Summer at Self-Centred

Something I hoped for is beginning to happen and it makes my heart glad.

Loved it so much I bought it

People are writing and sharing in the subscribers’ chat – returning the next day with more, inspired by what surfaced in the session. One community member has started writing and publishing on Substack, bringing the self-compassion work directly into their writing life. Quietly, in their own way, becoming more self-centred – more attuned to their own value, what they need and want to say.

That’s what this space is for. And summer feels like the perfect moment to mark it, look ahead at what’s coming, and invite you more fully in.

What’s been happening – June Write-Togethers

Each Wednesday this month, a small group of us have met to write. Here’s a glimpse of what we’ve explored:

Writing We Love – We turned our reflections on the writing that moves us into a found poem together. A few lines from what emerged:

I find myself rejoicing and free
every morning a new guest
Beauty begins with silence
A permission slip to be fully and authentically myself.*

*Full poem in subscribers chat.

Creative Talismans – We explored the objects, images and words that anchor us to our creative practice. Not luck. Perseverance. Trust in your own voice.

Boys Will Be Boys – We read Jessica Urlichs’ poem that breathes new life into a phrase we all know, and wrote into whatever part of it spoke to us. For anyone who has ever been told – or told themselves – what they are, and what that means.

Channelling Cool – With a heatwave bearing down, we used our imagination and attention to find cool. We wrote ourselves to the edge of cold water, felt the heat on our skin, and discovered what the body knows about the other side of courage.

It worked! Your writing was so evocative and beautiful and, YES, cooling!

If any of this makes you wish you’d been there – you’re warmly welcome. From 8th July, sessions run live every Wednesday. Next week, I’ll post a written prompt in the subscribers’ chat – write in your own time, share if you’d like to.

Over the summer

Beach photos by Sophie Poll-Hulshoff. We look forward to joining her next week!

Wednesday Write-Together continues every week through July and August – Wednesdays, 5:30–6:30 pm UK time.

Over the summer I’ll also be publishing pieces on two offerings I’m developing for September:

Commute to Health – a framework I’m finding genuinely useful for building sustainable movement into daily life, without the demand-energy or fear-driven shame. I’m trialling it as a live shared space: creative, reflective, sometimes collaborative – exploring and refining the whys that make habits feel affirming rather than punishing.

Compassion Circles – a live space of support and continued practice for past and present Compassion Journalling students.

More on each soon.

From September – a paid community

From September, Wednesday Write-Together will become part of a paid subscriber offering.

I’ve kept it free while the community found its feet. It felt right. But the sessions are facilitated – carefully, weekly, with intention – and building something sustainable means that needs to change.

Here’s what I’m currently building toward – a growing offering that will evolve with the community:

• Weekly Wednesday Write-Together – live on Zoom, with prompts posted in the subscribers’ chat for those who can’t make it

• Monthly live sessions – launching with Commute to Health and Compassion Circles, developing in response to your requests and needs

• Full archive access and a dedicated subscribers’ chat

The price: £9 per month.

This is an introductory price – reflecting where we are right now, and what I want this community to be: accessible, genuine, and worth your time. I’ll be reviewing it later in the year, in conversation with you.

This price is guaranteed now until the end of September.

If you’d like to lock in this price for a full year, an annual membership is currently available at £90 – working out at £7.50 per month for weekly Write-Together sessions, community holding, and live monthly sessions combined.

To put it in context: a single 90-minute workshop of this kind typically costs £16–35. A monthly subscription gives you weekly sessions, live community spaces, and a growing archive of writing for wellbeing resources.

Before I shape September’s offering – I’d love to hear from you

Three quick questions. Your answers will directly shape what I build.

To reply in more detail and let me know what you would like more of, email me or message the subscriber chat.

One more thing

The interview with Alice Bramhill I mentioned in the June newsletter is postponed – she’s scaling back to take some well-earned rest. We’ll reschedule when the time is right, and I’m looking forward to sharing that conversation with you.

Wednesday Write-Together – Wednesdays, 5:30–6:30 pm UK time Zoom. Recurring Zoom link 8th July - 19th August: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89578861993?pwd=dXNHcOSjSB87o246QR69Pfctp23N4A.1 | Passcode: 252085 |
Room opens 5:25 pm

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