Epigram 349 - The Croft 10

the croft

Love in the Time of Corona Welcoming the Class of 2023 into Bristol’s new normal Lifestyle • Style • Food • Wellbeing • Travel

issue 10 06.10.20

Editor ORIN CARLIN Digital Editor ALLEGRA LETTS Deputy Editor FREYA SCOTT-TURNER

top stories

3 losing your

virginity 7 hiding a hangover 10 the selfcatered life inside

2 lifestyle 6 style 10 food 14 wellbeing 18 travel

editor's letter

W

elcome, Class of 2023!

What a year it has been so far, and no – it’s not even remotely over yet.

Everyone, that I know at least, has been slapped repeatedly in the face by 2020’s metaphorical wet fish, and guess what?

The blows just keep on coming. I’m still mourning the loss of my cancelled holiday and frankly, I’d pay an embarrassing sum to be transported back to a time when I was pissed (and desperately trying not to actually piss) in the Lounge queue.

Fear not, for happier times are on the horizon. A new academic year is a fresh start and an opportunity to reclaim some of your life that has been purloined by this pandemic. Whether you’re joining or returning, Bristol welcomes you with open arms – and you should bloody well hug it back.

Logo by Bethany Marris

the croft

When the news broke that Bristol was to become the first university to force students to wear masks and visors during seminars (shout-out to Epigram’s very own, Georgiana Scott!), The Telegraph’s Facebook comments were as expected.

(My personal favourite being: ‘Of course it was. So many wokesters.’) But in my humble opinion, the reasons as to why Bristol is ridiculed are often the same reasons that make it so great.

In The Croft this fortnight, Style highlights Bristol’s best vintage and charity shops, Food shares a personal experience of the low-FODMAT diet, Wellbeing advises on starting university with a mental-health condition and Travel promotes Bristol’s multi-national food culture.

Bristol students care.* We are by no means perfect, but we are striving for great things. That’s pretty much what we’re going for here at The Croft too. *(About our horoscopes.)

Orin x

THE TEAM The Croft Editor ORIN CARLIN The Croft Digital Editor ALLEGRA LETTS The Croft Deputy Editor FREYA SCOTT-TURNER The Croft Chief Proofreader ANNABEL MORGAN Style Editor MANON WILLIAM Style Digital Editor MORGAN COLLINS Style Deputy Editor MAY GARLAND Style Subeditor OLIVIA ANDREWS Food Editor SAVANNAH COOMBE Food Digital Editor MARIA SHEVCHENKO Food Deputy Editor TIM QUINEY Food Subeditor PHOEBE RANSOM Wellbeing Editor ROSIE ANGEL-CLARK Wellbeing Digital Editor EVE COLEMAN Wellbeing Deputy Editor ELENA VENTURELLI Wellbeing Subeditor SANJANA IDNANI Travel Editor DAISY GAME Travel Digital Editor MIA MUSA-GREEN Travel Deputy Editor REBECCA PARDON Travel Subeditor SANJANA IDNANI Illustrator ALICE PROCTOR

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Illustration by Lizzie Burgess

Images by Epigram / Freya Scott-Turner

lifestyle

Pillow Talk

Carrie Brizshaw Brizshaw,, our resident sex columnist, takes on...

losing your virginity

V

irgins are as common at university as girls in flares. What is actually embarrassing is not telling your partner. This one guy kept his virgin-status from me, but I quickly guessed from the way he was flopping like a fish. I was just so turned off by the fact that he acted like an expert and yet couldn’t even locate my clit. On another occasion, I had sex with a guy who was very open about his virginity, which I enjoyed more because I didn’t go in with high expectations. I guess I can say I was the best he’d ever had!

With my own virginity, I lost it to a boy with a barcode haircut. Let’s be honest here, it’s the worst haircut a boy can have.

And, to put it kindly, it was a disaster just like his hair. I was so drunk, I had to run to the toilet to throw up mid-blowjob (missed the toilet bowl, of course), but I still came back to finish. The show must go on. Surprisingly, I didn’t regret one bit of the encounter, except maybe that last rum and coke. The guy had me giggling all evening, distracting me enough from his haircut to have sex with him.

Most importantly, I still have no regrets because I felt I could trust him.

Initially, what I had wanted for my first time, were those Nicholas Sparks movie scenes where it seemed so romantic

and special. In reality, it was awkward.

Those films never show the bits where you clumsily slip off your clothes. I was rather glad that I had some Dutch courage that night. My main concern was the pain, but it was no worse than a nose piercing and I hardly remember it now. Honestly, by the second round, I was starting to see why people become sex addicts. You’re probably not going to cum the first time, but that’s okay! There will be many other opportunities, as long as your partner manages to find your clit.

They say diamonds are a girl’s best friend but, in reality, it’s lube. I don’t know why people don’t use it more often. I would genuinely rather not have sex than not use lube. It opens you up to a whole new world of foreplay and is an essential for your first time. My friend and her boyfriend attempted penetrative sex on five separate occasions before they were successful. Five.

Separate. Occasions. A similar thing happened to my flatmate who, after borrowing my lube, reported that he slipped right in. Clearly, the lesson here is to spend that extra eight quid on lube to avoid the awkwardness. Alternatively, if you're in a real hurry, some good old fashioned spit could go a long way.

As you will cum to learn, sex can be very enjoyable.

Condoms, £10.50 | Boots Unless you want to risk an STD or a baby, use condoms. You can get them for free at sex clinics, which are always fun to visit. I personally prefer SKYN condoms, which are often on a 2 for 1 offer.

Lube, £6 | Ann Summers An essential for first times!

Water-based lube is recommended by experts for the least amount of irritation, but I prefer Ann Summers’ flavoured lube. I use the salted caramel flavour for foreplay, as well as penetrative sex.

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Freshers' survival guide

ers’ flu. At least this year there are no night outs that you’ll miss when you’re inevitably struck down with a runny nose and a pounding head, but come prepared anyway with plenty of vitamin supplements and Lemsip.

DON'T be

disheartened if you look around at your friendship group a few weeks in and think, 'Oh god, do I actually have anything in common with these people?'

You’ll meet so many people throughout your uni years and it’s unlikely you’ll meet your best friends in the first week give it time.

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be prepared to share!

A super fun way of bonding with your new flatmates is not saying anything when one of them incessantly steals your yoghurt and uses your shampoo without asking.

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DON'T

spend every weekend with your significant other from home. They’re probably going to dump you by Christmas and besides, you’re definitely going to end up fancying someone from halls and feeling really guilty about emotionally cheating. We've all been there...

Sco

flatmate. The flat above you?

