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  • in-Conversation with Ben Pechey

    Ben Pechey and Eduardo Gutiérrez discuss creativity and risk, and how each have played a part in discovering their own unique personal purpose in life. About Ben: Ben is a non-binary writer, content creator, and LGBTQIA Activist. They aim to uplift and educate through media. They run their own website, are the host of The Happy Place podcast. Ben is a Create Space guest speaker but you can catch them delivering education and laughter daily via their legendary Instagram Stories. benpechey.com @benpechey Ben's Podcast - The Happy Place About Eduardo: Eduardo is an Oxford graduate from Colombia with a passion for philosophy and peace-building. He joined the Create Space team in 2020 after attending the 'Who am I?' virtual retreat, and now facilitates our 'What's My Purpose?' workshop. @eduardofgg Follow WE CREATE SPACE on social: @wecreatespace.co View upcoming workshops. Join our community for free to hear when we release new workshops.

  • in-Conversation with Aisha Shaibu

    Aisha Shaibu and Maylis Djikalou discuss the role that our inner voices can play in shaping our own personal narrative. About Aisha: Aisha is an LGBTQ+ activist and founder of Moonlight Experiences, a social enterprise that connects queer travellers with trusted locals, so that they can explore a new location more authentically and as themselves. Aisha is also Head of Community Engagement at UK Black Pride, and a community event organiser who helps amplify marginalised voices and harnesses the economic power of LGBTQ+ tourism to support queer safe spaces. @aisha_shaibu_ About Maylis: Maylis is our event and experience coordinator. By profession she is a transformational coach and consultant. Maylis has 10 years’ experience working at the intersection of the fashion and mental health industries, curating international events and strategic partnerships to promote wellbeing in the workplace as competitive advantage. Follow WE CREATE SPACE on social: @wecreatespace.co View upcoming workshops. Join our community for free to hear when we release new workshops.

  • What does being a 'queer man' mean today?

    In the lead up to our new workshop 'i See You, i See Me', we asked four Create Space team members to discuss their relationship with masculinity, sex and self-image. What barriers and societal structures currently surround masculinity? How do our other intersectional identities (race, religion, cultural background, gender etc…) interact with our own masculinity? How can we create space for more vulnerability, intimacy and self-love as a queer man? About our speakers: Jani Toivola is a writer, actor and speaker. With a mother from Finland and a father from Kenya, Jani was born and raised in Helsinki Finland. He served as an MP from 2011 to 2019. He is the first black member of the Finnish Parliament and one of the few openly gay politicians in Finland. His biggest political success was passing the same-sex marriage act in 2016. Before becoming a politician Jani was known as an actor and tv-host. He has published two books in relation to identity and fatherhood, and is currently working on his third book, a memoir about the male body experience. He's also developing a drama series for TV and is the proud father of a 7-year old. @janitoivo Jason Kwan is a dark pop singer/songwriter and a youth worker at AKT, a charity supporting young LGBTQ+ people experiencing homelessness across the UK. He is also a trustee at Male Survivors Partnership, supporting men, boys, trans+ people, and non binary people who have experienced sexual assault. Jason is a queer non binary person from Hong Kong, living in East London. @jasonkwanmusic Rico Jacob Chace is a videographer, writer and vocal activist, fighting avidly for the rights of LGBTQIA+ people and Black people. As a board member of TransActual UK, he continues to strive to change UK legislation for non-binary equality and raise the Black Queer intersectionality question in all forums. He continues to speak out about the complexities of sexuality, gender and racial perceptions. And has also launched ‘Against Racism’, a nine-part show exploring the various forms of racism and how we collectively can make a difference. @rjchace Ajay Pabial is a London-based queer artist of South-Asian heritage on a mission to shine the light on other creatives from culturally diverse backgrounds and LGBT+ intersections. He runs his own social enterprise, Art Clubbers CIC, and he's a Civic Futures Fellow for the Mayor of London. He’s also on our Board of Directors at WE CREATE SPACE. @ajay_pabial i See You, i See Me Date : Saturday 4th September Time : 13:00 - 16:00 GMT / 8:00 - 11:00 EST Location : Virtual Audience : LGBTQ+ Cost : FREE (Donations accepted) A playful self-enquiry workshop for those wanting to explore their relationship with sex, masculinity and self-image. Led by a team of mentors and coaches, we'll start to challenge pre-conceived ideas of what it means to be a queer man in 2021. We’ll be introducing new teachings and tools for bringing about more awareness, compassion and intimacy when engaging with oneself and others. BOOK HERE or FIND OUT MORE

  • Create space for everyone; making your community more accessible.

