Some things that made me smile in… September

Including rich conversations, revisiting old favourites and homemade jam

If you’re a regular here, welcome back! If you’re new, this is my round up of some of the things that have made me smile over the past month. Please feel free to share in the comments anything that’s brought you joy too, whether big or small! Are you currently a free subscriber but would like to upgrade? You can do that here.

I can’t quite believe we’re already at the end of September! As I sit in my usual writing spot and gaze out of my window, the same trees whose branches seemingly not that long ago were full of powder pink and white blossoms are now almost bare. 

Autumn has definitely arrived.

I hope September has been good to you. It’s been a mixed month for me – some disappointments and challenges, but also some real joys. I’ve thus far been able to find a place of equilibrium with it all and my contemplative practices (one of my joys) have definitely sustained me. 

Here are some of the things that have brought me joy in this first month of the final quarter of 2023.

Stirring It Up with Andi & Miquita Oliver

I think I first heard about this podcast after Andi Oliver’s recent cookbook, The Pepperpot Diaries came out earlier this year, but only started listening to it this month. 

In Stirring It Up, Andi and her daughter Miquita host guests for a slap up home cooked feast and rich conversation around their kitchen table. It’s warm, welcoming and it feels like you’re listening to friends having a good old natter in the best way.

Andi’s dishes always sound mouth-watering and it turns out this podcast is perfect to listen to while cooking. 

I’m still working my way through the series, but my favourite episode so far was with the brilliant Kathy Burke. I’d really enjoyed Kathy and Andi’s conversation on Kathy’s podcast, Where There’s A Will, There’s A Wake (which I guffawed through and is not as morbid as the title sounds, promise!). I also loved the episode with Elizabeth Day, whose How To Fail podcast is another favourite of mine.

Check out Stirring It Up where you find all your favourite podcasts. 

Writing inspiration (and delectable jam) in a Kent village

Right at the start of September I was lucky enough to attend Farrah’s Storr’s writing day retreat in Kent. 

When a national rail strike was announced for the day of the retreat I’d given up on being able to get there but, just days before, a lifeline arrived! I put out a last-minute appeal and a very kind fellow Substacker, Jo offered to give this stranger a lift on the day. I’m immensely grateful to Jo, as without her kindness I would have missed out on this wonderful experience. (Check out Jo’s Substack, Growing Old & Owning The Real World here.)

Over the course of the day, which took place in a beautiful old church, not only did Farrah generously share her knowledge with us and answer questions on writing and Substack, we were fed delicious food including three kinds of cake for afternoon tea (I chose Victoria sponge) AND we all got a jar of homemade jam (pictured above) to take home. 

It was an uplifting and nourishing day, and it was great to meet fellow Substackers. There was a real feeling of community. I came away from the day with a full belly and a full heart. 

If you don’t already know Farrah (who is also Head of Writer Partnerships for Substack UK & Europe), I highly recommend her Substack, Things Worth Knowing. Also, as paid subscriber you get access to Farrah’s regular online writing group.

Plurality Now at 198 Contemporary Arts

198 Contemporary Arts & Learning often shows thought provoking work and this latest exhibition, Plurality Now: New Futures is no different. 

This group exhibition features London-based artists whose work explores the constantly shifting concept of identity for second and third generation Black and Asian people in London. And as the accompanying exhibition literature describes:

“…we highlight the importance of acknowledging the past while looking forward and forging the now.”

One of the featured artists is Yvadney Davis and I was excited to see more of her work (below) after seeing her Proverbs of the Windrush Child portraits and the BCA last month. 

Plurality Now: New Futures is free to visit and ends on Thursday 28^th September, so if you can make it down to 198 before it disappears here are the details. 

Revisiting The Book of Awakening

The Book of Awakening by philosopher and poet Mark Nepo was published over twenty years ago and came out of his experience of living with and recovering from cancer. 

My copy is very well read with multiple pages marked, as my old dog-eared book (below) with pages falling out shows. It used to accompany me on all the in-person retreats and events I taught years ago where I’d often read out passages in class. Nowadays, it mostly sits by my bedside within easy reach, but when I taught my September Rest + Restore, I decided I wanted to take it with me and share a passage at the start of our practice together. 

If you like books that you can easily dip in and out of and that offer a dedicated passage for each day, you might like The Book of Awakening and find comfort, wisdom and simple reminders in its words, as I do.

If you’re in London and would like to join me in-person for October’s Rest + Restore, you can find details and book your place via the Embody Wellness workshops and events page here.

Finally, this month’s kitchen dance track is more of a song to sway to. I’ve been enjoying Olivia Dean’s music this year, and just a few months ago I learned that she is a former student of my old school (though I did go there a loooong time ago) – small world!  This is Ladies Room: 

Over to you: What’s been making you smile this month? Share in the comments below.