If I were in charge...

What three things would you do Orlaine McDonald?

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I’m an Author and somatic movement educator, my clients call me “the nervous system whisperer." The Soothe Programme is for you if are burnt out, anxious, chronically stressed, or in any dysregulated state impacting your health.

If you want to find out more about The Soothe Programme, I am holding a Q&A on anxiety on Monday 3rd February at 7 pm - send me a YES and I will send you the link.

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In times of chaos and uncertainty, it’s ideas, hope, and creativity that keep me going. Yet, we seem to be facing a real poverty of creative thinking—so much of what we hear is just headline-grabbing, polarised slogans which are designed to keep us in a state of high alarm.

I often play a game in my head I call, "If I were in charge, what would I do?”

Each month, I highlight someone I’ve met on my travels—someone kind, insightful, and willing to share their unique perspective - and who I’ve managed to convince to play along. I also love new ideas for something to watch, read and listen to.

This monthly features women for now because honestly… if there’s one thing we don’t need more of, it’s masculine energy.

Please meet – Orlaine McDonald, I met her at our publisher’s summer party, we both had a book deal at around the same time, hers is published by Serpent’s Tale, an imprint of Profile books.

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Who are you?

I am a writer living in SE London

What is your mission?

To be true to my creativity. To promote ways of living that are kind to my fellow humans and the planet we are lucky to live on.

How do you do it?

I try and be intentional. I practice empathy. I do not look away.

How do you look after yourself?

I try to stay in balance by reading, writing and moving.

If you were in charge, what are the first three things that you would do?

1. Distribute wealth

2. Create more social housing of excellent quality

3. Get rid of testing in schools, make creativity and the arts central to all learning

Please recommend a book, a podcast and a film or TV programme.

1. Book - 26a – Diana Evans – this is her first novel, and she has gone on to be one of our most exciting and talented novelists.

2. Radio – 6 Music – a lovely eclectic mix of music and sounds

3. Film – The Nickel Boys – adapted from Colson Whitehead’s novel of the same name. The book was phenomenal, so I can’t wait to watch the film.

Is there anything else we should know about what you?

Currently enjoying promoting my debut novel – No Small Thing, an astute portrait of trauma rippling down though the generations. Shortlisted for the 2024 Nero Book Awards for Debut Fiction (Hardback)

Contact

Instagram @orlainemcdonald

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Paid subscribers, here is a somatic meditation that you can practise whenever you need a brain refresh. I practise this in the afternoons.

Thank you for reading and have a lovely weekend.

Stay human,

Nahid x