Creative Countryside
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Creative Countryside
Slow & Seasonal
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ISSUE 6

A quarterly printed magazine telling stories of nature, folklore & adventure

 
 
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THE NEWSLETTER

Live more seasonally: sign up to the newsletter & receive a free 46-page e-book

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THE COMMUNITY

Seasonal inspiration & resources, plus the opportunity to connect with like-minded folk

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EVENTS

Traditional crafts, seasonal feasts & real life connection in beautiful locations

 
 

Our slow & seasonal mantra,,,

Strive to live more slowly. Keep watch for the first snowdrop, walk outside in the rain, and listen for the return of the swallows. Share stories and seasonal feasts around campfires. Scribble ideas and illustrations on an adventure in the woods, on a mountain hike, or on an early morning stroll around your garden. Choose local, handmade and sustainable. Try your hand at weaving, whittling, foraging and bottling.

And every day, venture outside and celebrate the seasons.

 
 
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Explore the online journal…

 

Seasonal Stories

Blog
The Revival of the Wassail
Contributor
The Revival of the Wassail
Contributor
Contributor

Slow Living

INSPIRED BY NATURE

 
 
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Spring Meet-Up

SATURDAY 23RD MARCH

Yorkshire Sculpture Park

  • Join us for an afternoon at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park for an informal meet-up with like-minded souls. Our meet-ups are usually just for our community members, but we’re opening this to all who might be interested.

  • We’ll begin with hot drinks and cake, before setting off to explore the grounds.

  • There will be plenty of opportunities to chat, appreciate the artwork, and embrace the season!

 
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Meet the Team

 
 
 
 

Sign up for monthly seasonal inspiration…

We love stories and folklore, adventures in nature & seasonal celebrations. Sound like you too? Join like-minded folk and become a part of the free newsletter community today. We'll send you a free 46-page seasonal living e-book, a digital mini-magazine four times a year, & monthly(ish) newsletters, including exclusive updates on our printed magazine and events.

We'd love to have you join us. Are you in?

 
 
