I Went on a Digital Detox by Mistake
The author unintentionally spent four days in the New Forest without 4G or Wi‑Fi, turning a family weekend into a forced digital detox. The lack of connectivity pushed the group to rely on face‑to‑face interaction, shortening phone‑driven distractions. During this period the author noticed a marked drop in anxiety, heightened focus, and a clearer sense of what a smartphone is truly needed for. The experience sparked a reflection on how intentional unplugging could improve personal wellbeing and communication habits.
A Little Book Tour
Alice Vincent announces a modest UK book tour spanning May to September, featuring stops in Oxford, East London, North London, Kent, and Dorset. The tour coincides with the paperback launch of her memoir "Hark: How Women Listen," which arrives in...
Five Short Books to Stop You Scrolling
The author curates five short, high‑impact books designed to pull readers away from endless scrolling. Drawing from recent personal reads and a recent Oxfam shop audit, the list emphasizes concise narratives that deliver big ideas quickly. Each recommendation is chosen...
Big Pants
The author reflects on the decision to install a full‑length mirror during a bedroom renovation, linking the choice to personal body‑image challenges after having two children. She recounts her shift from millennial size‑zero ideals to embracing post‑natal body changes, noting...
About the Second Baby
Creative Mothers, a new photography exhibition by Dunja Opalko, opened this week showcasing images of creative women with their children. The author reflects on being photographed during her fourth trimester and the evolving challenges of second‑time motherhood while maintaining a...
The Surveyor Told Us Not to Buy the House
The author recounts buying a house despite a surveyor’s warning that it had the "worst roof" he’d seen in a thousand surveys. Over the past six months they have undertaken extensive DIY renovations, from structural repairs to interior redesign, often...