The Day You Realise You’ve Been Living With Your Eyes Closed
Feeling lost, restless, or unsure about your career or direction? We explore more quiet life changes, self-trust, and how small moments of awareness can help you find clarity without reinventing who you are.
We tend to think confidence arrives fully formed. A clear decision. A bold move. A moment where everything clicks into place. But often it begins with something far less impressive.
It begins with discomfort that doesn’t quite have a name. A low hum of restlessness that follows you through meetings, through conversations, through evenings on the sofa. You might not be able to point to anything that’s broken. You might even feel slightly ungrateful for questioning it. And yet the question lingers.
Am I actually choosing this?
That was the pivot in my conversation with Erica Moore, founder of speciality tea brand eteaket on the podcast this week. Not a dramatic exit. Not a grand reinvention. Just a quiet noticing that she had been progressing through a life she hadn’t consciously shaped. She had been capable, competent, successful but not fully awake.
There’s something unsettling about realising you’ve been living slightly on autopilot. It can feel like you’ve missed something. Like you should have known sooner. But I don’t think that’s what’s happening.
I think sometimes we simply reach a point where the life that once fitted us begins to feel tight around the edges. We outgrow ways of coping. We outgrow expectations we once accepted without question. And because the outside world still sees us as “fine,” it can be hard to admit the internal shift.
This is often where people arrive here. Not because they want to become someone new. But because they want to feel more like themselves. And that’s a different thing entirely.
In the episode of the podcast, we talked about tea as a container — a small moment in the day where you can pause without having to justify it. I’ve been thinking about that a lot. How rare it is to have moments that aren’t productive, reactive, or outward-facing. How easy it is to move from task to task without ever checking whether the direction still feels right.
When you’re feeling lost, the instinct can be to find a bigger answer. A plan. A strategy. A reinvention.
But sometimes what’s needed is smaller. A little more space. A little more honesty. A little more willingness to sit with what’s true before deciding what to do about it.
Uncertainty doesn’t always mean something is wrong. It can mean something inside you is ready to be heard.
And the steadiness I come back to — in my own life and in coaching conversations — is this: you do not need to dismantle who you are in order to move forward. You do not need to be more disciplined, more confident, more impressive. You need to feel safe enough to notice.
When you allow yourself to notice what feels heavy, what feels enlivening, what feels misaligned, you begin to orient yourself again. Not through force. Through awareness. The work is not becoming someone else. It’s coming back to yourself, gently and repeatedly, until your choices begin to reflect who you actually are.
That’s not dramatic. It won’t make a good headline. But it does create a steadier life. And if you’re in that space right now — questioning quietly, searching for clarity, wanting change but not chaos — you are not behind. You are not broken. You may simply be opening your eyes.
You can listen to the full conversation with Erica on A Thought I Kept wherever you get your podcasts, and sit with the idea a little longer.
If you’re in a season of questioning or change and would value support as you find your way forward, our coaching sessions offer space for clarity, self-trust, and meaningful direction — at your pace.
Are Your Strengths Helping You… or Draining You?
Discover how to identify strengths that truly energise you, why being good at something isn’t the same as loving it, and how this connects to your sense of purpose.
If you’ve ever been told you’re really good at something but secretly wished you never had to do it again, you’re not alone. Many of us mistake competence for calling — and that can leave us stuck in roles that don’t energise us or move us closer to the life we want.
Being good at something doesn’t always mean it’s a strength worth building your career or purpose around.
This is exactly what we explore in the latest episode of our podcast, A Thought I Kept, where I speak with my friend Irena Meštrović Štajduhar about rethinking strengths and finding joy in the things that truly light you up.
Rethinking What “Strength” Means
Traditionally, strengths are defined as the skills and qualities you excel at — often reflected back to you by teachers, managers, and peers. This sounds straightforward, but it’s flawed:
It prioritises what’s visible to others over what’s valuable to you.
It can trap you in roles or habits that no longer fit.
Research by Marcus Buckingham, a leading strengths researcher, flips this definition on its head. He defines a strength as:
“Any activity that strengthens you. Before you do it, you look forward to it. While you do it, time flies. After you do it, you feel energised and you’ve learned something new — even if you’re not yet good at it.”
This shift matters. It means a true strength isn’t just about performance — it’s about energy, engagement, and personal fulfilment.
Why We Get Stuck in the Wrong Strengths
Irena describes this as a byproduct of internalised capitalism: the belief that our value comes from producing measurable outcomes. If a skill can be easily quantified — spreadsheets balanced, deadlines met, reports delivered — it’s more likely to be praised, promoted, and prioritised, regardless of how it makes us feel.
Over time, we start identifying with these externally recognised strengths, even when they leave us flat or burnt out.
This isn’t just anecdotal. Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace 2024 report found that only 21% of employees worldwide are engaged in their work — and one key driver of engagement is the opportunity to “do what you do best” regularly. But if “what you do best” isn’t aligned with what you love, engagement and purpose both suffer.
How to Identify Your Energising Strengths
If you’re wondering whether your strengths are the right ones to build your next career step around, start here:
1. Notice your “energy spikes.”
Over the next two weeks, jot down activities you look forward to, lose track of time doing, or feel energised by afterwards.
2. Separate skill from joy.
List the things you’re good at — then circle only the ones that also make you feel alive. (The others may be “competencies,” but they aren’t necessarily strengths to nurture.)
3. Test your curiosity.
If you weren’t paid for it, would you still choose to do it? If the answer’s yes, you’ve found a clue to your real strengths.
4. Look for patterns.
Are your energising strengths about creating, connecting, problem-solving, teaching, organising, or something else? These patterns can point toward your purpose.
5. Connect them to your future.
Ask: “How could I bring more of these strengths into my current role — or into the next chapter of my career?”
Strengths, Purpose, and Career Next Steps
Finding your strengths isn’t just about self-knowledge — it’s about creating a more purposeful direction in your work and life. According to Harvard Business Review, people who use their strengths daily report higher job satisfaction, resilience, and overall well-being.
That doesn’t mean quitting your job tomorrow to chase a passion project. It might mean redesigning parts of your role, volunteering for projects that energise you, or exploring side ventures that let you lean into these strengths.
Over time, the more you align what you’re good at with what you love, the closer you get to a career and life that feel both meaningful and sustainable.
Listen to the Full Conversation
In our latest podcast episode, Irena and I go deeper into:
Why personality tests can limit rather than liberate you
How to spot the difference between learned skills and true strengths
The role of internalised capitalism in shaping our self-worth
Practical ways to reconnect with joy in your work
Listen to The Strengths Paradox: What We Love Vs. What We’re Good At on Substack, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
Distil Coworking Somerset
Discover Distil Coworking Somerset—an inspiring rural coworking space set in a restored mill with gardens, café and community. Ideal for creatives, freelancers and small business owners looking to feel more connected and work well in beautiful surroundings.
Perfect For
Creatives, freelancers, small business owners, remote workers — or anyone craving a more inspiring alternative to working from home.
Why You’ll Love It
Housed in a beautifully restored former mill, Distil Coworking Somerset offers a calm and inspiring place to work with beautifully restored wooden floors, abundant natural light and views out to a landscaped courtyard. It’s the kind of place that makes you exhale as soon as you walk through the door.
Whether you're a small business owner looking for an inspiring workspace for your team, a parent looking to be super productive around the school run or you want a change from the commute to the city — Distil Coworking Somerset is designed to make your working day better.
With plenty of free parking, choose the scenic route and work from a beautiful location in the heart of the Somerset countryside.
What Makes It Special
Set within the wider Kilver Court development, Distil offers more than just a desk. Booking a coworking space here includes access to the lush 3.5-acre gardens — perfect for stretching your legs between meetings, taking a walking call or a giving yourself a moment of pause under the trees.
You’ll also find fashion and homeware outlets like Toast and Mulberry and a newly renovated café with a wellbeing-focused menu. It’s all part of what founder Sam Cunningham envisioned when he transformed this site: “a thriving creative business ecosystem that drives growth, sparks innovation, and encourages collaboration.”
Whether you're looking for a quiet corner to enjoy a warm cup of tea, to scribble ideas in a notebook or simply to close your eyes and let the gentle rustle of leaves spark fresh inspiration, this is garden coworking.
The If Lost Take
We often think of coworking spaces as urban hubs — but Distil is part of a growing movement to bring creative, connected workspaces to rural settings. While countryside living has its charms, working from home in remote areas can sometimes deepen feelings of isolation and disconnection. Spaces like Distil shift that story — offering a place to come together, connect and work alongside fellow creatives, freelancers and entrepreneurs who also call Somerset home.
