Photo by Amanda Vick on Unsplash
I’m an Author & Somatic Movement Educator helping clients going through chronic stress, anxiety, burnout, and trauma to "rewire their brain" for better emotional health through movement.
Online Courses:
The Soothe Group Programme: Self-paced sessions and live check-ins for a powerful 12 weeks. Starts April 25th, early bird price ends on 19th April. Request more info
In-person Retreats: Immerse yourself in The Soothe Retreats, available in one-day, long weekend, and week-long formats. The next London one is on May 18th in Mayfair, save your space here.
If you have bought my book and like it, please leave me an Amazon review. Reviews really help to sell my book. Thank you!
I admit it, I failed the "Rule of 5" challenge - buying only 5 new items a year. A few of my friends knew it would happen, but I truly believed I could do it.
Here's what I bought this year so far:
Discounted treasures from ebay and Vestiaire Collective but not preloved: Two Vampire Wife dresses at a third of the price and a Balmain jacket that I made an offer on.
Conscious choices: A silk shirt, jeans, a silk top, and sandals from a B-Corp brand with sustainable practices. Necessary underwear: I wear body stockings to teach in, I bought three, obviously they need to be new.
I also bought a Katherine Hamnett End Genocide t-shirt and 2 tops from Wear the Peace, proceeds go to Palestinian charities on the ground.
I will wear all of these until one of us falls apart.
A few people I know, who signed up to this challenge bought a lot of clothes before it started or they bought clothes on the quiet and didn’t talk about them. While failing the challenge stings, I didn’t want to be performative.
On the day I decided to confess, I went along to Positive Retail’s Truth Tellers event on sustainable fashion. I’m so glad I did, It was SO galvanising. The panel included Jane Shepherdson of Topshop and Whistles when it was good, she is now the chair of Wardrobe HQ. Aja Barber writer, consultant, and stylist, who is a powerful advocate for social justice and sustainability. Brett Staniland, a model who only works with sustainable brands, and appeared on Love Island. A lively conversation was had, chaired by the brilliant Anna:
Big corporations exploit people and the planet. We need legislation to stop this cycle. France is passing legislation to fine fast fashion companies.
The UK buys more clothes per person than any other country in Europe. There are enough clothes in the world for six generations!
Connecting the dots in the supply chain. Social justice, environmentalism, and human rights it is all interconnected. An ecocide is being committed right now in Lebanon and Palestine where nothing will be able to survive for decades to come. It is all the same fight.
Our culture teaches us to mistrust our feelings, it fragments our energy and divorces us from the consequences of our actions.
We do need to change, we need better education and better values. If we think it is important to be kind, let’s define what that means. For me, it is about being conscious about how my decisions impact the planet and others particularly the global south who seem to be the dustbin for our over-consumption.
So, I confess and recommit. The "Rule of 5" might be a bridge too far for me, but here’s my way:
Buy less, buy consciously. 1 item a month is Brett’s suggestion. Aja suggests 30 a year. 12 - 15 would work for me, but I will keep refining this to buy fewer new things.
Demand less production. Hold brands accountable and avoid promoting overconsumption. I’m unfollowing anyone who pushes mindless consumption including midlife influencers pushing fast fashion, it’s irresponsible and unkind.
Invest in quality, pre-loved, and natural fabrics. These pieces become companions, not casualties.
Extend the life of your clothes. Repair, reuse, and swap before buying new.
Sell your clothes or give them to people who will love them.
GIVEAWAY
The Soothe Book Club: Deep dive into my book "Soothe" with once a month live online sessions over 3 months. Each session starts with a practice, you will learn to manage daily stress and navigate challenges in real-time. The Soothe Book Club starts on Wednesday 17th at 7pm - 8.30pm, more details here.
I am giving away three places:
1 x free place to a paid subscriber
1 x free place to an activist - send me an email with your address and what you are involved in - I will send you a signed book in time for the start date.
1 x free place to someone on a low income - send me an email with your address and why you should be chosen - I will send you a signed book in time for the start date.
Get your emails to me by Saturday 13th April at midday. I am going to choose on Saturday and will let you know straight away.
The T&Cs:
All winners are final, no cash alternative is offered. You must be signed to my newsletter and you will be able to come to every live session.
For paid subscribers, I have recorded a flow to let go of your strong emotions, please find it below.
Thank you for reading,
Stay human,
Nahid x