Tabla de contenidos para Issue 10 en WellBeing Being

Do you have a pal that never leaves an op shop without an amazing, unique outfit, while you’re left sorting through piles of musty T-shirts? You too can learn how to thrift like a pro, saving you time and money in your quest for an inimitable collection of clothes. The joy of pre-loved clothes Growing up, Sally Steele’s mum — a stylish lady herself who altered second-hand garments to create outfits — made her daughter’s clothes. At 11, Sally visited the op shop with her. “I was going to a disco and really wanted to wear this lilac jumpsuit I’d seen in Vogue,” she says. “Mum found an old, quilted bedspread at a charity shop and made it into an awesome jumpsuit in a couple of days.” With her wardrobe…

There are only a few sure things in life: birth, death and change. Change is a natural part of the human experience and yet something most of us are extremely resistant to. It’s said that the human race has survived this long due to our ability to adapt (change) to new circumstances, which begs the question … why are we so resistant to change? Life is in a constant state of flux. Consciousness itself is always evolving. While, at times, it may appear that things are linear by nature, in fact the path is twisty, windy and non-linear. It moves like a river, ebbing and flowing, all the while constantly evolving (aka changing). Change is a constant reality for us, whether we like it or not, but it’s often the…

Being magazine asked me to contribute an article for this autumn issue — but, first, I need a coffee. This is a habit, but also a reliable creative-writing technique. The ritual of turning on the machine, warming up my cup and grinding my beans — all with the accompanying buzzes and whirrs and the aroma of the ground coffee — set the scene. Like packing a bag before a holiday, I am preparing myself for the day ahead, and starting to feel hopeful. And then, oh joy! As I take my first few sips, my taste buds relish the full-bodied, bittersweet flavour and, mere moments later, my mind appears brighter. I am in an altered state of consciousness — a delightfully legal one — and I feel more confident and…

Every day, we have countless opportunities to impact the people around us. Sometimes, we hold back due to inhibition or uncertainty around what is appropriate or how our actions will be received. However, in today’s world, being kind is more important than ever. What is kindness? Kindness involves positive action towards another, such as being friendly, generous or considerate. As well as making gestures of kindness, you might think about the impact your actions have on the people around you and make decisions for the collective good. Kindness is not limited to people. Treating animals and the earth with kindness, restraint and respect contributes to the wellbeing of our environment and community. Kindness as a trait Kindness does not need to be about “people pleasing”. You can be self-assured and…

I’ve noticed that when I talk about food, I repeatedly contradict myself. One day I hear myself saying that lemon desserts are my favourite, then I go and order a chocolate brownie. Yesterday I was rhapsodising with a friend about the pleasure of eating stone fruit straight from the tree — “It’s the only way to eat them!” — and yet here I am, roasting apricots. This is the thing about food (and ourselves and our opinions) — nothing is constant. This is the quintessence of cooking from scratch; you are tuning into the variables of nature. And we are nature, too, of course. What an opportunity for creativity, spontaneity and authenticity! Isn’t that what keeps life interesting? While juicy nectarines and peaches are divine straight from the tree, when…

Contentment often arises when you are at peace with who you are and where you are, right now. Similar to mindfulness, it is a way of being that helps you appreciate the fleeting nature of the present moment, which is also a lesson in impermanence. “To Be More Like Water”, a track on Michael Dunstan’s upcoming new album, Impermanence, is a meditation on the ever-changing nature of life. Water is fluid, yet fixed. It is an amalgamation of movement and stillness, softness and strength. “The dark is contrast to the light”, the folk artist says in the song, which encapsulates the full spectrum of the human existence. And when we can accept the nature of impermanence by embracing all moments in life — the light, the dark and everything between…

The internet, computers and smart devices dominate the way we live, work, communicate, access and store information, shop, entertain ourselves and more. But, as any 21st-century human knows, there’s a downside to tech’s everpresent stranglehold over our time. Slaves to the machines Such hyper-connectedness to data, marketing, apps and other people has become invasive, stealing from the meaningfulness and joy of our personal lives, writes computer science professor Cal Newport in Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World. The consequences of such information overload can include exhaustion, time poverty, stress, mood and relationship issues and feelings of inadequacy. Originally embraced to make life easier, our apps, programs and devices have become our masters, Cal says. Managing plagues of data, upgrades, updates, notifications, emails and so on, we’ve…