    Spaces and platforms aren’t often designed with disabled people in mind, especially within the LGBTQ+ community. Our team decided to come up with some simple suggestions, based on their own personal experiences of disability, to help those running organisations create spaces that allow their disabled community to thrive. Often, disabled access is treated as an afterthought. According to the office for National Statistics, just under half of disabled people in the UK are unemployed, and 3 out of 4 disabled people have left a public space, shop or business due to accessibility concerns. So what can we do to change that? How do we improve accessibility and let our queer disabled leaders flourish? We Create Space approached some of our disabled leaders within the queer community to get their personal thoughts on the topic. Here are some starting points for what you can do to help welcome more disabled people into your spaces. Keep asking questions. Not all disabled people are the same, and needs change from person to person. So what’s the best way to make your spaces more accessible? Ask! Go to members of your community and ask what would help make their lives easier. Think about what you can offer - in your professional space, is there an option to work from home? Do images in your social media posts have text descriptions? Tiny changes can make a great difference. “I think improvement in accessibility for disabled people can always be worked on. The range of experiences of disabled people is so large, whether the disability is physical, mental, or hidden; there’s no simple answer. We’re constantly changing and evolving.” - Coco (they/she) “To improve accessibility for deaf people, I’d first start by asking us what our needs are. Don’t assume that all deaf people are the same. Most importantly, just try! Never tell us “never mind, it doesn’t matter” and please don’t treat us like we’re fragile. Maybe write things down on your notes app/some paper, learn the basics of British Sign Language or simply point to things - as long as you try.” - Luke Christian (he/him) “Educating every person you meet on your medical history is less helpful than if they were to ask what they can do to make situations more accessible. All it takes are a few reasonable adjustments, and it is entirely possible for me to excel.” - Stewart O’ Callaghan (they/them) “Being disabled is exhausting. We have to adapt to a world that is not designed for us and often does not accommodate our needs. Believe disabled people when they say they are tired and provide adequate support.” - River Solace (they/them) “I battled for years to get previous employers to accept my request to work from home, and every time I asked for reasonable adjustments, I always felt like my requests were treated with suspicion... We need to honour the experience of LGBTQ+ disabled people, and cut through the constant gaslighting we face every day of our lives.” - Louie Stafford (he/they) Give disabled voices the floor. Don’t just ask what you can do for your disabled community - give them the platform to speak for themselves. Proactively prioritise the experience for disabled people by making sure they’re in the room for all of your decisions. Not only can elevating the voices, stories and perspectives of disabled leaders help you address accessibility in your community, but it also helps to break down misconceptions that wider society has about the disabled community. “I desire to serve as a possibility model for other queer disabled people to realize what is possible when one embraces every aspect of one’s identity.” - Mark Travis Rivera (he/him) “Seeing someone who looks like you succeed is powerful. Growing up under Section 28, we suffered a serious lack of public role models. Now, things are different - more queer disabled people can lift their own voices, and I think that brings us out of the “pity-lens” and into empowerment.” - Stewart O Callaghan (he/they) “As an ally, think about who is sat at the table. Disabled people can offer a unique perspective and deserve a place at the table to have their stories heard. Be aware that not all disabilities are visible. Always remember to pass the mic.” - River Solace (they/them) “Looking around, I see more and more people like me, taking up space and being open and honest about what they experience and what they need to thrive in this world, which inspires me to keep going and keep fighting for what I need!” - Louie Stafford (he/they) Encourage and help establish support systems. Try to help encourage relationships within your community. According to the Office for National Statistics, disabled people are almost four times more likely to report feelings of loneliness than non-disabled people. Set up safe, online spaces for your community to get to know each other. Setting up a group chat or regular wellbeing check-ins may not seem like much, but to those who struggle to get out and socialise it can make a huge difference. “As a disabled person, I find my strength through my support system - to have people around that understand my disabilities and allow me to flourish, without judgement. Power is something from within - it helps me take all the pain of myself and of people like me, and use it to prove to society that people with