Welcome to Barefaced Life

This blog is for women everywhere who are so busy being all things to all people that they’ve forgotten how to be themselves. It’s time to find some balance.

The challenges we face trying to find balance in the chaos can be overwhelming especially with so many conflicting messages in the media about how we should live, how we should eat, how we should exercise and even how we should think. That’s where this blog comes in…

Here you’ll find regularly updated materials and insights from my work as a freelance writer and passionate wellbeing advocate including nutritious recipes, motivational interviews and thought-provoking articles on various aspects of food, health and lifestyle: content which cuts through the noise and inspires conscious choices.

If you’re looking for better balance in your life then I’d like to invite you to explore this web space which is for women like you and me. We’re all facing challenges but it’s so much easier when we face them together.

Wishing you health and happiness.

Catherine Lawson - Founder of Barefaced Life ®

Unleash The Power of Food

Good food and nutrition is the foundation for health and wellbeing. What we eat is central to our quality of life and can impact every aspect of our physical, mental and emotional health. Adopting a diet which is high in wholefood, nutrient dense, unprocessed goodness is key to maintaining good health and when that diet limits the consumption of animal products and instead embraces the power of plants we are also eating in a way which supports environmental health. Making sustainable, ethical food choices is one way we can connect on a personal level with the world around us.  As an integral part of our identity and culture the sharing of food is also central to how we nurture our connections and love for each other. Whether sharing a celebratory feast or offering tea and sympathy, food brings people together at all the most important moments in our lives. Finding balance in what we eat and feeling good about the food choices we make is one of the biggest challenges we face as we navigate modern living to prioritise our wellbeing.

Play The Long Game

Living a sustainable life is a personal commitment to keeping the planet healthy for future generations. By making choices that minimise our environmental impact we promote long-term personal and planetary wellbeing. Sustainable living covers a wide range of lifestyle choices, from reducing energy consumption and choosing renewable energy sources to minimizing waste and supporting eco-friendly products. Sustainable living also means adopting mindful consumer habits, such as buying locally-produced goods, eating seasonally and reducing meat consumption to lower our carbon footprint. While our individual efforts might sometimes feel like a drop in the ocean, they make an invaluable contribution to the impact our collective efforts have in creating a more balanced relationship between us and the planet. Every choice we make, with the aim of creating a healthier and more vibrant world for all of us, matters.

It’s The Little Things in Life

Embracing simplicity has long been a philosophy that encourages us to reduce the chaos and clutter that can overwhelm our lives. It champions the idea that happiness and contentment can be found in the simple things in life: a good cup of coffee, candlelight, a blue sky... By simplifying things, we move away from the relentless pursuit of material possessions and the stress of over-commitment. Instead, we develop a deeper appreciation for the ordinary, finding joy in moments of quiet reflection, the warmth of genuine connections, and the peace of uncluttered spaces. Embracing simplicity allows us to lead more intentional lives, focusing on what really matters, and when we do that we discover a sense of peace and fulfilment that cannot be found in the constant face paced pursuit of excess.

Mind, Body & Soul

Prioritising our health and wellbeing is key to a fulfilling and balanced life. By adopting a nourishing diet, enjoying regular exercise, and getting enough sleep to support the body's wellbeing, we’re building the foundations for a healthy, enjoyable life. Equally important is nurturing mental and emotional health through practices like mindfulness and stress management, fostering emotional resilience, and seeking support when we need it. Nurturing social connections and a sense of belonging are key to our overall wellness too because our relationships with others play a vital role in our happiness and how we experience life. Ultimately, a holistic approach to health and wellbeing empowers us to lead vibrant lives, enabling us to pursue our passions, fulfil our potential and enjoy quality of life. When we show up for ourselves by prioritising our health and wellbeing we can also then show up as our best selves for the people around us.

Be Your Own Champion

Personal growth is a journey of self-discovery and self-improvement which is built on a growth mindset. It involves a conscious effort to expand our knowledge, skills, and understanding of ourselves and the world. Through personal growth, we work to become the best version of ourselves, both emotionally and intellectually. This often means stepping out of our comfort zone, embracing challenges and learning from failures. It’s a continuous process that empowers us to set and achieve meaningful goals, develop resilience and nurture a deeper sense of purpose in life. Personal growth is not only about learning new skills but also about evolving as a person, exploring our potential, nurturing positive relationships with others and learning to master ourselves. The work can be hard but ultimately it’s a lifelong journey that brings a greater sense of fulfilment, purpose and meaning to our lives.

It’s a Beautiful World

Travel and adventure go hand in hand, opening the world to us and exposing us to new experiences, people and cultures in ways which feed the soul and boost our wellbeing. Going on a journey to explore a new place and immersing ourselves in beautiful landscapes or diverse cultures gives us a unique opportunity to break free from the ordinary and embrace the extraordinary. Whether we’re climbing a mountain or strolling through a hidden marketplace, every adventure, big or small, offers the joy of discovery and a reminder that life’s most exciting experiences often lie beyond our comfort zones and outwith our everyday lives. New places and adventures invite us to live fully, to create memories and to enjoy the incredible diversity of the world around us. We all need adventures in our lives.