Game on. The flat below? Go for it. But do NOT shag somebody who you’re going to bump into every morning when you’re trying to make toast before your 9am.

DO be prepared for fresh-

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arrival - while moving into halls and starting a new life is obviously exciting, it’s also incredibly overwhelming.

The first night feels scary and surreal but stick it out - you’ll soon probably dread going home.

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DO expect to cry upon

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Sophie Hutchison shares some advice with the incoming cohort, all thanks to the beauty of hindsight

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DON'T

go out on a Saturday. Especially not to Brass Pig, unless you like randy 40-yearold men. Fridays and weeknights are best.

DON'T

be afraid to do what you want. Everybody wants to seem cool when they first start uni but nobody really cares what you do. You’ll regret not doing those things you wanted to do and you’ll regret not being yourself whilst doing them - uni is short, so make the most of it.

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Pimp your halls

Mia O'Hara rounds up some stylish homewares to spruce up your room

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The ultimate guide to Bristol student style

Editor MANON WILLIAM Digital Editor MORGAN COLLINS Deputy Editor MAY GARLAND

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You may be sceptical 3.5 about making a flared £1 , s commitment to your wardrobe, but love them or loathe them, this 70s trend is here to stay. The surprisingly flattering trousers come in a plethora of fabrics, patterns and colours.

You can give a nod to one of the best fashion eras in history with velvet disco flares or play it safe with a basic black pair. Regardless, it’s inevitable that you will succumb to the Bristol cliché.

May Garland gives you a Bristol makeover

Flare

A

s you receive confirmation that you will be attending University of Bristol, the home of edgy fashion, a feeling of trepidation hits you – ‘Is my wardrobe stylish enough for this city?’ There is an art to achieving the perfect balance between trendy and trashy, and this guide will give you the fashion secrets every fresher should know, focusing on how to achieve the clichéd Bristol student look. Your wardrobe will be transformed from rags to riches, or rather riches to rags as oversized, second-hand clothes are the new go-to.

Step 2: Jewellery

ir Force One Trainers, £94.95 |

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Step 5: Vintage It would be a crime against Bristol fashion culture to not own any vintage clothing, especially with there being so many charity shops. By choosing the quirkiest retro attire, you will fit right in. So, cast aside your old black puffer coat and replace it with an oversized faux leather coat or a fluffy Afghan jacket from Urban Fox or BS8.

, £13 0 | Depop

5 Beaded Chain, £5

Filas, Air Force 1s, Buffalos, Naked Wolfes... basically anything chunky is acceptable and will provide you with that extra boost of height to help you feel unstoppable as you march up Bristol’s notorious hills. You’ll thank me later when you’re climbing St Michael’s Hill for a 9am lecture.

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Disaster! After buying a neon bucket hat to dance the night away at Bristol’s most popular festival, you get the dreaded email that Tokyo World is postponed until next year. However, instead of letting your new purchase go dusty at the Hat, £55 | C ket back of your wardrobe, al Buc throw it on with any outfit for easy and funky chic; you may not be vibing to D&B in Stokes Croft, but you can parade down Park Street feeling like a local. vin

Accessorise your groovy garms with stacked gold necklaces and signet rings you picked up from travelling on your gap yaah. Hoops are also essential, the bigger, the better!

Show them off by clipping your hair up in a claw in true Bristolian, Y2Kinspired style! However, fashion is not without its suffering, and you will sit there for hours at the end of the day trying to solve the tangled conundrum of chains.

Step 3: Bucket Hats

Faux Fur

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Step 1: Flares

style

How to hide a hangover

Luscious Lashes With Olivia Andrews

Olivia Andrews shares her top tips on how to beat that pesky morning-after face

Eyelash Enhancing Serum, £39.99 | RapidLash I was a bit sceptical about this product at first, but I shouldn’t have been so hasty to judge (especially because the label suggests to allow eight weeks for it to work effectively). After about five weeks of consistent use, I started to see results. My lashes are back to my precurling/accidentally forgetting-to-takeoff-my-mascara days!

Falsies Lash Mask, £9.99 Maybelline I’ve been putting a generous coating of this on my eyelashes every night. It is quite strange looking; however, come morning when I wash it off (and please, do remember to wash it off ) my lashes look thicker and longer.

This is definitely a more luxurious product, but at a budget friendly price point.

I

f you actually make it to your lecture with a hangover and your dishevelled look is making a less than good impression with your new lecturer, first of all congrats – not many make it that far! But understandably, a face that reveals all of last night's antics in the cold, hard light of day is hardly enivable - here are my top tips on how to hide a hangover.

The key to any good makeup look, hungover or not, is a good base. Always start with skincare; it can make such a difference.

Vitamin C is the key to reenergising your skin to eradicate dullness. It will fade redness from the inevitable alcohol-induced breakouts, and generally give your skin a much-needed glow. The

Ordinary's Ascorbic Acid 8% + Alpha Arbutin is a great affordable option at £10.

Don't be afraid of the 'acid' in hyaluronic acid, as this hero of a product is the secret to plump, fresh-looking skin. Also, if you want a glow boost, Tan Luxe’s serum gives a lovely radiant effect for £35.

In terms of makeup, if you even want to, just continue with your usual routine and a decent undereye concealer. However, I would recommend prepping with a good primer. Too Faced's Hangover Primer is a miracle worker at £26! This high-performance formula is full of probiotics and coconut water, leaving your skin looking totally airbrushed.

Hopefully this will help you look bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, even if you were up until the early hours!

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Bristol's best second-hand shops Luke Foster highlights the very best of Bristol's vintage and charity shops

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two floors of vintage clothing from the 80s to the Y2K era, so you’ll never be short of options.

Just opposite Thrift is BS8 – my (close) second-favourite.

Although the prices at BS8 don’t make it the most affordable option, it Epig ram cannot be beaten /M o on its array of brands.

It’s full of vintage brands from Dickies to Carhartt to Nike, the list is endless!

As well as this, they have a highend section at back of the store with rare pieces from designer brands! (As a little bonus, BS8 shares the building with radio/ON, a really cool, independent record store, located just above.)

Found just next to the Bearpit is Loot. Similarly, Loot has an incredibly broad variety of clothes, mainly featuring 90s vintage. Despite being the priciest option, you may find some more niche items like vintage DMs or American Baseball jackets – absolutely worth checking out!

Instagram / @

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or freshers newly inducted to Bristol, it is essential to know the best places to get your hands on your baggy jumpers, flares and 90s puffers; Bristol’s known for its style, so you can’t be letting the team down.

Starting on Cotham Hill, just around the corner from the ASS library, there’s loads of charity shops, including Oxfam.