Founder’s Go-To Wellbeing Advice:
“You spend a third of your life at work — choose environments that nurture your wellbeing and people who help you thrive. The right environment can do more than just support productivity; it can restore calm, spark creativity, and invite genuine connection.”
Some Practical Details
Book a desk, meeting room or the podcasting studio. Facilities include free parking, superfast WIFI, private call booth, shower and kitchen with coffee and tea.
During every booking, receive 10% off at the café and access to the stunning Kilver Court Gardens — the perfect place to recharge during the working day.
Distil Coworking will soon have an events programme up and running, including the option of remote attendance at some events. For anyone visiting the area, they also offer day passes as well as the option of booking by the hour.
Kilver Court, Kilver Street, Shepton Mallet, BA4 5NF, United Kingdom
hello@distilcoworkingsomerset.co.uk
If Lost Reader Benefits: Use code 'InnerCircle' for 10% off your first month when signing up to a monthly membership.
If you prefer to book on a pay-as-you-go basis, use code InnerCircleHotDesk for 20% off your first day pass.
Glove Factory Studios
Glove Factory Studios in Bradford on Avon is a beautifully designed coworking space set in a restored Victorian glove factory. Home to a thriving community of creatives, freelancers, and entrepreneurs, it offers inspiring workspaces, events, and even a wild swimming pond.
Perfect For
Freelancers, creatives, and entrepreneurs who want a unique workspace—somewhere that encourages focus, connection, and maybe even a mid-morning swim.
Why You’ll Love It
Tucked away in the Wiltshire countryside, Glove Factory Studios is far more than a workspace—it’s a hub for creativity, collaboration, and connection. Set in a beautifully restored Victorian glove factory, it’s home to independent businesses, freelancers, and creatives who want more than just an office—they want a space that inspires ideas, fosters community, and embraces work-life balance in the best way possible.
With light-filled studios, a rural setting, and a café that feels like a creative meeting ground, this is a workspace designed for people who think differently, work independently, but love being part of something bigger.
What Makes It Special
An inspiring setting – A heritage industrial building meets modern design, creating a workspace that feels both professional and creative.
A built-in creative community – More than just a place to work, it’s a network of like-minded people, with regular talks, events, and collaboration opportunities.
Surrounded by nature – With open countryside, walking trails, and even wild swimming nearby, this is a space that understands the balance between productivity and wellbeing.
The Story Behind It
Glove Factory Studios was founded with the belief that where you work should inspire you, not drain you. Over the years, it’s evolved into a thriving community of designers, writers, makers, and entrepreneurs, all drawn to its unique blend of rural calm and creative energy. From its history as a glove-making factory to its reinvention as a workspace for modern independents, its story is one of transformation, creativity, and new possibilities.
Something Else We Love
Their onsite wild swimming club, the Glove Dippers—yes, really. With a natural swimming pond, members can take a dip before, after, or even between meetings. It’s the kind of workplace perk you don’t know you need until you try it.
We also love it for coworking, dropping in when working from home gets a little lonely. Oh and the gorgeous cafe on site, Wild Herb at the Field Kitchen is the perfect any-time of day pick me up.
The If Lost Take
We love Glove Factory Studios because it proves that work doesn’t have to happen in dull offices or overrun cafés. It’s a space that prioritizes both creativity and wellbeing, offering a place where people can build businesses, spark ideas, and create their own version of that illusive work-life balance.
Some Practical Details
Holt, Bradford on Avon, UK
Connection: The Word That Defines Our Mission in 2025
Feeling disconnected? In 2025, If Lost Start Here is making connection our word of the year. Read why it matters now more than ever and discover three ways to reconnect with yourself, others, and the world around you.
We live in an age of paradox. Never before have we been so hyper-connected—constantly plugged into notifications, messages, and social media feeds. And yet, we are also lonelier, more isolated, and more disconnected than ever.
Recent studies paint a concerning picture:
One in three adults worldwide experience loneliness regularly.
The former U.S. Surgeon General Dr Vivek Murthy has declared loneliness an epidemic, citing its impact on physical and mental health, including higher risks of depression, anxiety, and even heart disease.
Social fragmentation is rising due to remote work, an increase in digital communication over in-person interactions, and the pressures of modern life that leave us exhausted and stretched thin.
At If Lost Start Here, we believe that the antidote to this growing crisis isn’t just found in another self-help book or productivity hack. It’s in connection. Connection with ourselves, with others, and with the world around us. It’s in deep conversations, small moments of presence, and shared experiences that remind us we’re not alone.
So in 2025, we’re making connection our focus. Not just as a word, but as a way of living.
Three Ways to Reconnect in 2025
At If Lost Start Here, we don’t just talk about wellbeing; we create experiences that help people feel it. Here are three ways we’re helping you reconnect this year:
1. Reconnecting with Yourself
True connection starts within. When was the last time you checked in with yourself—not just to tick off a to-do list, but to ask what you really need?
Here’s how we help:
Guided Wellbeing Courses – Our Find Your Way program helps you build an everyday wellbeing practice that supports emotional, mental, and physical balance.
One-on-One Coaching – Sometimes, you need a conversation that brings clarity. Our coaching sessions offer a space for self-reflection, emotional support, and guidance.
Creative Reflections – Whether through journaling prompts, gentle reset practices, or curiosity-driven exercises, we provide simple ways to get back in touch with yourself.
2. Reconnecting with Others
Loneliness isn’t just about physical isolation—it’s about the feeling that no one really sees you. The good news? Human connection isn’t about how many friends you have but the depth of the relationships you cultivate.
We’re creating spaces for real connection through our community The Collective Together and our Events including:
Small Group Sessions – Intimate, guided conversations where people can show up as they are, without pretense.
Community Gatherings & Events – From online wellbeing retreats to informal meetups, we’re bringing people together to connect meaningfully.
Shared Learning Experiences – Whether it’s a book club, a workshop, or a wellbeing challenge, we believe in collective learning as a way to strengthen relationships.
3. Reconnecting with the World
When we feel disconnected, it’s easy to shrink inward. But sometimes, the best way to find ourselves is to expand outward—to seek inspiration, to engage with the world in new ways.
Maybe that means stepping into a gallery where a single painting stops you in your tracks. Or walking through a city park and feeling the crisp air shift something inside you. Maybe it’s volunteering for a cause that reminds you just how much you have to give.
We believe in the power of small, intentional experiences to help you feel more anchored in the world around you. That’s why we’re:
Creating Wellbeing Prescriptions – Sometimes, we all need a little direction. Our personalised wellbeing prescriptions offer a roadmap to help you reconnect with what nourishes you—whether that’s more rest, creativity, movement, or something unexpected.
Offering Culture Therapy – We believe that books, art, music, and creative resources have the power to heal and inspire. Our culture therapy sessions help you find new ways to engage with the world through stories, creativity, and shared human experiences.
Curating a Guidebook to Connection – We’re mapping out places—cafés, museums, parks, and cultural spaces—that help you feel a little more at home in the world. Because sometimes, the right environment can make all the difference.
The world is full of places, experiences, and ideas waiting to reconnect you. Let’s explore them—together.
Connection: The Heart of Our Mission
At If Lost Start Here, we believe connection isn’t just something we do—it’s something we build, something we feel, something that makes life worth living.
As we step more into 2025, we invite you to reconnect with what matters most. To make space for deep conversations, real relationships, and a sense of belonging. To not just exist but to engage fully in life.
If you’re ready to start feeling more connected, we’d love to support you.
Explore Our Wellbeing Courses & Coaching
Join One of Our Community Sessions
Because no one should have to find their way alone.
Let’s Stay Connected—Join Us
If this piece resonated with you, let’s keep the conversation going. Our newsletter is a space for real connection—where we share insights on wellbeing, stories that inspire, and small ways to feel more anchored in your life.
It’s not just another email. It’s a moment of pause, a reminder that you’re not alone, and an invitation to explore what truly matters.
Sign up now and let’s navigate this year—together.
What I Learned This Week About Wellbeing, Connection, Purpose, Emotions, and Giving Back
Discover five key insights on wellbeing, emotional resilience, and meaningful connection from a leading conference on female empowerment. Learn how to navigate self-doubt, improve relationships, and find balance in everyday life.
Are you craving more balance, more meaningful connections, and a greater sense of emotional wellbeing in your everyday life?
