It’s almost the end of January, and any resolve we had for “new year, new me” has pretty much dissolved (we barely had any in the first place, tbh). The resolution to reluctantly force ourselves to go the gym at the start of each year is so 2022, so unless the gym is your thing, join us in some of the other challenges we intend to complete in 2023 that are definitely just as productive (mostly)…
1. Become more zen
We’re making this the year that we vow not to sweat the small stuff, and channel more inner peace. Incorporate more mindful walks into the working week, or boujie it up and book regular spa visits, it’s your (and our) prerogative.
If you’re looking to try something even more meditative, give a candlelit sound bath a go. The popular experience uses sound therapies to soothe your soul, employing Tibetan and crystal bowls, tuning forks, shamanic drumming, and other techniques and equipment to encourage you to completely unwind. The meditation session is led by an experienced practitioner with over 10 years’ experience, and the room is lit solely by candlelight, so we wouldn’t blame you if you drifted off for a second or two…
2. Expand your taste in music
Leading on quite nicely from one candlelit experience to another, take the plunge and finally visit one of those Candlelight concerts we bang on so much about at Secret London. You may discover the songs of your favourite star have been reimagined by a string quartet – BeyHive and Swifties, we’re looking at you – or perhaps take the opportunity to hear scores or melodies from a musician you’ve never listened to before in a room illuminated by candlelight.
From jazz to movie soundtracks, classic concertos to anime scores, there is truly something for everyone in the Candlelight series; so effectively one of the challenges that are pretty easy for us all to complete.
3. Take more photos
Is this one of those items we’re adding to our list, just so we can scratch it off straight away and feel like we’ve achieved something? Maybe. Ah, well. It’s staying put. Commit to capturing all your London memories this year, big events to small smiles. You’ll be able to look back on them come December, and be so glad you did.
If selfies are your thing, then you’ve got to check out Dopamine Land. The colourful, multi-sensory world is full of cool rooms that evoke the happiness hormone, dopamine, and are super Instagrammable. The infinity room, the ballpit room, the forest room… all perfect for the feed.
4. Discover how many courses you can actually devour at dinner
When I read the likes of “ten-course menu”, I read “your mission, should you choose to accept it, is…”, and the answer is always yes. I accept. Fine dining restaurants often provide multiple courses to fill you up over the course of a few hours, and I’m totally here for it. We get a try a bit of everything; what’s not to love?
Plenty eateries provide two and three courses as a minimum – check out some of our top picks of restaurants in London here – but many also take that a hell of a lot further. Six By Nico has a very specific approach: six courses, changing every six weeks, catering to a dedicated theme. While the portions are small, they definitely make up for it with big flavour and gorgeous presentation. Over at West African spot Akoko, you have the option of nine courses, and my goodness, each course is insanely delicious and oh so filling.
Or perhaps you’ll throw caution to the wind, head to a street food market and devise your very own multi-course menu from the plethora of mouthwatering dishes you find there? We are wholeheartedly in support of that too. Greek gyros, paired with a portion of pie and some churros on the side? Bring it.
5. Learn the art of “pacing” at bottomless brunch (maybe)
I daren’t admit it, but it might finally be time to start pacing myself at bottomless brunches and not just go HAM. Maybe, it’s time not to have to curl up in bed, fully clothed, at 6pm after seeing the gang? Or maybe this idea is totally counter productive, and we need to get our money’s worth during the cost of living crisis? I’m still undecided here.
If this is one of the challenges you’d definitely like to complete though, discover our run down of some of the best bottomless brunches in the city, or book your brunch spot over on Fever.
6. Immerse one’s self in more art and culture
The capital is bursting with art exhibitions, free museums and diverse culture, and 2023 is the year to get stuck into it all, if you haven’t already.
Immersive art exhibitions are big at the moment, allowing you to practically step into the paintings of iconic artists, such as Van Gogh and David Hockney, with floor-to-ceiling projections and sound technology. The Dali : Cybernetics exhibition takes it a step further, and allows you to step into a computer-generated world inspired by Salvador Dali’s paintings with total freedom of movement: the VR technology is wild.
7. Just enjoy living in London
It’s easy to get caught up in the struggles us Londoners face, but we shouldn’t forget we live in one of the best cities in the world. From the rich history of our city to the mind-blowing modern attributes, the fact that we have transport that runs through the night, plus a wealth of diverse cuisines at our fingertips, there is so much to love. So, go forth and actually enjoy it in 2023.