Wherever you are in the UK, charity shops always seem to come through with bargain finds and Bristol is certainly no exception. Whilst 70s fashion is making a comeback, Clic Sargent is a great place to jump on this trend. Nearby, St Peter’s Hospice Shop has its very own designer brands section – only in Bristol, right?

Next, Thrift – my personal favourite in Bristol. Located on Park Street, it has a huge shop floor, a good variety of stock and very helpful staff, making it a winner! The good thing about Thrift is you can still shop on a student budget.

Each section has colour-coded rails according to price and it even offers multi-buy discount sales! Thrift boasts

style

Love to lounge?

Laura Aish chooses comfort without compromising on style

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hat you wear can dramatically impact and shape how you feel. So with this in mind, here are some clothing ideas to help you feel more at ease when you actually feel worse for wear during those early morning lectures this term.

As you wander around the alcoholstained kitchen floors of your new flat from last night’s pres, rummaging the cupboards in search for some much-needed breakfast, protect those poor feet from becoming sticky by slipping on a pair of UGG Fluff Yeah slides and allow yourself to imagine treading on soft clouds. However, these don’t come cheap, so here is a more affordable option that won't immediately make you enter your overdraft during your first week.

Nothing beats a loose, cosy hoodie or sweatshirt to wrap yourself up in on those cold early mornings during the winter term; ideal for keeping you both relaxed and warm. As the weather gets moodier, you can still glow by revisiting the tie-dye trend of the summer with these Iets Frans unisex tonal teal tie-dye crew neck sweatshirts from Urban Outfitters.

If you are looking for something fashionable yet practical to save you carrying around heavy bags to early lectures or just in case you forget to bring a pen (like me!), consider utility joggers that have lots of pockets to store all of the various essentials you may need. If you’re a lover of bubblegum pink, these Nike swoosh utility pocket joggers might be perfect for you.

However, if you’re feeling like epitomising the stereotypical Bristol style, go for these blue Juicy Couture flares, featuring a rhinestone logo to take you straight back to the early 00s.

For a hint of high-brow and perhaps a much-needed smile before a 9am lecture, why not consider these novelty socks from Etsy featuring the famous The Scream painting by Edvard Munch? Everyone loves socks. They are perfect for cathartically yet silently expressing the complex feelings you have about having to get up so early. They also might make an interesting icebreaker with new classmates, as we all know that every Bristol student loves art (or at least pretends to).

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Editor SAVANNAH COOMBE Digital Editor MARIA SHEVCHENKO Deputy Editor TIM QUINEY

Survival Guide: Cooking in halls

Honor Westlake shares her tips for food prep in uni accommodation

W

10

hilst frozen pizzas and takeaways undoubtedly hold a special place in every student’s heart, I’m a firm believer in cooking good meals from scratch for dayto-day consumption.

It will not only help you to keep within budget and save you from a freezer full of hash browns, but cooking in the evenings is often a sociable time to catch up on everyone’s day and can allow you to get to know your flatmates better.

By learning to prepare meals four portions at a time, there will always be something ready in the freezer for when you don’t have time or can’t be bothered to cook.

Student halls present their own unique set of challenges for cooking, with appliances being generally less powerful than those you’re used to at home and a lot more people using the kitchen, but these five meals are flexible and can be altered to suit many dietary requirements - they are tried and tested favourites in student kitchens.

A note on staple ingredients and making use of your freezer: most of the recipes you’ll come across as a student will involve onion and garlic. Buy, chop and freeze onions in bulk, so they're ready to throw into anything you’re making – this helps to stop them going off, reduces wasted money and food and saves the tears of cutting them fresh every time! Tubed garlic pastes are a good replacement for fresh garlic also.

Fresh chillies, herbs and ginger also freeze well to help them last longer – just grate or chop them up from frozen, or you can use the dried alternatives. If you’re using a lot of dry spices, consider stealing some from home and creating your own spice mix before you go to uni. Finally, learn how to cook rice early on, and google the Brazilian way if you want to make really good rice.

Epigram / Dharma Carlin

Stir fry

Stir fry is the ultimate flexible student meal. Pick a carb, protein, some veggies and a sauce and it comes together in no time. Make it gluten free by using rice instead of noodles, vegetarian by using halloumi, or vegan with some tofu or Quorn pieces (note that some Quorn products contain egg).

Single-use sauce sachets can usually be found in the fridge section of most supermarkets, but homemade sauces from pantry staples are just as good and cheaper – like soy sauce, honey and oyster sauce for example.

Curry

Curries are easy comfort food. They freeze well and the recipes tend to be forgiving and varied. Dal, originating in India (not technically considered a curry but deserving of a shoutout here nonetheless), is a brilliant option as it uses cheap ingredients and is ‘accidentally vegan’.

Chilli

Chilli is an easy Tex-Mex meal which can be made using only store cupboard ingredients if you can’t make it to the shops. It can be vegetarian or vegan if needed and it’s a great way to use up veg. It’s versatile and you can have it in a wrap, over rice or on a jacket potato.

Homemade Pizzas

Stay with me here – you don’t need to go all-out making your own pizza dough. Get creative with your base, for example a wrap, pitta or naan serve as easy replacements, or you can buy pre-made ones from the supermarket. Pizzas are a great end-of-week treat and an easy way to use up all the tired veg and leftovers you have in the fridge before you do another big shop.

Pasta and sauce

This title is intentionally vague because the possibilities here are endless, and pretty much always come together quickly. Think tomato sauce, Bolognese, pesto, cheese sauce, and vary the type of pasta and toppings you use to keep things interesting. If you’re not vegan, consider adding chorizo or bacon to sauces too, and if in doubt, most pasta dishes are improved with some melted cheese on top.

You can of course expand your repertoire further than these suggestions, but they’ll get you up and running and if you can get to grips with cooking in halls, the only way is up!

food Roasted beetroot risotto with truffle oil Ingredients

2 beetroots, 1 carrot, 1 small sweet potato (or any other veggies of your liking)

Maddy Baskerville says the sophisticated dish is actually pretty thrifty when you use up leftover vegetables and adapt it to fit what’s in your pantry

2 cloves of garlic

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1 onion 1 tbsp cider vinegar

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1 cup arborio rice

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2 tbsp butter

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1L stock (use 2 cubes) 1/3 cup white wine 2 tbsp Violife cream cheese/parmesan Handful of sage Handful of pine nuts Truffle oil

Top Tip! Buy truffleflavoured olive oil from Sainsbury’s for a student-friendly option.

Method 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Preheat oven to 180°C. Peel the beetroots and sweet potato and chop up with the carrots, one of the garlic cloves, salt and pepper. Roast in the oven for 45 minutes.

