Journal

The two-headed Damaru drum, known as the ‘Shiva drum’ in the Hindu religion but also used in Buddhism for chanting, can be used as part of an active meditation practice. Here, we explain what it is, where it originates and how to use it…

If you’d like to try sound healing on yourself, get a pair of Tingsha bells and enjoy the resonant ‘ting’ you create as they gently bang together. Here’s how it can help your mental health and general energy flow…

“My spiritual practices have come out of having a business, which forces you to do a lot of self-development and self-discovery. Along the way I’ve discovered a whole host of spiritual practices that aid me in business and in the rest of my life,” says marketing expert and entrepreneur Josephine Brooks… 

What does it mean if you see a cow in the fields, or if a cow appears your dream? Here, Annie Ridout shares the spiritual symbolism of cows, inspired by the Hindu faith…

“Mum and I were like witches at midnight: drawing cards, writing with the guides and channelling all sort of wonderful things,” says Charlie Christie, founder of Thyme with Charlie. Here, we talk spiritual beginnings, following your intuition and growing a global sound healing brand…

When I was in my mid-20s, I left London to live in Somerset for two years. Now that I was living much closer to my grandma – around a 40-minute drive – I would visit her every week. We’d go for a coffee and talk about her past. I love hearing about the lives of… Read More »The spiritual symbolism of numbers and same-number sequences

In recent months, the Lucky Girl Syndrome hashtag (#luckygirlsyndrome) has gone viral on TikTok with over 270 million views. It’s another take on manifesting and, in some respects, SQ (spiritual quotient). There are heavily-filtered videos with mostly young, slim, attractive women talking about daily rituals that bring them luck, explaining how they use vision boards… Read More »Trends like #luckygirlsyndrome taint the real health benefits of positive thinking

This is a meditation that I was introduced to recently. The message I received was so profound. I thought others might like to try it too. You could put on some calming music in the background. And it could also work as a journalling or creative writing prompt. I’d love to know what comes up… Read More »A short meditation to help you find your way

An idea drops in and lights a tiny spark inside you. Your mind is fired up and your belly full of flames. It feels so right. And you know you have to move forward with it. There’s a sense of urgency; do it now and watch how it catches on. It’s going to spread far… Read More »When you have an idea but can’t follow it through

As a child, I was obsessed with matryoshka dolls. Though back then, I called them ‘Russian dolls’. I have a vague memory of going into my great auntie’s home and seeing them lined up on shelves. Though she wasn’t Russian, so perhaps it was another woman who looked like her. (Our memories can be unreliable).… Read More »The symbolism behind the matryoshka doll (Russian doll)

During the pandemic, I had this idea to teach people about spirituality. I wanted to share ideas for raising your SQ (spiritual quotient/intelligence). Because incorporating spiritual practices into my own work/home life was making me so much happier. I felt more focused, calmer and as if life was just full of magic, waiting to be… Read More »A tale of ignoring perfectionism and just hitting ‘go’

“People who never even knew Bridgwater Carnival existed say they were moved to tears. People laugh, cry and say the tension is palpable. It’s great to have such a strong emotional response,” says documentary filmmaker Richard Ridout whose latest film, Give it Rice, has gone viral…

“As a mother of four children with additional needs, I am not in the season of flow at the moment. But it will come. Breathwork, meditation and raising my vibration with movement, song and/or time in nature all help me to have flow now in the time I do have,” says photographer, author and speaker… Read More »Emily Quinton: “My biggest dream is to live in joy and alignment, always”

Annie Ridout, founder of Raise your SQ, is delighted to announce that her book on SQ (spiritual intelligence) will be published by Radar Books in May 2023. Here’s how the book deal came about and what it will help you with…

“Designing, making and wearing my jewellery helped my mental health no end. And mental health really is central to my brand,” says stylist and B Happy founder Bertie Bowen. Here, we talk beads, business, dreams and SQ…

"The flower farming industry is incredibly supportive," says Lucy Clayton, founder of Dead Head flower farm. "It completely surprised me. TV can be quite ruthless, and I just assumed this would be super competitive too, but I've found it very nurturing and supportive."