Recently, I attended a conference packed with ideas about navigating life, relationships and self-care in a way that truly supports us—especially for those of us who often put others first.
Here’s what I learned, and how it might help you find more ease, clarity, and connection in your own life.
Wellbeing: Notice Instead of Avoid
How often do you push through stress, ignore exhaustion, or put off self-care because there’s too much to do?
One simple yet profound idea shared at the conference was this: Notice instead of avoid.
We’re taught to suppress discomfort and to keep going no matter what. But real wellbeing comes from paying attention—to our emotions, our energy, our stress levels—before they become overwhelming.
Try this: Before scrolling, reaching for caffeine, or brushing off your feelings, pause and ask yourself:
What am I feeling right now?
What is my body telling me?
What do I need at this moment?
Sometimes, noticing is the most powerful self-care practice of all.
Connection: The Conversation Is the Relationship
We all want deeper, more fulfilling relationships—with partners, friends, colleagues, or even ourselves.
But as Susan Scott says, “The conversation is the relationship.”
If we’re avoiding tough conversations, our relationships suffer.
If we silence ourselves to protect others’ feelings, we feel unseen.
If we struggle to express what we need, we stay disconnected.
At the conference, I heard from host Hannah Wilson about the idea of talk tokens—a concept where everyone in a meeting gets a set number of one-minute tokens to ensure equal voice time. It made me think:
What if we gave ourselves permission to take up more space in conversations? What if we listened more deeply, but also spoke with more confidence?
Try this: In your next conversation, ask yourself:
Am I truly listening?
Am I expressing what I really feel?
How would this conversation change if I gave myself full permission to show up as I am?
We co-create every relationship through our conversations. What kind of relationships do you want to create?
Purpose: Your Inner Mentor vs. Your Inner Critic
If you struggle with self-doubt, overthinking, or imposter syndrome, you’re not alone.
At the conference, Sadia Ghazanfar explored the difference between two voices inside us:
Your Inner Critic → Harsh, repetitive, and rooted in fear (“I’m not good enough. I’m failing. I should be better.”)
Your Inner Mentor → Wise, grounded, and connected to your values (“You are learning. You are enough. Keep going.”)
One insight that stood out: Your inner mentor doesn’t just think—it feels. It speaks in symbols, emotions, and quiet wisdom.
Try this: If you’re feeling lost or doubting yourself, close your eyes and picture yourself 20 years from now. What advice would that future version of you give you?
Maybe she’d tell you:
You already know more than you think.
You don’t have to have all the answers.
You are stronger than you realize.
What would shift if you started listening to her more than your inner critic?
Emotions: Owning How We Feel
One of the most powerful discussions at my table and throughout the day was about emotional validation.
Many of us, especially women, have been conditioned to believe:
Some emotions are acceptable, others are not.
We should “keep it together” for everyone else.
We must prioritize other people’s feelings over our own.
But your emotions deserve space.
Have you ever been shamed for your feelings?
Do you find yourself apologizing for emotions instead of expressing them?
Have you been taught how to regulate emotions—or just to hide them?
Hannah Wilson shared this powerful phrase from Susan Scott: “Take responsibility for your emotional wake.”
Just like a boat leaves ripples in the water, our emotions create ripples in the lives of those around us. This doesn’t mean suppressing feelings—it means owning them, processing them, and regulating them in ways that feel supportive.
Try this: The next time you feel overwhelmed, ask yourself:
Am I reacting from a place of emotional regulation?
How can I express this in a way that feels both true and safe?
What would happen if I validated my own emotions, instead of waiting for others to do it?
Owning your emotions is one of the most powerful forms of self-trust.
Giving Back: The Power of Small Actions
Women, especially, carry a huge emotional load—not just for our own wellbeing, but for our families, our workplaces, and our communities.
But one of the biggest shifts we can make is redefining impact.
Giving back doesn’t have to be big. Small actions matter.
Being an ally.
Mentoring someone who needs guidance.
Checking in on a friend.
Speaking up when something doesn’t feel right.
Renée Jacobs of The Belonging Network left us with this thought:
"What change do you want to make in yourself, in your relationships, and in the world?"
Try this: Instead of waiting for a big moment to make a difference, ask: What’s one small way I can create impact today?
Small actions create big ripples.
What This Means for You
What I took away from this conference is something I already believe deeply:
Wellbeing isn’t about fixing yourself. It’s about reconnecting with yourself.
So, a few questions for you:
What’s one thing you need to notice instead of avoid?
How can you create more meaningful — even courageous — conversations this week?
What would your inner mentor say to you right now?
Where do you feel ownership over your emotions—and where don’t you?
What’s one small way you can make an impact today?
If you’re feeling lost, overwhelmed, or disconnected, these small shifts can help.
Here’s to small ripples, brave conversations, and the courage to feel what we feel.
Ready to Feel More Connected, Confident, and Supported?
If this piece resonated with you—if you’re craving more balance, clarity, and emotional wellbeing in your everyday life—our coaching sessions might be exactly what you need.
At If Lost Start Here, we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. We believe in meeting you where you are—whether you’re navigating self-doubt, seeking deeper connections, or simply trying to find a way to feel more like yourself again.
Our ethical and certified coaching sessions are designed to help you:
Reconnect with yourself and what truly matters to you.
Navigate emotions and self-doubt with more ease.
Build healthier relationships—with yourself and others.
Create a life that feels more aligned, not just optimized.
You don’t have to figure it all out alone.
Explore our coaching options here and take the first step toward a life that feels more connected, confident, and lighter.
What’s Next? Redefining Purpose in Midlife Without the Pressure
Wondering what’s next in midlife? Learn how to redefine purpose without pressure and explore how midlife coaching can guide your self-discovery journey.
Do you ever find yourself wondering, ‘What’s next?’
The kids are growing up, your career isn’t quite what it used to be (or maybe it’s exactly the same, and that’s the problem), and for the first time in a long time, you’re asking questions about what you want for yourself.
But here’s the thing: asking what’s next can feel overwhelming. There’s a cultural pressure to have all the answers—or to leap into reinvention. Yet, midlife isn’t about fixing yourself. It’s about gently rediscovering what matters most to you.
Why Midlife Brings Questions About Purpose
Midlife often marks a crossroads, where familiar roles begin to shift:
Parenting evolves as kids become more independent, leaving space for new priorities.
Career changes loom—whether it’s a desire to pivot or a need to reignite a sense of purpose.
Health and energy levels shift, making you more conscious of how you want to spend your time.
This period of questioning is natural. It’s a sign you’re ready to reimagine your life—not to meet external expectations, but to align with your values and desires.
How to Explore ‘What’s Next’ Without the Pressure
The idea of redefining purpose can feel like a massive undertaking, but it doesn’t have to. Here are some gentle, pressure-free ways to start:
1. Reflect on What Matters Most:
Start by asking yourself simple questions:
What feels meaningful to me right now?
What do I want to spend more time doing—or less?
What am I curious about exploring?
These questions aren’t about finding the perfect answer but about noticing what sparks interest and energy.
2. Take Small, Exploratory Steps:
You don’t have to overhaul your life overnight. Start small:
Sign up for a workshop that interests you.
Volunteer for a cause that aligns with your values.
Explore a hobby or creative project without worrying about being “good” at it.
3. Let Go of the ‘Big Picture’:
It’s okay not to have a five-year plan. Focus on the next small step. Purpose isn’t a destination—it’s something you create and refine as you go.
Why Midlife Is the Perfect Time for Self-Rediscovery
In midlife, you have a unique opportunity to pause and realign. It’s not about reinventing yourself but about reclaiming the parts of you that may have been overshadowed by life’s demands.
This stage of life offers:
Clarity: The wisdom to know what truly matters.
Freedom: The ability to make choices that align with your values.
Curiosity: The spark to explore new possibilities without the need for perfection.
How Midlife Coaching Can Help You Define ‘What’s Next’
If you’re feeling stuck or unsure where to begin, midlife coaching can be a powerful tool. It’s not about prescribing answers but about guiding you toward your own clarity and confidence.
With coaching, you can
Reflect on your values and what brings you fulfillment.
Explore new possibilities without feeling overwhelmed.
Build a life that feels authentic to who you are now.
Take the First Step Toward ‘What’s Next’
Redefining purpose in midlife isn’t about finding a single answer. It’s about giving yourself permission to explore, grow, and create a life that feels meaningful to you.
Curious about how coaching can help?
Click here to learn more about midlife coaching and book a free discovery call to start exploring what’s next for you.
