Is This Anxiety or Just a Lack of Magnesium? (And Other Mind-Body Mysteries)

Ever feel off and have no idea why?
In this Q&A, we explore the messy space where your mind and body talk to each other — often in whispers, occasionally in yells. From gut feelings to breathwork to mystery symptoms, here’s what your body might be trying to say.

Q: Why do I feel weird today?

A: That’s the eternal question, isn’t it?

It might be:

• Hormones

• A fight with your sister

• A missed meal

• Perimenopause

• Not enough sunlight

• Too much coffee

• Something someone said in passing that burrowed into your heart like a tick

Or… it could be magnesium. (We’re only half-joking.)

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Q: How do I know what’s a mental health thing and what’s a physical thing?

A: The honest answer? You probably don’t — and neither do most of us.

That’s because your mind and body aren’t separate departments. They’re in constant conversation. That anxious feeling in your chest might be your nervous system gearing up. That foggy brain could be dehydration. That random wave of sadness might be emotional, hormonal, or both.

Here’s what science tells us:

• The gut-brain axis means what you eat can affect your mood (yes, even that kombucha matters)

• The nervous system can be soothed by breath, warmth, and gentle movement

• Inflammation is increasingly linked to depression and fatigue

• Sleep is your brain’s emotional housekeeping service

The more curious you are about your whole self — not just your thoughts — the more empowered you become.

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Q: Is it just me, or does anxiety show up in the body first?

A: Not just you.

Many of us feel anxiety in our bodies before we ever identify it mentally. Your jaw tightens. Your breath shortens. Your stomach flips. Your hands fidget. Then — if you pause long enough to ask — you realise: oh, I’m anxious.

Learning to read those signals can help you intervene earlier and more kindly.

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Q: So what helps?

A: Here are a few research-backed ways to support the mind-body connection — and your emotional state:

• Movement (the kind you don’t dread)

Even gentle walks boost serotonin and dopamine. Pick movement that matches your mood.

• Breathwork

A few long, slow exhales can activate the parasympathetic nervous system and calm stress.

• Gut Health

Emerging science suggests your microbiome is deeply linked to your mood. Fermented foods, fibre, and reducing ultra-processed food might help.

• Nervous System Regulation

Touch something warm. Take a shower. Rock gently. Even humming helps. All these stimulate the vagus nerve.

• Being Seen

Talk to someone — a therapist, a coach, a trusted friend. Co-regulation (the sciencey term for calming down in the presence of another) is real.

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Q: What if I still feel unsure about what’s going on?

A: That’s okay.

Sometimes the kindest thing you can do is notice, without needing to diagnose. Treat your body like a friend you’re just getting to know again. Ask it questions. Listen. Try something small. Then listen again.

This isn’t about mastering your biology. It’s about living in it .

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Your body isn’t the enemy. It’s the messenger.

So when things feel a bit off — don’t rush to fix. Get curious.
Could it be anxiety? Yes.
Could it be magnesium? Maybe.
Could it be both? Absolutely.

Let’s keep figuring it out — gently, curiously, together. Have you ever had a mind-body mystery? What helped you understand it better?

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Dancing Into Emotional Wellbeing: A Year of Living Well-ishly Begins

When was the last time you truly moved — not just walked or exercised, but swayed, spun, or laughed your way across a room?

For me, it was at a Friday morning disco class. I showed up, a little nervous, wearing all black but with bright turquoise trainers — a quiet nod to that day’s theme. My body, after a couple of midlife years of feeling rigid and cautious, was ready (though uncertain) to wake up again.

That class, led by the radiant Cheryl Sprinkler, became more than just a workout. It became a micro-adventure into reconnecting with my body, my emotions, and my life — and a surprising beginning to the year-long experiment I’m calling A Year of Living Well-ishly.

This month, we’re focusing on how our bodies might be speaking to us — and how we can learn to listen. One powerful way to start? Dance.

Why Dance? The Science Behind the Joy

Dance isn’t just fun; it offers a range of benefits for our emotional wellbeing. Here’s why moving to music can transform not only your body but also your mood and mind:

Emotional Regulation & Mood

Mood Lift & Stress Relief

Dancing to your favourite tunes releases endorphins, dopamine, and serotonin — the “feel good” chemicals that lift your spirits. Research shows that even a short dance session reduces stress, lowers cortisol, and boosts mood.

Processing Difficult Emotions

Sometimes, words just aren’t enough. Dance gives us a non-verbal way to express feelings like grief, frustration, or joy, helping us process what’s been sitting unspoken in our bodies.

Combating Depression & Anxiety

Structured dance programmes (even as short as six weeks) have been shown to significantly reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety — sometimes even outperforming other forms of exercise in emotional benefits.

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Embracing Yourself: Confidence, Growth & Body Positivity

Boosting Self-Esteem

Learning a new move or simply letting go in a dance class offers a real sense of achievement, building confidence and emotional resilience.

Body Acceptance

Dance encourages us to notice what our bodies can do, rather than focusing on how they look. Moving freely fosters self-compassion and a healthier body image — especially important for those in midlife navigating shifts and changes.

Resilience Through Movement

By reconnecting with your body, reducing stress, and staying present, dance helps you better manage life’s challenges and bounce back from emotional setbacks.

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The Power of Connection: Dancing Together

While dance can be deeply personal, it’s also beautifully communal.

Belonging & Community

Dancing in a group — whether in a church hall, at a party, or even a Zoom class — creates a shared rhythm, a sense of togetherness that fights isolation and fosters connection.

Shared Joy & Laughter

In that Friday disco class, it wasn’t just the music or the moves; it was the glances between women, the laughter when someone went right instead of left, the quiet understanding that we were all there for something bigger.

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Your Invitation: Join Me on This Well-ish Journey

This year, I’ll be sharing weekly (or so) micro-adventures — small but powerful experiments in feeling better, reconnecting with ourselves, and making wellbeing more playful and accessible.

This month’s theme: How are you listening to your body?

This week’s invitation: Try dancing — wherever and however you like. Take a class, dance in your kitchen, or just put on a song that makes your shoulders shimmy. To read more about how why I’m starting out with dancing click here.

Let’s do this together. Share your stories on Substack or socials, tell me what music moves you, and let’s build a community of women exploring what wellbeing means for each of us — imperfectly, joyfully, together.

Want extra support? Join The Wellery and join one of our two Co-Wells where we explore these themes in community.

How to Deal with Emotional Burnout in Midlife

Have you ever caught yourself thinking, Why am I so tired, so emotional, so unlike myself lately?

You’re not just “moody.”

You’re not just “failing to cope.”

You may be experiencing emotional burnout — and if you’re a woman in midlife, you’re far from alone.

Emotional burnout happens when your emotional reserves have been stretched thin for too long. You’ve been holding space for everyone else — your kids, your partner, your parents, your workplace — and slowly, silently, your own needs have slipped off the radar.

What makes this even more intense in midlife are the hormonal shifts happening under the surface. Perimenopause and menopause bring changes in estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone, which directly impact your body and brain — affecting mood, energy, focus, and resilience.

