Table of contents for Issue 15 in Project Calm

It struck me as I was writing the words for the cover this issue how much of the edition is about creative release. From letting tears flow (page 30) to combating creative blocks (see our pull-out creativity kit starting on page 66), binning the ego (page 74) to pouring yourself into a passion project (page 120), we all need an outlet for our emotions, art and energy. So much good comes from finding the right channel – for your own wellbeing, and other’s too. Peace has a knock-on effect, and it’s always inspiring to participate in, and be around, artistic expression. Maybe, for you, it’s sisterhood that gives you the strongest sense of freedom. We look at it literally and figuratively this issue in Sally Wyatt’s beautiful prose about her…

The oceans cover 71 per cent of the Earth’s surface. These immense expanses of salty water can be raging one moment, tranquil and shimmering the next. The daily tidal movements and rhythms are both completely relaxing and totally stimulating. A trip to the sea is blissful, a chance to stop, gaze and daydream, to let yourself go and completely unwind, to hear the waves crashing against the rocks or calmly caressing the sand. A beach is a place of happy carefree memories, somewhere to run barefoot, skim stones, let the sand tickle between your toes, paddle in the shallows, hear the laughing seagulls, build sandcastles, read a book, fish, snorkel and swim. Laying on the beach, letting the fresh sea air fill your lungs, while soaking up the sunshine, all…

FENG SHUI SALT WATER CURE This cure is a popular practice in Feng Shui. Many people believe that it cleanses bad energy from homes and workplaces. Salt has been used for thousands of years as a way to rid our bodies and homes of toxins as some believe it has the ability to absorb negativity. This cure shows the amazing chemical reaction between metal and salt, when left for around two months you will begin to see crystals form around the glass. Do not disturb the cure for 6-12 months, then dispose of it as the idea is that it will contain negative energy. Ingredients: rock salt, a glass or ceramic cup, six Chinese I Ching coins (these can be easily bought online), Water Step 1 Begin by filling your…

My starting point for this kitchen in our London home was a leafy green and pink wallpaper to connect the space to the outside; the bifold doors and the nature reserve beyond our garden gate mean the room feels very close to nature. I decided to hang the wallpaper before making any other decorating decisions so that we could get a feel for how this one big change affected the other elements of the space – something I’d really recommend. As it turned out, the green in the wallpaper helped bring out the green in the cabinets, and by adding a brighter shade of green via the zig-zag tile, I created the indoor forest effect I’d been after. The wallpaper also appeared darker than I’d expected – it has a…

Once the capital, Amer Fort stands on the Aravalli Hills overlooking the ruins of the small town of Amer. It was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013. An extensive and opulent palace complex, it is built from yellow and pink sandstone and white marble. The layout of such palaces is around a series of courtyards or ‘chowks’ leading on from the most public, with the Diwani-am (Hall of Public Audience) to the Diwan-i-khas (Hall of Private Audience), to the most private, the Zenana, occupied by the queens and harem, who practised the purdah system so couldn’t show their faces to anyone outside the family. The buildings become more ornate as we move into the most private parts of the palace. The Jai Mandir is a pavilion covered…

I have discovered that I paint like a child. Perhaps this shouldn’t come as much of a surprise, given that the last time I painted with any seriousness I was at school. It didn’t take long to convince my fiancé – now husband – that we should spend an afternoon painting on our honeymoon in Greece. He is certainly more artistic than I am. Before we set off for the airport we took a quick trip to a local art store and bought some tiny watercolour palettes, sketchbooks and a set of brushes. For around £20 each we had become hobbying artists, excited to record our honeymoon in paint. Although there are art classes at a beachside studio near our hotel in Kefalonia, every day of our trip had warnings…

You can’t very well have a playlist including a salt water theme without Teardrop by Massive Attack and The Sea by Morcheeba. British trip hop at its finest. We go on a journey to Jaipur too this issue with Thomas Newman’s score for The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, set in the Pink City, and celebrate the colour via Janelle Monae and Grimes. Angel Olsen, Appleton and First Aid Kit bring the sister vibes, with Bronte as our finale – actually a song about the death of a friend’s family dog, who was named after three of the mightiest sisters in literary history. Now you know that fact, try listening without crying. It will bring you full circle. 1. Teardrop – Massive Attack 2. Rituals – Maribou State 3. Saltwater –…

