Finding joy in 2023
If there's one New Year’s resolution we all need to make this year, it's to do more of what makes us feel good. Whether that's learning a new skill, connecting with nature or getting involved with your local community, we've got plenty of ideas for life-enhancing activities to try in the county
Stretch it out
How does the idea of stepping off life’s treadmill for a few hours sound? Lucia Cockcroft, co-founder of Moulsham Mill-based Yoga at the Mill, has years of experience in the yoga and meditation industry as both student and teacher. She'll be leading a gentle and nurturing Deep Rest retreat at eco-friendly, award-winning Highwood Village Hall near Chelmsford, from 2.30-4.45pm on Jan 21, with the emphasis on very gentle movement, mindfulness and guided relaxation. ‘It's definitely one for those looking to slow down and relax,’ says Lucia, ‘It's accessible to anyone able to get on and off the floor easily.’ Not only should the mini retreat leave you truly relaxed, it ends with tea and and a vegan chocolate brownie – marvellous!
yogaatthemill.co.uk
Lift your look
If this is the year you'd like to find a new way to express yourself through your wardrobe, an image consultation could be just the ticket – and it's never too late to work out what suits you. Image consultant Thomasin Newton, based in Colchester, offers a range of options from colour choices and styling to wardrobe-decluttering to leave you with outfits that earn their wardrobe space, whether for work or leisure. She'll even apply her knowledge of the best names in fashion to take you shopping if there are gaps in your wardrobe that need filling. Prices from £265 for a four-hour colour, style and image review.
thomasinnewtonimageconsultant.com
Food for thought
Tucking into delicious food that you've made yourself is one of life's simple pleasures, and if you'd like to learn how to create new dishes for your culinary repertoire in 2023, Pippins in Little Hallingbury offers a great range of courses, whatever your skill level. Under the relaxed, enthusiastic guidance of Leith’s-trained food expert Caroline Jones, you could learn how to make and decorate the perfect cupcake, produce your own sausages or simply enjoy the therapeutic delights of baking your own bread – then take home what you've created to enjoy later. Classes for children are an option too. From £40 for two hours.
pippinscookeryschool.co.uk
Forest bathing
Known in Japan as shinrin yoku, forest bathing is simply about being calm, quiet and mindful as you walk among trees. Switch off all mobile devices, breathe deeply and just give yourself over to the natural world around you, appreciating its sights, smells and sounds. ‘It's a great way for people of all ages to de-stress and boost health and wellbeing,’ says Essex-based therapist Ruth Mortimer, of Forest Clouds Nature Therapy. She runs both group activities and one-to-one sessions in areas including Belfairs Woods, Leigh On Sea and at Hanningfield Reservoir, Essex Wildlife Trust. From £18 per person for public group sessions to £60 one-to-one sessions.
forestcloudsnaturetherapy.co.uk
Star gazing
There’s something strangely comforting about star-gazing – realising we’re all part of something infinitely bigger than ourselves. And if you want to know more about what’s actually going on up there, the North Essex Astronomical Society arranges a number of events for non-members, setting up their telescopes outdoors so you can star-gaze for as long as the weather allows, learning to recognise some of the constellations as the night progresses. Venues for events include Markshall Estate in Coggeshall and Great Notley Country Park in Braintree – just remember to wrap up warmly, and if you already have a telescope, bring it with you.
northessexastro.co.uk
Dance fever
Want to bring a little Strictly joy into your life via something more active than watching re-runs on iPlayer? For the past 25 years, Anderson Dance Group of Billericay has been helping even those with two left feet learn to trip the light fantastic with their friendly classes. Grab a partner and learn to glide and hot step around the floor as you pick up the basics of the waltz, fox trot, cha cha cha and jive. Who knows where the rhythm will take you?
andersondancegroup.co.uk
Get crafty
Unleash your creativity with a crafting class, and if you're not sure what to try, we reckon Barleylands should be your first stop. The craft village at this one-stop farm park is home to a host of artists and makers ready to share their skills with others throughout the year. At Craft Arena, for instance, you could try a workshop in needlework, sewing, mixed media or textile art. Meanwhile, glass-blowing is an option with Caroline of Wiedman Glass, and at Peacock Pottery, you can throw your own pot on the wheel and paint and finish your creations.