You’re not imagining this. You’re not weak. You’re human, and your body is asking you to pay attention.

Why You’re Feeling So Emotionally Burnt Out Right Now

For years, you’ve been the glue:

• Keeping the family running.

• Holding the emotional weight of relationships.

• Being the one everyone relies on.

But now? You’re snapping or withdrawing. You feel guilt and shame after emotional outbursts. You can’t figure out why you’re so exhausted or why small things set you off.

This is emotional burnout.

It shows up as:

• Constant tiredness, even after rest.

• Feeling numb, flat, or disconnected.

• Increased irritability or sadness over small triggers.

• A sense of “losing yourself” or wondering if you’ll ever feel balanced again.

And here’s the thing: hormonal shifts amplify all of this. Fluctuating hormones can disrupt serotonin and dopamine levels, making you more vulnerable to mood swings, anxiety, and emotional overload.

Getting the right support — including exploring options like HRT (hormone replacement therapy) where appropriate — can be part of the picture, alongside emotional tools and understanding.

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How to Start Moving Through Emotional Burnout

So, how do you begin to navigate emotional burnout in midlife? Here’s what we know from emotions coaching and recent research:

Understand the narratives you hold about your emotions.

Many women have been raised to believe that anger, frustration, or sadness are “bad” or “selfish.” But these emotions are signals — not flaws. Learning to recognise, name, and work with them (rather than push them down) is the first step toward healing.

Bring the body into the process

Emotions aren’t just in the mind; they live in the body. Gentle body scans, breathing exercises, or even mindful movement can help you reconnect with what you’re feeling — and release some of the emotional tension you’ve been carrying.

Separate yourself from your emotions

You are not your anger. You are not your exhaustion. These are experiences you are having, not identities you are becoming. This small shift can help you move from drowning in feelings to navigating them with more clarity.

Get the right support

Whether it’s therapy, HRT, emotions coaching, or a guided programme, you don’t have to figure this out alone. There is nothing to be gained for pushing through solo — and finding the right help can bring immense relief.

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When you start to untangle what you’re feeling, why you’re feeling it, and how your body is playing a role, you begin to see:

You are not broken.

You are not failing.

You are in a transition — one that’s asking for more understanding, more care, and better support.

With the right tools, you can move through emotional burnout toward a steadier, more resourced version of yourself.

Join the Waitlist: So Emotional — A Midlife Feelings Reset

We’ve designed this 4-week online course and community for women in midlife who want to better understand their emotions, reconnect with themselves, and gently shift how they carry their emotional weight. You’ll get to explore your emotional patterns and learn practical tools to manage overwhelm with other women going through it too and expert guidance from a Certified Emotions Coach.

Join the waitlist now to be first in line for early access, exclusive bonuses, and the support you deserve.

You don’t have to stay stuck in emotional burnout. Let’s find a way forward — together.

What Counts as Movement? (Hint: It’s More Than the Gym)

If the word exercise makes you feel instantly tired or judged, this post is for you.

Maybe you’re not a “gym person.” Maybe your yoga mat is gathering dust. Maybe you’re in a season where even walking around the block feels like a big deal. That’s okay. You’re not doing it wrong.

Movement doesn’t have to be about performance. It doesn’t even have to be about fitness.

Movement can be about feeling better. About reconnecting with yourself. About shifting your mood, easing your stress, or making space for something new to emerge.

Here are 10 kinds of movement that count — for your mental health, your emotional wellbeing, and your connection to your body.

1. Walking (Without a Step Goal)

Whether it’s a loop around the block or a lap of your living room, walking helps us process thoughts, reset nervous systems, and regulate emotions. You don’t need a Fitbit to feel the benefits.

2. Dancing in the Kitchen

Spontaneous dancing — even just a microbop while waiting for the kettle — releases endorphins and activates joy. Bonus points for music you loved as a teen.

3. Stretching Like a Cat

You know how cats stretch without guilt or agenda? Try that. No fancy sequence needed — just listen to where your body wants length, space, or breath.

4. Housework as Movement

Yes, vacuuming counts. So does gardening, scrubbing, rearranging. These everyday movements often offer rhythm and release, especially when paired with a good playlist.

5. Breathwork or Intentional Breathing

Not all movement is big. Breathing deeply and consciously moves the diaphragm, signals safety to your nervous system, and can dramatically change how you feel — in just a few minutes.

6. Playing With Kids (or Pets)

Chasing a toddler. Running with a dog. Even just sitting on the floor and reaching for toys or rolling a ball. This kind of unstructured play can be more effective for wellbeing than any structured workout.

7. Cold Showers or Warm Baths

Both are sensory experiences that stimulate the vagus nerve — a key player in nervous system regulation. (And yes, standing in a cold shower does count as movement.)

8. Embodied Practices Like Qigong or Yoga

These practices help us slow down and actually feel what’s happening in our bodies. They're less about performance and more about presence.

9. Micro-Adventures

A walk in a new neighbourhood. Climbing a hill you’ve never noticed. Paddleboarding on a Sunday morning. These small shifts in scenery and sensation can wake up body and spirit alike.

10. Rest as Resistance

Sometimes, what your body needs is stillness. Choosing rest — intentional, spacious, nourishing — is itself a radical act of embodiment.

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Movement doesn’t need to feel like punishment. It isn’t penance. Or even another box to tick.

It’s a way back to yourself.

The next time you feel overwhelmed, stuck, low or just a little disconnected, try moving in a way that feels good. Let your body take the lead.

Try This Today: What’s one form of movement that brings you joy or ease?
Can you make space for it — even just 5 minutes — today?

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HowTheLightGetsIn Festival

Perfect For

Anyone who feels most alive when they’re learning something new. For the curious, the restless, the thinkers and the dreamers—the ones who want their minds moved as much as their bodies.

Why You’ll Love it

Ideas sit so close to wonder here. New thinking propels your imagination forward, with academics out of the universities and into fairground fields, dancing late into the night.

You’ll spend your days soaking up mind-expanding discussions on subjects like black holes, AI, anxiety, and epidemiology, and your evenings beneath glitter balls at riverside discos or swaying to live music.

It’s a rare space where Nobel Prize winners and Grammy award-winners share the same billing—and where you leave feeling stretched in the best way.

What Makes It Special

HowTheLightGetsIn is the world’s largest philosophy and music festival (that these go together says it all). It’s not just about intellectual sparring or abstract debate—it’s about weaving ideas into real life, combining heavyweight talks with laughter, connection, and dance.

The magic comes from the mix: sitting under a tent roof in the afternoon listening to leading thinkers, then catching comedy sets or live bands as the sun goes down.

The Story Behind It

It all starts with the name.

“There is a crack in everything… that’s how the light gets in.”

These Leonard Cohen lyrics trace the festival’s origin story and tone. The “light” here is unarguably ideas—but also a reminder that light comes through imperfections, through play, through music, and through gathering. Held bi-annually, the festival takes over Hay-on-Wye each spring for one long, invigorating weekend, and Greenwich in the autumn for a shorter city edition.

