Small Ways To Live Well from The Simple Things
The Simple Things
The Simple Things
Small Ways to Live Well is a podcast from The Simple Things , a monthly magazine about slowing down, remembering what’s important and making the most of where you live. To subscribe or order a copy of The Simple Things visit thesimplethings.com Christmas is coming and how much do we love the build up? Our Merry Midwinter podcast season will be at your side at the excitement of Advent, the welcome quiet and calm of the winter solstice and the feasting and traditions of the Christmas holidays right through new year to the twelfth night. We’ll be sharing recipes and ideas for decorations and homemade gifts as well as taking time to simply enjoy midwinter – a season of long views and frosty mornings, twinkling lights and cosy evenings. It’s six weeks of gathering, giving and everyday magic that can pass us by in a whirl of stress and socialising if we don’t slow down now and again to appreciate it. It’s also a chance to reflect on the year just gone and look ahead to the one to come. We’re here to help with all of the above. Co-hosted by the Editor, Lisa Sykes , wellbeing editor Rebecca Frank and regular contributor Jo Tinsley .
5d ago
Join Wellbeing Editor Rebecca Frank and Author of The Slow Traveller and regular contributor Jo Tinsley as they help you discover ways to find your own little pockets of calm in the run up to Christmas. In this episode, we appreciate the quiet of the approaching solstice, press pause and take some time for ourselves before curling up with some winter reads. If you are in the UK, you can try an immediate start subscription to the The Simple Things and receive the current issue straight away. Or buy current and back issues here Editing & music by Arthur Cosslett. On the blog How to solve an Agatha Christie novel Books that Embrace the Cold Why We Love Cosy Crime In the December issue (162) on sale now Pressing pause: Whether it’s a few minutes to yourself or a day away, giving yourself time to do the things you enjoy this month will help prevent overwhelm Kitchen therapy Reading: awell-chosen book can bring moments of comfort, calm and cheer over the coming weeks. Modern eccentrics: Solstice revellers My place: Festive foliage Learn more Nature’s Calendar: The British Year In 72 Seasons by Kiera Chapman, Lulah Ellender, Rowan Jaines, Rebecca Warren (Granta) In previous issues available at picsandink.com A day in December: images that captured the magic of this month (150) How to get on with your siblings as grown-ups (and have a more harmonious yuletide). (126) A winter walk is a breath of fresh air. (150) Tuning into the month’s micro-seasons (138) Thanks to our partner for the Merry Midwinter season, the Marine Stewardship Council , which sets certification standards for sustainable fisheries and awards the blue ecolabel on fish and fish products. Find out more about the best fish to choose at msc.org and follow them on instagram @mscintheuk
Dec 7
The Simple Things’ Editor Lisa Sykes and Wellbeing Editor Rebecca Frank talk treasure, including the things we decorate our homes with, the people we treasure at Christmas and ways to treasure the season. If you are in the UK, you can try an immediate start subscription to the The Simple Things and receive the current issue straight away. Or buy current and back issues here Editing & music by Arthur Cosslett. Thanks to our partner for the Merry Midwinter season, the Marine Stewardship Council , which sets certification standards for sustainable fisheries and awards the blue ecolabel on fish and fish products. Find out more about the best fish to choose at msc.org and follow them on instagram @mscintheuk On the blog Handmade gift ideas from thesimplethings.com Christmas crackers template here Bay and lemon sea salt body scrub Homemade tea bags Edible baubles Fairy cake baubles Gingerbread tree decorations In the December issue (162) on sale now Make your own advent candle Christmas playlist Mini rosemary wreath decorations Eggnog – why everyone should try it Forest needles chai Decorations from fabric scraps Weekend away – wreath making in the west country In our A Year of Celebrations Anthology Crafternoon – festive bakes and gifts Choosing the tree Edible baubles and stained-glass biscuits Handmade Christmas crackers In our wellbeing bookazine, Flourish Volume 4 Everlasting wreaths Learn more How to have an eco-friendly Christmas: advice from The Wildlife Trusts , The National Trust and WWF Fish pie recipe carrying the MSC blue label by James Strawbridge In previous issues available at picsandink.com Missing people at Christmas – Issue 150
Nov 30
