A note from the editor

As I write this letter, we are all about to head ‘home for the holidays’ and enjoy a proper break from the hurly-burly of work and everyday life. The Country Living office closes over the festive period (I know, we’re lucky) and it’s one of the few times that we switch off our screens, shut up our laptops and see family and friends. Eventually, we all slow down, but that gear change isn’t easy or immediate and sometimes the frenzy leading up to Christmas can be overwhelming. If this resonates with you, I’m sure you’ll enjoy reading De-frazzle Your Festivities on page 133, where the team share how, each year, they manage to stop seasonal stress in its tracks. Their inspiring tips focus around one important theme: living in the moment. Reading their stories has certainly strengthened my resolve to take a more mindful approach to life. If I do one thing in 2022, it will be to embrace the art of ‘slow living’. It’s a topic that we have always championed in this magazine and will continue to talk about throughout the year. Reading about different people’s lives is one of the best bits of my job and this issue is packed with compelling tales of how country-lovers spend their time. In our celebrity profile (page 34), Mackenzie Crook (below left) talks about his passion for fishing, tortoise breeding and enjoying things outdoors ‘with purpose’. And in Knitting Pretty (page 86), super-talented artisan Jules Hogan (below right) explains how her conscious decision to stop making knitwear for shops – in favour of selling directly to consumers – has enabled her to embrace a gentler pace of life and re-ignite her creativity. On which happy note, I wish a peaceful and joyous New Year to you all.