Somehow we’re already at the end of September, and this month has given us plenty to think about. We spent a weekend deep in the wellness world at the Health Optimisation Summit, have been reconsidering our relationship with light as the days get shorter, welcomed a new face to Bright Souls People and found a very good reason to spend a Sunday in the Essex countryside.
Here’s what’s been on our minds and what we’re putting in the diary next.
What We’ve Been Thinking About
A couple of thoughts have stayed with us this month, and both have turned into something bigger on Bright Souls.
What If We Did Less?
We started September by questioning the September reset altogether.
Rather than another list of things to improve, change or achieve, we stopped to look at the year we’ve already lived. Where have we been? Where are we now? And what do we actually want the rest of 2026 to feel like?
It’s a September check-in rather than a reset, and a reminder that feeling well doesn’t always need to involve doing more.
The Regulated Woman: Ladies That Light
Then came a timely reminder from Liz Earle at the Health Optimisation Summit about something we already knew but hadn’t been particularly consistent about: light.
We’ve been thinking about morning daylight, circadian rhythm, the light we surround ourselves with at night and why, after largely abandoning the red-light panel all summer in favour of the real thing, it’s coming back out as the daylight hours shorten.
Sometimes we don’t need another wellness hack. We need a reminder.
A Few Notes From HOS
We came home from this year’s Health Optimisation Summit with a Notes app full of things to investigate, people to follow up with and conversations that have stayed with us.
Liz Earle had us thinking about light again. Dr Tara Swart had us thinking about the art of noticing. We tried nervous-system regulation tech, including the Onizions vibroacoustic bed; Tim Gray was still talking about testing; the queue for Mason Meats suggested we weren’t the only ones still obsessed; and thank goodness for I AM8 when we needed a pick-me-up.
There was a lot. So we’re giving it a proper Bright Souls debrief next week: what caught our attention, what we tried and what we think is actually worth knowing about.
Meet Cat Googe
This month we’re welcoming Cat Googe, aka The Joy Queen, to Bright Souls People.
Cat is a laughter expert whose work centres around joy, laughter and connection — something that feels like a rather good antidote to how serious the business of wellness can sometimes become.
MEET CAT ON BRIGHT SOULS PEOPLE →
And the timing is rather perfect, because if you’d like to experience Cat’s work rather than simply read about it, she has a day dedicated entirely to joy coming up next month.
Joy Seekers Day Retreat
FickleField, Essex
Sunday 18th October | 10:00–17:00
A day in the Essex countryside dedicated to reconnecting with joy. Led by Cat Googe and Florence Achery, Joy Seekers brings together deep relaxation, laughter, creativity, connection and reflection, with simple practices designed to help you rediscover what lights you up and bring a little more joy into everyday life.
Why we rate it: We love the idea of dedicating a whole day to joy. Light, uplifting and refreshingly playful, it still creates space to slow down and reconnect. And with laughter expert Cat co-hosting, we suspect you’ll leave with a smile on your face.
October, We’re Looking at You
There are already some very good reasons to leave the house — or the country — next month.
Wild Rites Retreat
Six Senses Ibiza | Friday 9th – Monday 12th October
Four days of movement, sea swims, botanical rituals, long-table dinners and music beneath the stars, created by Sacred + Wild at Six Senses Ibiza. We love the combination of movement, creativity and community and an October escape to Ibiza doesn’t hurt.
Lie Down & Listen: The Painted Hall
Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich | Saturday 10th October
Lie beneath one of London’s most spectacular painted ceilings as Tibetan bowl sound healing meets live classical music in the Painted Hall. Wellness, music and beauty in an extraordinary setting.
DISCOVER →
The Soul Alchemy Retreat
Essaouira, Morocco | Saturday 24th – Saturday 31st October
A deeply transformative retreat led by Maria Lodetoft and Levin.
Why we rate it: With just 10 guests, we love the intimacy of this one — deep inner work and integration.
We keep adding the talks, classes, retreats, gatherings and slightly harder-to-find things we think are worth knowing about to What’s On in Wellness.
From beautiful London spaces to retreats further afield, we keep adding the talks, classes, gatherings and slightly harder-to-find things we think are worth knowing about to What’s On in Wellness.
EXPLORE WHAT’S ON IN WELLNESS →
Come and Do Wellness With Us
We’re working on our next Bright Souls community event and we’d love you to be there.
These are the moments when Bright Souls comes off the screen and into real life — bringing together the people, practices and ideas we discover here, with plenty of room to meet each other too.
We’re not quite ready to reveal the next one, but if you’d like to join us, add your name to the list and you’ll hear about it first.
Still In Our Routine
No newness for the sake of it. Founder’s Picks is where you’ll find the things I actually use, rate and keep coming back to.
And after all that talk about light, it won’t surprise you that CELLER8 is coming firmly back into the routine as the daylight hours get shorter.
Some links on Bright Souls are affiliate links, which means we may receive a small commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. Everything we feature is selected independently by Bright Souls.
And one little thing from us…
We’re increasingly helping brands and agencies navigate the wellness world too — from finding brilliant practitioners and experts to spaces, ideas and experiences.
Not sure who, what or where? Start with us.
Stay Connected with Us
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