Breathe

Mindfulness-Wish you were here-square

Wish you were here

In a small souvenir shop on a Greek island, you spin the wire rack and postcards flicker past in a blur of Aegean blues and chalky whites. You take your time before choosing: an image of mouth-watering local dishes for a foodie friend, a vibrant underwater scene for a scuba-loving cousin. After a day of …

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BREATHE ISSUE 83

In this issue: Wish you were here – Rewind to unwind – Character building – The avoidance trap – Local love – Spirit of the woods – Stress dial – The creative’s companion – Just for fun – Best served… chilled Answering the door to things you don’t want to face can be hard. Occasionally …

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Cooking in company

Angela Zaher started cooking with her two sons after their school encouraged parents to involve children in the kitchen. ‘They instructed us how useful it would be for them academically: learning about fractions through cutting up apples in segments, weighing ingredients on scales…’ Angela says. ‘The plan worked beautifully, but what was really striking was …

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Right from wrong

Ashen-faced, soaked in rain and with a big swollen cheek, my husband returned home. He’d had a tooth out and – apparently – I’d said I’d meet him afterwards at the dentist. The penny slowly dropped. I’d said that I’d meet him after his appointment, but started chatting with a friend. And then totally forgot. …

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Set in stone

In some of the most remote landscapes, it’s a source of wonder to find stone walls meandering for miles, almost stitched into the fabric of the hills and dales. Hunkered against the elements, they stand testament to the skill of those who laid them. The technique of building walls from locally available stone – without …

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Service, please

What do you think of when you hear the word obligation? For many, it can create an uncomfortable, often negative feeling, where you feel pressured into a commitment. Perhaps you feel a reluctance to show up and complete a task, which obligation has turned into an inconvenience. And yet, as an integral part of the fabric …

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The final frame

There is a part of the creative process that often goes unnoticed. It isn’t the spark, the initial idea that came into your head on a random Thursday afternoon. Or the rhythm of the making, or even the standing back and looking as the picture or piece emerges. It’s the quiet pause at the end …

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BREATHE ISSUE 82

In this issue: Perfectly imperfect – Don’t hold back – Windows of opportunity – Subtle sabotage – Just magical – Super natural – The subconscious home – Right from wrong – Between generations – Only connect Looking at the news, it can be easy to forget how connected we all are. Things that friends, family …

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Helping hound

There’s nothing quite like pottering around the garden with your dog at your heels, watching them relax in the shade of a tree as you tend your flower beds or plant up containers. Many gardeners are also dog lovers – including famous faces like Gardeners’ World veterans Monty Don and Alan Titchmarsh – and spending …

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Strength in flexibility

It can feel as if you’re being told every day about the benefits of exercise and how it can help you on all levels, not least living a longer and happier life. But the truth is, as you age, your body changes. And even if you’ve worked hard at staying fit all your life, exercising …

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