The If Lost Take

HowTheLightGetsIn isn’t just about absorbing knowledge—it’s about feeling the spark of aliveness that comes when we expand. This festival offers intellectual adventure and playful escape all at once: a space to be both serious and silly, thoughtful and joyful, stretched and soothed. For anyone seeking a festival that feeds both brain and soul, this is your place.

Practical details

Location: Hay-on-Wye, Wales

Tickets: A range of options available, including day and Flexi passes. Under-25s and students receive a 40% discount; children under 12 attend free.

Accommodation: Choose from self-pitch camping, pre-pitched tents, or glamping.

Accessibility: The festival is committed to inclusivity, with accessible facilities and support.

More info & booking here

Why We Created a Wellbeing Guidebook (and What It Might Unlock for You)

What do we really need when we’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure of our next step? Not more noise. Not more sitting with our ever spiraling thoughts. Not pressure to fix or upgrade or optimise.

Often, we just need a place to pause.

A space that makes us feel something again.

Somewhere that helps us remember who we are.

That’s why we created our wellbeing guidebook—an ever-growing collection of feel-good, real-world places that support emotional wellbeing, gentle exploration, and the kind of connection that genuinely helps.

Because sometimes it’s the right place that can help us find our way back to ourselves.

Why Place Matters for Our Mental Wellbeing

Wellbeing isn’t just something we do in private with a journal, or during a one-hour class. It’s also shaped by the spaces we move through every day.

Whether it’s a forest walk, a quiet café, a workshop, a cold-water swim, or a tiny bookshop full of soul—the right space can ground us, support us, or simply give us a new perspective.

Science backs this too: studies show that spending time in certain environments—especially nature-connected or creativity-rich spaces—can lower anxiety, boost mood and regulate the nervous system.

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Connection Is Part of the Cure

The modern world is increasingly isolating. We’re online, overstimulated, and often emotionally undernourished.

But when we step into the right places—places that welcome, hold, inspire or comfort us—we’re reminded that we don’t have to do everything alone.

That might be a shared table at a local supper club. A movement class where no one cares what you look like. A gallery that sparks something long dormant. These places reconnect us: to others, to our bodies, to our creativity, and to the wider world.

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Why Exploring Out There Helps Us Explore In Here

You don’t have to travel far to feel a shift. Sometimes going just a few streets away can spark something powerful.

This guidebook isn’t about bucket lists or big-budget retreats—it’s about discovering destinations for wellbeing that feel human, thoughtful, and accessible. It’s about using the outer world to support your inner one.

Because when you change your environment, even briefly, you often change your story. And that’s where something new can begin.

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The If Lost Start Here Guidebook: What It Is

It’s not just a list. It’s a lovingly curated collection of spaces that help people feel better in real life. Every entry is chosen with care—not because it’s trendy, but because it offers something meaningful.

The guide features places that support:

• Mind–body wellbeing through movement or stillness.

• Creativity and self-expression

• Emotional support

• Connection with nature and community

• Experiences of awe, presence and joy

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Know a Place That Deserves to Be Seen?

If you run, own, or simply love a place that helps people feel better, we’d love to hear about it.

• Nominate your favourite space

• Apply to be featured

Because sharing these spaces matters—and someone out there might be looking for exactly what you offer and what you’ve found.

Want more like this?

Our newsletter offers small, thoughtful ideas for navigating everyday life—especially when things feel uncertain, busy or a bit off-track.

Think of it as your life companion: one part inspiration, one part practical support, always written with care.

Sign up here to receive occasional, meaningful emails from If Lost Start Here.

Daybreakers

Perfect For

Anyone who wants to move their body, feel amazing, and start their day with a serious spark of joy. Ideal for people craving connection, ritual, and something different before 9am.

Why You’ll Love It

What if your morning started with a DJ set, a dance floor, and a room full of strangers moving like no one’s watching—completely sober?

Welcome to Daybreaker: a global movement that turns wellness on its head.

Equal parts early-morning rave, mindful movement practice, and joy experiment, Daybreaker events are designed to wake up your body, uplift your spirit, and reconnect you with fun.

What Makes It Special

• Sober, high-vibe dance parties – No alcohol, no late nights—just sunrise dancing in iconic locations, from rooftops to museums.

• Movement: Without the pressure to get it right or look good while doing so.

• Community without dressing up– No velvet ropes, no staying awake beyond 9pm—just people who are there to feel good and connect.

The Story Behind It

Founded by Radha Agrawal in 2013, Daybreaker was born out of a desire for joyful connection and conscious community.

Radha, frustrated with traditional nightlife and craving something deeper, imagined a new way to gather: one rooted in wellness, intention, and playfulness.

What began as a 6am rooftop party in NYC has now grown into a global movement across 30+ cities—and counting.

Something Else We Love

We love how Daybreaker’s heart-led energy doesn’t stop at the dance floor—through its sister platform, the Belong Center, it’s creating deeper spaces for connection.

With courses, community gatherings, and creative initiatives like Belong Circles and Belong Benches, it’s all about helping people feel seen, supported, and part of something bigger.

The If Lost Take

We love Daybreaker because it reminds us that joy is a wellbeing practice. That dance floors can be about more than sticky surfaces. That community can be felt in a great song to dance to.

This is movement as a medium for joy, self-care as something done together and mornings reimagined as about more play rather than more productivity.

Some Practical Details

Global: pop-ups in cities worldwide

Website | Social Media

Living Shoulders Up: Why We Lose Touch With Our Bodies (and How to Gently Return to Them)

Ever feel like your head is doing all the work of being human? Like your brain is in charge of every decision, every worry, every next step—and your body is just there, trailing behind like an overworked assistant carrying too many bags?

Many of us are now living "shoulders up" — in our heads, from dawn till dusk. We analyse, plan, overthink, and rarely drop down into the quiet, often-overlooked wisdom of our physical selves.

But something impactful happens when we do.

Why We Leave Our Bodies in the First Place

It’s not your fault if embodiment doesn’t come naturally. Many of us learned early on to prize thinking over feeling. We were rewarded for being smart, productive, efficient — not necessarily for being present, grounded or intuitive.

Modern life doesn’t help. Screens dominate our days. Sitting is the default. Emotions are often something to manage, not feel. And somewhere along the way, we began to believe that our bodies were either a project to fix — or something to ignore.

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The Costs of Living From the Neck Up

Living disconnected from our bodies might feel normal, but it comes with hidden costs.

We miss early signals of stress or burnout until they become full-blown exhaustion. We override our hunger or sleep cues. We lose access to the small joys of being alive — the stretch of a shoulder, the warmth of a cup in our hands, the grounding feel of feet on earth.

More subtly, when we live only in our heads, we lose touch with something essential: ourselves.

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What It Means to Return to the Body

Coming back into the body doesn’t have to mean hour-long yoga classes or a new fitness routine (though it might include those if you love them).

