Sofa Sernity
One of the best things about summer is it tends to bring with it a slower pace, leaving space for us to reflect and indulge in the good stuff. There’s nothing quite like falling into the sofa with a good book or a favourite podcast and just letting the hours drift by. To make the most of that time, we’re leaning towards material that leaves you with a new perspective or a few fresh insights on how we can live more intentionally and, well, better. We’ve rounded up a few of our favourite books and podcasts on wellbeing which offer equal parts entertainment and enrichment. So, let’s get into Arlo’s top picks…
Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience by Brené Brown
Brené Brown is recognised worldwide for her frank and funny treatment of some pretty serious topics. She manages to find the humour in our shared humanity, offering practical ways of tweaking the way we move through the world for a smoother ride. In Atlas of the Heart, she focuses on emotion and helps to give language to our inner worlds, making it all the easier to navigate the ever-present jungle of emotions in us all.
Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear
If you’re hoping to use your summer downtime to tune up for a new passion project or simply level up your everyday, James Clear’s Atomic Habits is a great place to start. His advice is straightforward and highly actionable, focusing on how we can essentially automate elements in our lives in order to get us to where we want to be while minimising the daily grind.
The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment by Eckhart Tolle
Eckhart Tolle is a giant in the spiritual wellbeing space. In The Power of Now, he draws upon various traditions and philosophies to present a holistic view of how we relate to others as well as ourselves. His account inspires no shortage of self-reflection, offering the tools to tweak our approach and ground ourselves in the present.
On Purpose by Jay Shetty
On Purpose is the world’s number 1 mental health podcast where host, Jay Shetty is joined by celebrities, thought leaders, and athletes to uncover what it is that gets people where they want to go. He’s also careful to note the common glitches we all share which tend to get in the way. New episodes drop twice a week and the show has been running for five years, so there’s a whole lot to love here!
We Can Do Hard Things by Glennon Doyle
We Can Do Hard Things is a podcast where host, Glennon Doyle is joined by her wife, Abby Wambach and sister, Amanda Doyle. Their highly evolved family unit gets right to the core of the human experience, with kindness and curiosity every step of the way. They cover the tough stuff, as well as the importance of facing it head-on and how, exactly, we can hope to do that. The whole approach feels very supportive and constructive, yet breezy enough for a relaxed summer’s day.
Want to max out your sofa serenity? We’d recommend you start with the right tools! The whole experience of self care and reflection goes down all the more smoothly on a sprawling Otto modular sofa, tailormade to your liking. Or, if a pillowy-soft bench-style sofa is more your speed, our Henry should fit the bill perfectly. For those who are after an extra breezy and beautiful spot to kick back, our Harriet is an excellent choice. Its removable cover makes it a sofa for all seasons, allowing you to freshen it up for summer in crisp white linen while the sun’s still high!