disabilities can be just as amazing and special as a ‘normal, able’ human.” - Coco (they/she) “When I was diagnosed with incurable cancer, I tried to attend the usual support they offered but it was overwhelmingly cisheteronormative and I couldn’t connect. I didn’t feel like I fit into the cancer community, so I turned to my LGBTIQ+ community. I had always given my energy to the cause through marches, press pieces and the like, but when it came time to receive that love back, I was totally unprepared for how powerful and life changing it would be.” - Stewart O Callaghan (they/them) “I have met many wonderful queer and autistic people online during lockdown who have helped me to understand myself better and given me a space to exist without judgement. I had no idea there was a whole community out there of people like myself.” - River Solace (they/them) “I used to love going out and clubbing and meeting strangers in smoking areas, but as I get older, I increasingly find the most solace in spaces where I can form genuine, sober connections with other trans and disabled people. It's through the conversations in those spaces that I learn the most about myself.” - Louie Stafford (he/they) Rethink "normal" and accept the unique. What isn’t a barrier to you can often be a barrier for someone else. Consider what you know as normal from a different perspective, and be open to suggestions of how your organisation can change the “normal” to create a more inclusive atmosphere for disabled people. Put the work in to make sure everyone has the tools they need to thrive. “Be prepared and be there to support us. I know there’s nothing more warming than someone who wants to get to know my disability. Be extra supportive and understanding, even with the things you don’t understand, try to - we’re not as complex as society makes out, we just were made with different tweaks and I think that’s the beauty of it.” - Coco (they/she) “What annoys me is when people make an excuse for not being accessible. "We don't have the funding" or "we didn't think about that in time". There's a lot of miscommunication and lack of understanding of what accessibility means, but also misunderstanding about the fact that accessibility is not one size fits all.” - Max Marchewicz (they/them) “When you are not affected by a barrier in society, it is easy to be oblivious to it. That is why it is so important to engage with the communities around you and to have humility in what you hear. Engage with us to find out what works for us. We are just people trying to live a full life, like everyone else.” - Stewart O Callaghan (they/them) “Having a disability is not something that stops us from having fun and being social. We may move or communicate differently, but what actually excludes us is lack of understanding and lack of accessibility.” - River Solace (they/them) “It is important to send a message to non-disabled people that difference makes us human and shouldn't be feared. The sooner we free ourselves from the pressures and boundaries we place on each other across society, the safer this world will be for everyone.” - Louie Stafford (he/they) Our Contributors: Mark Travis Rivera (he/him) Mark is an award winning choreographer, dancer, life coach and writer. He recently wrote this article on belonging as a disabled person. Mark is also the creator of the “Marking the Path” podcast and a published poet. Max Marchewicz (they/them) Max is a queer disabled activist and the creator of CrippleQueers, an instagram dedicated to boosting the visibility of queer disabled people. They are also a accessibility consultant and British Sign Language interpreter. Coco (they/she) Coco is a non-binary, LGBTQ+ mental health activist and writer. Talk to Coco has created a safe space for people all around the world to openly share their experiences, feelings and struggles. She prides herself on giving support, advice and mentoring with zero judgment, just pure love and transparency. Coco also volunteers for @ukblackpride, supporting Community Engagement. Luke Christian (he/him) Luke Christian a deaf, gay entrepeneur and is the CEO of Deaf Identity, a fashion brand dedicated to breaking down barriers and stigmas surrounding the deaf community through fashion. He also writes regularly on his own lifestyle and fashion blog. Stewart O'Callaghan (they/them) Stewart O’Callaghan is the founder and director of Live Through This, an organisation dedicated to supporting LGBT+ people affected by cancer. They are proud to work with multiple LGBT+ organisations and NHS hospitals in coordinating their efforts to improve inclusion in cancer care for all. River Solace (they/them) River is a autistic nonbinary songwriter and poet currently based in London. They use their music and artistic process to express not only their queer identity, but their own struggles with mental health and self image. They’re also the creative director of “The Soft Approach” zine. Louie Stafford (he/they) Louie is the managing director of Learnest, a trans-led Community Interest Company ran by and for LGBTQ+ people exploring the world of work and employment. They are a non-binary educator that lives with ADHD and Dyslexia, and use their experiences to help improve inclusivity in the workplace for queer people in the UK.

