From the editor
Icould never have imagined when I was writing this page in late February last year that by the time I’d come back from my family holiday, the UK would be about to go into its first lockdown. That issue was a positivity special, and little did I know how badly needed that dose of optimism would be by the time it hit the shelves.
So, one year later, we’re back with an issue that’s all about celebrating silver linings and finding moments of light, even in the dark. We’re applauding the UK’s most uplifting changemakers in our 2021 Positivity Index (p80) – working with Instagram and charity Cybersmile, we wanted to highlight the people putting good energy into the world and onto our social-media feeds. Samira Wiley, of The Handmaid’s Tale and Orange
Is The New Black fame, will definitely put a smile on your face in this month’s cover interview (p72). Plus, we’ve rounded up some of the best feelgood books (p17) and shared the body-positive workouts we love (p40), and on p88, we speak to women living in the seven happiest places on the planet (and find out what their secret is). And if that wasn’t enough, we look at how to have a better relationship with food
(p36), achieve a healthier work-life balance (p60) and discuss the science behind Zoom dysmorphia (p98) – yep, it really is a thing.
Sometimes, going after what makes us happy can feel selfish. I don’t know about you, but on my worst days, I reason that everyone gets their fair share of sadness, and on some level, it almost feels fair, expected and deserved. After all, there are people out there much worse off than me, so I shouldn’t complain. And yet, when I have a moment of contentment or success, or a laugh during a time of sadness, I find myself feeling guilty, or panicking about how long the high will last. It can be hard to remember that we deserve happiness. So, a note to myself, and to all of you, too – do not be afraid to seek out happiness and positivity, or be embarrassed to celebrate it. Grab onto it with both hands.