Fun in Lisbon & 4 Years Sober

Oct 8

3 min read

Hey everyone,

Thank you all so much for being really understanding about cancelling a class and my workshop, and for all your lovely messages while I was unwell with the flu. I’m back on the mend and so happy to be back teaching.

Smiling

A smile can be such a simple way to shift how we feel. It doesn’t mean everything is perfect or that we need to force ourselves to feel happy. Sometimes, simply softening the face and letting the corners of the mouth lift can create a little more space, ease, and lightness.

During yoga, we can become so focused on getting into a pose that we unknowingly tense our jaw, forehead or eyes. So throughout the practice, I’ll invite you to check in with your face. Can you soften your jaw? Relax your forehead? Let your eyes soften? Maybe even find a tiny smile.

It’s a small reminder that yoga doesn’t always have to feel serious or intense. We can challenge ourselves while still finding moments of joy, playfulness and ease.

So this week, notice where you can soften, breathe and smile, both on and off the mat.

Intention: I cultivate lightness and ease with each breath.

Fun in Lisbon

I spent five days in Lisbon with my best friend, Ivy, and had the most fabulous time. Everyone warned me there would be loads of hills, but I don’t think I was prepared for them!

By the end of the holiday, we had walked 30 miles and done 13 miles on Lime electric bikes. We did all the touristy things, including visiting Belém Tower, Castelo de São Jorge and the Monument to the Discoveries, and ate plenty of pastéis de nata.

We also did a day trip to Cascais beach, which was beautiful, and we were so lucky with the weather. There were so many fun bars and restaurants that we were really spoilt for choice.

A random fact about me is that I love fish, especially after watching loads of River Monsters with my dad growing up, so a trip to the Lisbon Aquarium was necessary. We even saw a sunfish! Such a silly, goofy fish that can actually grow up to 6ft, which is insane.

If I had to pick a highlight of the holiday, it would probably be riding the Lime bikes up past the Monument to the Discoveries. Our cheeks were hurting from smiling so much!

We also went to LX Factory twice, a really cool, hip market and bar area. There’s a massive bookshop with a record shop inside, as well as live music, so it was basically my idea of heaven.

So I would 100% recommend Lisbon as a fun (and very hilly!) trip away.

Press the arrow on the right to scroll through and see more pictures! 😊

4 Years Sober

19-year-old drunk me vs. 23-year-old sober me!

Whilst away, I also celebrated four years sober.

At university, I was drinking 50+ units a week of alcohol to numb my fibromyalgia pain. After a doctor told me it was very dangerous to drink on my medication, I haven’t drunk since, and it is genuinely one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

Sobriety has taught me to choose myself, be present, remember the fun times and enjoy life without needing to escape it.

At the beginning, it wasn’t always easy. I’ve experienced nasty comments and peer pressure, but I’m so happy to now be surrounded by people who love and support me.

I’ve grown, built confidence and found a version of myself that I’m genuinely proud of.

Drunk university Eloise wouldn’t believe it!

And yes, I’ll still be the first person on the dance floor 🕺🪩