If you’re local to Bath, check our Events Page for in-person midlife emotions coaching at either the Somerset Rooms or SoulSpa.
Midlife is a time of change—let’s make it a time of possibility. Sign up for our mailing list to receive insights, tools, and guidance to help you navigate midlife with more clarity, confidence, and ease. Because this chapter is yours to shape. Join us here
42 Acres
Explore 42 Acres, a 173-acre regenerative estate and nature reserve in Somerset offering transformative retreats and nature-based experiences. Swim in the lake, meditate in the treehouse, or nourish yourself with farm-to-table food grown on-site.
Go here if: You’re looking to get into nature, reawaken your deep-rooted instincts and nourish yourself.
What is it: Set over 173 acres of wild land and ancient forest, 42 Acres is a regenerative estate and nature reserve where you can reconnect with nature, yourself and others.
Explore the self-guided and led retreats, often in partnership with world-renowned practitioners and aligned with nature, that encourage you to dream, grow, learn and rest. Stay in a restored 13th-century former hermitage, converted barge or under the stars in a luxury bell tent. Swim in the lake, meditate in the treehouse, sauna in the woods and nourish yourself with food grown on the land.
Why you need it: 42 Acres was first conceived in 2015 by siblings Lara and Seth Tabatznik as a home for personal, social and environmental change after having been deeply inspired by some powerful personal retreats and workshops in their own lives. Both Seth and Lara are strong advocates that outer change in the world starts with the self, or to quote Gandhi: “Be the change that you wish to see in the world”.
What they offer: At its core, 42 Acres invites people to reconnect with nature, self and others but has now grown to offer so much more including a range of wellbeing and nature-based experiences and events, a regenerative farm and an abundant nature reserve.
What makes it different: Living within an ancient forest, host to a variety of wild meadows and vast open fields and the source of four different rivers within a stone’s throw, this is a place for planting your dreams.
What you need to know: You can visit 42 Acres in several ways — as a guest on a day experience, workshop or energy exchange or by visiting them on retreat. All booked guests are free to roam the estate, swim in the lake and explore. Food, accommodation and experiences need to be pre-booked on their website.
In their own words:
“Our vision is to grow and consume in a way that serves the health of people and the planet. Our market gardens and regenerative farm use and permaculture and biodynamic-inspired principles. We grow, forage and wild-tend to create wholesome, nutrient-dense food. As we cultivate and restore health in our earth, we restore the worlds within ourselves.
We use our deepest intuition, ancient tools and shared knowledge to establish regenerative spaces, curate transformational experiences, and foster opportunities to learn, heal and grow.”
42 Acres is a 173 -acre retreat centre, regenerative estate and nature reserve in Witham Friary, just outside of Frome, Somerset
All images courtesy of 42 Acres.
Mood & Moves Dance Co.
Explore your mood through dance at Mood & Moves, a creative studio in San Francisco. Founded in 2020 by Marcella Palazzo, the studio promotes creativity, self-expression, and well-being through empowering and fun dance experiences.
Go here if: You’re curious about exploring your mood through dance and having fun as you do so.
What is it: Mood & Moves is a dance studio and creative space in the heart of San Francisco founded in 2020 by Marcella Palazzo. They offer dance classes and host monthly workshops as well as pop-up classes in various styles of dance. They also provide 1:1 and group private lessons for a customized experience.
Why you need it: Mood & Moves inspires creativity and individuality. Classes are empowering and promote dancing as self-expression, passion, and self-enjoyment for better overall well-being
What else do they offer: Their studio is a blank canvas for creatives of all kinds to bring their vision to life. Whether you're a photographer, dancer, artist, or filmmaker, the studio is a big open space for you to turn your idea into reality. Studio rentals are available 7 days a week for all things creative! You can rent the space by the hour for rehearsals, photoshoots, video shoots, fitness, workshops, and more.
What makes it different: Whether you're renting the studio space or taking a class, you will feel like a star. The facilities are inviting, stylish, and clean. Need a costume change? Step into their Hollywood-themed dressing room. Hosting an event with refreshments? Take advantage of the kitchenette. Ready for your video? Take one in front of their marquee letters. Dancing for the first time ever? Their instructors are ready to take your hand!
How Mood and Moves Dance Co can inspire you, wherever you are: Founder Marcella Palazzo and her group of advanced dancers create concept videos in all styles of dance. The Mood & Moves signature style is featured in these videos, and can be enjoyed by people watching anywhere in the world! You’ll get to experience their passion for creating a performance that makes you feel something, and hopefully become inspired to dance/create as well wherever you may be!
Behind the space
We asked Founder Marcella Palazzo for the story behind Mood and Moves Dance Co.
“Before opening my studio, dance has always been my passion and form of self-expression. I always feel the most like myself when I'm dancing.
As I got older I developed an even greater passion for choreography and watching the ideas in my head come to life. It is my main goal to provide a space for other creatives to dance and bring their visions to life in a world that doesn't always prioritize the arts.
At the end of the day, I lead my art and business with my heart. Whether I'm creating choreography, teaching a class, or prepping for a rental, I give it my all.
If something doesn't feel authentic, I won't do it. I care about the quality of learning my students are receiving, choreography that reflects who I am, and a studio that is always ready to make other people's visions happen.
I hope that through my videos, classes, and studio people can feel my passion for the industry and the art!”
Where inspires you?
“When I'm not feeling like myself I take a break from creating and allow myself to just be.
I usually spend time in nature, read a fictional book, watch a new movie, or go see an artistic performance. I let my mind wander and become inspired by something I experienced doing these activities.”
Mood and Moves Dance Co.
264 Dore Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
USA
The monthly Heels/Burlesque Workshop takes place every second Sunday of the month.
Pop Up Classes with guest instructors are always updated/posted on the website, Instagram, & newsletter
The studio is available for rent 8 am-10 pm 7 days a week.
Shop Small Special: Find Ubiety
Discover a haven for your wellbeing in Bath that gives back to others too
Go here if: You’re looking for a high-street independent with a social mission, to take care of yourself while taking care of others too and to follow your curiosity through a wide range of vintage finds and locally sourced makers.
What is it: This is the first concept store from the people behind Dorothy House and Ubiety, a vegan body care and fragrance brand that gives 100% back to end-of-life care. Situated next to the charity’s furniture shop, you’ll find inside a serene space centered on nature where mindfulness meets curated selections, promoting mental well-being and holistic self-care.
Why you’ll love it: Find Ubiety carries a thoughtful and ever-changing range of products. From soothing scented candles to handmade dinnerware, every item lining the shelves is chosen with one singular goal: to nourish the mind, body, and soul.
In a world characterised by hustle and bustle, Find Ubiety offers a calming sanctuary — a place to pause, breathe, and prioritize our personal and collective mental wellness. The products offered here help support our self-care rituals — whether it's a calming bath soak or an aromatic essential oil — while reflecting the holistic care and nurturing surroundings of the hospice it supports.
How to bring this into your life: Visit the shop or try out one of their therapeutic sessions at another local favourite, SoulSpa (where you’ll also find our sessions to feel better). Not local to Bath, you can shop Ubiety products online as well.
In their own words: “Themed around nature, it stocks carefully curated second-hand curios and bric a brac, unique fashion, locally sourced products and eco finds. The shop is created to support personal wellbeing and help customers create their own calm, unique & definitive space at home.”
A Culture Therapy Prescription | March Edition by Beth Nasce
This month’s Culture Therapy Prescription will help you feel good this season. Discover the podcasts, books, websites, apps, events, and places that can connect you with more of what you need for better emotional and mental well-being.
This month’s Culture Therapy Prescription is written by Beth Nasce, a creative celebrant, writer and primary school teacher, whose passions are seasonal living and celebrating all of life's milestones (the big and small). Beth is constantly experimenting with poetry, non-fiction and short stories and helps other people explore their own creativity too.
Connection & Community
Podcasts: The Real Question, and Harry Potter and the Sacred Text, both by Not Sorry Productions.
TRQ is a place for people to explore deeper questions about life and think about how different texts can help us with those answers. The current edition of the podcast is called Should I Quit and its guests come on with a question about whether they should quit something and Vanessa the host does a sort of chaplaincy service for them.
HPST is treating the HP stories like a bible study. Each episode goes chapter by chapter reading it through a theme e.g. love or jealousy and then they use old religious practices to deepen their questioning.
