However, in hindsight, I understand these experiences weren’t ‘wasted time,’ but needed experiences that each taught me something essential.

I’ve realised that the easiest path to figure out what we want, is first to find out what we don’t want.

Create an ‘ANTI-VISION’ a map of what you know doesn’t serve you, to rediscover what you truly value.

If you’re feeling a little lost or unsure on your direction in life, this is the perfect first step: identify what you don’t want to be, how you don’t want to live in order to clarify the steps you must take in a new direction. Creating this through ‘living’ these uncomfortable moments takes time. But all good things take time.

Trees can take years to bear fruit

Friendships, years to form

Networks, years to weave themselves together.

It takes time to settle. And we must accept and understand the importance of that time. Embrace it. Because these are the years when our roots are dancing around rocks and through soil- growing, reaching, extending to keep us steady throughout life. I won’t have everything figured out and sorted in a couple of months. It’ll take years of consistent action, showing up again and again.

So this December, in your month of reflection, Be gentle to yourself and recognise how far you’ve already come.

Lot’s of love,

Elo x

What I’m reading:

Wuthering Heights, Emily Brontë

This weekend, I headed up to visit my brother and spend time with family- something I think is so important, to reconnect with kin, no matter our distance or differences. As busy as life gets, I admit I could make more of an effort, and plan to.

We took a day trip from Newcastle up to Northumberland- if you’ve never been Northumberland is quite simply vast, lush green fields stretching to the North Sea and bordering Scotland. In a small village, we jumped onto a little sailing boat under the horizontal rain, hoods up, pink noses, and set out on rolling grey waves.

And what a gift.

A gift to feel the fresh air fill our lungs, sea salt on our lips, our little boat crashing out into the waves. Standing at the front, looking out at distant islands, the vast grey sea, and a stark red lighthouse, I felt exhilarated. We shrieked and giggled as the boat rose and fell like a rollercoaster, riding the waves like stallions.

When we reached the Farne Islands, we were greeted by hundreds of seals waddling down the rocks to the water’s edge. White and grey dotted balls of blubber, with deep, dark eyes staring right back at us. I honestly felt like I’d stepped into a nature documentary

Nothing prepares you for the thrill of seeing wild animals, simply being, living, at peace. It’s magical, and I adored every minute. It made me think: we often think we must travel far for wonders that are practically on our doorstep. Britain is riddled with folklore and history; I’m making it my mission to explore more of them.

So far here are a few of my favourites:

Northumberland

· The Farne Islands : where you can spot seals in winter and waddle amongst the puffins in summer.

· Bamburgh Castle & North Sea Coast : I felt like a viking running along this beach, dodging seals and shadowed by this gorgeous castle that housed the king of Northumberland.

The Peak District

· Lud’s Church: A magical Cave hidden in the peak district, the source of many legends and linked to knights, Arthurian literature and Robin Hood. Amongst the misty moors, English Gothic and fantasy literature make sense, they come to life.

· Chatsworth House: Used as Mr Darcy’s house in the 2005 Pride & Prejudice, this House blew me away. The gardens, designed and structured over centuries are truly magical.

Wales

· Snowdonia: I’ve climbed mount snowdon three times and loved it every time- summer or winter. Gorgeous villages like Betws-y-Coed and lush forests surround the mountains.

· Portmeirion Village: A whimsical man-made village I visited with my friend on a roadtrip, overlooking the sea. We felt like fairies.

I’m making it my mission to seek nature more often- even in winter. There’s something especially thrilling about running into an icy sea- you feel alive and as wild as the wind that carries you.

What side-quests are on your doorstep?

Lots of love,

Elo x

What I’m reading :

Withering Heights, Emily Brontë