  • We Create Space x Thion; introducing our new merchandise collection.

    Our latest clothing collaboration with artist Thion celebrates the vibrancy and fluidity of queer identity and community as we aim to raise money and awareness for our ongoing LGBTQ+ wellbeing and mental health initiatives. To acknowledge 'Mental Health Awareness Month' in May and 'Pride' in June, We Create Space partnered up with Art Clubbers CIC, FANGIRL and QUEERCIRCLE to launch the 'Make Your Mark' design competition. We wanted to create a collection not only celebrating the queer community, but also spreading the We Create Space message of self-love, acceptance, and taking time for ourselves. Through this initiative, we crossed paths with Thion, an artist whose work centres around mental health and queer perspectives. Together we created a exciting new collection of merchandise - all available here, and with all profits going toward funding our free mental health workshops and webinars. Franco La Russa, also known in the artist community as Thion, is an Italian multimedia artist and curator currently based in South London. His work, originally inspired by Keith Haring and American pop artists, has evolved a unique, distinct style that’s truly his own. We sat down with Thion to talk about his personal journey, his artistic process and the unique designs that he created. creathion.com @thion_artist Franco, tell us a bit about your own personal journey... Growing up as a gay boy in catholic Italy I struggled to make sense of my sexuality and identity; who I was, and who I could be. I knew that I needed to put down on paper what I felt inside. I've always been better at expressing myself with drawing rather than words. I've found the creative process a useful outlet since a young age; a way to understand my feelings and the world around me. Discovering the vibrant gay scene made me want to represent it in my work and convey a sense of freedom that I missed in my early life; an important message to like, and to love, whoever you want. Those themes and the inspiring artworks of artist such as Keith Haring, Jean Cocteau, Matisse and Picasso led me to the path I’m now on. My minimalist style also comes from my desire to express things in a simple, direct way. I'm always searching for “the beauty” in people and capturing the things that fascinate me. Why did you want to work with WCS? I feel my work shares similar values as the ones promoted by We Create Space. It's very important that we continue the conversation around LGBTQ+ mental health and wellbeing and I wanted to contribute in any way I could. Talk us through your artistic style. Each composition focuses on the shapes that define and unite us as human-beings. By simplifying each individual figure to the point of abstraction, they create these beautiful gender-neutral forms, leaving just enough detail for us to understand, interpret and create our own meaning. The colours and the bold lines become the main component of the composition, and the mask-like faces guide the audience into my work. How do your pieces represent the queer community? Inspired by the work at We Create Space, this collection delves into queer identity, connection and community. It’s also a celebration of the 50+ years since the Stonewall riots; the monumental battle for equality that has improved the lives of so many LGBTQ+ people since. Of course, there is still much work to be done within and for the community. And that is why the programmes at We Create Space are so important and necessary. Each of the designs was inspired by and features colours from the iconic rainbow Progress flag. In these gender neutral pieces, colours become people, shapes become actions and faces capture feelings and emotions. The bold abstract figures are for you to interpret on your own, the definition unique to you. The 'We Create Space x Thion' collection is now available to purchase here, and 100% of the profits go towards our mission to provide free self-empowerment workshops and wellbeing support for the queer community. Each product is made to order, to keep the process as sustainable and waste-free as possible. Remember to @wecreatespace.co if you post a photo of you in your t-shirt. We'd love to see!

