Lovely gentle soothing things

[BadAmbassador]

Everything is a bit shit right now, on a national scale.

I wanted to share this lovely podcast I've been listening to which has me smiling all the way through. It's Mel Giedroyc interviewing various actors, eg Hugh Dennis, Adjoa Andoh, about their early tv memories, shows their parents watched that they hated, programmes they weren't allowed to watch etc. Surprising number of them not allowed to watch ITV as a child 😂
Anyway it's just so nice, probably appeal to those 45+ just because of the references.

open.spotify.com/show/3Qf2BToK8oadZODUgwfV0c?si=nxUNqju4R52m0WqJqzU1gQ

If you have anything similarly therapeutic and gentle, feel free to share here 😊

@RaraRachael I love Barbara Pym too! So underrated. Gentle sarcasm and cakes!

I think knitting needs to be on the list too. Something about the repetitive movement is very soothing, and you get to make something but if it turns out crap it doesn't really matter, you can unravel it.

@Blocked

But it’s the repetition that makes it so comforting! You just know it’ll all come right and be cosy and nice.

Must seek out some Barbara Pym and continue my life of being a secret old lady. Although now I think of it my DS used to love the old Alex Rider books if anyone remembers those? And I think it’s the same thing. They’re formulaic and it’s comforting because you can just relax and feel they’re familiar but still have the enjoyment of them being ‘new.’

I also love the Miss Read books for a bit of soothing. And I love colouring, especially mandalas.
I subscribe to an email newsletter from Tammy Strobel which I find a comforting and wholesome read. She's written a couple of books on simple living and a daily photograph project too. She often shares links which are equally soothing or observant. I recently signed up to an online sketching course on the back of it.
Lovely thread - I shall follow 😊

I like watching ASMR videos of people going to a spa and getting relaxing treatments. The best is ASMR Twix which is a girl and her sister, the sister does all the filming and the sound quality, ambiance etc is really good. Love her videos.

There's also a sleep story on the Calm app read by Stephen Fry called Blue Gold, about the process of growing and gathering lavender in Provence. It's so soothing and a bit dull and I always listen to it when I am anxious and can't sleep. Actually the Calm app generally is pretty great.

And also re-reading books from childhood where you know how it ends, and they inhabit a pleasing world: Little Women, Swallows and Amazons, Little House on the Prairie, The Narnia books. So comforting.

I found a Christmas channel on TV at the weekend and watched one of those cheesy predictable Christmas movies. 2 hours of total relaxation!

Me too for Hallmark Christmas movies - I’m not allowed to watch though until 20th Nov 😂

I also love re reading old favourite books - silly books like Marian Keyes - currently reading Sushi for Beginners and it is sooooo lovely.

I love Rachel Talbot YouTube videos - so calming.

And listening to Etta James.

Gilmore Girls is mandatory in October - ploughing my way though season 6 - it’s lovely this year as my two DDs are watching it with me for the first time and I love watching their excitement. I also watched Gilmore Girls when my eldest was a baby so it’s really sweet she’s watching it now as a teenager.

@ZeppelinTits I love that ASMR channel too. She is so good and it's so relaxing.