It can start with something much smaller:

• A few deep breaths with your hand on your belly

• A walk where your goal is to feel your feet, not track your steps

• Stretching like a cat before you get out of bed

• Noticing what foods make you feel clear vs. cloudy

• Asking yourself, “What does my body need right now?” — and pausing long enough to listen

The key is to feel without needing to fix. To notice without judgment. To be curious about what your body is telling you, without rushing to control it.

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Why This Matters for Your Mental Health

The mind-body connection isn’t just poetic — it’s profoundly biological. Research now shows:

• Movement improves mood by stimulating neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine

• Gut health impacts emotional resilience through the gut-brain axis

• Breathwork regulates the nervous system, reducing symptoms of anxiety and overwhelm

When we tend to our bodies, we tend to our minds. It’s a two-way street, and walking it with care opens up emotional clarity, steadiness, and even joy.

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You Don’t Need to Be Good at This

One of the biggest myths in wellness is that embodiment has to look a certain way.

You don’t need to meditate every morning. You don’t need to go to Bali. You definitely don’t need to like kale.

You just need to start noticing. And from there, you can start choosing. Choosing what helps. What softens. What steadies. What lets you come back to yourself.

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An Invitation to Begin

This week, try one small thing:

• Lie down and put your hand on your chest. Feel your breath.

• Wiggle your toes when you’re on a Zoom call.

• Step outside, close your eyes, and feel the air on your skin.

Tiny practices. Huge shifts.

You don’t need to overhaul your life. You just need to arrive in it — one breath, one step, one body-listening moment at a time.

What’s one way you’ve gently returned to your body lately?

Let us know or forward this to a friend who needs the reminder that coming back to yourself doesn’t have to be hard. Just human.

Need more ways to well? Subscribe to our newsletter for a weekly dose of inspiration.

Nominate a Place That Helps You Feel Better

Because we all have spaces that hold us—and it’s time they were seen.

We all have them.

The café where something in you slows down.

The gallery that inspires awe.

The coworking space, the quiet bookshop, the yoga studio that helped you come back to yourself.

These are the feel-good places—the spaces that support us in real, everyday ways. And we want to share them.

Each month, we invite you to nominate a place that helps you feel better, and we'll select new entries to be added to our growing If Lost Start Here guidebook. Every nomination will also be entered into a monthly giveaway—for a wellbeing course, coaching session, or a planner bundle designed to help you navigate everyday life with a little more clarity and care.

What Is the If Lost Guidebook?

If Lost Start Here is a wellbeing guidebook for real life. It’s a curated collection of spaces, experiences and offerings that genuinely support emotional and mental wellbeing.

We don’t chase trends but rather look for places that offer:

• Calm when life feels chaotic

• Creativity when you feel stuck

• Comfort when you’re overwhelmed

• Connection when you’re alone

• Movement when you're going nowhere.

• Joy when joy feels far away

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What Counts as a Feel-Good Place?

We’re open-hearted but clear in our values. Here’s what we’re looking for:

• Real-life spaces that support wellbeing — not just in theory, but in experience

• Community-focused or intentionally crafted experiences

• Independently owned (or run with care and soul)

• Rooted in accessibility, inclusion and kindness.

From nature reserves to neighbourhood cafés, creative studios to cold water swims—if it helped you feel better, it belongs here.

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Why We Believe This Matters

So many of us are looking for small ways to feel more grounded, more seen, more at home in ourselves. And sometimes, a single space—a room, a walk, a gathering—can shift something in us.

The right place doesn’t solve everything. But it can soften the edges, reignite our curiosity, or give us the pause we didn’t know we needed.

By sharing these places, we’re helping others discover where they might feel held too.

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How to Nominate a Place

1. Think of a place that’s helped you feel better—recently or across your life

2. Complete this form and tell us a little about it:

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3. Each month, we’ll feature selected places in our guide

4. Every entry is also added to our giveaway draw for a free wellbeing course, coaching session or planner bundle

No need to write something perfect—just tell us why it matters to you. We’ll take care of the rest.

Browse the Categories

Need some inspiration? You can explore the categories we feature here:

Park Run

Perfect For

Anyone looking to reclaim movement as a joyful, social, accessible part of life. If you're trying to build consistency, shake off the emotional cobwebs or just do something kind for your body, start here.

Why You’ll Love It

If you’re looking for gentle accountability, fresh air, and a reason to lace up your trainers on a Saturday, parkrun is one of the most welcoming places to start.

These free, weekly, timed 5k runs are held in parks all over the world—open to all ages, all paces, and all intentions. Whether you're running, jogging, walking, or volunteering, parkrun is a simple and powerful reminder that movement feels better when it’s shared.

What Makes It Special

• Free and inclusive – No fees, no finish time pressure—just movement for the joy of it.

• Community without cliques – You’ll find everyone from elite runners to stroller-pushing parents and total beginners, all in it together.

• A weekly ritual – Show up, move your body, feel a sense of rhythm and reset.

The Story Behind It

parkrun started in 2004 with just 13 runners in a London park, created by Paul Sinton-Hewitt during a difficult period of his life. What began as a personal project quickly grew into a global movement.

The idea was simple but radical: free, community-led events that encouraged people to be active, connected, and outside, no matter their ability or background. Today, parkrun happens in over 2,000 locations across the world—powered entirely by volunteers, held together by community spirit.

Something Else We Love

That feeling of togetherness at the starting line—whether it’s your first or your hundredth parkrun. Plus, the coffee afterwards is basically a sacred part of the event.

parkrun has now gone international — with the idea taking off from Denmark to Japan.

The If Lost Take

We love parkrun because it strips movement back to what really matters: being outside, doing something positive for your body, and feeling like you belong. It’s a gentle nudge toward momentum—whatever that looks like for you.

Some Practical Details

Everywhere

Also try parkwalk & junior parkrun

Website | Social Media

What it means to be the centre of your own life again

There’s a quiet ache that often settles into the middle years.

You’re not lost in a crisis. You haven’t collapsed or broken down.

You’re functioning. Showing up. Managing things. Keeping everything afloat.

But somewhere inside it all, you’ve started to feel a little… peripheral.

Not just to others. But to yourself.

You wake up and step straight into roles — parent, partner, colleague, caretaker, decision-maker. You’re helpful. You’re dependable. You’re steady.

But you’re also tired. Not just physically — existentially tired.

Tired of being the background architecture for everyone else’s lives while quietly wondering where yours went.

And maybe you’ve begun to feel it — that subtle pull to come back to yourself.

To remember what you need, what you love, what you want (even if you’re not quite sure yet what those things are anymore).

Not in a dramatic, take-back-your-life kind of way.

But in a quieter, deeper way. A way that says:

> I get to take up space in my own life again.

Not just as a caretaker or facilitator or fixer — but as a human. A whole person. A centre.

Because for too long, many of us have lived around the edges of our own lives.

Making things work for everyone else. Being what was needed.

Fitting ourselves in between the gaps.

And that’s not wrong. But it’s not the whole story, either.

At some point, something inside you will ask — gently but firmly — to be seen again.