  • Exploring body-image struggles in the Queer Community.

    Our successful wellbeing series 'Me, My Body and I' is back; exploring the complex relationship we have with our bodies and unpacking some of the common self-image struggles that many of us face as part of the Queer Community. As queer people, the relationship with our bodies is complicated. It's no surprise that the LGBTQ+ community as a whole is disproportionately affected by poor self-image, eating disorders and body dysmorphia. In an Attitude magazine survey, only 1% of respondents said they were “very happy” with their body. Over 50%, however, said they were unhappy with it. Despite the incredible diversity contained within the LGBTQ+ community, we are still often presented with concepts of the 'ideal' gay man, trans woman, non-binary person. Striving for those ideals naturally puts a lot of pressure on our mental health; Gay and bisexual men are almost three times as likely to develop disordered eating habits as heterosexual men, and it’s well-known that those in the LGBTQ+ community already face more risk of mental health challenges. Those in the transgender and nonbinary communities often not only have to deal with body issues, but may have gender dysphoria added into the mix. Our bodies can get caught up in this tug of war of what society expects us to look like, and what we want to look like. Even outside of our queer identities, we are often taught to critique how we look and strive for improvement - even if that “better” isn’t realistic, possible or necessary. In the age of social media, we see perfect lives and beautiful bodies every day, and it’s easy to fall into the trap of comparing yourself to others. This is just a few ways in which we are often led to believe that our bodies are flawed or imperfect. And whilst self-care and body-positive initiatives are certainly turning the tide, the journey to self-love is often difficult. As we found out in a recent panel discussion we hosted with four queer change-makers. So what can we do, as individuals, to improve our relationships with the person in the mirror? How do we begin to unpack the ideas of body image, self worth and toxic gendered expectations that weigh down our self image? In our upcoming free workshop 'Me, my body and I', taking place on Saturday 31st July, our team of LGBTQ+ wellbeing professionals will give participants some tools and techniques for challenging those toxic ideals and negative thoughts as they come up. All have experienced some of these issues first hand, and are keen to share how they improved their own mind-body relationships. At We Create Space, we believe that building a more compassionate relationship with your body is the first step towards acceptance and ultimately self-love. Me, My Body and I : Meet the team! Facilitator – Tash Thomas (she/her) Tash is a dancer and performer as well as being Diversity and Inclusion speaker and advocate, and so she’s well versed in listening to your body and using it as a tool for expression. She is also co-founder of ‘Breaking the Distance’, a unique LGBTQIA+ travel and relationship blog, (alongside her fiancé, Marthe). Breaking the Distance aims to educate and promote positive LGBTQIA+ visibility, whilst also providing a safe space for people to be their authentic selves. Co-Facilitator – Zacha Belok (he/him) Zacha is a Somatic Movement Therapist and Tamalpa Life/Art Process® Practitioner. Zacha compiles ten years of somatic research in his teachings to inquire more into where our words do not touch. He facilitates classes and holds one-to-one coaching sessions online that focus on developing body-based self-care routines for LGBTQ+ people. Guest Speaker – Eva Echo (she/her) Eva is a trans woman based in Birmingham. She is a writer, activist and currently a brand ambassador for the London Transgender clinic, a spokesperson for Gendered Intelligence, and founder of the #PassItOn campaign that encourages conversation around trans and non-binary people’s image standards. Experience Coordinator – Maylis Djikalou (she/her) Maylis has 10 years’ experience working at the intersection of the fashion and mental health industries, curating international events and strategic partnerships to promote wellbeing in the workplace as competitive advantage. Host and Founder of Create Space – Michael Stephens (he/him) After a series of life changing events, Michael diverted from his career path as a Creative Director, becoming an LGBTQ+ wellbeing advocate for UK charity, MQ Mental Health. He now runs WE CREATE SPACE, promoting the importance and value of self-care, specifically within the creative and LGBTQ+ Communities. Michael talks about his own struggles with an eating disorder here. Our next free workshop is on Saturday 31st July, and we’d love for you to join us. You can register for this event here.

  • How to Create Space as a professional creative.

