One Green Thing – WOHASU 2024

One Green Thing – WOHASU 2024

Heather White, the founder & CEO of OneGreenThing.org, addressed the World Happiness Summit (WOHASU) on how the climate crisis is impacting our mental health, leading to eco-anxiety, especially among young people. Many of us feel overwhelmed and unsure about how to contribute to meaningful change when systemic shifts seem out of reach. Heather, a mother of two teenagers, understands the stress that young people feel from the constant stream of unsettling news about the environment seen on the news and social media that can make it seem like we are powerless to make a positive difference.  However, Heather emphasised that individual contributions do matter. Although not everyone can be an eco-warrior there are vital roles for the supporters, encouragers and cheerleaders as well. She advocates matching one’s contributions to personal interests, strengths and communication styles. Taking small, consistent steps towards sustainability can, not only give individuals a sense of agency, but also help to drive cultural change within our workplaces, friends and families.  Heather’s book, ‘One Green Thing,’ set to be released in April 2024, contains a 21-day kickstarter plan that details specific steps we can take. She reminded us,  “Without clean air, clean water and a livable climate there is no wellbeing and our purpose is intrinsically linked to sustainability”. WOHASU plays such an important role by providing a platform for world experts like Heather to share key insights and the practical guidance we need to make a significant difference in the world both collectively and as individuals. Find out more about The World Happiness Summit (WOHASU) and add your name to the waiting list for WOHASU 2025...
Junk Kouture at World Happiness Summit 2024

Junk Kouture at World Happiness Summit 2024

Troy Armour accidentally turned a personal hobby into what is now known as Junk Kouture, the global competition where more than 100,000 young people have transformed recycled materials into high fashion. At the World Happiness Summit (WOHASU) 2024 in London, Troy revealed that he started the initiative because he was a creative child but all attention and popularity seemed to be focused only on the sporty kids, which he wasn’t. He describes Junk Kouture as “sport for creative kids” where everyone is encouraged to “find the diamond inside themselves and let it shine”. To enter the competition entrants choose a theme and create a costume around it using recycled materials before modelling their design on stage to music. It is much more than just a fashion show, it is an expression and celebration of identity, creativity and commitment to sustainability from each participant. On the WOHASU stage, seven finalists and winners from the 2023 Junk Kouture competition showcased their costumes to a standing ovation from the audience. One, the ‘Wishing on a Ribbon’ dress, was created by Livi and Clem and won in the Young Designer of the Year category. The dress was made from 283 reclaimed silver ribbons, with a handwritten wish from the pupils of Wadhurst Primary School. Junk Kouture reflects the mission of WOHASU – to spread ripples of happiness to a global audience and cultivate a community committed to co-creating a happier, healthier and more sustainable world. Find out more about The World Happiness Summit (WOHASU) and add your name to the waiting list for WOHASU 2025                 ...
Introducing The Capstone Challenge

Introducing The Capstone Challenge

Hello, if we haven’t met before, I’m Lesley Lyle, a well-being therapist with a passion for sharing the science of happiness and personal growth. That also includes me – I’m also on my own journey of continuous self-improvement. Sharing My Personal Journey with You Currently, I’m pursuing a Master’s in Spirituality, Ecology, and Mental Health, a decade after earning my MSc in Positive Psychology. As part of my ongoing personal development, I went on a quest to find a way to challenge myself to enhance and sustain my physical, psychological, and social well-being. I thought to myself, ‘Is there an adult version of the Duke of Edinburgh Award?’ And to my surprise Google said, ‘Yes!’, which led me to the brilliant organisation, The Challenge Hub. After some enquiries and conversations with The Challenge Hub Chairman, Richard Pertwee, he generously allowed me to create my very own challenge, known as The Capstone Challenge (TCC). It’s hosted within The Challenge Hub Facebook group, where I am delighted to invite you to embark on this journey with me, in your unique way. There is no cost involved and you can begin and end whenever you like, although the aim is to complete it within a 12-month period.   What Sets The Capstone Challenge Apart? The Capstone Challenge is different. It’s based on the ‘Five Ways to Wellbeing’ the evidence-based five principles of ‘connect’, ‘be active’, ‘take notice’, ‘keep learning’ and ‘give’ with a focus on connection, mindfulness, spirituality, and ecology. What’s truly special is that you get to choose your own challenge and assess your own effort levels that push you beyond...
Averted Vision:  How to Find What You Seek Without Looking

Averted Vision: How to Find What You Seek Without Looking

Have you ever tried to see a star in the sky and discovered that you can only see it when you shift your gaze away from it? This phenomenon is known as ‘averted vision’. I think it serves as a useful metaphor for what happens when we try to see clearly those things that consistently escape our direct focus. I’m referring to those intangible pursuits in life, like the search for happiness, the quest for meaning and purpose and the answer to the question ‘Why am I here?’ Much like the faint star that evades direct sight, certain aspects of our lives become elusive the more intently we focus on them. The harder we try to pin these down, the more they seem to slip away from our grasp. In our determination, or perhaps desperation to find clarity, we can inadvertently blind ourselves to the very thing we’re looking for. Think of all the times you experienced moments of pure happiness in your life. Were you actively seeking it or did happiness settle upon you?  Life’s profound truths and moments of joy may shine in the periphery of our lives, providing illumination in their own unique and subtle way. I’m reminded of a story from ‘Winnie the Pooh’. On one occasion when Pooh went to visit Piglet, he found he wasn’t at home, “to his surprise he saw that the door was open, and the more he looked inside, the more Piglet wasn’t there”. Have you ever felt that what you are seeking becomes increasingly elusive the more you pursue it? Maybe the paradox is that when we intensify...
The Song That Transported Me

The Song That Transported Me

Have you ever been captured by the magic of a song? A song that transports you to another world, evokes intense emotions, and leaves a lasting impression on your soul? Twenty years ago, I was driving on the M3 motorway when such a song came on the radio. I was immediately spellbound by the combination of the singer’s voice, the lyrics, and the unusual syncopation. I had to pull over on the hard shoulder to give it my full attention. The song aroused such intense emotions in me that I could not explain then or now. I was desperate to hear it again, but I never heard the name of the song or the singer. I had a few clues: I knew that water featured in the song and that it might be South American in origin. It took me another eight years to hear that song again. Strangely, I had to travel to Bhutan to discover its name and singer. The connection? Spending time with a wonderful group of Brazilian people. When I asked if they knew of any songs about water, they immediately responded, “Oh, do you mean Águas de Março (The Waters of March)?” Yes, yes, yes! I recognised it immediately. The Spanish lyrics were in fact Portuguese, and the origin of the song and singer were Brazilian. This song is so precious to me. I really don’t know why, but something about it resonates with something I find truly profound. In 2019, I had an operation to treat bowel cancer and spent several weeks in the hospital. During that time, I held in mind the...