This is the second read of the books (I think book 5 right now?) and they do an amazing job of holding this tension of the ultimate question about whether HP should or shouldn't be given airtime anymore given the author’s recent statements. The podcast has a large LGBTQ+ fanbase so it has been really helpful in understanding the difficulties with it.
Modern Life / Untethering
Book: The Power of Ritual by Casper Ter Keuile is a fantastic book that looks at rituals and spirituality from a secular lens.
Casper is not a Christian but has grown up sort of culturally that way, and while traditional Christianity feels inaccessible to him as a gay man at times he also sees the power and beauty of many ancient practices.
In this book, he explores the ways different religions and civilisations access rituals and explores how we can see them being used in secular contexts too e.g. Soul Cycle or CrossFit.
In the book, he talks about doing a tech sabbath every Friday night for 24 hours where he turns off his phone and all tech. He says the mantra "the work isn't done but it's still time to stop" and it's something I TRY to do. It always feels very enriching and expansive when I do it!
Nature
Podcast: As The Season Turns by Ffern and Lia Leendertz.
Lia Leendertz who writes The Almanac releases an enhanced audio version of the monthly entries of her book on the first of every month. The podcast version also includes a soundscape meditation, a herbal musing by Zoe Gilbert and a Welsh folk song.
In my newsletter Spark and Fable, each month I follow a weekly pattern - of things to look forward to this month (a combination of seasonal events and celebration days) - a seasonal recipe - field notes (where I simply write what is going on at this moment in time outside) - and a monthly roundup of favourite things (including tree, plant and flower of the month!)
Mind & Body
Book: The Self Care Year by Alison Davies is a lovely book that has different ways to care for yourself both physically and mentally in line with the seasons. There are meditations to do, pamper products to make yourself, yoga positions to try, etc.
Purpose
Podcasts: Quiet The Hive is a podcast where host Jane Galloway mixes solo musings with interviews of people in all different industries. Her linking thread is well-being and often the people in the interviews have a clear vision for their project/mission which is always very inspiring. Most people in it have simple ideas and not many resources but just go for it. Her solo episodes are also very inspiring and give lots of ideas for getting to know yourself better.
Squiggly Careers podcast. Hosts Helen and Sarah send out a weekly podcast about careers that are never really linear.
Spirituality & Meaning
Book: Your Spiritual Almanac by Joey Hulin is an evergreen almanac that can be used every year. Each month has a theme e.g. abundance, rest, and alignment, with affirmations, meditations, journal prompts, ways of paying it forward, yoga poses, fables and creative ideas.
Podcast: The RobCast by Rob Bell. Rob Bell is a spiritual writer/speaker who used to lead a megachurch back in the 90s and early 2000s until he wrote a book called Love Wins which basically said "there is no heaven and hell" or words to that effect, and he was very much ousted by the church. He is a beloved friend of Elizabeth Gilbert and Glennon Doyle (I think) and while he uses the Bible and what he called "Jesus stories" in a lot of his podcasts I do feel he comes at it from a totally different way and isn't really seen as a "Christian" podcast. This podcast is great for everyone but perhaps, especially for people who used to be Christians or who struggle with calling themselves that.
Mental Wellbeing
App: Finch is kind of like a Tamagotchi on your phone, only you're not feeding and watering it with food, etc but you're feeding it by doing little reflections or mini well-being activities.
Website: 750Words. If you've ever attempted morning pages (from Julia Cameron's The Artist's Way) this is sort of a digital version of that (750 words is roughly 3 pages)
It's essentially a private place for you to write and store your words. The beauty of doing it on the website as opposed to handwriting is you get a sort of analysis afterward that details the themes you wrote about, and your predominant feelings and ways of writing (eg. introverted/extroverted). You also get badges for keeping streaks or doing certain things like writing early in the morning etc. (love a bit of gamification!)
It has become a daily practice for me in the same way handwriting them used to but I feel I access deeper thoughts and feelings, like lots of "gunk" coming out onto the screen. Perhaps it's because I find I type as fast as I think whereas my handwriting is always a little slower and I often trip over my own thoughts.
I'd recommend it to anyone who struggles with the handwriting element of morning pages but likes the idea of them! (oh and it's totally private too)
Awe & Wonder
Art: Nature Photographer of the Year Exhibition (starts in the Natural History Museum then tours the country). Just looking at how these photographers interpret a category but also the way they can capture nature in such awe-inspiring ways is enough to have you desperate to get outside!
Place: Cambo Gardens in Fife, Scotland is an absolutely stunning garden that has a "wow" moment at every turn! It's a walled garden that's lovingly looked after, which then turns into a woodland walk and before you know it you're on a beach. Oh, and it has a lovely cafe and shop.
Creativity & Culture
Book: Little Stories of Your Life by Laura Pashly is a fabulous book that looks at how we can use social media, storytelling and photography to tell more authentic and creative stories online. It feels like a perfect antidote to the showoffiness of social media (Instagram in particular) and gives a beautiful roadmap of how we could all show up online in a more positive, creative and authentic way.
Podcast: Sentimental Garbage by Caroline O'Donoghue, especially the latest season of this podcast. Caroline and a guest take a cultural phenomenon or work that society deems as "trashy" and looks at why it isn't and why it is in fact worthy of being treated like high culture. Particular highlights lately have been the movies, Chicago and Bring It On, and a discussion about weddings.
Doing Good
App: Seek (also nature really!) Seek by iNaturalist is a citizen science app that also helps you learn more about the flora and fauna around you. You begin by holding your phone on a plant/insect/bird/stone until the app identifies it, you then take a picture and save it to the app which then records where you spotted the thing you've just snapped. This then gives a clearer picture of what exists where and when. There are also monthly challenges like "butterflies" etc
In a similar vein: Joining in with RSPB's great garden birdwatch in January, and The Big Butterfly Count in the spring are great ways of helping scientists understand species numbers and placements, etc. I'm sure there are similar things with The Woodland Trust, The National Trust and there's a bluebell one too - all ways of helping people to track patterns, migrations, growth and decline etc
We’re currently reviewing submissions for April’s Culture Therapy Prescription.
Fill in yours here to be considered:
Tribe Porty
Tribe Porty makes good things happen for its community and beyond. Find out how this Edinburgh coworking space thinks differently about how we gather together to work.
Located in a neighborhood known for its community, Portobello’s Tribe Porty is all about how we come together and what we can achieve when we do. An old warehouse has been converted into a hub for coworking, events and collaboration. We talk to community manager Alice Hudson about what sets Tribe Party apart from other coworking spaces.
What is Tribe Porty? We are a community coworking and creative events space based in Edinburgh's well-loved seaside town, Portobello.
Why did you open your space? Tribe Porty started because we know the power of connection and social capital. When we asked our community what they wanted, they told us a place to work, be creative, be active and connected. Tribe Porty provides more than just a desk for people to work at. We strive to make good things happen by connecting our network of members and helping people to reimagine their working life. Tribe Porty is more important now than ever; due to the circumstances of the pandemic many professionals work remotely and are seeking social human contact. That's what we're about, growing a community that enables us all to thrive.
What do you offer? Our coworking space is specifically designed to encourage creativity – the random collision of people and ideas that spur innovation, exchange and connectivity. Tribe Porty suits the evolving working styles of freelancers, start-ups and people who require a flexible workspace and opportunities to share, collaborate and develop our work.
We offer a whole range of social events for our lovely members such as coffee mornings, social lunches and Tribe Talks. Our Tribe Talks are a monthly series of events where we invite a Tribe member, or friend of the tribe, to host a talk all about a project they're working on, an interest or a hobby. These evenings have ranged from astrophysics to brand identity. Tribe Talks are a fantastic way for our members to not only network but even learn something new. They are always free and open to the general public as well as members.
In addition to our coworking members, Tribe Porty is home to an assortment of businesses such as The Pilates Studio Edinburgh, Portobello Natural Health, Glocast, Sodak and more. Velow Bikeworks rebuilds custom bikes to reduce bikes in landfills. Fellow social enterprises include The Edinburgh Tool Library, which promotes the circular economy by lending tools and providing workshops for woodworking skills, and Oi Musica, which works with young people through brass instruments. We often use our social media platforms to promote and share their projects. It’s important to us to support each other and coexist together.
What makes Tribe Porty different? The biggest thing that separates us from other coworking spaces is our true focus on community. We are committed to generosity and kindness and actions rooted in those qualities are contagious. We promote a culture of building community and believe that a nurturing environment that sparks creativity and collaboration is good for business, individuals and communities.