Not just by others. But by you.

You’ll want to feel more than functional.

You’ll want to feel tangible.

You’ll want to feel present.

You’ll want to stop passing yourself in the mirror like a stranger.

And that longing — that call back to centre — isn’t selfish. It’s sacred.

It’s a sign that something in you is still alive and still hopeful.

That there’s still a part of you that remembers who you are — or who you could be — if you gave yourself permission to come home again.

So what does it mean to become the centre of your own life again?

It means asking yourself what you want, not just what others need.

It means showing up for yourself in small, everyday acts — not just in emergencies.

It means tending to your inner world, even if it’s messy or unfamiliar.

It means letting your feelings matter.

It means letting your voice be heard — not because it’s louder, but because it’s yours.

It means saying: I matter here. I belong to myself, too.*

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Try this:

This week, ask yourself this one simple question each day:

> What’s one small thing I can do today that brings me back into focus?

That helps me feel real, visible, human — not just helpful?

Let the answers be small. Gentle. Imperfect. But yours.

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Midlife Coaching Sessions

Midlife can be a challenging time for women as we navigate through a multitude of changes.

As things – sometimes it feels like all the things – shift in this midpoint, so too does how we see ourselves, how we think about our lives, and how we consider what’s next. 

If you’re in midlife, these sessions will help you have a better relationship with this time.

You’ll discover how to navigate midlife and beyond in ways that feel more intentional and positive.

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If you’re feeling like you are no longer in your own story, subscribe to our newsletter about all things midlife. Discover how to show up in your life again.

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What If This Summer Wasn’t Just About Everyone Else?

You’re making summer work for everyone else. But what if you made space for yourself, too?

It’s that time of year again.

You’ve likely got the family calendar up, the holiday bookings in motion, the WhatsApp groups alive with BBQs and beach plans — and a low-level hum of pressure vibrating through your body.

You're trying to make it all work: childcare, work, travel, expectations.

You want this summer to feel joyful, easy, like something from a slow-living Instagram post. But if you're being honest? You're already tired. And it hasn’t even started yet.

There’s that familiar moment of wondering:

• Where do I fit into this season I’m planning for everyone else?

• When do I get to rest, reset, feel taken care of — not just needed?

• Is it wrong to want summer to give something back to me, too?

When summer feels heavy (and not just because of the heat)

We don’t talk enough about how intense summer can be — especially for women who are the organisers, the emotional holders, the ones creating the so-called magic.

Behind the joy and brightness, there’s often:

• The mental load of planning and juggling

• The invisible work of keeping others happy

• The loss of rhythm and routine that leaves you untethered

• The pressure to make it memorable — without falling apart

Even the things we’re supposed to enjoy can become another to-do: the family holiday that’s more logistics than rest, the BBQs that drain more than connect, the daily question of how do I keep everyone occupied and happy today?

No wonder you’re staying up later and later, just for a slice of quiet.

No wonder the mornings feel harder.

No wonder you’re beginning to feel like summer is happening around you — not with you in it.

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Why naming it matters

Here’s the thing we’ve found: feeling flat, resentful or emotionally absent during summer doesn’t make you ungrateful. It makes you honest.

Because beneath all the busyness, what you might really be craving is:

• A moment that’s just yours

• A sense of clarity about how you feel and what you need

• A space that doesn’t require you to be “on”

• The relief of being seen, supported, and reminded you matter too

This isn’t about doing less for others. It’s about doing something for yourself.

Because you’re a person in this season too — not just the person keeping it all going.

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Three small ways to shift the shape of your summer

You don’t need to overhaul everything. You don’t need a solo yoga retreat (unless you want one!). You just need one small shift in your direction.

Here are three starting points:

1. Give yourself a headline

If your summer had a title, what would it be? Not the one about planning and packing — but the one for you. Maybe it’s “the summer I slowed down,” or “the summer I felt more present.” Naming it changes how you show up for it.

2. Create a “me list”

Not a bucket list, not another set of expectations — just a list of 5 things that make you feel more you. Tea alone in the garden. Finishing that book. A swim without company. Circle one and plan it in this week.

3. Plan one thing you don’t have to plan

Let someone else hold the structure for a change. Choose a podcast series, a gentle course, or even just a stack of journaling prompts that arrive without you doing the thinking. Let it feel easy. Let it be enough.

And this is where we can help

We created the Summer Wellcation for women like you — the ones holding it all, hoping for more, and not knowing where to find a moment that feels like theirs again.

It’s a 4-week do-anywhere experience that starts August 4.

Here’s what you’ll receive:

• Daily “postcard” lessons — quick, beautiful reflections that help you ground, pause and feel

• Self-coaching prompts, journaling, creative invitations and micro-adventures

• 4 weekly facilitated meet-ups with a small, like-minded group (gentle, supportive)

• Delivered via course platform or app so you can engage wherever summer takes you

Whether you read your prompts in the park, journal in the car while waiting for summer camp to end, or just read quietly with your tea — this is your moment in the day.

Let this be the summer you don’t forget yourself.

You're already making sure everyone else has what they need.

Let this be the part of summer that gives something back to you.

We start August 4, but you can sign up now — and know you’ve got something in place just for you when you need it most.

Explore the Summer Wellcation and reserve your spot.

Early Bird Pricing: $89 until 1 July (then $129)

Because you deserve more than survival this summer.

“I Feel Disconnected from Myself”: What That Means and How to Gently Reconnect

What does it mean to feel disconnected from yourself?

If you’ve ever caught yourself saying, “I don’t even know who I am anymore”, you’re not alone.

Maybe you’re functioning, showing up to work, replying to texts, putting dinner on the table. But something feels off. It’s like your life is happening around you, not with you in it. You feel like a background character in your own story.

You might be:

• Forgetting what used to bring you joy

• Snapping at the people you love and not knowing why

• Looking in the mirror and barely recognising the person staring back

• Feeling emotionally flat one minute, anxious or overwhelmed the next

• Wondering if this is burnout… or just how life is now

These feelings are hard to articulate and even harder to admit. But they might be signs that you’ve lost connection with yourself. And that can be more common than we think.

Why it happens

Disconnection often creeps in quietly. You get busy. You keep going. You take care of the people around you. You do what needs to be done. And somewhere along the way, you stop asking:

• What do I want?

• What matters to me now?

• How do I feel, really?

Life piles up. Responsibilities grow. Your attention goes everywhere but inward. Over time, you become more like a to-do list than a person. You might still smile and perform, but inside, something is missing. You’re exhausted — not just physically, but emotionally. And the idea of pausing to tune into yourself? That feels overwhelming too.

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You are not broken but maybe you are worn thin

Feeling disconnected doesn’t mean you’re doing life wrong. It doesn’t mean you need to start over, or reinvent yourself, or fix everything overnight. It might mean though that you’ve been surviving, not thriving.

And it’s entirely possible, with kindness and support, to shift from that place of disconnection into one that feels more engaging, more anchored, and more you.

