INSTAGRAM LIVE: with Crabtree & Evelyn

INSTAGRAM LIVE: with Crabtree & Evelyn

Wednesday 26th August

7:00pm BST

Instagram LIVE

Join us on our Instagram to speak to Ashley Souza, Chief Brand Officer about her own sobriety journey and how living more mindfully has allowed to thrive in business and re-launch one of the world’s biggest beauty brands Crabtree & Evelyn. Crabtree & Evelyn, the brand that has been on the back of everyone’s minds (and shelves) for a number of years, is excited to announce their BIG comeback this year, including new collections, products, stories and more. From its original launch in the 70s, the brand has chosen to go right back to its core values and heritage, encompassing: travel; adventure; passion; culture; and, ultimately, connection

Emily

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Question time with Brandon Buchanan

Question time with Brandon Buchanan

Brandon Buchanan is a Chicago based poet, writer and recovering addict. Brandon shares his journey over his inspirational Instagram page @fromalx. We spoke with Brandon to discuss his journey and how sober communities can be more inclusive.

How long have you been sober?
I was sitting in the back of a police car on March 11, 2020, and realized I hit my rock bottom. I was a mess. I’ve since completed a drug treatment and recovery program, and started documenting my journey via @fromALX

 

What challenges have you found being in an inter-racial gay relationship?
My family’s safety continues to be the #1 challenge – especially during these periods of social unrest and injustice. I’m fearful of those who have hatred in their hearts; of those who are small-minded. Some days it’s hard to hold my husband’s hand in public because I can’t control the “crazies” who are out there.

 

What do you think sober/recovery communities should do more of to be inclusive of the black community?
AMPLIFY OUR VOICES!! I’m a Black, gay man in recovery and I have a story to tell – WE have stories to tell. There’s so much stigma in the Black community related to mental health and sobriety, and the last thing that we want is to be excluded. Our non-Black brothers and sisters in this community should continue to promote and support Black voices who are in recovery.

 

What has been the best thing about your new sober life in your relationship?
Rediscovering the love I have for my husband, my family, and my friends. Alcohol and drugs trapped me in the “sunken place”. I also love writing and art, and my husband is just as much of a contributor to @fromALX as I am. Sobriety is a journey we are on together!

 

If you want to hear more about Brandon’s story, follow his Instagram @fromALX.

 

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Fireside chat: Master your energy for self-mastery with Simon Alexander Ong – 19th December

Fireside chat: Master your energy for self-mastery with Simon Alexander Ong – 19th December

Time: 8:00pm – 8:45pm

Emily Syphas will be hosting a fireside chat with award-winning coach, keynote speaker and author of Energize, Simon Alexander Ong. Energy is everything – it is the fuel that drives your success and it gives you the power to achieve your potential. When you are exhausted however, you simply can’t show up each day as your best self. The ability to master your energy is key to self-mastery and the better you get at managing it, the greater the impact on the way you live and work. It is a truth the world’s most successful people understand. They may not be the strongest of the fastest, but they are the best when it comes to staying energized. Simon will share how you can awaken your power, rewire your energetic state, protect your personal energy and supercharge your impact.

Simon Alexander Ong is a personal development entrepreneur, coach and public speaker. His clients are from all walks of life but they share one trait; they all believe that the greatest investment you can make is in yourself. His work has seen him invited onto Sky News and BBC to be interviewed, while Barclays featured him in a nationwide campaign asking him questions on how families could embrace better lifestyle habits.

His insights have seen him featured in HuffPost, Forbes, Virgin and the Guardian. He also regularly speaks at organisations (these have included Salesforce, Microsoft, EY, Adobe and Unilever) and keynotes public events and conferences. His debut book Energize was published by Penguin in April 2022 and received endorsements from the likes of New York Times bestselling authors Simon Sinek, Marie Forleo and Dr Marshall Goldsmith.

Location: Zoom

This is a members-only event. If you’d like to become a member, join the waitlist here.

Emily

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Top Tips for Socialising Sober

Top Tips for Socialising Sober

Socialising sober can be one of the most daunting things about being sober or thinking about cutting back on the booze. We question whether we still be fun, whether people will think we are boring, whether or not we will be able to hold a conversation and will we still be able to tear up the dance floor? The thing about sober socialising is that none of these fears will come true. You will still be fun, you definitely will not come across boring, your conversation will be more engaging and you will most definitely be able to tear up the dance floor. The best bit? You won’t wake up with a stonking hangover and will be able to remember it all in the morning! See below my Top 5 tips for making the most and enjoying socialising sober;

1. Prepare yourself

Before a sober night out I like to really get in the mood this would previously look like downing a bottle of rose while getting ready and getting some dutch courage inside of me. However these days I like to get myself in a positive mindset as I feel this is crucial in enjoying and let’s be honest surviving a sober night out, especially if it’s a big occasion like a wedding or birthday when you know there will be lots of temptation around. I meditate for 10 minutes, go for a run, have a bath and then pour myself some kombucha, stick some house tunes and volia you are ready to go face the night head on! My theory is if we feel at our best we are less likely to engage in behaviours that we know aren’t good for us.

2. Order a soft drink first

Now this might sound blindingly obviously because lets face it what else are you doing to order? BUT make sure this is the first thing you do ,this can be the biggest hurdle when you arrive and everyone is ordering alcohol or there are trays being passed around its VERY easy to get into the ‘oh I will just have one mentality’ but if you get in there order your AF drink it sets you on the right path for the evening. It takes the battle out of your head which is when we can fool ourselves into thinking that maybe it’s a good idea!

3. Embrace Conversation

On a night out the only thing I would usually worry about is where my next drink is coming from or if the waiter was on their way to top my glass if was an occasion. I very rarely engaged or was present in the conversations I was having. However in my sobriety I care about what people have to say, want to ask questions and find out more about them. I find I leave night outs feeling more fulfilled and enriched through deeper conversations

4. Phone a friend

We are always going to encounter tricky sober socialising situations that we find triggering, uncomfortable or anxiety inducing. I recommend having a sober pal on speed dial so if you need some support you always have a phone a friend to help you through and remind you why picking up that drink is never a good idea.

5. Don’t be afraid to leave

Don’t feel like you have to stay the entire evening you fact you have shown up, had a good time and been present is enough. When we are drinking we usually order more alcohol to keep the night going but in sobriety our mind and bodies let us know when we have had enough. It’s usually the thing when we wake up with a hangover and we have the thought ‘if only I left at midnight or before the shots came out’. We instinctively know when are meant to leave but drinking lets us override this whereas in sobriety we get to aware and it’s great to be able to listen to ourselves, know we have had a great night and can wake up in the morning feeling fresh.

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