Join The Simple Things’ Editor Lisa Sykes and author of The Slow Traveller and regular contributor Jo Tinsley in the first episode of our Merry Midwinter season, where we are doing our best to find calm and contentment in the run up to Christmas. This episode we will be chatting about alternative approaches to advent calendars, the people working hard to preserve much-loved customs, the joy of a Christmas market and how to fill your home with festive scents. If you are in the UK, you can try an immediate start subscription to the The Simple Things and receive the current issue straight away. Or buy current and back issues here Editing & music by Arthur Cosslett. In the December issue (162) on sale now Weekend project advent candle Alternative advent calendar ideas Keeping up traditions On the blog Natural Advent Calendar of Promises Make your own advent calendar Living Advent Calendar Scented Pinecones Herbs & Spices playlist From A Year of Celebrations anthology Weekend project: make your own advent calendar Learn more Window Wonderland in Shepton Mallet , Somerset A Winter Dictionary: A collection of words for the festive season by Paul Anthony Jones (Elliott & Thompson) In previous issues available to buy at picsandink.com Looking back: Mid-century Christmas traditions (138) Finding the fairytale for free(ish) (138) Weekend project: Scents of the season: Use natural finds to fill your home with some favourite smells of winter (150) Christmassy Cities: Nuremberg (150) , Bruges (Issue 126), Prague (162) Easy Giving: simple ways you can help spread cheer (150) For Christmas gift wrapped subscriptions click here and use code GIFTWRAP25 Thanks to our partner for the Merry Midwinter season, the Marine Stewardship Council , which sets certification standards for sustainable fisheries and awards the blue ecolabel on fish products. Find out more at msc.org and follow them on instagram @mscintheuk
Oct 5
Join The Simple Things’ Editor Lisa Sykes , Wellbeing Editor Rebecca Frank and regular contributor and author of The Slow Traveller , Jo Tinsley as they take an early evening walk together and ponder over the joy and comfort of a familiar ramble, consider why being outdoors helps us to talk more freely, and finish with a stroll in the footsteps of Jane Austen in Bath’s very own pleasure gardens. If you are in the UK, you can try an immediate start subscription to the The Simple Things get 30% off and receive the current issue straight away. Or buy current and back issues here Editing and music by Arthur Cosslett. In The Simple Things In the October HUG issue (160) on sale now Magical creatures – an appreciation of the tawny owl In the November SPICE issue (161) An Autumnal roast – it’s the season for roast dinners and this one is a winner Buy the November issue at picsandink.com from 16 October and on the newsstand from 22 October. From Flourish, our wellbeing bookazine (Volume 3) How to do autumn well – foraging, feasting and conker fighting Outdoor therapy – how it works and techniques to try as your walk Flourish Volume 4 is coming soon and is available to pre-order with 10% off until 29 October IN PREVIOUS ISSUES Which Jane Austen character are you? Fun quiz and events to suit your character. (Issue 154, April 2025) Moodscapes and walking routes – how different landscapes make us feel. (Issue 154, April 2025). Read more on our blog . Taken from The Walking Cure by Annabel Streets (Bloomsbury Tonic) Buy current and back issues here LEARN MORE Jane Austen 250 year anniversary events in Bath https://visitbath.co.uk/inspire-me/literary-bath/jane-austen-bath and beyond www.janeausten.co.uk The joy of a familiar walk by Alice Tatham (Issue 129) Follow Alice on Instagram @thewildwoodmoth
Sep 28
Join The Simple Things’ Editor Lisa Sykes and Wellbeing Editor Rebecca Frank for our own mini harvest festival as they relish this time of abundance for cooking, gathering and squirreling away before the first frosts arrive. If you are in the UK, you can try an immediate start subscription to the The Simple Things and receive the current issue straight away. Or buy current and back issues here Editing by Dhylyn Foster. Music by Arthur Cosslett. On the blog Hedgrow fizz – foraged berries diluted with sparkling wine or water Crab apple whisky Crab apple and fennel seed leather In defence of the pear How to stock a store cupboard Lessons from Nigella Baked pear pies In the October HUG issue (160) on sale now Kitchen therapy – baked pear pies and a mindful drawing exercise Wine and cheese gathering – good wine and cheese pairings make for happy guests In previous issues In the September TREASURE issue (159) Plates to plot – share the harvest with friends by holding your own allotment feast with a tipple of warm apple cider and other seasonal dishes Coming up in the November issue (161) Smart ways to eat well. An extract from Shrewd Food: 60 Ways to Eat Yourself Healthy by Noonie Zand Goodarzi (Badger Books). Illustrations by Mudd Bexley November issue 161 will be available to pre-order at picsandink.com from 16 October, on sale from 22 October. Don’t give up your garden for winter: The natural world may be winding down but autumn is actually the start of the agricultural year, a time to plant and plan for the months ahead In Flourish Volume 3 Today, tomorrow to keep: pears Chocolate pear cake and preserved pears in red wine Pre-order the new Flourish Volume 4 with 10% off at www.picsandink.com until 29 October How to subscribe to The Simple Things – for an immediate start subscription with 30% go to off cover price go to http://www.icebergpress.co.uk/subscribe
Sep 21
