Home Comforts #4 with Shahroo Izadi
In our ongoing series, Lou talks to inspiring figures about the things in their lives that - like good knitwear - evoke comfort, relaxation and happiness. To mark World Mental Health Day, we sit down with long-time friend and esteemed author Shahroo Izadi, a behaviour change specialist behind best-seller The Kindness Method and The Last Diet.
Having met Lou during a Psychosocial Sciences degree 15 year ago, Shahroo has since proceeded to build up an extensive and influential career within the mental health field - targeting behavioural change, working for organisations including the Amy Winehouse Foundation, hosting sell-out workshops at The School of Life and pioneering The Kindness Method with her debut book. In 2019, Marie Claire selected her for their “Power with Purpose” list. These are just a few of her accolades. Given the nature of her work, we felt drawn towards asking for Shahroo to share with us the ways in which she makes time for herself, and what being kind truly means.
Image Credit: Shahroo Izadi
L: Where is home to you and what’s it like there?
S: My home in Bow. I've lived there for 11 years and every aspect of it is personal to me now. It's changed so much over the years and so many of my friends have lived with me at one stage or another. Plus I have amazing neighbours.
L: What is the kindest thing you do for yourself?
S: Forgive myself more quickly when I do or say something I regret. It's easier said than done but the more I practice the more I've been able to close the gap between how long it takes me to forgive someone else and how long it takes me to do the same thing for myself.
L: What are the kindest things we can do for ourselves and each other??
S: Speaking to ourselves fairly and compassionately is one of the greatest tools we have at our disposal. It's especially difficult when we're trying to do something challenging and all the limiting core beliefs from childhood and self-sabotaging commands come flooding in. If we can practice gently, curiously listening in we can start to debate with an unkind internal voice and see the process of changing how we speak to ourselves as fact-checking and gently updating over time.
When it comes to kindness towards others, simply listening without interrupting or offering advice means so much to people.
Image Credit: Shahroo Izadi
L: Where is next on your travel list and why (restrictions allowing!)?
S: I'm off to Porto for a long weekend before starting a big work project. I hear it's beautiful and I really can't wait.
L: What is your absolute essential packing list for a successful trip
S: I must say I adore my Lou Dungate Esmond Scarf and it goes everywhere with me, especially on planes!
L: Favourite music/podcast to travel to?
S: Graceland by Paul Simon. Though in fairness that would be my answer if I was travelling to the shop to get milk!
L: What’s currently on your reading list?
S: Fat is a Feminist Issue by Susie Orbach
L: And finally, what is your favourite quote ever?
S: If you're not in the arena also getting your ass kicked, I'm not interested in your feedback - Brené Brown
L: And finally, where would you like to travel to when lockdown lifts?
T: As soon as it’s possible and reasonable to travel again, I’d like to visit Vietnam. Initially I was meant to go on a trip there together with Textile Seekers in May 2020, from Hanoi to Sa Pa to meet the tribes there and attend workshops guided by the indigenous women, taste local traditional cuisine and explore the culture in an authentic way while documenting it all. Sadly and understandably the trip got cancelled when the pandemic started. Crossing all fingers we can make it in the foreseeable.
Lou Dungate Esmond Blanket Scarf in Charcoal