Dice the onion and the remaining garlic clove. Toss in a pan with the butter, cider vinegar and rice.

Bring the stock to the boil in a separate saucepan.

Add the wine and stir until the rice goes translucent at each end.

Add a ladle of stock gradually for 25-30 minutes until rice tastes al dente. dente.

Add in the Violife Violife/parmesan. /parmesan.

Take out the roasted vegetables, mash the beetroot/carrots/sweet potato and mix into the risotto (save some of the veg for garnishing if desired), remove from heat.

Toast the sage (chopped) and pine nuts with a little olive oil until golden and slightly charred.

Plate up with the remaining roasted veg, drizzle in truffle oil along with the sage, pine nuts and any parmesan/vegan cheese if you wish!

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The low-FODMAP diet:

Spilling the tea: Tim's tasty tips Tim Quiney, Deputy Editor & Columnist

If you look into most student houses/halls, there is usually an overwhelming spice cupboard, which can often leave you with full, unused spice jars sat lonely at the back. I cannot recommend enough rounding up your forgotten dried spices from the cupboard to make your own chilli oil, especially as it's cheaper than buying a branded version.

It is super easy to make your own chilli oil and you don't need to go and buy expensive/fancy olive oil either – a cheap vegetable oil will do so you can really bloom the dried chilli flakes. Just heat enough oil to slightly underfill your chosen jar/container, but do not allow it to start smoking – the best way to tell when the oil is hot is by dipping the handle of a wooden spoon a little into the oil and small bubbles should sizzle around it.

Next, using a heat-proof large saucepan/bowl, carefully pour the hot oil over around three tablespoons worth of your choice of dried spices – definitely crushed dried chilli flakes but also black peppercorn, cardamom, cinnamon, star anise, cloves, cumin seeds, literally whatever flavours you like. Let it sizzle and then cool for longer than you think (hours) – the oil will be much hotter than it looks. (N.B. if you are planning on using very hot dried chilli flakes then maybe keep a window open.)

Epigram / Tim Quiney

When completely cool, you can then pour the oil into a glass jar/bottle and drizzle on everything…pizza, fried rice, roasted vegetables, tacos, pastas, salads, eggs, on top of curries, soups and dips and even marinating meats (swirl oil into yoghurt for the easiest meat marinade ever.) Its use is limitless.

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Drizzling spiced oil over anything just makes it better, both flavour and looks-wise, and it feels fancy too.

Blooming the dry spices in the hot oil means they will release their oil and more flavour than just chucking into liquid, so now you have your own chilli oil to turn those lazy Saturday morning eggs on toast into brunch.

Freya Scott-Turner breaks down her experiences with the Low-FODMAP diet

I

f Gallup were to conduct a poll of the fastest conversation topics with which to murder the mood, I’m sure IBS - or Irritable Bowel Syndrome - would rank highly. Yet, probably at the detriment of my social life, I’m someone far too willing to chat gut health with anyone at any time. IBS is often erroneously spoken of as a condition in its own right when it’s better thought of as a catch-all term for a collection of dysfunctional bowel symptoms (including pain and bloating), and is normally the diagnosis when more specific afflictions have been ruled out.

While it’s definitely not sexy, given that as much as 15 per cent of the population are thought to struggle with IBS, it's high time we abandoned our social squeamishness. As my contribution to this struggle, I thought I’d share my experience of the low-FODMAP diet, a programme pioneered by Monash University in Melbourne, which helped me to eradicate my symptoms.

FODMAP is the acronymic rendering of ‘Fermentable Oligosaccharides Disaccharides Monosaccharides and Polyols.’

These grisly-looking words denote sugars present in normal, healthy diets that ferment in the large intestine. While most people experience no issues here, this fermentation process can induce pain, bloating and discomfort in IBS sufferers.

While it's definitely not sexy, it's high time we abandoned our social squeamishness I first came across the low-FODMAP diet after a consultation with a nutritionist. This (quite costly) appointment was somewhat a last chance saloon situation in my quest to eradicate my symptoms.

At the recommendation of my GP, I had meticulously kept a food diary, systematically eradicating and reintroducing various things from my diet to try and identify the offenders. While this helped, symptoms did not disappear completely and I still lived beholden to my stomach and its unpredictable reactions. As it turned out, for myself and four out of five people who try the diet, FODMAPs were the common denominator in all my troubles.

My initial reaction to seeing the designated high-FODMAP list of foods that I would have to avoid was complete horror. At first glance the list is fairly exhaustive and includes wheat, rye, lactose, legumes, lentils, chickpeas and a variety of fruit and vegetables (the full list can be found on the Monash University website). While the FODMAPs are the general starting point, not everyone reacts badly to every sugar. Working on the regimen with a dietician, you typically cut all the sugars out for a period (in my case, ten weeks), before reintroducing them individually to identify those that are particularly problematic for you.

Once starting, it soon became clear that the hardest part about the low-FODMAP diet was just remembering what foods were and weren’t allowed. Despite its highly restrictive appearance, with the help of resources like the Monash FODMAP app (which rates food's FODMAP content with a traffic light system and offers portion guidelines), I soon became fluent in FODMAP and able to get more creative with my cuisine. Here are a few nuggets of wisdom I’ve gleaned on my low-FODMAP journey.

a no-BS guide to eating with IBS 1. Love the leek! Probably the most daunting part of the diet for me was the prospect of cooking without onions and garlic. Yet substituting these for finely diced leeks and garlic-infused oil (a lowFODMAP) was a complete game-changer, making the one-pot university diet staples like risotto or spaghetti bolognese an option again.

2. Have a little of a lot of foods, not a lot of a little (i.e. selection). Personally, I found my symptoms were often only induced by some foods if I ate them in large quantities. Big, filling salads and stews have consequently become a staple of my diet. Choose meals with a lot of different ingredients included, like salads and stews, rather than huge portions of just one or two ingredients. This way you can pack a lot into each bite without having too much of one thing.

food 3 . Low-FODMAP vegetarianism is tough but doable. Since legumes and lentils are now off the table, I had to get creative to keep my meat consumption down.

Quorn mince, tofu (firm, not silken) and eggs are your friends here.

Example of a low-FODMAP diet meal plan BREAKFAST Almond milk overnight oats Top with low-FODMAP fruits (blueberries, raspberries or sliced banana – all available frozen in supermarkets as a budget-conscious option); sweeten with low-FODMAP sugars (desiccated coconut, peanut butter or maple syrup).