 
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"The biggest part of looking back over 2018 is an immense feeling of gratitude. That I’m in such a privileged position to be able to experiment with what works and what doesn’t. That I have such a wonderful support network around me. And most of all, that you’ve all stuck around. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. You make all of this possible."⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ More honest reflections on the past year over in the journal today - combining day 4 and 5 of #anempowered2019 with @andthrive and talking more about my biggest challenges and what I'm grateful for. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Photo: @anniespratt from the #ccwintergathering this time last year⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #heiterwinter #aseasonalyear #slowlived
I used to find pretty much all my inspiration in books, blog posts, photos, music, films... Don't get me wrong, those things do still inspire me, but more than ever it's people I turn to when I'm seeking help, advice, motivation or creativity. Their own lives, their own journeys, their outlook on life.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I highly recommend checking this lovely lot out if you don't already follow: @lovinglifeinwellies for down-to-earth posts and mindful living; @anniespratt for her incredibly photography that she generously shares for public use on @unsplash; @acupfullofdreams if you want serious shed envy; @beckyocole for tons of seasonal ideas; @a_slow_adventure for cosy scenes of slow living; and @notestothemoon for taking wonderful photos like this one, at our solstice celebration last month.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ What, or who, inspires you?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Joining in for day 3 of #anempowered2019 with the wonderful @andthrive
Day 2 of #anempowered2019 from @andthrive is all about the things you've learnt over the past year, and any advice you might like to offer other creatives. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I think the biggest lesson I'm taking into 2019 is to always look for the light. I've taken some huge leaps of faith with Creative Countryside - some have paid off, others have flopped, but I've learnt heaps from from those things that haven't gone so well. I'm still learning that it's ok to make these mistakes, that it's all part of the journey.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I listened to @hanbullivant on the @me_and_orla podcast this week and she was talking about the different stages of her business, how she started thinking one thing, but things have evolved and changed over time, and it's only by taking big steps and being brave that you can see what's actually going to work for you. This is the mindset I want to move forward with for the year ahead. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ How about you? What's the biggest lesson you're taking into the new year?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Photo taken by my lovely husband at @thewelshhouse in Feb last year.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #gloomandglow #slowandglow #ofcosymoments #simpleandstill #cherishandrelish_january
2018 began with the first CC gathering. I had no idea how it would be received, or if there would ever be another, and although I learnt a lot(!), the weekend ended and I was so excited to plan the next one. Running the CC gatherings has definitely been a highlight of the past year, mainly because I met and connected so many lovely folk who reaffirmed my outlook and approach to life. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ And seeing as it's rare we all shout about our achievements, here are a few more from my highlight reel for 2018: publishing four issues of the magazine and managing to break even; launching the membership community (something I'd wanted to do for ages) and working with such a wonderful team of people with that I can't believe my luck (check out the tags!).⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Thank you @andthrive for the #anempowered2019 prompt - today is day one, talking all about success over the past year if you'd like to join in!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Photo: @anniespratt at the #ccwintergathering last January
I talk about living seasonally a lot. About appreciating that everything in nature has a cycle, that all things will pass and new growth will emerge. But it's only in the past few months that I've really thought about my life in this way too. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ This year, winter hit me in the second week of December, and I felt like checking out of everything. My creativity slumped and I felt my mind and body craving the time and space to rest. For the first time, I listened, and although I was hit with illness and exhaustion, I know it was the right thing to do, that I had to get through it to emerge the other side. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I'm not ready to jump back into things completely yet, but I'm getting there. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Are you aware of your own inner seasons? Which are you in right now?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Image: Marcus Spiske via @unsplash, featured in issue 6 of the magazine⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #aseasonalyear #aseasonalshift #slowlived #embracingtheseasons
It's here! Reasons I'm excited for this December: the CC (early) solstice celebration on the 11th, a festive family holiday in celebration of my birthday and Dan's new job, the fact I can now start to use my conscious winter calendar (made with @botanical_tales at the #ccautumngathering), aaaand I can burn my 'Star of Wonder' candle from @smallestlight all month long! (also available as part of our 'yule' bundle on the website)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ What are you looking forward to this month?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Photo: @anniespratt⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #nestandthrive #styleonmytable #anaturalchristmashome #heitermoments #asimplechristmas
It's coming. Can you feel it yet?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #aseasonalshift ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Photo: @anniespratt at the #ccautumngathering
Well that was a bit of a longer break than anticipated! After the autumn gathering a week and a bit ago, I threw myself into finishing the winter issue of the magazine. It all felt a bit much and I gave myself permission to pretty much forget about social media during that time, and I'm so glad I did. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Maddy (@a_slow_adventure) talked about the conflict of 'slow' and 'busy' over on her grid this week, how they don't have to be mutually exclusive, and it really resonated. She wrote: 'slow living isn’t about completely avoiding hurry or hard work because I don’t think that’s realistic. Instead it’s about going through those moments with a sense of calm and purpose, keeping a healthy balance between productivity and rest.' ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ How about you? What's your perception of slow living?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Photo: @anniespratt at the #ccautumngathering⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #aseasonalyear #embracingtheseasons #aseasonalshift #slowlived
New album cover?! A snapshot of the community meet-up last month, captured by @pimandposset - I can't remember what we were so happy about, but it pretty much sums up the day! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Connecting with people who really get what I love in life - nature, the seasons, living simply, making time for creativity - is without doubt the best part of running CC.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ If you're looking for a place to call home in this busy online world, I'd love to welcome you to the community. Doors close at midnight, so this is your last chance.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Callum @aseasonedsoul sums up what it's like to be a member... "the Creative Countryside community is precisely that: a real community - the conversations, content and connections truly enrich my life daily."⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #communityovercompetition #aseasonalyear #gowildlyandslow #thesimpleeveryday
Just three days to go until our autumn gathering! Currently: writing too many to-do lists, panicking that I've forgotten something, watching my inbox fill up, trying to sort through my 'organised chaos' ready to pack. But most of all? I'm so excited to see/meet everyone! How do you prepare for a big event in your life or business? Ready in plenty of time, or a bit last minute?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Totally unrelated image by the lovely @pimandposset from our community meet-up last month. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #communityovercompetition #aseasonalshift #creativehappylife
While autumn is a time to draw together threads of the past year, winter - and particularly the new year - is the time of year to pause, rest, and nourish your mind, body and creativity, ready to begin again.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Our first event of 2019 will give you the opportunity to do just that, with a weekend of slow creativity, mindfulness, and inner reflections.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Add seasonal feasts, Imbolc rituals, and workshops to create a handmade journal for spring, write the seasons, and collaboratively create a nature-zine (not as complicated as it might sound!). If you're interested, there's a link in the usual place.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Do you notice a difference in your approach to autumn and winter?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Photo: @anniespratt ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #aseasonalyear #embracingtheseasons
In my head, I'm always six months ahead, on to the next project or new idea. I have this intense need to plan, and to know what lies ahead for my business, and in my life. I think I've always been this way.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ But always reaching for 'the next thing' - while a great planning tool - means that sometimes I lose sight of what's really important. So for the rest of the year I'm going to stop moving so fast, and take time to pause and really think about how things will look in 2019.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ So here's where you come in, because none of this would be possible if you weren't here, and I'm grateful every single day that you are! If you have a minute, I'd love for you to let me know in the comments your thoughts about CC... Do you just read the journal posts when they appear? Is it the magazine that brought you here? Do our events appeal, but you just haven't managed to get to one yet? Or do you think our members community would be a good fit for you? (or maybe there's something else you'd like to see?!)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ And thank you, again, for supporting me along this journey. It may be chaotic and stressful at times, but I wouldn't have it any other way. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Photo: @anniespratt⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #communityovercompetition #whimsicalwonderfulwild #chasingtheseasons #gowildlyandslow