    When my job is my passion, how do I find work life balance? When your job is also your creative passion it's sometimes hard to find that work life balance. Especially if you are self-employed, free-lance, or own your own business. Our personal and professional lives often blend into one and switching off from work can feel like a distant dream. But why is it so important to find that balance? As ambitious, career-focused individuals, we're always trying to squeeze as much as possible into an already jam-packed schedule. Whether its a few emails before bed, a quick meeting over lunch, or pop into another friends birthday party at the weekend. Society has conditioned us to believe that it's good to be busy. Not just that, but we have started to rationalise our 'busyness' with 'being productive'. But are we? One of the effects of living a decent portion our social lives digitally through social media is that we’re often fixated on end results. The complete look, the finished piece, the climactic scene... We've normalised the image of 'perfection' and consider anything less than that incomplete and even unworthy of our attention. We easily dissociate the work, time and energy that goes into ‘creating’. The same can sometimes be said for how we view our own personal development, and the impatience we have when striving to look or feel a certain way. As we attempt to navigate our way through this fast-paced and ever-evolving world, we are responsible for managing our own resources and commitments - both personal and professional. Where we get our energy from, and how we use it. It’s not uncommon for our mental health and physical health needs to sometimes get put on hold. However, the repercussions can be dangerous, with occupational burnout already reaching epidemic levels in several countries. With our personal energy fuel tank starting to empty, some of our most precious attributes also begin to fade, such as our creativity, intuition and positive energy. These are the very things that make us unique, valuable and brilliant at our jobs. Many people are now asking themselves 'how do I find work life balance?'. Recognising the significance of a balanced personal and professional life is the first step. The next is actively exploring new ways to slow down, prevent exhaustion, and build resilience. In a series entitled ‘Create Space, Repeat’, we’re asking established individuals who work in creative fields about the importance of their ongoing self-care routine. In a fast-paced and competitive landscape where speed is everything, we’re hoping to highlight the significance of slowing everything down and consistently 'Creating Space' for yourself. Taking a break to reset shouldn’t be seen as a hindrance, but an opportunity to come back with more energy, enthusiasm and new creative ideas. Serena Guen, Suitcase Magazine. What do you CREATE and why? I founded Suitcase in 2012, while studying at NYU as I identified a gap in the market for an authentic, well-curated travel platform. We aim to make it easier for people to travel further and deeper through our content and hopefully soon by helping our readers build those experiences IRL. How do you find SPACE? My routine incorporates pilates in the morning and reading before bed. In my free time I’ll spend weekends away when I can, and always find the time for friends and family after work or on weekends. I also like to spend a lot of time in nature! When and where do you RETREAT? I actually go to the Maldives at the end of every year. I’m very spoiled I know!!! The highlands and Tuscany are also a couple of my favourite places that I go back to often. @serenaguen @suitcase suitcasemag.com Pepä Ivanoff, Artist. What do you CREATE and why? I'm a muralist, surfer, equestrian and traveler, and I have made my art my life. I create because it sparks joy in me, and in those around me. I love to create beautiful spaces in collaboration with beautiful people in beautiful locations. I've been fortunate enough to create in California, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Peru. How do you find SPACE? My mornings are sacred and my rituals inspire my day. If there are waves, I start my day in the ocean surfing. On land, I read a daily passage from my book on Taoism, write in my journal, meditate and pull tarot cards. I trust my intuition and pay special attention to energy, in all of its forms. I feel fortunate that my work as an artist serves as a form of meditation and a creative outlet. When and where do you RETREAT? I have a reverence for nature and solitude, therefore I often retreat into the ocean or on horseback. I almost always travel somewhere warm and tropical, as this type of climate and the nature that it produces both inspires and relaxes me. @pepallama Patrick Wilson, Hair Stylist. What do you CREATE and why? I’m a session stylist, originally from Liverpool, but moved to London for my career. Like most hairdressers, I started out in a salon. I then