LUNCH Quinoa, butternut squash, kale, cucumber and goat's cheese salad Roast small cubes of squash in garlic oil and chilli flakes for 25-35 minutes at 200°C. Meanwhile, boil quinoa (I prefer the mixed colour) in water with a vegetable stock pot (avoid cubes as these contain onion and garlic – high-FODMAPS).

Chop cucumber, kale and goat's cheese and mix with the finished quinoa and squash. Dress with lemon juice, salt and pepper.

DINNER Courgetti with homemade pesto Pull all the leaves of a bunch of basil and place in boil ing water for two minutes, before draining and placing in cold water.

Toast 50g pine nuts for five minutes, then whizz in a food processor with the basil and generous amounts of garlic oil, salt and pepper.

Spiralise a courgette (or finely ribbon with a peeler) and fry for three minutes, add the pesto and toss. Serve with grated parmesan.

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Ultimately the scientific jury is still out on whether the low-FODMAP diet can treat the causes of digestive issues, or just eradicate the symptoms. Personally, the difference is such that I’m prepared to make the low-FODMAP diet my new normal. Gone are the days of eating plain rice in the run up to any event I might want to wear a crop top to. While I’ll bend the diet if I’m eating out or at a friend’s house, I feel infinitely more equipped to predict what’s going to have me doubled over in pain. Food really is one of life’s great pleasures and while this diet appears daunting, it is completely possible to follow and remain a bit of a glutton like me.

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Editor ROSIE ANGEL-CLARK Digital Editor EVE COLEMAN Deputy Editor ELENA VENTURELLI

Starting university with a mental health condition Samantha Kilford shares her tips for when a new start isn’t so straightforward

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It was so reassuring to have that in place before essay deadlines started piling up and it allowed me to feel a little bit more comfortable and secure knowing I had someone to turn to if I began to feel inundated with anxiety or panic.

It’s natural to feel nervous or overwhelmed during the first few weeks – or even year – at university, and it can really take some time to feel like you’ve found your feet. Everyone will tell you not to worry and to get stuck-in. That can be an excellent way to combat your anxieties headon, but as someone who tried to say ‘yes’ to every opportunity and event throughout Freshers’ week, I know it can lead to feeling down and burnt-out if you’re not careful.

The most important thing to remember is to take care of yourself.

Don’t feel like you have to force yourself to participate if you’re not feeling up to it or if you feel uncomfortable and definitely do reach out to someone. Whether it’s a message to Wellbeing or your personal tutor, it’s important to establish a line of communication early on so that they can be there to offer support if and when you do hit that rough patch.

And know that there’s absolutely nothing wrong if you need to use a weekend to travel home to see your family!

Moving to university marks a huge departure from the comfortable environments and lifestyles we’re used to. Freshers’ week can be very intense and having strangers popping in and out of your life for the first few weeks is unlike anything most of us have experienced before; make sure you are prioritising yourself and your wellbeing!

Epigram / Robin Irelan

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t’s that time of year again; a batch of starryeyed new students are flocking to the city, ready to begin their journey at Bristol.

Starting uni can be challenging for everyone, but when you’re already living with a mental health condition, it can be even harder.

Suffering from anxiety, I found the transition of moving away from home to a new city full of strangers incredibly overwhelming, so much so that I actually had to suspend my studies altogether and return the following year.

It was a risky decision, but it meant that I was far more prepared for the academic year and the challenges ahead. It also meant I could ensure that measures were put in place to ease my anxieties. I personally found talking with a therapist for a few sessions before moving away beneficial in ironing out my doubts and concerns so that I felt more capable to cope in such an intense environment.

If you have a mental health condition, my best advice would be to research what help your university can give you beforehand so that you’re not left entirely clueless about who to turn to when you’re in distress. At first, I felt embarrassed or ashamed about having to reach out and ask for help, but I quickly realised there was no need to feel this way.

After an awful start the year before, I knew I needed to prioritise the complicated rollercoaster that was my mental health.

The Student Wellbeing and Disability Services assigned me a member of staff within my faculty to conduct regular check-ins to see how I was coping emotionally, and also to give me advice on what could be done to assist me if my mental health started affecting my workload.

Bollywood Jollywood

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year’s committee to help create a similar experience for the next generation of dancers. However, Coronavirus quickly threw a spanner in the works. After having East Meets West cancelled in March, ith university life looking a bit different it was disheartening to think this year, I reflected on the importance that our Freshers’ Fair of student societies, the challenges the performance and potentially pandemic poses as a Bollywood others in the autumn term, Dance Society (BDS) committee member, were also out of the picture. and how, despite all the pandemic However, every cloud has madness, BDS hopes to make freshers a silver lining and Covid-19 feel welcome and to keep our encouraged us to think outside community connected. I remember /A the box about how we could seeing BDS perform at Freshers’ Fair o u di t S make an impact. and feeling my heart burst with joy.

Kolab We contributed to Modern Jive After a fun but overwhelming week Society’s charity danceathon in support of of navigating living on my own, it ol Black Bristol Carers and NHS charities was exciting to hear a duet mix of ab Stu together and worked with Asian Society Bekhayali and Sun Saathiya and feel dio s / Ala and LGBTQ+ Society on a panel event reconnected with my home and culture. stair about South Asian queer identity.

Keen to get stuck into university life and It has been so inspiring to help improve my physical wellbeing, Bollywood Dance others out through movement and to was an appealing option for me to try, especially as I was (and start conversations on current issues, still am) far from a gym person. and we are very excited to continue Being a part of BDS was animating from the get-go. We E this work at Pakistani Society’s panel had seen a massive increase in members and opportunities to event on mental health in the South Asian perform which kept both my Instagram topped up with snaps community. in our colourful costumes and my weekends busy! What stuck So, while Covid-19 has changed the game, BDS is still very with me was the unique bond we formed from rehearsing and much in play! We’ve got our virtual lessons lined up and performing together. The intense rehearsals made it clear that while Zoom may not be the dance studio, the lessons can those who squat together, stick together! still be a great way for freshers to make Bristol their home It was this sense of community that inspired me to join this and Bollywood Dance Society their Bristol Coming back to university is family. doesn’t have to be like this! always a little daunting, but this Taking time for yourself to do year brings another level to any the things you really enjoy is so apprehension after we’ve spent a run or watching a film. important. If you find yourself easily months almost exclusively at home.

