Small Ways to Live Well is a podcast from The Simple Things, a monthly magazine about slowing down, remembering what’s important and making the most of where yo...
Feeling like spring has sprung? Join The Simple Things editor, Lisa Sykes, and wellbeing editor Rebecca Frank, who are marvelling at the first signs of spring with a hot picnic to go, enjoying the blossom in our gardens and finding out how different landscapes affect our wellbeing. If you are in the UK, you can choose an immediate start subscription to the The Simple Things and receive the current issue straight away. Or buy current and back issues here. Season 5: Return of the light is supported by Blackdown Shepherd HutsEditing and music by Arthur Cosslett. To read:The Walking Cure: Harness the life-changing power of landscape to heal, energise and inspire by Annabel Streets (Penguin Tonic) To follow:@wildwoodmoth – get inspired to take a photo a day on your regular routes with Alice Tatham@mirandakeeling – stopping to notice. Look out for an extract from Miranda’s new book The Place I’m In in our May issue To make:Cherry blossom origami as seen in the March MEND issue hereEaster origami including rabbit egg holders, rabbits and chickens here To buy:Lumie Sunrise alarm clock (with birdsong) From The Simple Things:In the March MEND issue Learn with mother: four women discuss the unique qualities they inherited from their mother In the April JAUNT issue (on sale at picsandink.com from 20 March, on newsstands 26 March)Walk on the wild side: gather wild garlic to enjoy with friends and find new ways to cook with this easy forage Healing landscapes: thinking about where you walk and what you need will help you choose the right route for your mind and body From our March 2023 Light Issue (129) available to buy hereFirst picnic of the year (with warming food while it’s still a bit nippy!)Plant a fruit tree in the garden (however small) for your own beautiful blossom. Find out how to plant a fruit tree
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Return of the Light Episode 5 - RENEW
If you’ve got an urge to ‘sort things out’ we’re here to help cheer up a chore. The Simple Things’ Editor Lisa Sykes and author of The Slow Traveller, Jo Tinsley tackle a bit of spring cleaning, appreciate new life and share some fresh thinking on finding the balance between the comfort of things and clearing out. Plus do you know your laundry labels (honestly more interesting than it sounds)Season 5: Return of the light is supported by Blackdown Shepherd HutsIf you are in the UK, you can choose an immediate start subscription to the The Simple Things and receive the current issue straight away. Or buy current and back issues here. Editing and music by Arthur Cosslett. THINGS TO MAKE & DORevamp Your Woollies for Winterhttps://www.thesimplethings.com/blog/revamp-woollies?rq=mending Homemade Cleaning Wondershttps://www.thesimplethings.com/blog/129-homemade-cleaning?rq=spring%20cleaning An excellent toolboxhttps://www.thesimplethings.com/blog/good-tool-box?rq=spring%20cleaning Conker Laundry Soaphttps://www.thesimplethings.com/blog/conker-soap?rq=laundry ON THE BLOGIn praise of potting shedsAllotment ShedsEasy Eco Switch Ups TO READLessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Grams (Doubleday Books, 2022) Rough Patch by Kathy Slack (Little Brown 2025) TO LISTENSpring cleaning songs IN THE MARCH ISSUEMy Plot: Building a recycled shedGathering: BYO project partyHome economics: Patching and stitching. How to revive jeans, shirts and other wardrobe staples Identifier: Laundry symbols IN THE FEBRUARY ISSUEAn ode to the library
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Return of the Light Episode 4 - AWAKE
Shrug off winter and wake up to spring – you’ll feel your energy levels rise while you listen to this episode. The Simple Things’ Editor Lisa Sykes and author of The Slow Traveller, Jo Tinsley will be talking rhubarb (literally) drinking some good coffee, making pancakes and discovering foraging for indoor people. Editing and music by Arthur Cosslett. Season 5: Return of the light is supported by Blackdown Shepherd HutsIf you are in the UK, you can choose an immediate start subscription to the The Simple Things and receive the current issue straight away. Or buy current and back issues here. On the blog:Rhubarb & Marzipan Cake Rhubarb MimosasRhubarb and ginger pavlovaRhubarb and custard crepes Birch sap wine From The Simple Things:In the March MEND issueTurning saps, buds and shoots into nourishing and reviving dishes and drinks Roasted Rhubarb and Cream CakeChai Pancakes Laundry symbols identifierManifesting, Coffee history – issue 128Forced rhubarb recipes – issue 141 TO GO & DO:Olney Pancake Race, 4 March 2025, Skipping Day, Scarborough, 4 March 2025Blackdown Shepherd Hut breaks TO FOLLOW:Rachel de ThampleJeska Herne, Lobster & Swan
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Return of the Light Episode 3 - BALM