moved on to work backstage at fashion weeks before finally deciding to pursue a full-time career in session hair. Everyday is totally different now; I could be working on set or getting a celebrity ready for an appearance or red carpet. I really love the fact that I’m not in the same salon space day-in day-out - I find it exciting! How do you find SPACE? I like to work out, ideally 4 times a week. But it’s not always possible with early call times and late finishes. As a hairstylist it’s really important to look after my back. Often I have to carry a big kit-bag around, lifting it up flights of stairs etc. So I like to visit Masaj in London for regular massages. Sometimes I can get a little bit overwhelmed with deadlines and everything happening at once. Things can come up really last minute with work so It’s quite hard to plan. But my partner Liam is a big help with organisation, admin and just generally being a big support! When and where do you RETREAT? My happy place has to be Mykonos, we really love it. I guess to feel totally comfortable and not feel judged on your sexuality. The food is great, you can chill in the day and if you want to go out you can. Most people think of Mykonos as a party island, but honestly it’s the most peaceful place. @patrickwilson Georgie Mason, Artist. What do you CREATE and why? I paint abstract scenes that are based on memory and intuition. I use a variety of media; from oil paint and pigments to sand, mud, sawdust and other found materials.  Every painting tells a story - an amalgamation of moments, emotions, energy and materials that went into its making. I value the art making process for its therapeutic benefits just as much as aesthetic output. I do this work because of its capacity for self-exploration. How do you find SPACE? Self-care is my top priority, above everything else. Without good mental health every other area suffers. I do yoga daily, meditate at the Buddhist Centre or just in my room most days, I practise gratitude and journal every day, I dance Forro (a Brazilian dance that makes me feel amazing), I have psychotherapy; the list goes on. I'm also incredibly grateful to have a network of close friends and family who I can talk to about anything. I try to keep a 'beginner's mind' attitude towards life, where rather than exist within a world view determined by habitual thoughts, I lower my expectations and get curious about things in order to keep a fresh perspective. (It's a work in progress!) When and where do you RETREAT? For me traveling is like pressing reset. I try and go away every winter and when I do, I am reminded that anxiety and stress isn't the natural human state. Without the pressure from ourselves and society, we are actually innately content, at peace, in harmony with the world. This brief glimpse of the truth gives me enough to get through the rest of the working year (I haven't managed a trip this year yet but hoping to get away at some point). Aside from leaving the country, my retreat is my meditation den in my room: it's a load of cushions, candles, plants and books piled up on my bay window seat and I love it there. Being up on a high ledge makes me feel elevated and separate from normal life. I can switch off and tune into my body and it's blissful. @georgiesmason @georgiesartclasses georgiemason.co.uk Aleksandra Kingo, Photographer. What do you CREATE and why? I create colourful surreal worlds, in which lipstick stains are a blessing and champagne baths are perfectly casual. I am a photographer and director working in fashion and advertising. I also have also created a new human not that long ago! How do you find SPACE? Being a creative, a mother of a 4 year old and an overachiever, it’s hard! Sometimes I simply stop everything, lie down and breathe slowly when I get too overwhelmed. Learning to stay in the moment and enjoying one thing at the time is key. When and where do you RETREAT? I try to travel and see the world as much as I can, being in a new environment and learning new things is the ultimate retreat for me. But sometimes simple moments like morning toddler cuddles are the most valuable. @aleksandrakingo @aleksandrakingodiary aleksandrakingo.com Damian Garozzo, Makeup Artist. What do you CREATE and why? I’m an Australian Makeup Artist based in Paris, working in beauty advertising and red carpet, as well as consulting, education and public speaking for beauty brands. The best part of this job is the fact that every day I get to collaborate with a different team, often from different corners of the globe. In an effort to pursue new challenges, I’m also currently working with some very talented colleagues on a documentary series drawing attention to the struggles of LGBT+ youth displaced from their homes. No two work days are the same, and I wouldn’t change it for the world! How do you find SPACE?: Finding and creating space for myself is something that I have to consciously work really hard at, because I’m a bit of a