Keeping in touch with those from swayed by other people’s plans, For many, this time has been home can also help. Just a phone call then schedule in time for yourself. a positive thing, taking a break can really keep you grounded and reCreate an event in your calendar and from our hectic university lives mind you of who you are. hold yourself accountable to taking and picking up new hobbies. For Finally, remember that you don’t yourself out for a coffee, going for others, lockdown has been riddled have to say yes to everything. If you with anxiety, made all the more don’t feel up to going out or seeing overwhelming as a return to people then you don’t have to; your university - where the risk of disease friends will probably be impressed by is the last thing on many students’ your confidence to prioritise yourself. minds - is imminent. Whether you’ve This year in particular, coming enjoyed lockdown or not, leaving the back to university will feel weird. secure world of home comforts can Just remember that it takes a while to be scary. adjust for us all. Hopefully, before you Social pressure at university know it, you’ll be back into the swing means we’re on the go all the time, of the craziness that is university life. often ending up doing things we’d really rather not. Before you know it, you find yourself exhausted, Caitlin Palmer O’Shaughnessy struggling through the week. But it

Sanjana Idnani reminds us of how beneficial societies can be – even in a pandemic

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Wellbeing Columnist

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How do we deal with

Ellie Spenceley discusses the university’s collaboration

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he University of Bristol’s Intersectional Feminist

Given the social aspect of university life, there is also the likelihood that sexual assault is committed by someone known to the victim, often preventing them from reporting the crime under the impression that it is not serious, or out of fear that they will be ostracised from friendship groups.

Women also often feel afraid to say ‘no’ once they have reached a certain point of intimacy, fearing that they will be accused of leading the person on or just considering it easier to stay quiet and get it over with.

B Lad culture is an epidemic that values male egotism over female selfhood. The ease with which pornography can be accessed has also created a false idea in the minds of both male and female students about what a real sexual encounter looks like; women are often expected to automatically assume a more docile and submissive role during sex, and men often assume that consent to one thing is consent to all.

With a lot of pornographic content conflating violent acts against women together with sexual pleasure, it can be easy for a woman to find herself in a position where she is participating in a sexual act that she feels uncomfortable with but feels unable to outright reject. If we want to take steps to avoid generating accidental traumas and ensure that women feel as engaged and safe during sex as men do, we need to normalise explicitly asking for consent and checking in with partners throughout a sexual encounter.

However, normalising consent culture is tragically difficult in an environment where men are taught to view sex as some old

Voices/ Bristol Fem Soc

Society is partnering with feminist organisation Bold Voices to confront rape culture in Bristol.

Rape culture manifests when sexual violence is condoned and normalised through societal attitudes and structures. A study by Revolt Sexual Assault and The Student Room found that almost two thirds of students have experienced some form of sexual violence while at university. These high rates are caused by a culture that normalises the issue, and this is sustained through a lack of education and a reluctance to have difficult conversations.

How does it manifest specifically in a university environment, and how can we combat it? What is unique about rape culture at university compared to other areas of society? Why does it exist, and what feeds it? What makes it so hard to tackle?

The wider culture of misogyny at university proliferates through casual remarks about women’s bodies, ‘ratings’ and even ‘shag’ charts in accommodations where flatmates compete to see how many people they can sleep with.

Whilst casual sex is by no means a bad thing if done in a safe and healthy way, when combined with the rampant alcohol habits of many university students, it often leads to women being taken advantage of when they are not sober enough to properly consent. Groping in nightclubs is a common and expected encounter for women on a night out, and a simple ‘stop’ often isn’t enough to evade the situation.

The Wellbeing Editors share their favourite soothing albums to keep you calm through Freshers’ Week Nutini Sun

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olo Pa Right at the very start of a Spotify library made up of music so gloomy my friends have banned me from contributing to pres playlists, this album is a shining light.

It’s brought me back to earth through numerous ups-and-downs of university life - its laidback, folky vibes feel like a warm hug! p,

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This may not be a typically relaxing album, but when ‘Dog Days are Over’ hits my speakers, it instantly refreshes my mood and helps me to let go of any stress or tension from the day. Sometimes the greatest mode of relaxation is dancing like an idiot in your bedroom to the ethereal power of Florence’s voice (also fantastic for a lengthy shower sing-along… sorry flatFl mates!) or en ce a nd the Machine

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with Bold Voices to confront sexual violence

Silence is violence, so we must make noise.

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og r Misch’s eclectic album explores the ‘geography’ of the musical landscape, from jazz and soul to disco and hip-hop. Every song has a new thrill bound to make you smile with tributes to romantic vintage cinema and toetapping bangers. This album is perfect both for wind-down ballads or a well-needed reminder that you’re a dancing queen!

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Unlike some of R Del Rey’s previous work that is dark and arguably depressing, this album has an uplifting, dream-like quality which I find hopeful and comforting. Every single song on this album is beautifully mesmerising. The perfect album for background relaxation, emotional introspection or a bit of both!

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supported through the process of making sure their abuser is held accountable.

A report by the National Union of Students found that only four per cent of affected students reported sexual violence to their institution and 10 per cent to the police.

The victim is never to blame, but the fear of just that is what holds most back. Rape culture remains in place when the voices that need to control the narrative are the ones being silenced.

Until we are heard we will not be seen.

In this era where discussion of student mental health is becoming less of a taboo and more support systems are being put in place to protect student wellbeing, so too should we recognise the fact that sexual health and safety plays an integral part in this for many.

Organisations like Bold Voices aim to shift the power back to young people and reverse narratives that protect those who assault at the expense of those who are assaulted.

As we actively incorporate education and prevention into our university ethos, we must recognise that identifying the causes of rape culture is vital if we are to prevent the symptoms.

Epigram / Eve Coleman

sort of coming-of-age conquest. As university is a time when many young people are experimenting with their sexuality for the first time, it should also be a time when discussions around safe sex practices are encouraged and enforced so as not to perpetuate the power dynamic that turns women into objects of discussion for male power trips.

If we are to change the collective view that young people have about sex and attraction, making consent and accountability talks mandatory in freshers’ week and at certain points throughout the year would be a good start.

Those of us speaking up about the abhorrent ways that the patriarchy attempts to take women’s ownership away from their own bodies often get caught in an echo chamber of our own awareness.

Contrary to the steps being taken in the wider world, university spheres still reek of toxic masculinity.

Discussion and prevention need to be streamlined and not kept within the societies, networks and communities that are most affected. Rape culture should be on the agenda of sports societies just as much as it is on the agenda of FemSoc and the Women’s Network. Help centres need to be normalised and promoted so that victims feel safe and informed about how to report their experiences and feel

- Sanjana

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Editor DAISY GAME Digital Editor MIA MUSA-GREEN Deputy Editor REBECCA PARDON Sub-editor SANJANA IDNANI

Indian: Thali | Despite this popular Indian chain facing challenges over the past year, forcing it to close restaurants in some locations, Thali remains a treat for all the senses. Originating as a street food truck at Glastonbury Festival, its restaurants retain a vibrant, festive spirit.

