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The festive season can be a stressful time. It’s so important take some time to care for your mind, body & soul all the time but especially during stressful periods.

Self-care isn’t always bubble baths & chocolate although there is definitely a place for that: meditating in the bath is one of my favourite self-care – more of that later.

Self-care is all about doing something we look forward to everyday, it’s the highlight of our day, something we do that nourishes & nurtures our body mind & soul. It doesn’t have to be time consuming or self-indulgent, just a few short minutes can make a huge difference.

It’s all about about doing what you need in order to nurture & nourish yourself.

Simply taking sometime to do this sends a powerful message – it sends a message about your self-worth. That you love yourself enough to take care of yourself. You send a message to the Universe: I am worth it, that’s why I am investing in myself, taking some time to make myself a priority. This is an act of self-love & you are SO worth it.

Self-care is an act of self-love which boosts self-worth: what a beautiful virtuous circle.

When life is stressful, as it can be during & leading up to the holidays, it’s even more important to practice self-care. This is because when we are living in stress we are living in survival mode, drawing from our energetic field. We need to balance this by activating the rest & digest system to boost our energetic field, protecting against illness & burn out.

As I said at the beginning meditating in the bath is one of my favourite self-care rituals ever.

I use magnesium salts which are brilliant for detox-ing, cleansing & soothing away aches & pains, mentally & physically.

I just love meditating in the bath – words can’t do it justice, just try it.

Fill the bath with bubbles or magnesium salts & then lie in the bath just rest your attention on your breath. Every time you get distracted by a train of thought, no need to beat yourself up, criticise or judge, just simply guide your attention back to your breath.

If your mind feels really noisy & busy, don’t worry, this is normal: when we become still & silent our minds can suddenly seem really busy thinking thoughts.

We can’t stop our minds thinking thoughts but we can stop these thoughts from controlling us. We simply become aware when we have been interrupted by a thought & gently & kindly accept this interruption, guiding our awareness back to our breath.

Join me next week for another self-care tip to help you thrive in the holiday season.

If you would like to find out more self-care tips to thrive in the festivities check out Alex’s FB group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/mindfulnessyoga4selfcare

Or on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexbannard/

Short yoga sequences including yoga for stress are available on her YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQlKZJ7MeyYc6lqkv6seISw

Alex is based on the edge of the stunning Cotswolds & has been sharing her love for all things yoga & mindfulness for almost a decade, not just in the UK but also around the world. Her mission is to help everyone discover a more mindful way of living & to encourage them to embrace regular self-care practices for a happier & healthier way of being.

Nettlecombe Manor, nestled in the rolling hills of Devon, is home to  Lord Farringdon and his second wife, Lady Charlotte. As if running the vast estate wasn’t enough, Lord Farringdon has five daughters to keep him busy. Lady Charlotte is determined that the betrothal of the eldest, Louisa, should be celebrated with a ball, one that will be the envy of Devon society. A corsetiere is summoned from Exeter to measure them up for new corsets.

Apprentice Jane Haydon arrives at Nettlecombe to do the fittings. Having never set foot in such a grand home, Jane is disturbed to hear tell of a gypsy’s curse which has haunted the family for generations, and a local wise woman’s vision that there will never be a wedding at Nettlecombe.

I found myself reading  this novel without stopping for anything, or that’s what I would have liked as it was just so hard to put down, but I expected this, as I had enjoyed her previous ones so much.

Farringdon’s Fate transports the reader back to 1854 and the world of balls, corsets grand estates and grandiose ambition. I simply could not pry myself away from the tremendous characters and their lives set in my home territory of the west country, an area which Finlay captures and portrays so exquisitely.

If you enjoyed TV shows such as Bridgerton then you will no doubt enjoy Farringdon’s Fate.

Published 9th December2021 available in Paperback, ebook and audio

7.99 from Amazon

I had the great pleasure of interviewing Linda Finlay for Frost Magazine recently. Linda is one of my favourite authors and it was fascinating to go ‘behind the scenes’ and learn more about the way she  works to create such evocative novels. Farringdon’s Fate is her latest, and I loved it. So here we go:

1. Who are your favourite and least favourite characters from Farringdon’s Fate and why ?I

I love most of the characters I created in Farringdon’s Fate, but my favourite has to be Jane because despite her unfortunate start in life, through sheer hard work and determination she becomes a successful corsetiere. My least favourite would have to be Parson Preetcher who was out to make money by exploiting young, vulnerable women. A total cad.

2. What was the hardest scene to write and why ?

The hardest scene to write was where the young girls go missing – and when people read the book, they will see why I needed a box of tissues beside me.

3. How did you develop the plot and the characters? Where did you draw inspiration from ?

For each book I have to find my craft first and a visit to the most beautiful lingerie shop in Exeter provided the initial inspiration. Learning how corsets were made in Victorian times was the next task and proved most enlightening. I wanted to set a young businesswoman in 1850’s up against ladies of privilege and a local manor house proved my next light bulb moment.

4. What significant changes were made to Farringdon’s Fate since the first draft ?

Luckily there weren’t any significant changes to the actual plot although my wonderful editor and copy editor had their input, adding sparkle and ironing out the creases.

5. Farringdon’s Fate is set in Devon and Exeter, did you visit these places for research?

I always visit the locations my novels are set in so that I can actually feel and soak up the atmosphere. Although the manor house is sadly now empty, my niece’s wedding reception was held there so I have memories and photos of the inside which proved most helpful.

6. When you create your characters do you base them on film characters/ people you have met ? For example when I first met Charlotte I could not help but picture her as the evil step -other from Cinderella.

I actually dream up my characters, who sometimes surprise me with the way they develop. However, I can see what you mean about Charlotte. In her defence, she was an unhappy and unfulfilled woman who did try to help her stepdaughters although she wanted to shine herself.

7. Was Farringdon’s Fate written during lockdown? If so how did the experience differ from when you wrote your previous books ?

Most of Farringdon was written during lockdown, which was fine at first, but I did begin to miss outside stimulus! I am an avid people watcher!

8. Was there ever a different ending in store ?

No, the ending was always going to be this way. Hopeful rather than sentimental and with an eye to the Farringdon’s future.

9. What does 2022 have in store for you and your fans ?

Well, Farringdon 2 is with my editor at the moment, so the saga continues. I also have many ideas for future development – so here’s hoping.

Farringdon’s Fate by Linda Finleyis available here