The Dazzle #2

All the things that have made me smile this week, including sports bras, chafing cream, and Sam Thompson.

You can win this necklace, though I can’t promise the sun in the background. Sorry about that.

Hello, and welcome to the second edition of the Dazzle, which I write on a particularly gloomy, grey Sunday in November, wondering what on earth I am doing. Launching this Substack properly has made me feel incredibly self-conscious. Like a bit of a tit, to be perfectly honest with you. I imagine you all receiving this email and thinking: ‘what is this drivel? Where are the cups of tea with Prince Harry? Why does she think we CARE?’. This is what I call ‘washing machine head’ - when your thoughts whirl round and round, stuck on an apparently never ending spin cycle of shame. We have been talking about washing machine heads in the All is Well, My Darling community, which has given me a whole lot of relief this week. I just wanted you to know that if you are reading this, and your brain won’t quit ruminating, you are NOT alone. Here are some other things that have helped lighten the load this week:

Insight Timer This is a free app that contains heaps of talks and guided meditations. It was my introduction to the world of mindfulness, gently easing me in when I was deeply cynical and couldn’t understand how focusing on my breathing was going to dispel horrible intrusive OCD thoughts. I’ve been using it since my first year of sobriety, and it has really helped to quieten down my head when it gets particularly loud in there. My favourite sessions on the app are from Tara Brach and Sarah Blondin, but there’s something for everyone there, including sleep courses, breathwork and bedtime meditations for children.

Seeing the first proof copy of Mad Woman Seeing a book you have written, all bound up and typeset, never gets boring. Mad Woman is a follow-up to my book Mad Girl. It’s about OCD, and binge eating, and how breakdowns are always invitations to breakthrough. It’s out on February 15, but you can pre-order now here and if you buy in advance you can also enter this competition here, where the prize is a beautiful Mad Woman necklace which I will hand deliver to you before taking you out for an exercise session of your choice. A walk, a swim, a run, a game of table tennis - let’s be mad women together!

Sam Thompson I very rarely watch I’m a Celeb and I was even less keen this year because of Nigel Farage. But I am SO glad I tuned in because it has enabled me to fall down a Sam Thompson-shaped rabbit hole. He’s just GLORIOUS! Such joy, in human form! I’ve spent most of my free time this week watching his Tik Toks with Pete Wicks, and wept with laughter at their most recent one, which involved the pair visiting Battersea Park so Sam could try and get used to life in the ‘wilderness’. We need more silly, joyous humans like him in the world.

A brilliant sports bra I am forever being asked where I get my sports bras. The short answer is: Bravissimo. I bought this Oti Mabuse designed one a couple of months ago and it is a rare example of a sports bra designed for bigger busts that also looks good. Plus it is genuinely supportive. PSA: I’m a 36JJ.

Megababe Thigh Rescue I picked this up while in LA earlier this year as I had heard good things about it from other ladies who suffer from chafing, and I am so happy to see it’s sold in the UK now! I lather it on before all my runs, because otherwise I would not be able to walk. It’s also amazing during the summer, when you want to wear a skirt but don’t want sore inner thighs. God, this email is so glamorous.

Some lovely advice for my washing machine head from a dear friend Last year I had a breakdown. I have never forgotten what someone kind told me as I wept on them. “Bryony,” she said, “you are not your thoughts, you are just the person who hears them.” I hope this helps you a little if your own brain is racing, and would love it if you wanted to share your own tips for getting through tough times in the comments below.

Sending so much love,

Bryony xx