Have you ever left a lovely catch-up with a family member, feeling full with joy and gratitude, only to find yourself imagining something terrible happening to them? Perhaps you’ve noticed yourself feeling excited about a new romantic relationship, but then you’re met with a wave of anxiety and thoughts that it will end. Or maybe you’ve experienced a positive event such as getting a new job or promotion, and then thought that it was too good to be true. Foreboding joy In her book Beautiful World, Where Are You, Sally Rooney poignantly captures how fear is the thief of joy and how we can get in the way of our own joy. She describes her character Eileen’s experience: “What if I’m the one who can’t let myself be happy? Because…

As restrictions lift, borders reopen and we learn to live with Covid-19, we are still faced with a great deal of uncertainty. Many of us are returning to the workplace or back on campus to study, and there is a level of anxiety around what this will look like. What impact will it have on our health and wellbeing? Some of us are hesitant to return to our old pace of life, while others can’t wait to resurrect a busy work or study schedule and vibrant social calendar. Many people are torn between the two. Whichever category you fall into, it’s important to consider that we are still living in unchartered territory. There are many steps you can take to support your wellbeing while lessening the impact on your physical…

Annie Carter, host of the Yes You podcast, remembers her first inkling that there was something cyclical about her experiences: “I was feeling really stressed and really anxious one day and, as I was writing in my journal, I felt like I’d written this before. I looked back, and I found that about a month before that, I had felt the same. It was almost verbatim. That’s interesting, I thought. At that point, I didn’t realise that it had anything to do with my own cycle, but it twigged me to the fact that these things come and go,” she says. The first time I came across the idea of the infradian rhythm (versus or in addition to the circadian rhythm) and its impact on women’s energy levels, creativity, productivity,…

Recently, while perusing the mission statement of an organisation, insight hit me. In contrast to my scattered passions and unfinished projects, its purpose was singular and clear. Excited to apply the same framework to my rambling goals, I grabbed a notebook. Instead of the usual endless lists of interests — everything from housesitting in Greece to learning the harp — I honed in on five things crucially important to me. It forced me to contemplate the deeper meaning of my existence in the context of what could be realistically achieved by one person within the limits of a lifetime. Who was I? What could I bring to the world? What is a personal mission statement? Most of us are familiar with the mission statements of businesses and organisations. A personal…

Text and images from The Plant Clinic: Healing with Plant Medicine by Erin Lovell Verinder, photography by Georgia Blackie, published by Thames & Hudson, $39.99 The Pillars to Thrive The restorative power of the plants syncs with a deeper state of received healing when the body is hydrated, fed, grounded and in flow. Being well means something different to each and every one of us. The idea of wellness is conceptual and, because of the endlessly varied standards we all hold, wellbeing is subjective and immeasurable. However, there are a few fundamental considerations that demand our commitment and attention in order for us to really up-level, support our own healing processes and embrace being well. To potentise our relationship with any plant medicine and its application — to supercharge the…

Q: ColourHide has just released a new collection that uses ocean-bound plastic/raw materials. Please share a bit of information about the new range. A: ColourHide is known for bright and vibrant stationery. Over the years, ColourHide has updated the colour range and refined the product offering. The next step for ColourHide was to explore a point of difference within the category and make a positive impact to the planet. After extensive research, ColourHide has chosen to partner with Oceanworks to create an ocean-friendly range of stationery with covers that are made from ocean-bound recycled plastic. The range includes A4 120PG Notebooks, A4 250PG 5-Subject Notebooks and Zipper Binders, designed in three vibrant colours with ocean-printed designs. The colours include Coral Star Fish, Aqua Whale and Charcoal Shark. This range is…

Organic Merchant Organic Merchant is an award-winning Australian premium loose-leaf tea brand. Founded by naturopath Chalimah Jeanne in 2011, all blends are formulated using 100 per cent certified organic ingredients carefully selected for their rich nutrient value, traditional therapeutic properties and fulsome flavour. W: organicmerchant.com.au Brookfarm Eat clean and healthy with Brookfarm’s Paleo Granola range that will not only make any breakfast or snack recipe taste delicious, but will support your health, too. With Prebiotic Granola for gut health, Keto Granola high in good fats, and Espresso Granola for energy, the whole range is paleo, gluten-free and vegan. For an on-the-go boost, grab Brookfarm’s new Prebiotic Wholefood Bars, available in three indulgent flavours. W: brookfarm.com.au Equazen Does your child need support to improve concentration, learning and reading? Equazen provides omega-3…