We want people to feel at home, or even better, feel Tribe is a more creative home away from home. We want our members to leave their egos at the door and form genuine and important connections. We also look out into the wider community and are always looking for ways to connect and support.
When people come into Tribe for a tour, a day pass or an event the general feedback is that they were pleasantly surprised and slightly taken back by how chatty and genuine people are. It's a beautiful thing to hear and always brings people back.
What do our readers need to know? We are open Monday-Friday, 8.30-17.30. You can book free tours on our website as well as day passes and monthly packages. You can keep up to date with what’s going on inside Tribe Porty by signing up for our newsletter and by following us on social media @tribeporty.
Tell us a little about your story: Founder, Dani Trudeau, believes that we want our work to contribute to our lives, not take away joy or valuable time from what we really want to do. Having started her first enterprise at the age of 14 and her first company at 25, Dani is infinitely curious about what makes a good business — and businesses for good. Dani’s working experience is in education, health and social care and she has worked throughout the UK and America in the field of behavioural science.
Dani founded Tribe Porty in 2015 and more recently in 2018, founded Tribe Women, now Keystone Women, a community for enterprising women who want to reimagine their working lives. More recent times have been challenging but the pandemic has really exemplified how strong our community really is. Members have supported Tribe and have also checked in on one another – a commitment that has genuinely demonstrated unconditional kindness by supporting the constant growth and improvement of ourselves, each other, and our wider environment. This level of showing up for one another is what it is all about and also drives the team and I to work hard for Tribe.
How can people be inspired by your space wherever they are? Our social media platforms open a window to our world and also offer an insight into Portobello living. You can follow our newsletter to keep up with our blog posts. Our Keystone Women programme is open to enterprising women from around the world.
Where inspires you? We’re always inspired by our Tribe members and the wider community. We love not only finding out what other members are up to but celebrating and supporting their accomplishments. We have had members start all kinds of communities — from men's groups to writing, sewing, art, walking, cycling groups and more. They are a continued lifeline for many. Outside of Tribe, the great outdoors; we’re spoiled for choice here in Scotland.
Anything we're missing? No matter where you are, it is important to feel connected and pursue something that feels meaningful to you. Take time to cultivate your connections and be thoughtful about who you spend time to invest in your future wellbeing. Read our full blog about Finding Purpose which Promotes Wellbeing.
Gather Round
Discover a family of creative workspaces in Bristol built by creatives for creatives. Now we’ve experienced life without each other, Gather Round restores real-life interactions that no amount of Zoom can replace.
With its first location in Southville’s Cigar Factory and now a second location in Brunswick Square, Gather Round was created to make space for community and collaboration as much as for our everyday working lives. We asked the people at Fiasco, the design studio behind it, to tell us more about what makes their creative workspace different, how they bring ideas to life and how they have created a positive culture centered on people.
What is it: Gather Round is a growing family of unique creative workspaces, designed to foster a positive community of like-minded creative people through an open and supportive culture.
Why do people need It? Gather Round was set up in 2018 by us, Ben Steers and Jason Smith, Bristol-based business owners of Fiasco Design. We had struggled to find a workspace for our design studio that wasn’t an office, didn’t tie us into a long-term contract and crucially, didn’t charge obscene rates. After chatting to other creative business owners, we soon realised that we weren’t alone. It was time to shake things up. And so Gather Round was born. Built by creatives, for creatives.
What do you offer? Across two locations in Bristol, our considered workspaces are designed around the needs of those who work within the creative industries. Made up of flexible areas with fixed and casual desks, private studios, meeting rooms, production studios for hire, hang-out areas, communal kitchen tables, quiet rooms for headspace and event spaces. At Gather Round you can do your thing, your way.
What makes Gather Round different? As creatives ourselves, we know what makes a great workspace. No indoor caravans, tardis-style meeting rooms or artificial grass in sight. Just thoughtfully designed spaces. We provide the right ingredients for creative professionals to flourish; we’ve had businesses born from Gather Round and creative collaboration between people is a natural part of everyday working. So whether you're musing over an idea, hashing out a project, or launching your plan for world-domination - we’ve got it covered.
Our beautiful coworking spaces are nothing without the community of creatives that call them home from home. Filmmakers, designers, writers, publishers, art consultants, brand strategists, photographers and more… Our members are an eclectic and talented bunch. They’re also excellent people that make our special workspaces unique.
What do our readers need to know? Gather Round is fully open and accepting new memberships at both Bristol locations. As an independent business, we are able to be reactive to the changing landscape. We have adapted to new ways of working, putting our members and their needs first. Now more than ever, people appreciate the value of human connection. Zoom, Slack and the like, are fantastic but they don’t compensate for real-life interactions. We’re proud that our spaces help to bring people together, whether that’s via a project collaboration or enjoying one of our events with a post-work beer.
Tell us a little about your story: The pandemic was a really trying time for the creative industries. As agency owners of Fiasco Design, we were in the thick of it. Multiple projects fell through for us and we witnessed first-hand businesses fold, redundancies happen and talented creatives struggle to support their families. Throughout this, our members were there for one another; supporting each other through the tough times. Our community really pulled together. Many of us were thrust into working from home, often in less than ideal circumstances. Working from home for months on end can be lonely and particularly in the creative industries, it can lead to fatigue and burnout. It’s not surprising that since the end of restrictions we’ve seen an increase in people looking for somewhere to work away from home.
How can people be inspired by your space wherever they are? We are passionate about supporting creative endeavours and we have a blog on our site that is dedicated solely to this. Whether it’s learning how to bake sourdough bread, or reading about essential tools for freelancers, you can find it all on the Journal section of our site. You can also follow us on social channels to keep up to date with what our fantastic members are up to.
Gather Round
Cigar Factory
127-131 Raleigh Rd,
Southville, Bristol BS3 1QU
&
15-16 Brunswick Square
St Pauls, Bristol, BS2 8NX.
Gather Round now has a space in Bath. Check out their new location at Trinity Church here.
Work + Play - A New Local Coworking Concept
Looking for a new way to work? Co-founder of London’s Work + Play Freddie Scobey talks to us about how he’s creating a coworking space that’s reclaiming how we balance our lives.
If the pandemic taught us anything it was maybe how restrictive our working life can be. More of us are looking for a new way to work. And London’s Work + Play is responding to that need. Co-founder Freddie Scobey talks to us about how he’s creating a coworking space that’s reclaiming how we balance our lives.
What is it? Work + Play is the first coworking space geared towards the “work from home” crowd and will focus equally on Work + Play. With its first location having just opened in Finsbury Park, London. W+P offers a unique take on coworking.
Why do people need It? ‘Joy can be really simple’, says my co-founder, Tobias, ‘It can be as simple as coming to work with an amazing community of talented and like-minded people. It can be a comedy night, a morning workout, afternoon sound healing, evening drinks, or combining all the above. Work + Play prides itself on creating unique opportunities for great experiences.’ Finding an environment where you can get the most out of yourself and benefit from the knowledge and insights of others, can be invaluable.
W+P is looking to build these “third spaces” of the future. Not the home, not the office, but somewhere new where work + life is balanced, and which also has the vital goal of rejuvenating the high street to focus on community experiences rather than personal purchases.
Work + Play is a co-working space that responds to what we need. We need comfort, but also community. A place to feel inspired. A launchpad for new friendships. A focal point for family. A warm home, a fertile ground for unexpected hobbies, or budding business ideas.
What do you offer? Fully-Flex Coworking Warp Speed Wi-Fi All Desks Inc. Monitors Exercise + Wellness + Community Events Puppy Yoga Free Yoga + Pilates Free Tea + Coffee Meeting Room + Phone Booths Event Space For Hire.
What makes It different? At its core, Work and Play is about refusing to return to the unnatural work habits of previous eras. We take a local first approach which blends community, wellness and work into a single complete offering on your doorstep.
Tell us a little about your story: We exist because: • No space truly combines work & play • People waste too much of their lives commuting • High streets are the shared spaces of every local community
Our mission: Create unique, healthy, productive, and visually awesome spaces, that support individuals and local communities to define our work + play balance of the future.
Our take on wellness: To help us all cut through the “noise” and focus on what wellness means to us as individuals, we have woven the following seven ideas into the fabric of our spaces. See if you can spot them all!
How can people be inspired by your space wherever they are? The space has been meticulously designed by award-winning architects to be a perfect blend of work and home comfort. Including formal work desks, informal lounge, café-style seating and privacy booths; W+P offers everything required to work productively out of the office.