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Small ways to begin reconnecting with yourself

Here are some practical ways to start rebuilding that connection:

1. Name what you’re feeling

It might be sadness, confusion, frustration — or all of it. Putting words to emotions can reduce their hold over you. Try journaling a few lines without pressure. Start with: “Right now, I feel…”

2. Take one small “self” moment a day

Not bubble baths or detox teas (unless those truly help you). Think: a quiet coffee, standing in the sun, turning your phone off for ten minutes. Reclaim tiny moments of stillness that are yours.

3. Reconnect with your senses

When you feel numb or distant, grounding through the senses helps. Step outside and notice five things you can hear. Light a candle you love. Put on music from a time when you felt more like yourself.

4. Talk to someone who can help

Sometimes we need another person to hold up a mirror A coach can help you explore where you are, what matters to you now, and what’s possible from here.

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What would it feel like to feel more like yourself again?

I work with women in midlife who are navigating burnout, low self-esteem, anxiety, and a deep disconnection from themselves. Through warm, non-judgemental coaching, we create a way back to your confidence, energy and emotional wellbeing, one step at a time.

Book a free 20-minute discovery call to see how we might work together or learn more about our Lost Sessions here.

Even if you’re not sure what you need, reaching out could be your first moment of reconnection.

Micro Adventures: The Antidote to Everyday Inertia

What needs fixing?

Maybe nothing is wrong, exactly. But still, everything feels... flat.

I glance at my calendar and see the work I care about, the family I love, the home that holds me.

And yet, life has shrunk.

To Zoom calls, WhatsApp groups, to-do lists, "have you bought milk?" texts, and "where’s my homework?"

Somewhere along the way, the edges disappeared. The colour faded.

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How do I feel about this?

I felt grateful — but restless. Safe — but stuck.

So I tried something. A small act of rebellion: I booked a disco dance class. On a Friday morning.

Weekdays are usually sacred for work, but there was this pull… a longing to break the inertia.

Apparently, what I needed was an instructor in neon spandex asking us to groove to 80s tracks.

That morning felt like the beginning of something — not a big reinvention, just a small return.

It wasn’t about fitness. It wasn’t about routine. It was about feeling something again.

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So what’s the counter view?

We’re told wellbeing is about green juices, retreats, and rigid routines.

But what if it's also about tiny, regular interruptions to the ordinary?

Joyful ones. Playful ones. Silly ones. Local, affordable, non-performative ones.

Ones that don’t require you to overhaul your life — just to step sideways from it, for a moment.

That’s how the idea of weekly wellbeing micro adventures was born.

The Micro Adventure Manifesto

Here are the gentle rules I’ve made for myself as I try this out:

With other people.

The research (and our hearts) say we feel better when we’re connected. So these adventures include others — even if we just smile at the person on the mat next to us.

Affordable.

If it works, I want to repeat it. This isn’t about a £90 spa day — it’s about a £9 drop-in class or a free gallery stroll.

Local.

My wellbeing is tied to the places I actually spend time in. I’m curious about what’s already around me.

Not in the evenings.

Evenings are full. Of fatigue, of responsibilities. So where I can, I’ll adventure earlier in the day.

Once a week.

Just one thing. One moment that helps me feel more like myself again.

One theme at a time.

Creativity, awe, rest, movement — I’ll focus on one wellbeing theme at a time to keep it doable (and memorable).

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What will this change?

Already, something is shifting. I feel a little more awake. More playful. More willing.

Not because I’m fixing myself, but because I’m reconnecting. With joy. With curiosity. With the aliveness I’d let go quiet.

This isn’t self-optimisation.

It’s self-reclamation.

Want to try your own weekly wellbeing micro adventure?

Here are 5 questions to get you started:

• What’s pulling at you right now?

• What’s your version of a disco class?

• What do you want to feel more of?

• What wellbeing area are you most curious to explore?

• What are your rules for adventure?

Want to come along with me? Follow along on Substack.

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For weekly inspiration to start your own micro adventure practice, sign up for our newsletter. Get real-life ideas, gentle encouragement, and wellbeing stories worth reading.

Let’s see what becomes possible — one tiny, joyful interruption at a time.

Bridging the Gap: 5 Everyday Learnings About Connection and Loneliness from the World Happiness Report

Are you feeling a bit lonely, even when life is full? You’re not the only one.

Busyness doesn’t always protect us from disconnection. In fact, it can hide it. You move from meeting to message to moment — but where’s the connection in that?

The World Happiness Report 2025 makes one thing clear: loneliness is more than a passing feeling. It's a wellbeing risk. But it also shows there are small, human ways to reconnect — not by overhauling your life, but by gently rethinking your days.

This year’s report pulled together global data and powerful insights — not to pressure us into forced happiness, but to show where connection truly lives, and why it matters more than ever.

Here are five takeaways that offer do-able ways to feel more grounded and connected, especially when you’re feeling out of step with yourself or others.

These are not radical lifestyle shifts. They’re small, nourishing practices that can help you gently move from disconnected to connected — one interaction, one cup of tea, one kind thought at a time.

1. Sharing Meals Is More Than Just Eating

People who regularly eat with others are happier. It’s not about the food; it’s about the moment. Whether it’s a family meal, lunch with a colleague, or a spontaneous snack with a friend, the act of eating together fosters social bonds. The report even links solo dining with rising loneliness in places like the U.S.

Everyday Practice: Try to share at least one meal a week with someone else — in person if possible, but even virtually counts. It’s a gentle reminder you’re not alone in the world.

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2. Kindness Feels Better When It's Genuine

Doing something kind can lift your mood — but why you’re doing it matters. The report found that helping others boosts our wellbeing most when it comes from a place of care, not performance. Kindness that’s quietly given for its own sake is the kind that restores us.

Everyday Practice: Hold the door, make the call, send the message — not to tick a box, but to offer something good to the other person. Your intention counts.

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3. Your Brain Might Be Getting It Wrong

We often assume social interactions will be draining or awkward. But science says otherwise: most of us feel better after a meaningful exchange — whether it’s thanking a barista or talking to a stranger on the train. Our brain’s predictions about discomfort tend to be off.

Everyday Practice: Gently challenge those inner stories. Speak up in small ways. Ask the question, start the chat, send the compliment. You may be surprised at how good it feels.

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4. Micro-Connections Matter More Than You Think

We often chase deep relationships as the gold standard, but the report reminds us: even small, fleeting interactions can lift us. Talking to a neighbour. Smiling at a stranger. Waving to the person walking their dog.

Everyday Practice: Notice and nurture your "weak ties" — those looser connections that still offer warmth and recognition. They stitch our days together more than we think.

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5. Treat Connection Like a Health Essential

One standout stat: loneliness can impact your health as much as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. That’s not a scare tactic — it’s a call to treat social wellbeing as seriously as sleep, food, and movement.

Everyday Practice: Schedule social time into your week as you would a walk or a meal. Don’t wait until it’s urgent. Make it part of your life maintenance.

Loneliness isn’t something you have to power through or pretend isn’t there. And you don’t need to be in crisis to deserve more connection.