“Simplicity is the essence of happiness.”Cedric Bledsoe It’s often only when we carve out the space to slow down that we can truly bear witness to, and appreciate, the present moment. Once we start paying attention — even to the most ordinary things — everyday moments can become remarkable. My most recent experience with this profound life teaching occurred during a stay at a farm and former family home turned luxurious coastal escape, Lon Retreat. A serene environment Perched on 200 acres of rural conservation land in Point Lonsdale on Victoria’s Bellarine Peninsula, at Lon Retreat, I feel my body and mind start to unwind as soon as I enter. Founders Claire and Rob Gemes renovated the sandstone farmhouse in 2018 and the homestead now features seven luxurious suites, an…

Acceptance Know the difference between what you can’t change and what you can. It may not be possible to go back in time to the days before the information age or buy a new device, but we can make changes that matter. Non-judging The solution to our tech stress isn’t easy. So, don’t judge yourself or others. It isn’t a matter of weak will or stupidity. “People don’t succumb to screens because they’re lazy,” reveals Cal, “but instead because billions of dollars have been invested to make this outcome inevitable.” Openness and beginner’s mind Be open to and inquisitive about solutions. These may surprise you. It’s not always what first comes to mind or what everyone else is touting or doing. Also, don’t limit your ability to make changes on…

It’s ironic that, as I sit here typing these words, I desire to paint the page with eloquence. I want to find the most articulate and creative way of sharing this message with you. I can feel the memory of “better” writers humming in the background of my consciousness, spiralling me into comparison and begging me to be better. Curiously, though, the thing that makes me happiest is letting go of perfectionism and embracing things — including myself — as they are. This may be a page blemished with perceived imperfections, but it must be good enough, right? You know that feeling when you look at an old photo of yourself and think, “What was I so worried about? My thighs weren’t big at all!” Or some variation of that?…

Green Shakshuka Serves 2 Shakshuka, the North African dish of eggs baked in spicy tomato sauce, has become an essential item on brunch menus everywhere. In this version, the eggs are cooked within a bed of mixed green vegetables instead of tomatoes, making it extremely healthy, delicious and, more importantly, really quick. You can substitute my suggestions with any green vegetables you like or have knocking around in the fridge. 100ml double (heavy) cream60g cream cheese2 tbsp chopped soft herbs, eg basil, chives, tarragon or parsleyOlive oil, for frying1 banana shallot, peeled50g asparagus, trimmed50g kale100g peas100g sliced zucchini4 eggsSea salt and freshly ground black pepper To serve 3 tbsp natural (plain) yoghurt1 tsp chilli oil Large handful of rocket or watercress1 tbsp freshly grated Parmesan cheese or vegetarian equivalentToasted sourdough…

Q: What does a mindful ritual mean to you? A: For me, rituals are part of my daily routine. A ritual is a process where you follow certain movements and tasks while being mindful of the practice — being aware of your space, your thoughts and your body. Rituals can help you slow down and recharge. Q: How does Organic Merchant celebrate mindful rituals? A: At Organic Merchant (OM), we have always celebrated the ritual of drinking tea — boiling the water and then watching the tea leaves steep and transform the colour of the water. It can be a gateway to mindfulness in the right setting and creates a space for you to reach a new level of intention and reflection. To enhance this process, we have introduced a…

Q: I feel most calm when… A: I am swimming in the ocean, which is not something I’ve always done a lot of. We live really close to the ocean — we’re in the north-west of Tasmania — and the water is really cold. But I’m just so invigorated and jolted by the cold water and it feels like such a thrill to actually go under [laughs] — to be brave enough to go under — and it does wonders for my mindset. It puts everything back into place. Q: The last time I felt inspired… A: We’ve just bought a house, so stepping into the house and the garden is incredibly humbling, inspiring and, at times, a little bit overwhelming, but I’m so inspired to have a patch of…