During a trip to see her Columbian family as a teenager, Caroline Kuis picked up a crochet bag made by an indigenous group from the north-east of Colombia. This was where her obsession with artisanal products began. Now, she runs her own business - wuchii - selling ethically-sourced Columbian homewares...

New research reveals that everyday encounters with birdlife can have positive, longterm benefits for people's wellbeing, including those already suffering with depression...

“My love affair with print and colour began in childhood. I was constantly surrounded by pattern books in my dad’s upholstery workshop. After school I would sit and admire his latest creation, transforming objects most would abandon into exquisite pieces of furniture,” says wallpaper designer Annika Reed…

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could click our fingers and discover one million pounds had landed in our bank account? Some think this is what we’re hoping for when we manifest. But it’s not. Here’s a guide to manifesting sensibly and with integrity to achieve tangible results…

Jenna Harman is an illustrator and the co-founder of publishing company Doodles and Scribbles. Here, she talks about what it’s really like running a children’s book publishing company and shares useful tips for others thinking of starting one…

Skychology is the new wellbeing trend that can benefit us all. It doesn’t cost a penny, can have an immediately calming effect and will continue to work, however many times you do it. We asked positive psychology coach and Skychology founder Paul Conway to tell us more…

“My greatest achievement, so far? Getting a needle-phobic client to have their first injection in 51 years. And allowing someone to not only get on a flight without having a panic attack but also to enjoy it with her kids,” says Emma Haines, a holistic healer based in Frome, Somerset…

‘I was better at my job when I was happier, taking breaks to swim in the sunshine or walk the herb-scented hillsides. I was more focused, less stressed,’ writes Jennifer Barclay. So she moved to Greece where she has a rather idyllic-sounding life writing books…

For working mums, confined to working in the hours between school drop-off and pick-up, there can be a temptation to spend every minute at the laptop, tapping away – and then dash out the door at the very last minute. But there is a better way…

‘I take a moment to appreciate this early morning run. Now, I’m embracing life from the early hours rather than chatting shit in the bar until the early hours,’ writes Madeline Gibson. Read her story of sobriety, plus coaching tips for quitting booze…

Why are women constantly told to support other women? Could the witch wound – caused by generational trauma from the witch trials – be making us sceptical about each other? If so, perhaps these witch wounds need healing…

If your to-do list feels never-ending and you’re finding it hard to work out where to start, here’s a coaching exercise that will help you to work through your overwhelm and plan some simple steps forward…

For years, Felicity Haythorn squashed her empathetic, intuitive nature to fit in at work. This is how she harnessed her ‘softer’, undervalued innate traits to create a more authentic career…

For menstruating people, certain phases are better suited to different types of work. Here, women’s health expert Le’Nise Brothers explains the menstrual phases and what you’ll be best (and worst) at during each of them…

I developed an overwhelming sense of needing to create a new type of life, away from the break-neck pace and deadline culture of big-brand design, writes Nikki Heaton. So she returned to her own art practice and went on to launch a beautiful collection of her textile art…

After a long, hot summer spent waiting for rain, we’re now getting the rain. But instead of spending this autumn lamenting the end of summer, here are some things that can bring joy as the days shorten and the weather cools down…

“It’s really hard for all of us to get out of an emotional storm … but you are not your feelings, you are a place where feelings happen,” says Dr Sam Akbar, author of Stressilient: How to beat stress and build resilience…

Do you ever feel like everyone around you has more energy? Or perhaps you wonder why you find it hard to relax? Well, the ancient life science of Ayurveda – translating as ‘knowledge of life’ – might be just the tool you need…

The concept of manifesting gained momentum during the pandemic, as business owners looked for ways to stay focused and energised. But are some dreams just too big? Annie Ridout shares her thoughts…

Find networking dry and exhausting? You’re not alone. So how about shaking things up and hosting a cacao ceremony for female founders in your area? Forget name badges and small talk, it’s all about going deep…

“When you are honest about who you are, what you want and stop people-pleasing, your business can be part of your self care.” Emotional wellbeing coach Tamu Thomas on looking after herself while running her wellbeing brand…

If you’re looking for a wholesome, toxin-free way to take your body and mind somewhere they’ve never been, you’ll find what you’re looking for in a breathwork session. Here’s what the experience was like for Annie Ridout…