In addition, the space has its own studio ‘play-space’, which will host a range of classes and events from those more pointed to wellness (HIIT, Pilates, Yoga, TRX, Meditation) to those aimed at bringing fun into view (Puppy yoga, life drawing, speed networking). Work + Play will support people to blend well-being and enjoyment into their workdays.
New ways to think about your purpose
If like us you’re feeling befuddled by the world of work or need one too many cups of coffee to identify your core motivation, take a look at some recent reads, talks and listens that reframe our work lives and can help us show up in ways that matter.
Whether you’re trialing a four-day week, returning to the office after a very long time away, starting a business later in life, or taking part in the Great Resignation/ Great Sabattical (or whatever we’re now calling it), our relationship to work has dramatically changed over the past couple of years. And we’re finding that this is bringing all the things: anxiety and excitement, flexibility and burnout, possibility and loss.
We’re all adjusting, all shifting our relationship to how and where we find purpose. To help we’ve gathered some recent articles that offer tools to make our work lives easier and some perspectives on how to show up in ways that matter to us, though maybe not day after day after day.
100+ Tooks for an Easy Life. As always the people from Do deliver a stellar list to make life work.
An Anxiety Toolkit for returning to the office
“the new frontier for competition is quality of life”: a mass experiment of a four-day working week and here’s the reason why it works
66% of working parents meet the criteria for parental burnout and why it might be here to stay
The rise of the Anywhere Worker
The formula from Yale Researchers for getting into that state of flow
“love for the content of the work itself” - how to redesign work for lives that matter to us
Is anyone else diving deep into the Brene Brown Dare to Lead universe?
Follow these recommendations with our Podcast Playlist for Finding Purpose and/or our curated selection of places to seek out a better work-life.
Have an article, talk, podcast, place, or other suggestion that helps you find your life’s purpose let us know.
The Generator Hub
Discover a coworking space in Exeter that has become a place where people can come and escape their own four walls, and meet other like-minded individuals (maybe even friends for life).
Located in a historic building in a stunning location on Exeter’s Quayside, the Generator Hub was the city’s first independent coworking space. Elizabeth Finnie, one of its three founders, takes us through how the Generator Hub has been helping its members shape both their businesses and their lives since 2012, and how it’s very much a coworking space with soul.
What is The Generator Hub? We are more than just bricks and mortar, we are a coworking space where people can work flexibly in a professional manner while being immersed in a diverse, interactive, and supportive community.
How did your space get started? When Neil Finnie (one of the founders) started a new business aimed at abolishing the status-quo of traditional and uninspiring internship schemes, he recognised that the participants attending his Corkscrew programs also needed to be immersed in real-time businesses to better grow their skills. At that time there were no co-working spaces in Exeter, so Neil launched not one, but two businesses simultaneously in order for them to complement each other. This is when The Generator Hub began, making Corkscrew one of its first members. Since then, The Generator has gone on to support hundreds of local businesses in many different capacities as well as the community where it is located.
How is your space different? Having grown organically we remain a very small team. Three out of four of the directors are based in the coworking space and play an active role in the community and day-to-day running of the space. We’ve also progressed approximately ten apprentices through business admin and event management roles, giving them the skills to move on to further employment. We also recognise that individuals and businesses are all unique and we will always take each situation on a case-by-case basis to give them a chance to grow and be successful.
We offer discounts for CICs, social enterprises, charities, and the NHS and adapt to people's ever-changing needs. We also like to get involved in the local community — attending local meet-up groups, supporting local networking groups by offering free space, and highlighting local events on our internal slides, newsletter and social posts.
Why is your space needed now? For many freelancers working alone, the Generator Hub has been a place where they can come and escape their own four walls, meeting other like-minded individuals and friends for life. Everyone is viewed as equal and, for many, it's a place to come and talk about issues both business-related and in their personal lives.
For small businesses, we are a great space to offer a more hybrid way of working — many companies now rotate larger teams so there is the flexibility to work from home some days and be part of the team others — again, this has really helped people’s health and wellbeing, This is particularly poignant after Covid and we feel with have maintained many people's mental well-being by just being here.
What do you offer people? We offer flexible working space options (hot desks, permanent desks, private offices), meeting rooms, registered addresses, a postal service, a reception service, and even showers on site. We organise Lunch & Learn events whereby we invite external speakers to promote their business/charity/initiatives, we hold internal talks to showcase our own members’ businesses and skills, and we arrange regular charity fundraising events. We have a meet-the-members wall and within the community, other events have grown, such as a curry club, a biscuit club, a running club, a CrossFit club, and 5-a-side football — the list is ever-growing.
How can people be inspired by your space wherever they are? We have regular social posts on Instagram and Facebook, alongside promotions of things going on in and around Exeter (on LinkedIn). We also have a monthly newsletter that highlights all the things that have been going on in the space and future things to come — as well as a community insider highlight to introduce our members to others.
What do people need to know? We are fully up and running again after Covid and we welcome any business to talk to us about their needs.
We also have a big emphasis on sustainability, people, and the planet. Having very recently started on the B-Corporation journey, we hope to make our business better for the people that work for us, the community and the environment. We are looking at trialing a 4-day work week for our employees, alongside ways to become net-zero.
Where inspires you? Nature — anything sea, river, stream, countryside.
Podcasts for Finding Your Purpose | The Spring Edit
We've curated a selection of our favorite podcasts about how we can best connect with our working lives and how we can think better about our emotional health as we go about finding our purpose.
“I’ve chosen opportunities where I might fail rather than live in the shadow of my own potential.”
Finding purpose. Isn’t that our life’s goal? Identifying what it is that excites us, that gets us to flow within our days, that shapes our working lives? But how do we go about doing that?
And when we find whatever it is that uniquely drives us, how do we then deal with everything that working life brings: the inevitable questions around work-life balance, how to be more productive, how to deal with failure or burnout, or even the Sunday night Scaries?
In this month’s playlist, we’ve pulled together some recent listens on how we can better think about our working lives and show up with more purpose, and more presence (the two we’ve found are often connected).
“Productivity is a trap. Becoming more efficient just makes you more rushed, and trying to clear the decks simply makes them fill up again faster. Nobody in the history of humanity has ever achieved “work-life balance,” whatever that might be, and you certainly won’t get there by copying the “six things successful people do before 7:00 a.m.” The day will never arrive when you finally have everything under control—when the flood of emails has been contained; when your to-do lists have stopped getting longer; when you’re meeting all your obligations at work and in your home life; when nobody’s angry with you for missing a deadline or dropping the ball; and when the fully optimized person you’ve become can turn, at long last, to the things life is really supposed to be about. Let’s start by admitting defeat: none of this is ever going to happen. But you know what? That’s excellent news.”
All these selections can be found in our Spotify Playlist for Purpose. You can listen here:
Let us know what you’ve been listening to this month to help you think about your professional life. Which podcasts have helped you think about how you spend your working days?
To seek out more resources for finding your own purpose take a look at our guide.
A Prescription for Everyday Life: Bath (Part 1)
In the first of a new series, we’ve brought together our favourite places in Bath to seek out for bringing more creativity, purpose, nature, awe, doing good and mental wellbeing into your life.
We’re starting a new series with local prescriptions for everyday life. Each month — maybe more often if we can get it together and the world keeps opening — we’ll focus on one location and tell you about the independents, the social spaces, the nature spots, the creative outlets, and the communities — that can help you have more good days.
First up, Bath, Claire’s new home town. We’ve been discovering this Georgian city beyond the tourist places and the Bridgerton version we’ve come to love. Within its crescent streets and hilly avenues, Bath holds many possibilities for helping us live more thoughtful lives. Here are some of our newly discovered places for finding more of what we need.
For Purpose: Cassia
A recent addition to Bath’s creative life, Cassia Coworking and Café opened on the riverside this spring and has already attracted those of us seeking to get out of our houses and back into a beautifully designed working environment that doesn’t have dirty clothes on the floor, the same four walls around us, or Netflix tempting us.
You can choose to work out of the café, or you can book a space in the study — in which case you get access to the Snug for private phone calls, tea, coffee and water brought to you regularly throughout the day and a supportive group of people around you making things happen too.
A lockdown-born dream founded by Anna Sabine and Tom Graham who wanted to combine the benefits of a café, coworking and bar in one place, Cassia proves the antidote to our languishing moments. And with a set of values that matches many of the companies and individuals who choose to work out of here, it's becoming our go-to place for reconnecting with a world we’ve long been locked out of.
