Comfort and joy

‘I learned to be the guardian of my own heart,’ writes Bianca Barton on page 22 about the emotional leap she made when her marriage broke down. This issue is dedicated to tending to our hearts and navigating difficult emotions. UKCP therapist Alivia Rose tells us how to manage overwhelming feelings on page 44. ‘Emotions need to be expressed so they can pass,’ she explains. Columnist Vee Sey agrees on page 32. ‘You can’t eat your pain away. Junk food will not fill a void and sugar does not anaesthetise pain or grief. There is no comfort in comfort eating,’ she writes. On page 18, Rachel Dobson chats to Julia Bradbury about how she used walking as a form of therapy during IVF treatment. What tools can you employ to help you become the guardian of your own heart?

We also focus on developing the confidence to speak up in life. Anita Chaudhuri examines the barriers that keep us silent and offers strategies to get our message across. On page 38, Hazel Davies asks us to reignite our childhood passions, tap into self-knowledge and find fulfilment. And, on page 72, Ali Roff Farrar redefines her goals and discovers joy in serving others.

I hope you enjoy this kind and gentle issue.