Join The Simple Things’ Wellbeing Editor Rebecca Frank and Contributing Editor Jo Tinsley as they discuss why this is a good time of year to get started with new projects, the brain-boosting benefits of learning a new skill and the science behind creating habits.

If you are in the UK, you can try an immediate start subscription to the The Simple Things and receive the current issue straight away. We can send subscriptions anywhere in the world. Or buy current and back issues here

Editing & music by Arthur Cosslett.

Thanks to our supporter for Season 9, Friends of Glass, an organisation that celebrates and supports glass packaging for food, drink and cosmetics. Find out more about why glass is better for health, taste and the environment and follow them on instagram @friendsofglassuk

On the blog

Match your creative itch to a new class here

Projects using glass on instagram @friendsofglassuk

Making a jam jar garden

Ways with rosemary:

Rosemary and ginger hinny herbal tipple

Olive oil, rosemary and apricot cake

A guide to rosemary pairings

In the February issue (164) on sale now, available to buy here

My Living - we chat to Catherine Mugonyi, founder of community arts space Aunty Social in Blackpool

Tarot for therapy – using the cards to help unlock thoughts, feelings and emotions

Tea & Tarot – an afternoon tea with a wellbeing twist

In the March issue (165) available to order here (on sale in shops from 27 March)

More than words – why learning a language is good for our brains and our communities. Find out more at Sign Language Week (16-22 March)

My City Malaga – a local’s guide to this sunny city in spring

In Flourish (Volume 4), available to buy here

Growing habits – if you want to change anything, start small and let it grow

Heart, body and soul – rosemary recipes and a soothing rosemary and lemon scalp rub

Join The Simple Things’ Editor Lisa Sykes and Wellbeing Editor Rebecca Frank as they find reasons to celebrate during February, including the returning daylight, time spent with friends and loved ones and joyful occasions from Lunar New Year to Shrove Tuesday.

If you are in the UK, you can try an immediate start subscription to the The Simple Things and receive the current issue straight away. Or buy current and back issues here

Editing & music by Arthur Cosslett.

On the blog

Seville & blood orange marmalade

Blood orange posset

Blood orange Negroni

Vietnamese summer rolls recipe

In the February issue (164) on sale now available to buy here

Foods of love – what we eat and how we eat it has long associations with romance

Friends for life – the mood-boosting, life-enhancing benefits of friendship

Kitchen therapy – Sensory baking (Herb and black olive fougasse and Cavolo Nero Gnochi) and simple embroidered onions

My City Taipei – cherry blossom and feasting during Lunar New Year

What to do with orange peel – from scented kitchen spray to joyful garlands

In the January issue (163) available to buy here

The Big Idea: Could you be an Otrovert? Explore the thinking behind Dr Rami Kaminski’s book The Gift of Not Belonging: How Outsiders Thrive In A World Of Joiners (Scribe)

In our A Year of Celebrations Anthology

Lunar New Year gathering – recipes to share and celebrate with friends

Find out more

Travelling sun sculpture myhelios.org

Thanks to our partner for Season 9, Friends of Glass, an organisation that celebrates and supports glass packaging for food, drink and cosmetics. Find out more about why glass is better for health, taste and the environment and follow them on instagram @friendsofglassuk

In the STAR episode The Simple Things’ Editor Lisa Sykes and author of The Slow Traveller and regular contributor Jo Tinsley celebrate Twelfth Night and look for other reasons to cheer up what feels like the longest month of January.

If you are in the UK, you can try an immediate start subscription to the The Simple Things and receive the current issue straight away. Or buy current and back issues here

Editing & music by Arthur Cosslett.

On the blog

Candle Holder

How To Wassail Well

How to hold a Wassail

Buttered bourbon apple cider

Tangerine and nutmeg hot chocolate

Blood Orange Posset

Slow Orange Poppy Seed Cake

In the January issue (163) on sale now

The appeal of ice skating

A winter of care and repair

In our In our A Year of Celebrations Anthology

Gathering: Twelfth Night with the La Fête des Rois

Candle holders

In previous issues, available to buy at picsandink.com

Life lessons from the north: the value of age-old customs and community in enduring the long, dark winters. (Issue 151)

Looking back why we are fascinated by the stars (issue 152)

Snow lanterns (issue 138)

Learn more

Candles: A modern guide to making candles by Ebi Sinter and Emmanuel Sinteh

Watch out for the Quadrantid meteor shower between 28 December-12 January, peeking around 3-4 January 2026

Slow Down And Be Here Now by Laura Brand and Freya Hartas

A Winter Dictionary: A Collection of Words for the Festive Season by Paul Anthony Jones

Thanks to our partner for the Merry Midwinter season, the Marine Stewardship Council, which sets certification standards for sustainable fisheries and awards the blue ecolabel on fish and fish products. Find out more about the best fish to choose at msc.org and follow them on instagram @mscintheuk