For Nature: Botanica Studios
What started as a market stall is now a densely packed house-plant pop-up (and consultancy business) founded by plant stylist Alice Dobie.
There’s a warm welcome for both the faint-hearted and the more adept, for those willing but maybe not yet able to cultivate greenery in their own homes and those with a collection they adore and are hoping to build upon. Many plants here are chosen for their tolerance like Ceropegia woodii (string of hearts) and golden pathos, others for the touches that they might add to a space.
Here the aesthetic appeal of plants sits closely with their calming benefits and ties to our emotional health, with plants as companions in our days, particularly the stay-at-home ones.
For Doing Good: Share and Repair:
Many a time we’ve had a toaster or printer that we couldn’t fix (in spite of Youtube videos) and that ultimately ended up at the tip, when they might have been revived and returned to life in our homes.
Step in Share and Repair founded by local Lorna Montgomery which fixes just this problem by providing the space, the volunteers and the know-how to get things working again. Just having celebrated its fourth birthday, this community group and charity also offers How-to Sessions to learn repair techniques yourself.
And if you’re trying to reduce the amount that you consume, you can also rent popular appliances, tools, house and garden items, and even camping equipment, so there’s no use once and throwaway culture going on but rather an investment in a shared community cupboard (their Library of Things) from which we can all borrow.
For Mental Wellbeing: Urban Garden
Many years in the making, this social enterprise and garden center in Royal Victoria Park recently opened after three failed attempts due to the shifting COVID situation.
As much about people as plants, the Urban Garden is run by Grow Yourself a Community Interest Company (CIC) that helps young people get back into work and partners with the charity Grow for Life which offers horticultural therapy programs. The range of plants (cacti, terrariums, edibles, shrubs, perennials) stocked in its light-filled glasshouses include many that are grown on-site in partnership with BANES council and volunteers.
But Urban Garden is not just committed to supporting our mental wellbeing but also to helping the environment too, with initiatives to reduce single-use plastics that include offering refillable (non-peat-based) compost bags and making use of posipots for taking new plants home.
Urban Garden is still in its early stages. There are also plans for public workshops and a café on site.
If you’re curious about how gardening, particularly in a community, can help you feel better, check this one out.
For Awe and Wonder: Persephone Books
New to Bath, the charming Persephone Books brings some of its former home base of Bloomsbury to the city. This intimate bookstore showcases the independent Persephone publishing house founded in 1999 by Nicola Beauman – which The Observer has referred to as “The nearest thing British publishing has to a cult”.
Displayed across its shelves are each of Persephone’s 139 signature grey-jacked books by twentieth-century female writers, many from the mid-century and long-neglected. New to these writers, we found our way through with the helpful descriptors, some written by contemporary female cultural figures. Just choosing is a process of discovery, with short stories, memories, diaries, poems and cookbooks from writers you may already be acquainted with such as Virginia Woolf (A Room of One’s Own, no. 134) and Frances Hodgson Burnett (The Making of a Marchioness, no. 29), to many that may be new to you such as D.E. Stevenson (Miss Bundle’s Book, no.81) and Oriel Malet (Marjory Fleming, no. 17). A popular favourite is Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day (book no. 21) by Winifred Watson.
Seek out the table of books they wished they had published: including recent BBC hit The Pursuit of Love. With the office right there at the back of the store, you can absorb the magic of book-making, while in the space upstairs there are plans for programs to support local writers.
There’s a palpable sense of reclaiming at Persephone – of the books that were almost lost, of lives often rushed through and here slowed down, of a love of reading often pushed aside by aimless scrolling. It marks a coming home for writers, the lives they trace, and for women’s creativity itself. Also for ourselves as we’re inspired to sit with a good book over a mug of tea.
Additionally, try: Mr. B’s Emporium of Reading Delights | Topping and Company | Magalleria
For Creativity and Culture: A Yarn Story
A University of Kentucky report recently claimed that our emotional well-being and self-esteem can be boosted by just one craft session. Inspired, we headed to A Yarn Story, on Bath’s artisan Walcot Street, which has been making space for the craft of knitting and crocheting since 2015.
Founded by west coaster Carmen Schmidt (from Oregon by way of Germany and Ireland), the store offers thoughtfully sourced patterns, tools and yarns, with many natural, hand-dyed, and even organic (Garthenor) on offer. It's designed for both the novice and the seasoned maker in mind with workshops and events to bring like-minded people together and refine skills (when times don’t allow for in-person there are virtual knit-nights).
Its fan base regularly celebrates this store as one of the best yarn shops in the country. We love it for its friendly service, with staff enthusiastically sharing ideas for projects and excitement over textures and colours.
On a recent visit, we were guided to the kits of Toft as a good starter project. We also discovered Nordic Knit Life magazine Laine and 52 Weeks of Shawls while there. One to seek out if you’re looking to bring more creativity into your life. In the words of Maya Angelou — once quoted on the store’s windows — ‘You can’t use up creativity…the more you use, the more you have.
Additionally, try: Meticulous Ink
Local to Bath? Let us know where we’ve missed? Where would you add to this Prescription for Everyday Life? Tell us the thoughtful places in Bath that help you find your way in the world.
In Part 2, we’ll cover our favourite places in Bath for Spirituality & Meaning, for Mind & Body Connection, for Untethering, and for Connection & Community. Have ideas for where we should feature in these categories? Reach out to us here.
And if you’re interested in writing about your city, complete this form and tell us where you seek out.
Friends Work Here
A Brooklyn coworking space that brings friendship together with purpose.
What is it: Coworking for Brooklyn creatives brought to you by Swiss Miss aka Tina Roth Eisenberg of some of our favorite endeavors: Creative Mornings, Tattly, Creative Guild, and the TeauxDeux app.
Why you’ll love it: This is not your usual coworking space. It very much embraces our lives in the round, the heart and the head, or applied to our working lives, relationships as much as purpose.
Situated on the third floor of a former factory building, it’s a 3,000 sq foot open plan space that ticks off all the design boxes: exposed brick, wooden floors, light strewing windows, as well as playful pillows, colorful magazine racks, indoor swing, and outdoor deck. There’s even occasionally live music on the fire escape. But it’s not just for hanging out, the other aspect of the space is dedicated to the needs of the professional freelancer with dedicated workstations, a conference room, phone booths, and the ubiquitous whiteboard.
Actually, scratch that, though this space is divided into the loungy and the worky, the ethos is very much that magic happens everywhere – over potluck lunches, in the kitchen making coffee, accidental conversations between meetings. Those interactions build relationships, but also create a web of inspiration and motivation in which to work.
What you need to know: Since 2015 when Friends Work Here morphed from Studio Mates, this has become a co-working community targeted at creatives — designers, illustrators, filmmakers, developers, authors, writers, photographers, and the professionally multi-hyphenated. The fact that it's situated in the same building as The Invisible Dog Art Center and the HQ of Creative Mornings, means there’s a close ecosystem of talented people to be inspired by.
Why we think it's special: Coworking that puts its people at its core. That shouldn’t be unusual but often the business model and need to scale take over, and members become another cog in the purpose-finding wheel. Friends Work Here does not take a one size fits all approach but rather prides itself on bringing together people who fit in with its values — amongst these collaboration, curiosity, kindness. The friends in its name is no accident; Members are carefully chosen to give themselves and the rest of the community the best chance of flourishing. Calling itself ‘a seriously heart-forward community’, competition and ego are not going to work well here, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be talented and invested in what you and the others around you are working on. Just that the work doesn’t get in front of being a person, even if the work is the reason you are there.
In their own words: “We welcome new members who are curious, take their side projects seriously, and who believe that collaborating is good for the soul. We love individuals who love what they do and continuously strive to grow and get better. We appreciate people who love the internet as much as we do. We want doers and kind souls.’
Something to take away from this space: Work doesn’t have to mean competition. Creativity can play nice. Both your practice and your life may better from it.
Lost at Home: Prompts for thriving while social-distancing
We’ve put together a quick guide for how to maintain your mental wellbeing while social-distancing.
We all have the same basic needs — even when we’re stuck at home. While If Lost Start Here generally focuses on the *places* we go to meet these needs, we’re pivoting and reassessing to find ways to meet them from home. From finding community and connection to discovering your own creative potential, we’ve collected some of our ideas for thriving while social distancing. Have something to add? Feel free to share ideas in the comments below! This is in no way an exhaustive list! (And of course, please share with anyone who may need a boost of inspiration!)