Expect lots of colourful thali plates–crammed with generous portions and banana leaf–to be jostling for space on your table, and to leave surprised (and impressed) by how much uttapam the human body can consume. lash / Isaac N.C

Greek: Sotiris Bakery | Pastry will flake, hot cheeses will ooze: grab a traditional Greek feta pie from Sotiris Bakery. Owned and run by the bakery’s namesake, Sotiris does that cooked-right-here-by-a-born-andraised-Greek type of tastiness, from the salty to the sweet. Drinks are kept traditional too – slurp on a creamyand-cool Freddo Espresso, or take it slow with a caffeine kick served up in a Briki boiling cup. Coffee, pastry, juice, repeat – it all makes for a very tasty Mediterranean mouthful.

The Travel team serve up their favourite foreignfood bites in the city

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Caribbean: Turtle Bay | A visit to Turtle Bay is what you need to offset thoughts of the upcoming winter. Enjoy Caribbean cuisine, from classics like jerk chicken to Turtle Bay’s specially cultivated ‘Buddha Bowls’ which are inspired by clean eating.

Sit back and relax with your friends, cocktail in hand and reggae playing in the background – what could be a better night out than this?

Around the world in five Bristol eats Caribbean: Fi Real Vegan Café | Love Caribbean food but struggle to find vegan and gluten-free options? Fi Real is the place for you! Offering hearty stews, traditional curries and their own Jamaican drinks line, this cafe is not one to miss. Although slightly out of the University bubble, Fi Real is worth the journey!

Italian: Molto Buono | This charming Italian restaurant located on Park Street serves up some super delicious dishes!

With their mouth-watering starters including focaccia and authentic homemade pizza and pasta, this is sure to give you a taste of Italy, while its fairy lights and leafy decor provide a perfect introduction to the Bristol scene. Did someone say ‘photo time’?

Epigram / Daisy Game

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Daisy Game goes to Cornwall, and back to childhood simplicity

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erched on the lesser-crowded Roseland Peninsula, the fishing village of Portloe remains unflustered by the normal summer time crowds.

There are no shops; phone reception is sketchy to nil. Ducking down side streets, the nosy potterer finds just a few doorsteps – each busy with its own personal mob of sandy holiday shoes. In back garChloe and I set about picking the perfect dens, couples nurse wine glasses a-glow souvenir. Not too big, not too blue. Muted with summer light, whilst hardy swimWetsuits and hot chocolate and modest was best. On more adventurous mers dip a toe and squeal at the water’s in winter, sun cream and afternoons, we skipped down the streets edge. This is an undemanding place: a of neighbouring towns – Truro, Port Isaac strawberries in summer clutch of cottages, lobster pots, fishing – rifling corner store baskets loaded with boats; daubed with salt and sun. seaside themed tat of the most spectacular Since I was small, I spent many of my summer weeks in a cotkind. Thread bracelets. Homemade bunting. tage which crouches in the village’s periphery. It belongs to a Our Portloe rituals have shifted focus a little since the early very old and very wonderful friend of mine, and throughout the days. We now go to bed tipsy not on sugar and sunshine-thickyears she and her mother have shared their home with generened air, but on wine and small-hour-buzz. We spend days dragosity. Together, Chloe – my little-to-larger accomplice – and I ging kayaks to the water’s edge and nudging our way along blue have grown leaner and longer in this yellow-and-white house coast and coves, and evenings tucked in a pub-side-sun-trap, by the sea. Our families have spent Easter, New Year and sumfeasting on crisps and ales. mer birthdays here. Wetsuits and hot chocolate in winter, sun For me, Cornwall is a miraculous place in the most literal cream and strawberries in summer. sense of the word – somewhere in which I might exist as two When we were of pockpeople at once: both little and large. Tottering and striding. et-money age, we growAlice in Wonderland – Daisy in Portloe. And in these strange, ing girls would trot – shallow-breathed times, my summer weeks by the sea seem all flip-flop shod and towel the more vital. They feel elating – look! A world! A world out robed – down to the harthere! – and yet utterly undemanding. ‘Slow and steady’ the bour’s fringe in search of cottage chimes; ‘all tortoises welcome’. shells. Not just any shells Gathering myself to leave behind these Cornish summer – Portloe’s Giant Urchin weeks for another year, I take my habitual ‘moment’. The breeze Shells. The porcelain is sharper than it was when I arrived. Soon sandy back-door skeletons could be found flip-flops will bulk out into the rubber of a wellington boot, and sitting in an offcast T-shirts will fledge into thick knit jumpers; when I am back in fishing crate beside the this gentle place, I will doze beneath white cotton barnacled boats: a stony sheets – skin hot and fizzy not with summer crowd of soft blues and sun, but with the graze of a winter wind. pinks and greens. PlunkI look forward to those days. To traving sticky-with-salt-andel home is a wonderful thing. sun-cream pound coins into the honesty box,

Cottage by the sea

Epigram / Daisy Game

Unsplash / Milada Vigerova

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Sophia Choudhury considers the pros and cons of taking a camera on your travels

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n the age of smartphones, Snapchat and Instagram stories, people often trip into the reaching-for-their-cameras-at-every-moment shaped trap – whether it be to capture the neon lights of Times Square, or crystal clear waves breaking on a beach in Australia. But might the modern traveller benefit from taking a step back and asking themselves: is my camera enhancing this experience, or is it simply acting as a barrier between myself and a deeper appreciation of this moment?

Fuelled by the accessibility of technology and social media, today’s travellers often choose to preserve moments with timelines and photographs rather than written diaries. This more modern style of journaling certainly boasts a few bonus points: images and videos may act as a record of an enjoyable or special moment by capturing a destination’s atmosphere, enabling the photographer to share holiday highlights with family and friends. When photography is used to encourage an eye for detail or as a platform for artistic talent, it can open doors to careers in journalism, advertising, fashion and more. Photographs might be taken with more pragmatic advantages in mind, or simply snapped for personal and sentimental value.

However, though travel photography has its advantages, all positives have their drawbacks. Being stuck behind a camera lens, forever in the search for the ‘perfect’ shot, can prevent a fully immersive experience. The way people behave while travelling is the best example of this loss of touch with reality, ranging from the ignorant to the disrespectful and inconsiderate; instead of taking into account and learning about the historical, cultural and religious significance of places like Auschwitz and Angkor Wat, people choose to visit only so that they can take selfies and ‘pose’ with the monuments.

These moment-cherry-picking-behaviours are rooted in social media trends and can lead to experiences being edited and filtered even whilst they are happening.