In 1934 Isak Dinesen wrote a short story in which a character claimed, “I know a cure for everything: salt water… sweat, or tears, or the salt sea.” It’s a quote that has aged well and can now be found on many a Pinterest board or Instagram post. For though our lives have changed radically in the last 100 years, our bodies and minds have not. So it’s no wonder that as record numbers of people suffer from anxiety and depression, we’re starting to look to ancient remedies to help reset ourselves when we’ve spent too long sitting still, away from nature, bottling up our emotions. More people are sharing their mental health struggles, so we finally seem to be understanding that our physical and mental health are inextricably intertwined.…

Have you got a plain vase squirrelled away in your cupboard that could do with an update? Stencilling is an easy way to give items a new lease of life and this mermaid tail design looks so pretty flowing around a ceramic or glass vase. You may wish to enlarge or reduce the stencil on a photocopier, to suit a smaller or larger vessel. Photocopy the stencil if you’re going to use it for a number of projects in case it tears at any point. We’ve gone for a two-tone vase in cream and grey, and white spray paint for a natural look. But this stencilled design works equally well with bright colour for a vibrant vibe, or try two shades of toning paint to create a cool ombre effect.…

SOPHIE EVERARD Sophie Everard is a freelance journalist and the founder of Mad to Live Retreats. She rides a 5.8 twin fin, or 9.2 single fin log. I can trace the exact same feeling that I have now, at 32 years old, to when I was a child growing up in Greece and my earliest memories of being intoxicated by the sensation, energy and power of the waves breaking, and wanting to play and run with them. I started surfing when I was a teenager and the feeling of riding a wave never changes; the surge of energy, the happiness, the pure stoke of connecting with nature in a state of play, it’s relentlessly electrifying. Being away from it is like being apart from a great love. You have to…

It’s Saturday morning. Laura wakes up and scrolls through social media for 45 minutes, smiling as she doubletaps posts from last night. She reads the news over breakfast, and watches Netflix as she works out. Later, she goes shopping with a friend. Across town, Marie meditates when she wakes up and then journals over breakfast. She spends 15 minutes working on a silly song she’s writing for her boyfriend (tonight’s their anniversary). Then she meets a friend for a walk in the park. Both women are enjoying their weekend. But Marie is doing a lot of creating, while Laura is mostly consuming. When you think about your life, are you happy with the amount of time you spend creating versus consuming? In our society, people face a daily onslaught of…

1 NATURAL CONNECTIONS The ethos behind online store and blog Chalk and Moss is focused on bringing nature into your home. Founder Anna Sjöström Walton is an expert in biophilic design – a concept which brings nature into the built environment through natural light, greenery and natural materials. Anna explains: “Biophilic design is all about finding every opportunity in life to connect with nature. Research proves that surrounding ourselves with natural elements such as plants and plant-based products, can reduce stress hormone production and help to counteract our fast-moving digital lives.” Her product range is sourced from ethical brands such as The Organic Company, Luks Linen and Join candles, and her blog offers useful resources on topics such as forest bathing and how to use Furoshiki gift wrap fabric. chalkandmoss.com…

1 SURFING PLUS THERAPY Resurface surf retreats combine an intensive week of surfing and therapy near Agadir, in Morocco. The aim is for guests at Riad Dar Haven to learn throughout the week how to stay grounded and positive, as well as aware of their potential. Physically it tests strength, balance and stamina during the surf sessions, with support coming from an instructor and assistant. You’ll visit several beaches and picturesque picnic lunches by the sea follow time spent in the waves. During therapy there is gentle encouragement to face those beliefs that are felt to create limitations and guidance in overcoming them. Accommodation is in one of nine traditional Moroccan rooms, peaceful and each with a smart slate stone bathroom. There is also a courtyard pool and vines, which…