You deserve to feel part of something.

You deserve time and space to feel like yourself again.

If you’re curious about small, everyday ways to feel better, sign up to our newsletter. It’s full of ideas, reminders, and resources that meet you where you are.

Get ideas that feel good.

Bristol Lido

Perfect For

Anyone craving a reset without leaving the city—whether that’s through movement, stillness, warmth or just a little space to think again.

Why You’ll Love It

Hidden behind a row of Georgian townhouses in Clifton, Bristol Lido is one of those places that feels like a secret well-being sanctuary in the middle of the city.

At its centre is a sparkling, heated open-air pool (to 20-24 degrees year around — these things matter), surrounded by steam rooms, saunas, treatment rooms and a restaurant overlooking the water.

Whether you’re trying to glide through the water, floating under grey skies, or warming up with a post-swim coffee, it’s the kind of place that grounds you in your body and quiets your mind—without ever leaving the city.

What Makes It Special

• A historic city-centre oasis – Originally opened in 1850, lovingly restored into a modern, serene space for rest and movement.

• Connection built in — Experience one of the supper clubs and make friends beyond your bathing suit.

• Eat well, feel well – The poolside restaurant feels like a genuine treat—nutritious, seasonal food from local sources.

The Story Behind It

Rescued from dereliction and reopened in 2008, Bristol Lido was brought back to life by a group who believed in reimagining the public bathing experience for modern life. They’ve since expanded their vision to Reading with the Thames Lido.

Something Else We Love

Outdoor swimming always feels like a mini-holiday, particularly when the pool is in its own courtyard and has those cute Victorian changing rooms. You also don’t need to be a member: two hour guest swims are available with pre-booking.

The If Lost Take

We love Bristol Lido because it’s a reminder to slow down even in the busiest of cities. You don’t need a full retreat—sometimes all it takes is 45 minutes, a pool, and a moment to connect with ourselves again.

Some Practical Details

Oakfield Place, Clifton Bristol, BS8 3BJ

Website | Social Media

Motherhood Is Not a Solo Act: Why Maternal Mental Health Needs a Village

What if the real reason you feel overwhelmed as a mother isn’t because you’re doing it wrong — but because you’re doing it as a solo act?

We tell new mums to "ask for help" while designing a world where help is hard to come by. We expect women to raise children with invisible villages that no longer exist — and then wonder why so many feel isolated, anxious, or not like themselves.

The truth is, most of us weren’t meant to mother in silence.

In many parts of the world, new parents are surrounded by elders, neighbours, friends — not just in celebration, but in the daily. Someone to hold the baby so you can shower. Someone to make you a meal, or simply ask how you really are — and stay long enough to hear the answer.

But the modern shape of motherhood, especially in the West, has become something else entirely: isolated, individualised, and weighed down with unrealistic expectations. You’re meant to bounce back, keep it together, and somehow find time to “enjoy every moment.”

And when you can’t? It feels like a personal failing — not a systemic one.

This isn’t just a poetic longing for the “village” of old — it’s backed by science. Research shows that poor social support is one of the strongest predictors of postpartum depression and anxiety. And when we do have support — emotional, practical, or peer-based — we’re more resilient, less likely to burn out, and more likely to feel connected to ourselves as well as our child.

We need to talk more openly about the real emotional cost of isolated motherhood, and build alternatives that honour the full spectrum of maternal experience.

Motherhood is not a solo act — it was never meant to be.

You don’t need to carry the emotional load alone. Whether you’re finding your way after birth, deep in the shifts of matrescence, or simply exhausted from holding it all — you deserve space, reflection, and support.

It might look like listening to the Not Calm Mums series on the Calm app while you rock the baby to sleep. It could be a quiet walk with a friend who asks how you are. A supportive conversation with a therapist or accredited coach who doesn’t judge.

A visit to the World Maternal Mental Health Day website to see what help is available in your country. Joining a WhatsApp group of mums who are awake at 3am too. Or a future moment — like our Everyday Retreat or Summer Wellcation — to reconnect with yourself and others.

Because your needs matter too. And you deserve support that feels real, accessible, and kind.

We believe your wellbeing is worth investing in. Not just for your children, but for you.

Other Support That Might Help

Support doesn’t have to be loud or complicated. Sometimes it’s a quiet reminder that you’re not alone. Here are a few places and resources that offer care, connection, and calm — whether you're a new mum, deep in the school years, or simply someone carrying a lot:

• Not Calm Mums – Calm App: Real talk and realistic moments from the Calm team — designed just for mothers who feel, well, not calm.

• Motherkind Podcast: Honest conversations on motherhood, mental health, and finding a deeper sense of self.

• World Maternal Mental Health Day: Learn more about the global movement, find local initiatives, and access maternal mental health support by region.

• Postpartum Support International: A hub for international help — including support groups, helplines, and professional referrals.

• Pandas Foundation: Offers a free helpline, support groups, and resources designed to meet parents exactly where they are.

• The Motherhood Group: An award-winning platform centering Black mothers' experiences of matrescence, mental health, and systemic barriers.

• Happy Mum, Happy Baby: Giovanna Fletcher’s podcast and platform is packed with non-judgemental, emotionally honest interviews about parenting, identity, and mental health.

• Mothers Who Make: A peer support network for mothers who are artists, creatives, or makers.

• Local library baby-and-me groups / playgroups: Sometimes support is as simple as showing up for rhyme time and chatting to another parent.

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Let’s Stay Connected

At If Lost Start Here, we don’t believe you should have to navigate this alone. Whether you’re looking for everyday wellbeing guidance, 1:1 support, or group experiences like our Summer Wellcation, we’re here to walk alongside you.

Join our mailing list to hear about ways we can support you — coaching sessions, courses, and gentle check-ins for your emotional wellbeing.

Join the List for More Guidance and Connection

Festivals That Move You: 5 Mind–Body Gatherings to Bookmark This Summer

When we talk about mind–body wellbeing, we often imagine yoga mats, silent retreats, and solo meditations. But what if feeling well could be louder, looser, and shared with thousands of others under open skies?

These festivals go beyond the traditional wellness format—they bring together movement, music, community, and nature in ways that are joyful, embodied, and deeply connecting.

Here are five to discover:

1. Love Trails Festival

10 — 13 July, 2025 | Gower Peninsula, Wales

A festival where trail running, adventure, and music are brought together, Love Trails is for those who see movement as a form of freedom. Morning runs, cold dips, wild swims, yoga sessions, and night-time dancing—it’s about moving through the weekend with curiosity and community. If you’ve ever wanted to combine endorphins with exploration, this one’s for you.

The If Lost Take:

We love it because it proves that fitness can be soulful and adventure can be mindful.

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2. Boardmasters

Wednesday 6 – Sunday 10 August, 2025 | Newquay, Cornwall

Surf. Skate. Sounds. Set against the cliffs and beaches of Cornwall, Boardmasters blends a coastal lifestyle with world-class music and wellness. Think: morning beach yoga, breathwork, cold water therapy, surf sessions, and then dancing under the stars to big-name DJs. It's a sun-kissed reset that brings together body and rhythm, rest and exhilaration.