workaholic! If I’m not meditating, which I try and do as often as possible, then I’m cooking. When and where do you RETREAT? I’m lucky in that I married someone with the same travel style as me: « fare niente! » I tend to seek out places where we can be completely secluded and self contained, nothing fancy, but somewhere we can be by the ocean or high up in the mountains, sunset views a bonus. We cook, hike, read, meditate and try our best to disconnect (while also doing our best to turn off our phones!). I always need a few weeks out of the year not to think about lipstick and mascara, dig my feet in the sand and put the world on pause for a while! @damiangarozzomakeup damiangarozzo.com Eva Ramirez, Travel Journalist What do you CREATE and why? Born in Gran Canaria to a Spanish mother and Lebanese father, I moved from Sierra Leone to London when I was 3 years old. I started out in the fashion industry after obtaining a BA (Hons) Journalism degree, holding positions with Alexander McQueen, The British Fashion Council and WGSN. I now work for myself as a freelance travel and lifestyle writer. I balance this with brand work, creating content and consulting on social media for food and wellness companies. I'm also on the advisory board for a nonprofit which fuses yoga, travel and philanthropy to empower young women through education. How do you find SPACE? Self-care to me is knowing when to tune in and listen to my needs, whether they are emotional, physical or mental. It's not always bubble baths and massages - sometimes self-care is cancelling plans when I know I need rest, checking in with my priorities when I know I am procrastinating, or making time to ensure my flat is clean and tidy. I find comfort in friends and family who I am very open with, and I journal a lot too. Movement, whether it's gentle yoga or exercise helps me too. Stepping out of a situation and focussing my attention on something totally different always helps me find a new perspective. When and where do you RETREAT? As a travel writer I often don't choose where I travel to, and sometimes there is no time for relaxation as I am always thinking and working. That being said I've been on some incredible retreats - digital detoxes in Arizona, plant-based hiking in The Pyrenees, luxury wellness in Marbella. But really, it's a back-to-basics approach I love best. I'm most content in my grandmother's home in the Canary Islands, surrounded by family, friends and home-cooked food. @evieramirez evaramirez.co.uk Egle Plytnikaite, Illustrator. What do you CREATE and why? I create minimal, colourful and conceptually driven illustrations, often utilising subtle textures that give my work a vintage warmth. I use my illustrations as a tool to talk about various difficult subjects like feminism, environmental problems and so on and see it as a great medium to reach a wide audience. How do you find SPACE? Every single weekend I do my best to leave my beloved city Vilnius and disconnect from everything at our little cob house into the woods. I spend hours walking in the forest and lying in the bath which helps me to find peace and clear my thoughts. When and where do you RETREAT? I love active retreats and my favourite way to restart my system is to challenge my body. I love hiking and rock climbing so every year together with my husband we pack our backpacks and get out from our comfort zone while hiking in Andean or Himalayan mountains. @egle.plytnikaite egle.plytnikaite.com Laird Kay, Photographer. What do you CREATE and why? I’m an aviation photographer – and I love planes. I see planes as giant sculptures – with beautiful lines, sleek curves, and machines that embody the wonderment of travel. To me, they are magical machines that bring people closer together, and allow us to experience the cultures of the world. How do you find SPACE? I’m self employed, so I’m lucky that I take gigs that I want. While it means that I’m my own boss (a stress in itself), it also means that I can take time when I need it. To keep myself fresh and creative, I give myself monthly goals to push myself to constantly evolve and improve my skills. When and where do you RETREAT? I love open spaces to re-energise and think. The most magical and calming place I’ve been is the Atacama Desert in Chile – the driest place on earth! The landscapes are other worldly – areas that look like the moon, then giant white salt flats filled with flamingos, and volcanic lakes that like mirrors. And because of its incredibly high altitude, it’s a landscape that truly slows you down. @lairdkay lairdkay.com A big thank you to all those who contributed to this piece. Why not take a look at the upcoming workshops we have available to join? #LGBTQIA+ #LGBTWellbeing #SelfCare #Wellness #LGBTCommunity #Resilience #Reset #CreativeRefresh #PersonalGrowth #Retreat #CreativeEntrepreneur #ReclaimYourCreativity #CreatingSpace #Healthymind #Mentalwellbeing

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