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Katie Pharoah

say yes to life

Opportunities

One of my New Year’s resolutions – and I don’t typically make many – was to say yes to more things. Looking back, I’ve always sometimes said no to opportunities due to not feeling in the right mood or just because they were out of my comfort zone. Staying in your comfort zone can be a good thing – for safety reasons and for your… Read More »Opportunities

community

Our Communities

The theme of 2023’s Children’s Mental Health Week, which occurred back in the second week of February, was ‘Let’s Connect’. That resonated with me mainly because I have spoken before on the power of communities and how forming meaningly connections is beneficial to us. One may underestimate the power that a sense of community has. Especially when you move into a new area or take… Read More »Our Communities

2022 2023

2022 Wrapped

Well, that is another year behind us. Time flies when you are having fun as the saying goes and although personally, I’m still processing the leftovers of 2020, 2023 is upon us. A lot has happened this year so I’m taking the opportunity to have a look back and reminiscence. Cultural Moments One thing that gripped us from the start of the year was the… Read More »2022 Wrapped

worried person

Winter Worries

With Britain being chucked from the frying pan straight into the fire, the cost-of-living crisis is on most people’s minds this winter. October brings with it the most recent hike in energy prices, and in the months beyond we have plunging temperatures and Christmas to think about. Back in February debt Charity StepChange said that ‘cost of living pressures’ entered the top five reasons for… Read More »Winter Worries

reading

Read a Book Day

How time flies, it seems like just yesterday that I was writing about 2021’s National Literacy Day in my article Knowledge is Power. Now that week has rolled around again. National Read a Book Day takes place on September 6th, and National Literacy Day on September 8th. As documented in that article, I’ve read all my life, devouring as much literature as possible. Adulthood and work… Read More »Read a Book Day

pride

Pride

As I write this, it is the first day of June and the beginning of Pride Month. This article will be published at the end of the month, but that does not dilute the topics significance. In addition, if this article had a full title, it would be Pride Month and Why Inclusiveness is Important. So, let’s get to it. 2022 marks the UK’s 50th… Read More »Pride

van gogh

Arts and Culture 

In March I attended the Van Gogh Alive experience during a trip to Edinburgh. As I sat on a bench, surrounded by artwork, quotes and information, I had never felt more at peace. However, this time, I was learning and experiencing something multi-sensory, music and scents filling the air to create a fully immersive event. Following that was a room filled with sunflowers and mirrors… Read More »Arts and Culture 

katie taking life too seriously

Taking Life Too Seriously

There is no doubt that we live in turbulent times. But, despite all the seriousness, we need to remind ourselves to let go now and again. Newt Scamander from the fictional world of Fantastic Beasts by J.K Rowling had a wonderful philosophy, “Worrying means you suffer twice”. Worrying is, unfortunately, a part of life. The fight or flight instinct has been around since we were… Read More »Taking Life Too Seriously

2022 tyne valley express

What 2021 taught us

A new year, a new you. Although we do not shed our skins entirely and become new people, we do try to be better than the previous year. It is time to set goals and evaluate what we want 2022 to be.  To do that, we reflect on the previous year, what we have accomplished, what we did not accomplish and how it went in… Read More »What 2021 taught us

homeless

Empathy and Charity

The nights are turning darker and colder, which can only mean one thing; like it or not, the festive season is upon us. Some people I know have already completed their Christmas shopping. But if you move away from the shopping, this time is a period of reflection and empathy. Covid still lingers, despite losing some of its effect on us compared to last year.… Read More »Empathy and Charity