As the autumn equinox tips summer into autumn, Wellbeing Editor Rebecca Frank and regular contributor and author of The Slow Traveller , Jo Tinsley lace up their hiking boots and go exploring. From the joy of early autumn city breaks and solo travel to a walking meditation and games you can play with your dog. If you are in the UK, you can try an immediate start subscription to the The Simple Things and receive the current issue straight away. Or buy current and back issues here Editing by Dhylyn Foster. Music by Arthur Cosslett. ON THE BLOG How to be a fearless traveller Songs about dogs Days out for You and Your Dog How to trespass with good manners TO READ The Book of Trespass: Crossing the Lines that Divide Us , by Nick Hayes The Slow Traveller by Jo Tinsley School for Dogs (And Their Humans) by Sophie Collins IN THE SIMPLE THINGS In October issue: My Living: The dog walker Wellbeing: Lessons in chemistry – how hormones help Miscellany: Give the dog a game Buy the October issue at picsandink.com from 18 September and on the newsstand from 24 September. IN PREVIOUS ISSUES Action stations: Hiking between stations or heading to the end of the line (159, Sep 2025) Dog days out: Around the UK are people and places going the extra mile for dogs (147, Sep 2024) Natural connection: A rope swing, a cairn and a den, these humble handmade features our landscape may just hold the key to improving our relationship with nature (147, Sep 2024) Good well hunting: Places for refreshment, healing and worship, wells and springs are magical places (158, Aug 2025) Buy current and back issues here LEARN MORE The Outdoor Swimming Society | Is it legal? The Outdoor Swimming Society | Right to Swim
Sep 14
In this third episode The Simple Things’ Editor Lisa Sykes and Wellbeing Editor Rebecca Frank turn their attention to what they have and where they live, enjoying treasures, finding fresh ideas at home and sampling a bit of Kveldsmat – the Norwegian tradition of evening breakfast. If you are in the UK, you can try an immediate start subscription to the The Simple Things and receive the current issue straight away. Or buy current and back issues here Editing by Dhylyn Foster. Music by Arthur Cosslett. On the blog Greek Panzanella Journalling ideas Search ‘What I treasure’ on the blog for some of our published pieces from readers on a belonging that means a lot to them. To browse Treasure tins – #concentratesofplace @tanyashadrickwriter Window swap In The Simple Things From the September issue – 159 Home Economics: Tomatoes – how to make the most of a seasonal glut of tomatoes Wisdom: Emma Bridgewater on 40 years of preparing pottery and the special ritual of coffee and cake How to Kveldsmat – the Norwegian tradition of a late night snack My plot: Andrew Fusek Peters shares wildlife photography taken from his Shropshire garden. Fusekphotos.com @andrewfusekpeters and book Garden Safari (Graffeg) In the October (160) issue My Place: The corners of our home that mean the most – Kitchen tables Keeping a commonplace book by Miranda Mills, author of The Country Commonplace Book (Batsford) Sunday best – the comfort and delight of Sundays by Daniel Gray author of Sunday Best: Travels through the day of rest by Daniel Gray (Harper North) Bramble basket project Buy the October issue at picsandink.com from 18 September and on the newsstand from 24 September. From earlier issues Letting go – just like nature, we need to shed in order to grow and flourish (136) How to great a weekend retreat at home (142) Back garden campout – enjoy an end of summer camping trip without going away (110)
Sep 7
In this second episode at the start of the new school year The Simple Things’ Editor Lisa Sykes and regular contributor Jo Tinsley indulge in a bit of schooldays nostalgia but also discuss why it’s a good time to take on new projects, find new habits, make something new and learn a few skills. If you are in the UK, you can try an immediate start subscription to the The Simple Things and receive the current issue straight away. Or buy current and back issues here Editing by Dhylyn Foster. Music by Arthur Cosslett. On the blog Things to do with Weird Veg Box Vegetables Parsnip panpipes (yes, really) To read Forecast: A diary of the Lost Seasons , by Joe Shute (Bloomsbury) In The Simple Things From the September TREASURE issue (159) The Slapdash Manifesto: General principles for good enough Wearing Well: Wristwatches Buy the September issue here IN PREVIOUS ISSUES Revisiting team sports (Issue 147, September 2024) Veg box suppers: golden marrow marmalade, Moroccalili (Issue 111, September 2011) Wearing Well Backpacks (Issue 111, September 2021) Miscellany: How to win at conkers (Issue 136, October 2023) Clapping game lyrics A sailor went to sea, sea, sea To see what he could see, see, see But all that he could see, see, see Was the bottom of the deep blue sea, sea, sea A sailor went to knee, knee, knee To see what he could knee, knee, knee But all that he could knee, knee, knee Was the bottom of the deep blue knee, knee, knee A sailor went to chop, chop, chop To see what he could chop, chop, chop, But all that he could chop, chop, chop Was the bottom of the deep blue chop, chop, chop
