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Having a Village, Being a Villager
Within my own circle of algorithms and opinions, I’ve been finding the notion of ‘having a village’ pop up in conversations more recently – having come from the phrase “it takes a village”. I find it interesting because this is an idea that, I believe, has been carefully nudged out of the way to make room for boundaries . ‘Boundaries’ is arguably one of the few words that define the new generation of today. Understanding boundaries, finding our own boundaries, respecting so

Noor Ehsan
Apr 93 min read


Finding Balance in a Busy World: Simple Ways to Protect Your Mental Wellbeing
In today’s fast-paced world, many people feel constantly rushed, overwhelmed, and mentally drained. Between studies, work responsibilities, family expectations, and social pressures, it often feels like there is little time left to pause and breathe. Mental wellbeing is not just about avoiding stress; it is about creating balance, feeling grounded, and caring for yourself in small but meaningful ways. The problem isn’t just how much we have to do, it’s how little space we giv

Nida Javeed
Apr 13 min read


My Ayahuasca Journey: Reclaiming My Inner Compass
Note: At Yondera, we share stories to spark thought and conversation. This is a personal experience and doesn’t necessarily represent the views of Yondera. Foreword by Jack Lawrence I wanted to share this piece written by my friend Carmen, about her recent ayahuasca retreat, because it captures something that’s hard to put into words, what it feels like to confront yourself honestly and come out the other side with a clearer sense of who you are. Regardless of your views on

Carmen Ogle
Mar 255 min read


Yondera’s First Night in the Real World
Hello everyone, I hope you’re all well and heading into the weekend feeling good. I’ve spent the last few days reflecting on last Saturday’s Yondera launch party, and honestly, I’m still smiling. Ten months ago, Yondera was just an idea. A thought. A conversation. And suddenly, there we were, standing in a packed basement in Soho, speaking about our hopes and dreams to around 60 people who had battled classic UK weather and an even more classic UK train system just to be ther

Jack Lawrence
Feb 62 min read


What happened to doing a good deed?
By Ella Dorman The good deeds we often see are usually pre-planned, shot with a crisp iPhone or professional camera, and posted on social media, only to be met with two kinds of response: praise for doing something good, and criticism for filming it. Realistically, we’re all naturally self-interested – it’s human nature. But we are also innately social beings, we need other people, we need to feel a part of something, we need to belong. Too often we are obsessed with having m

Ella Dorman
Dec 29, 20252 min read


The Long Swim Back to Myself
Words by Ben Robinson Edited by Noor Ehsan At the start of 2025, I promised myself I’d find some sort of purpose. I suppose many of us make similar vows each year (New Year’s resolutions and all that). This search I’ve had for some form of meaning and inner peace has been ongoing for several years now, but this year feels different. This year, I’ve made more progress on that journey than ever before. In mid-2024, I began writing my first novel - soon to be released - a memoi
Ben Robinson
Dec 22, 20254 min read


Reflux Relief the Natural Way: A Nutritional Therapist’s Guide to Healing from Within
By Holly Rothschild *Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any medical condition. The information provided reflects the perspective of a qualified nutritional therapist and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your GP or other qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your diet, lifestyle, or
Holly Rothschild
Dec 17, 20255 min read


The Yondera Launch Party
Don't miss out on something special... We’ve got some exciting news… Yondera is officially launching on 31 January 2026, and you’re invited to be part of the very first step of the journey. Since incorporating back in April, we’ve been quietly building. Creating an online space, sharing stories, and talking about wellness in a way that feels more honest, more grounded, and less performative. Alongside that, we’ve been developing a series of ideas and experiences that we’ve b

Jack Lawrence
Dec 12, 20252 min read


Incremental Gains: The Power of 100 Small Improvements: Part 1
Words by Jack Lawrence Photography by Ella Dorman Before we dive in, a quick heads-up. The thoughts and opinions in this article are my own and don’t necessarily represent Yondera. Yondera isn’t affiliated with, sponsored by, or partnered with any of the brands, products, or services mentioned here. Nothing in this piece should be treated as medical advice or absolute fact. If you’re planning to make changes to your health, diet, or lifestyle, please speak with a qualified pr

Jack Lawrence
Nov 30, 20258 min read


Why Do We Feel More Human in Nature?
Words by Noor Ehsan Sometimes, when it feels like my mind is a swarm of lists, unchecked boxes, and several tabs open, I forget what it feels like to be me, to be human. I forget what it feels like to not feel like a working bot with a thousand things to do. If you’re anything like me, you’re constantly thinking about what to have for dinner tonight, what you’re wearing to work tomorrow, that you need to write your friends birthday card, to reply to those emails, to hoover y

Noor Ehsan
Nov 5, 20253 min read


From Source to Sea: My Journey Along the Thames
Words by Jack Lawrence, Founder of Yondera It’s early on a Sunday morning; the larks and I are sharing the sacred moments before the world turns on. I’ve been up for an hour, stretching, fuelling, and packing my running bag for the day’s task: 15 miles between Clifton Hampden and Oxford proper. Autumn has soaked the path in rain, and as I step out of my flat and walk through the grey towards my car, I can already imagine the Thames Path waterlogged beneath my shoes. That was

Jack Lawrence
Oct 28, 20253 min read


Are Smartphones Disconnecting Us from Real-Life Connections?
Words by Noor Ehsan, Writer & Editor at Yondera Smartphones: a 5-inch computer that fits neatly in your pocket, accessible to you at any point of the day, no matter where you are. A device that holds the power to grant you a conversation with anyone - anywhere on the globe - as long as you have Wifi or Data. Phones offer the ability to get everything we need by tapping a piece of glass the size of our hand: Google, YouTube, Twitter (X), Instagram, Amazon, Spotify, Netflix, Ti

Noor Ehsan
Aug 27, 20254 min read


The Dangers of Living Online: Echo Chambers, the Real-Life Impacts, & the Importance of Community
Words by Ella Dorman As social beings, we want to belong. We want to matter, to feel understood, to be acknowledged as worthy by those around us. We want to be trusted, to be listened to, to feel like we exist as something bigger than ourselves. This feeling of belonging plays a crucial part in forming and affirming our identity. So - what happens when we choose to seek this sense of belonging online, rather than in real life? The first forms of online communications came in

Ella Dorman
Aug 6, 20254 min read


Plugging into a Different Frequency: Glastonbury 2025 and the Power of Presence
Words by Jack Lawrence, Founder of Yondera Love 'Rains' Over Glastonbury. There’s something strangely soul-wrenching about leaving Glastonbury. One minute you’re dancing barefoot under a pink sky, hugging strangers and friends alike, the next you’re queuing for petrol on the M3, wondering if any of it actually happened. I’ve just returned from the 2025 edition, and I’ve got the blues. Big time. After five days and nights of music, dancing, laughter, and long-drop toilet traum

Jack Lawrence
Jul 2, 20252 min read


What is Yondera & Why Am I Building it?
In this post, I share the story behind Yondera and why now was the right time to launch.

Jack Lawrence
May 9, 20253 min read
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