Ultimately, the value of photography boils down to how aware we are of the moment we are immortalising. Photographs and videos can be immensely precious reminders of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, but caution must be taken to avoid the risk of becoming a traveller who snaps photos purely to show off on social media.

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good bag. A solid bag.

Perhaps even a tattered bag, ripped and torn by a thousand good times, uses and trips. Threadbare – barely together. That’s the best kind: the kind of bag that may be completely empty, but is still full to burst with memories.

The kind of bag that can tell you a hundred stories with a look. One of those bags that you should really just throw out, but never will.

A scuff here and a mark there. The loose bit of fabric curling down over the edge of a tired old zip that stops just short of working properly.

It was my mother’s once. Rumour has it that she bought it for a trip to Ireland. It has stuck around ever since – slowly falling to pieces – red and covered in buckles and zips. Lots of seemingly irrelevant buckles that, as far as I know, have never actually managed to tie anything down.

Thinking about it – this bag is probably about as old as I am, give or take a few years. This red bag and me. Sharing the same space for all of this time. I remember it being nice, having that tatty bit of home

hanging across my shoulders for I discovered how great fika is. We my first trip away from home. told ghost stories. We went bird I was going to Sweden for a watching. month. It had been a long jourWe walked past impressive lakes ney up to London from Bristol. I and sat through massive thunbumped around in derstorms that If the bag hadn’t been shook all of the the back seat with the bag pushed in windows at once. holding me down, I between my feet as And then it might have floated the traces of early was all over, and I away with all of the morning left, givwas back. Me and ing way to the day the good old red butterflies that had ahead. bag – an empty settled somewhere It was my first bag, but one full deep inside my time travelling alone of memories. and I was only slightstomach ly nervous. If the bag hadn’t been holding me down, I might have floated away with all of the butterflies that had settled somewhere deep inside my stomach.

After a plane journey, a train journey, another bumpy car journey and a few friendly introductions later, I had finally arrived. My bag slumped in tired relief and so did I. It was a good month.

I made art and met new friends.

We wrote songs. We created sound samples with the house and the cupboards to make music.

I discovered how great honey is.

UnSplash / Kawica

Laura Aish muses on the bond we forge with our carry-ons when we travel

Epigram / Laura Aish

Bags and butterflies

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Finally, I’ve found the perfect dupe for my completely out-of-budget Benefit Brow Gel. I was able to find the perfect one for my brows - its dark fibres gives my somewhat sparse brows crazy volume and thickness. I love it!

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Digital Editor ALLEGRA LETTS

Deputy Editor FREYA SCOTT-TURNER

Despite summer coming to a close, I don't feel ready yet to bid adieu to my tan. These drops are my hack. I just mix two with my night cream to maintain a natural-looking, bronze glow without ever needing to step outside.

Hangover cures

Kate Bowie helps you to decide your plan of attack

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Hydrate, refuel, hibernate Downing water and toast before trudging back to bed is a personal favourite - not only does it work (sleep, water and hearty food all being proven remedies) but it’s a great excuse to write-off the rest of the day to watch Netflix.

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Hair of the dog Maybe for freshers, when being drunk most of the week is expected, but according to a flatmate survey, results in chunning 70 per cent of the time.

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Caffeinate Helpful for 20 seconds, before your internal organs start rioting against you for not giving them a minute’s peace.

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Health concoction Actually works and you can pretend it cancels out the liver damage - a win-win. Minus points for foresight needed.

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Secrets of the cosmos

The Croft’s resident clairvoyant, Rosie Angel-Clark explains what the stars have in store for you this month Li br

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Your ruling planet Mercury goes retrograde in your house of routine until the twenty-eightth, so get ready for a shake up!

Embrace your spiralling schedule and opportunities will follow suit! Venus’ influence suggests a possible romance with a flatmate or old friend who’s starting to see you differently.

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Se The forces of Venus in your sign on pte the second reinforce your powers of analysis and practicality in relationships. You might become critical of your connections and keen to face issues you’ve been ignoring. Get ready to rediscover a lost area of academic interest – returning to something unfinished could be exactly what you’re looking for.

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Ju The Sun, your ruling planet, spends most of the month in your house of wealth, illuminating potential careers. Luckily, you’ll be overrun with ideas and opportunities of all kinds! Work you put in now will pay off in the months (and years) to come, and conversations about matters of the heart flow naturally!

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Ju Make sure to only take on what you can realistically manage this month. Spending time with friends keeps you calm and boosts your ability to get everything done. If you’ve been cautious in love, Venus’ movement through your house of communication makes finally expressing yourself a breeze.

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ary Venus’ influence over your house of relationships creates harmony in love this month – enjoy it! Beware of arguments over money as Mars goes retrograde in your house of wealth. If you’re locking horns with flatmates over bills, it’s worth having a chat before tensions reach boiling point. Your gift for keeping the peace will come in handy!

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Hobbies and activities you love could bring an unexpected connection! The rare Taurus blue moon on the thirty-first brings luck your way – it’s time to put something stressful into perspective.

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You’re pulled in opposing directions as the full moon in your sign on the first uncovers your impulsivity (is it ever far from the surface?!) and Mars’ retrograde demands patience.

This restrictive energy could cause a romantic block – it’s only temporary!

Use this month to reflect: you’ll emerge calmer and wiser, ready for the year ahead.

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22 November 21 Mars is in retrograde in your De ce house of romance, making your love life feel briefly ‘backwards’ – your desires may entirely upend themselves! Cosmological influences over your house of ambition boost your confidence: your work in the next few weeks reaches impressive new levels, and hopes for the future shine through any clouds of doubt.

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23 Septem 23 Octob er ber 2 -2 Beware of passive aggressive 2 Your ruling planet Mars is still in behaviour as Mars is still in retrograde, making you feel a little retrograde in your opposite sign, lost. It’s an ideal time to view things volatile Aries, putting strain on all types objectively rather than emotionally. of relationships. Don’t panic! The gentle You may uncharacteristically change Libra new moon on the sixteenth your mind about something brings laid-back encounters, so important: believe in your embrace the opportunity ability to realise your new to meet new people – goals! Love takes a dreamy even if it’s only turn, but beware of illusions virtually!

– both those you’re receiving and projecting.

19 Feb 23 Septem ru ber ary -2 2 Handling The Sun’s warm and friendly vibes everything with coax out your inner socialite this patience will pay off – month, just in time for those your dreams are in motion even if introductions and long-awaited you feel you’ve hit a wall. Venus’ reunions! In love, you’re movement through your house after someone who of transformation brings change engages your mind – to relationships. Take some time Venus pushes you in an to focus on your happiness and if unexpected direction. you want to meet someone special, You never know who’ll stir you’ll be ready. your intellect!