The If Lost Take:

This is wellbeing for the wave-chasers, sea-dippers, and free spirits who feel better with sand between their toes.

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3. Wellnergy Festival

13th & 14th June, 2025 | Wimbledon Park, London

Wellnergy blends fitness, mindfulness, music, food, and mental health into a one-day experience that’s accessible, thoughtful, and full of positive energy. With talks from psychologists, live workouts, laughter yoga, and nourishing food stalls, it’s designed for those looking to dip into lots of feel-good tools without the overwhelm.

The If Lost Take:

We love how welcoming and inclusive this festival is—a taster menu of wellbeing, served with heart and good vibes.

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4. Wilderness Festival

31 July — 3 August, 2025 | Cornbury Park, Oxfordshire

Wilderness mixes music, wild swimming, feasting, wellbeing workshops, and open-air theatre into one of the UK’s most beloved boutique festivals. The Sanctuary area offers everything from forest bathing to dynamic yoga and fire rituals. This is where mind-body meets wild creativity, and you’ll leave sweaty, inspired, and maybe a little changed.

The If Lost Take:

It’s a beautifully curated pause from real life—a reminder of what’s possible when we come back to our bodies and the land.

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5. Verve Festival

Saturday 13 & Sunday 14 September, 2025 | Wiltshire, UK

Tucked into the Wiltshire countryside, Verve is a small, beautiful wellbeing festival designed to restore and uplift. Think open-air yoga, creative workshops, soulful conversations, forest walks, live music and seasonal food, all with a focus on mindful, meaningful living. Intimate, accessible, and community-led, it’s one of the UK’s best-kept secrets for a conscious weekend in nature.

The If Lost Take:

We love Verve for its intentional pace and gentle spirit—a space where wellbeing feels joyful, local, and connecting..

These festivals invite you to move differently, connect deeply, and come back to yourself—through rhythm, nature and shared joy. Whether you're craving a hit of endorphins, a soulful workshop, or a dancefloor under the stars, there's a mind–body gathering waiting to meet you this summer.

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Want more ideas like this? Join our mailing list for thoughtful guides, small shifts, and fresh inspiration on how to feel better in everyday life—no festival wristband required.

Frome Boulder Rooms

Perfect For

Anyone who wants to move, build strength, and challenge themselves in a fun, supportive environment—whether you’re an experienced climber or just looking for a new way to move your body and clear your mind.

Why You’ll Love It

Frome Boulder Rooms is a climbing gym that encourages movement, strength, and connection.

Designed for all levels—from complete beginners to seasoned climbers—this state-of-the-art bouldering centre offers a welcoming environment where you can challenge yourself, learn new skills, and build confidence one climb at a time.

Whether you’re here to push your limits, train with friends, or just have fun on the walls, this is a place where movement and community come together.

What Makes It Special

• A modern bouldering facility – Thoughtfully designed walls with routes for all abilities, from easy climbs to serious challenges.

• More than just climbing – Strength and conditioning areas, coaching, and movement classes to support every aspect of your training.

• A welcoming space – A friendly, inclusive atmosphere where you can climb at your own pace, whether you're here for fitness, fun, or flow.

The Story Behind It

Founded by a team of passionate climbers, Frome Boulder Rooms was created to make climbing more accessible, more social, and more fun.

With a mission to build a space where movement meets community, they designed a centre that isn’t just about strength—it’s about mind-body connection, confidence, and progression.

Whether you’re tackling your first climb or working on advanced techniques, this is a space where everyone is encouraged to learn..

Something Else We Love

The friendly, community-driven vibe—Frome Boulder Rooms isn’t just about scaling the walls; it’s about sharing the experience. Whether it’s a social climbing night, a women’s session, or coaching for all abilities, this is a place where support and encouragement come as standard..

The If Lost Take

We love Frome Boulder Rooms because it proves that climbing isn’t just about reaching the top—it’s about the process. Whether you’re here for fitness, focus, or fun, this space reminds us that every challenge can be tackled one move at a time..

Some Practical Details

Frome, Somerset, UK

Website | Social Media

What if feeling is the way through, not the problem?

For a long time, I thought the goal was to feel less.

Less overwhelmed. Less anxious. Less reactive.

Less emotional, less sensitive, less tangled up inside.

Because that’s the message we so often receive — that feelings are inconvenient, messy, indulgent, or something to be managed, tidied, improved.

We learn to ask: What’s wrong with me? Why can’t I just feel better? Why do I keep reacting like this?

We get good at staying composed.

We learn how to keep the peace, keep the plates spinning, and keep functioning — even when something inside us is quietly aching, aching, aching.

And yet… the more I tried to control how I felt, the more disconnected I became.

Not just from other people, but from myself.

Because somewhere along the way, I’d started treating my feelings as problems. Something to get past. Something to rise above. Something to fix.

But what if they weren’t?

> What if feeling is the way through, not the thing to push past?

What if that low hum of irritation has something important to say?

What if the teariness isn’t weakness, but a signal that something in you still longs to be seen?

What if the numbness isn’t failure, but the body’s way of saying this has been too much for too long?

What if our feelings aren’t dysfunctional — but direction?

What if they’re maps, not mess?

And what if the only thing we need to do is listen?

Not fix. Not perform. Not perfect.

Just pause long enough to name what’s actually there.

I’ve started doing that more often. Just naming the emotion — even quietly to myself.

Not the surface-level one (“I’m stressed”), but the real one underneath.

I use a simple practice: naming the layers of what I’m feeling.

Sometimes what I call “busy” is really anxious.

Sometimes what I call “flat” is actually grief.

Sometimes what I call “nothing” is just too much noise in too many directions.

And every time I name it, something softens.

I don’t suddenly feel amazing.

But I feel real. I feel here. I feel true to myself, even if I’m still in the middle of something I can’t quite explain.

And maybe that’s the point.

Not to get rid of our feelings.

But to walk through them, with gentleness, and find our way to ourselves again.

Because you don’t need to be less emotional.

You just need to be allowed to feel — in your own time, in your own language, in a life that’s allowed to be complex and layered and messy and still deeply beautiful.

You’re not broken because you feel everything.

You’re not behind because you feel nothing today.

You’re not wrong for needing more softness, more space, more time.

You’re human. And you’re allowed to feel all of it.

That’s not weakness. That’s wisdom.

Our Emotions Coaching for Midlife Sessions

Unsure of what you’re feeling in midlife? Our 1:1 emotions coaching session offers a supportive space to explore all your emotions — whether that’s anxiety, sadness, or something else.

Learn how a greater understanding of your emotions can help with shifts in relationships, career, self-identity, and more.

Discover how our emotions coaching sessions for midlife can help you make sense of all you’re feeling, or even resisting, right now.

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If you’re struggling with all you are feeling in midlife (or trying not to feel), subscribe to our newsletter for practical skills and new perspectives on navigating this time of your life.

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