If you’re looking for ways to comfort and soothe your winter weary mind and body, then pop the kettle on, curl up and join us.The Simple Things’ Editor Lisa Sykes and Wellbeing Editor, Rebecca Frank, are talking pies, toast and other comfort foods, and how growing veg is a mental and physical tonic. We’ll also be discussing sunrooms and citrus trees and the pillars of good health that will help to keep us on track as winter draws to a close.Editing and music by Arthur Cosslett. Season 5: Return of the light is supported by Blackdown Shepherd Huts Season 5: Return of the light is supported by Blackdown Shepherd HutsIf you are in the UK, you can choose an immediate start subscription to the The Simple Things and receive the current issue straight away. Or buy current and back issues here. To read:Rough Patch: How a Year in The Garden Brought Me Back To Life by Kathy Slack (Robinson) How to Sleep Like a Caveman: Ancient Wisdom for a Better Night’s Rest by Merijn van de Laar (William Collins) On the blog:Marmite and cheddar Welsh RarebitNettle rarebitReinventing the toastieEaster pie (Torta Pasqualina)Root veg, Marmite & cheddar piePicnic pieSpring slawTo do:British Pie Week (3-9 March 2025) From The Simple Things:Issue 141 – Growing a lemon treeIn the new March MEND issue (order via picsandink.com)Life of pies - our favourite pies for picnics, parties, handy lunches and hearty dinnersThings I learned from the soil: Between the bare beds of winter and the abundance of spring - Kathy Slack finds hope in the veg patch cycle
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Return of the Light Episode 2 - BREATHE
If you’ve got cabin fever and are ready to head out and about then we’re here to helpWellbeing editor, Rebecca Frank and author of The Slow Traveller, Jo Tinsley, are taking some deep breaths as they head outdoors to blow (or even rinse off) the cobwebs with a bracing walk or a sauna and a cold dip. We will be also be finding ways to keep warm while appreciating nature and satisfying the urge to get growing again.Editing and music by Arthur Cosslett. Season 5: Return of the light is supported by Blackdown Shepherd HutsSmall Ways to Live Well is a podcast from The Simple Things, a monthly magazine about slowing down, remembering what’s important and making the most of where you live.If you are in the UK, you can choose an immediate start subscription to the magazine at http://www.icebergpress.co.uk/subscribe and receive the current issue straight away. Or buy current and back issues here. Editing & music by Arthur CosslettTo read:Weathering: How the earth’s deep wisdom can help us endure life’s storms by Ruth Allen (Ebury)Just Add Nature: Embrace the healing powers of nature and increase your sense of wellbeing by Rebecca Frank (National Trust)To go and do:The Eden Project, Cornwall Sheffield Winter Garden The Japanese Gardens, Tatton Park, Cheshire The Japanese Garden, St Mawgan Cornwall Jack and Jill Windmills, West Sussex Cley Windmill, Norfolk The Line, London Beach Box Spa, BrightonStamner Sauna Garden storytelling Oakhill Ponds, Somerset Ty Sawna, Gower Peninsula The British Sauna SocietyGlen Dye Cottages On the blog:The Swedish concept of Fika Beachcombing: Things you can take home from the seaside Yarn Bomber’s Toolkit In the February GLIMMER issue: Another Country: If holidays seem a long way off, get a tiny taste of travel thanks to landscapes, culture and food from aboardJam Jar Gardens: Planting hyacinth bulbs in mason jarsFlavour of the Weeks: Jenny Coates’ nature diary project Jenny Coates’ 52 Weeks of Nature Art
About Small Ways To Live Well from The Simple Things
Small Ways to Live Well is a podcast from The Simple Things, a monthly magazine about slowing down, remembering what’s important and making the most of where you live. Hosted by the Editor, Lisa Sykes, in Season 5: Return of the light, she’ll be seeking out glimpses of spring, shrugging off winter and embracing some self-care, alongside wellbeing editor Becs Frank and regular contributor Jo Tinsley. The beginning of February marks the half-way point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox, from here on in there are increasing glimpses of spring right through to the clocks going forward in late March when hopefully the proverbial lion turns into a lamb. This is an optimistic, forward-looking time, when we’re more than ready to come out of hibernation to take on new projects. And there are festivals and feasts to brighten the still grey days. February is the chilliest month but it’s all about cold hands and warm hearts.Let our podcast be your soothing companion to see out winter and welcome in spring. Six episodes released weekly from 9 February. Plus don’t miss our Easter Special on Good Friday. Season 5: Return of the Light is supported by Blackdown Shepherd Huts To subscribe or order a copy of The Simple Things visit thesimplethings.com
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