Words Molly Flatt
Photographer David Titlow
Fashion Director Nicole Smallwood
Model Vilma @ IMG
It’s a damning sign of our times that, in 2017, a ‘good news day’ is one where the headlines highlight the depressing limp-along of Brexit, rather than the horror of a fresh mass fatality.
Right now, good news isn’t just scarce. It’s socially unacceptable. Attempting to seek out positive developments unfolding in the world feels self-indulgent. Who are you to look on the bright side, when there are so many people suffering in the dark?
And yet despair helps no-one. Fear leads to powerlessness. Anger – ah, now, that can be channelled in a useful way, but only if it is underpinned by the essentially positive belief in your own power to improve on the status quo.
“You get more of what you focus on” might be a self-help truism, but it’s one backed up by proper neuroscience research. And boy, from personal experience, does it work. Frightening, negative thoughts lead to frightened, limiting behaviour. But notice the good stuff, and somehow – it starts to breed.
That’s why, as of this month, we’re launching a new PHOENIX newsletter: The Good News Bulletin. The idea is that, once a fortnight, we send you five links to recent good news stories from fashion, art, culture, politics and the environment. It’s that simple. That short. And it’s guaranteed to be 100% naturally spirit-lifting with zero cognitive carcinogens.
So if you want a dose more positive in your life, sign up to the bulletin – and please do email us your own good news tips. In the meantime, why don’t you browse some of the seriously happy-making content in our July digital issue?
Read the interview with our cover star Yukimi, the Swedish-Japanese-American singer who is a pocket rocket of energy and creativity. Inhale a blast of bracing sartorial salt air with our nautical fashion shoot. Celebrate our report on eight award-winning startups making huge advances in sustainable fashion. Book something from our monthly event roundup, from communal singing on the Southbank to outstanding comedy. Have a night in with our ten favourite movies for female empowerment (there are some real wild cards in there). Plug into our playlist and let euphoric beats from new talents fill you with confidence.
Flood yourself with good news – then go out there and make some more.