ALICE POTTS Alice Potts is an artist who makes crystals out of sweat. “I had a background in science, mathematics, sport and fashion and wanted to combine every part of my life into one piece. I’d always been fascinated by sweat so it felt like a good place to start. I also liked the purity of it, not limited by size, gender or race, meaning I could create for everyone. Nervous, dancing, sex, working-out; we sweat at the points we feel the most. ”Most people find it beautiful and can really connect to the emotions behind each piece. Yet some people are still uncomfortable with the idea of wearing sweat as an accessory. It’s still seen as a human secretion that has come out of the body, but with the…

I love a good cry. My favourite way to spend an evening alone involves pyjamas, a giant bowl of popcorn, and a favourite uglycry movie*. Allowing myself to feel all the feelings is a cathartic release, its immensely satisfying and I always sleep so well afterwards. It turns out there are many reasons why crying feels so good. Our bodies contain a series of interwoven systems set up with the express purpose of helping us to cry. The part of your brain that deals specifically with emotions is called the limbic system; this is intrinsically linked to your sympathetic nervous system (producing involuntary responses like goosebumps, dilated pupils and a lump in your throat); and both your emotions and body sensations are woven into the lacrimal or ‘tear’ system that…

Cast your mind back to the heatwave of February 2019. Amidst the suncream, ginger beer and ice lollies, was there a creeping sense at the back of your mind that something wasn’t quite right? Do you feel devastated when another species goes extinct, or angry when politicians continue to subsidise fossil fuels? If so, you may be suffering from eco-anxiety, a newly-coined psychological disorder afflicting those with anxiety rooted in the environmental crisis. With 1 in 10 British adults likely to experience some form of anxiety in their lifetimes, eco-anxiety is on the rise as the consequences of climate change continue to change life on earth as we know it. So is eco-anxiety yet another issue to deal with, or should we channel it as a force for good? The…

I always wanted a little sister. One of my favourite pastimes was listening to Felicity Kendall reading My Naughty Little Sister from an increasingly scratched record as I dreamed about the adventures my imaginary little sister and I would go on. As my mum’s bump expanded, so did my excitement. So when my little brother was born, I took matters into my own hands. Far more photographic evidence exists than my brother Sam cares to admit of the two of us in mum’s old dresses and heels, clattering about in the garden. ‘Samantha’ was the ultimate play thing, I was a five-year-old drag mother and our mum was definitely, definitely done with babies. My oldest friend, Sally, had a little sister, whose birth was a source of envy for me.…

Cleansing and clearing your environment is important both as a simple act of self-care and to give you a space where you can sit quietly, let the busy energy of the day drop away and connect with yourself. It is very nourishing to create sacred spaces in our homes; they help us to be receptive to the subtle energies around us and give us room to be with our inner thoughts and emotions. Having a place for our favourite crystals, for example, encourages us to bring our attention to their beauty and to connect with their energy, while lighting a candle at the end of the day becomes a moment for transitioning into a more restful energy. When we create a ritual, we are consciously choosing to co-create with Spirit.…

Resplendent in pink, Jaipur, home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, stands among the deserts of Rajasthan in Western India. It is a city of contrasts, and a complete assault on all the senses in the most pleasurable way possible. The Thar desert around it might be arid, brown and bare, with sand dunes and a vast expanse of scrubland, but Jaipur is full of colour. Every building within the city walls in painted with terracotta pink and protected by bye-laws. Pink is a sign of welcoming and hospitality and was first used to welcome Prince Albert in 1876 by Maharaja Ram Singh. The colour was a huge hit and it has marked a unique identity for the city ever since. It is home to the warrior class, the artisans,…

1. Copy a paisley design on to tracing paper (you could use the paisley image on the page opposite as inspiration) and transfer to the lino. Go over the pencil with a black ink pen. 2. Use the cutting tools. Hold the lino steady with one hand and carve away from your hand with the other. Leave all the areas that are black. Start with the fine tool and then move to a wider tool. 3. Mix red and white ink onto the plate to create pink. With the brayer, roll the ink until you have an even layer. Place the lino block on a newspaper. Roll the brayer over the lino in all directions until the ink is spread evenly. Repeat five or six times. 4. Place the paper…