barleylands.co.uk
Strum a ukelele
Anyone who’s ever heard the Ukelele Orchestra of Great Britain in performance will know just how much fun there is to be had with a simple four-stringed instrument. Encouragingly, they’re easy to master – forget the recorder, these days many primary schools are turning to the ukelele to teach their youngest pupils musicianship. You might be lucky and have a child in your life who can teach you the basics, but otherwise, Maldon Ukelele Group – known to its friends as MUGS – welcomes beginners and runs jamming sessions.
sites.google.com/site/ukulelemugs
Run for charity
Set yourself a goal and then experience the joy of smashing it – all for a great cause and in a memorable setting. Colchester Stampede will take you past the elephants, tigers and hyenas in the Zoo via a timed 10k run. Your £34 stampede entry cost includes free entry into Colchester Zoo after the race (worth £22.99), official chip-timed results, free race photos, a themed medal and post-race goodies. The memories and sense of achievement are free.
colchesterstampede.com
Create your own jewellery
Treat yourself to a one-off piece of jewellery that you’ve made yourself – or give it away to a lucky recipient. Silversmith Karen Cooke has more than 20 years’ experience in designing, making and teaching and now relishes the opportunity to help others make in metal in her fully equipped studio. ‘On a taster course, participants can learn to make silver rings, earrings, pendants or bangles, with longer courses an option. The main thing is to have fun and tap into your creativity; people are surprised by what they can achieve.’ From £95.
bench-space.com
Take an outdoor dip
‘Open-water swimming for me has always been about relaxation, escapism, freedom – and of course fun,’ says coach Paul Slade. Little wonder, then, that it’s so popular. But as Paul points out, it’s essential to keep safe in the open water, which is where his sessions come in. Swimming with you on a stretch of either the Thames Estuary, the River Chelmer or at sites around the county, he'll share his techniques for safe, informed open-water swimming. He can even include cake afterwards! Prices start from an affordable £10 for a guided swim on Mersea boating lake.
essexoutdoorswimcoach.co.uk
Make a lino cut
Let Glaswegian-born artist Eleanor Mulinder, who runs Wee Bothy Art with her daughter Holly, show you just how satisfying printmaking can be, with the courses they run at Essex Print Studio in Margaretting. A three-hour hands-on lino cut workshop, for instance, is designed to take complete beginners through the process of creating, carving and printing their own lino block. While you can bring images to inspire you if you like, there'll be plenty of inspiration on hand to help you decide. ‘Participants head off with a small collection of their own work and the knowledge and skills to continue their lino printing journey at home,’ says Eleanor. Price from £50.
weebothyart.com
Take a walk
Walking is easy, fun and free, and if you join your local Ramblers group, you'll have the chance to meet other people and help protect the places we all love to walk. Local groups not only organise regular walks led by experts, they also help look after paths and green spaces, open up new places to explore and act as a leading voice on walking matters near you. All sorts of walks are on offer throughout Essex – from shorter walks, walks for families with babies and 12-mile hikes, with annual membership starting from £35.
ramblers.org.uk
Make a friend
We all know the joy that friendship can bring, and by joining the befriending scheme with Age Well East, based in Colchester, you'll not only enrich the life of someone older within the Essex community, but undoubtedly your own too. Journalist David Woods met Ron and Margaret Hall, together for 75 years, through the scheme back in 2020. ‘It was an absolute honour, privilege and delight to get to know a couple for whom love was – and will be – eternal,’ says David. Surely it doesn't get much more joyful than that.
agewelleast.org.uk
Get into the garden
If you haven't got your own outdoor space, membership of the Royal Horticultural Society will give you access to some of the country's finest gardens, as well as the wellbeing benefits visiting these spaces can bring. Here in Essex, gorgeous RHS Garden Hyde Hall always has something to offer – from its winter garden to the summertime rose walk. With everything from woodland to a reservoir to explore, it’s little wonder that the place bills itself as offering the chance to ‘find joy all year round.’ Annual membership from £53.
rhs.org.uk
