Welcome to the October/November edition of Southsea Lifestyle. With autumn in full swing, our vibrant community is buzzing with creativity and enthusiasm. Be sure to check out our ‘What’s On’ section on page 33 for details of the exciting city-wide art trail, POSE 2025, which is back this year.
Kate Pearce and Sophie Lederer share their insights on living just a stone’s throw away from the sea, page 42. And Olivia Smith starts a new regular feature - Southsea Coffee Corner, page 44.
In this issue, we have something for everyone, whether you’re seeking inspiring ideas or stories from the community. Let’s celebrate all the wonderful things Southsea has to offer this autumn. Don’t forget to support our fantastic advertisers, and please let them know you found them through Southsea Lifestyle!
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Zirrinia Austin
WHY
IS CATASTROPHIC THINKING DRAINING YOU?
Elios Stone
DOES YOUR MIND GO INTO OVERDRIVE? Do you find yourself imagining disastrous futures? While spiralling thoughts may seem unhelpful, this type of mental creativity often has roots in self-preservation. In childhood, when safety felt uncertain and no amount of thinking could solve things, your mind likely learned to go into overdrive – and it stayed there. Fortunately, there are ways to break free from these mental cycles
WHAT
CAUSES CATASTROPHIC THINKING Catastrophic thinking occurs when the mind, driven by a relentless urge to solve problems, gets trapped in a loop of worst-case scenarios. Though these scenarios are often improbable, they can feel very real, embedding themselves in the mind as truths. This cycle may stem from emotions stored in the body and is closely linked to stress responses. Elevated cortisol levels, muscle tension, and a strained nervous system create a life dominated by chronic anxiety
Once established, these patterns can amplify everyday worries into overwhelming anxieties, depleting energy levels through a mental drain of “negative creativity” used to construct imagined disasters and hypothetical conflicts. This cycle of “what ifs” creates anxiety and often manifests physically as discomfort in the stomach, chest, or throat. Left unchecked, these sensations can transform fleeting discomfort into ongoing suffering.
WHY ISN’T OVERTHINKING HELPING YOU?
Many people, myself included, have spent years caught in this cognitive cycle, replaying conversations, feeling regret, and wishing for better outcomes. While the brain might suggest that “preparing for the worst” offers a form of readiness, it often just fuels more anxiety. Despite its problem-solving nature, the brain doesn’t provide logical solutions for emotional issues. Emotional wounds must be felt and processed, not merely analysed.
“Feeling more connected with my body has already shown me how I can stay in the moment and not let my mind take over and try to control situations.” – Alex, Southsea
HOW CAN YOU QUIET THE CATASTROPHIC MIND Breaking free from catastrophic thinking involves shifting the focus from the brain to the body. Somatic approaches such as mindfulness, meditation, and breathwork can help you reconnect with your body and release the underlying stress and trauma driving mental overdrive.
Here are three practical tips to help quiet your mind: PRACTICE MINDFULNESS Start by pausing and bringing your attention to the present moment Notice your breath, the sensations in your body, or even the feel of your feet on the floor. This will help disrupt cycles of anxious thoughts. ENGAGE IN MEDITATION Dedicate a few minutes daily to sitting in a comfortable spot and observing your breath. This can shift your focus away from racing thoughts and toward a state of calm, reducing the mind’s tendency to spiral. USE GUIDED BREATHWORK Breathwork unlocks stored tension within the body. Focusing on deep, rhythmic breathing can soothe your nervous system, offering moments of profound peace.
WHY CAN’T TALK THERAPY HEAL EVERYTHING? Talking therapies certainly have their place, but verbally revisiting the same problems can actually reinforce cycles of overthinking. Often, emotions and energy are stored within the body, and true release requires deeper somatic work.
“In other therapies, I have experienced a lot of talking, and when you walk out in the street or get in your car, the emotions come flooding, you cry, and no one's with you to help you integrate. With Elios, I felt so held in session and afterward that I could relax, breathe, meditate, and release” – Jane, Southsea
Tension from stress and trauma often embeds so deeply that it not only drives catastrophic thinking but also becomes physically trapped, often requiring
more than willpower or talking to release. By working through anxiety at this level with dedicated and specific practices, you can reclaim energy, time, and clarity – opening the way for deeper connections, renewed passions, and a fuller enjoyment of life in the present moment.
“The morning after my breathwork session with Elios was the first morning I'd woken up in months and not felt anxiety and dread for the day ahead.” – Sara, Southsea contact@eliosstone.com | 07825 686065
PROTECTING YOUR FAMILY’S INHERITANCE
Most people hope that their estate will pass on to their loved ones eventually. But this will not happen for many unless careful arrangements have been made to protect their assets from being taken towards the end of their life to pay for care home fees. The solution to help protect your estate is a Will incorporating a Property Protection Trust (PPT). A testamentary PPT can only be executed whilst both partners remain alive. Upon death of the first partner, their Will specifies that their share of the property is placed into trust and names the ultimate beneficiary of this share, normally the children of the deceased. The surviving partner, under the terms of the Trust, has the unequivocal right to remain living in the property for the rest of their life. On the death of the second partner the Trust comes to an end and the property passes to the beneficiaries. As the surviving partner does not own the deceased's share of the
property it is fully protected for the beneficiaries, so if the surviving partner requires care, or even remarries, this share of the children’s inheritance is protected. This last point can be of particular interest to couples who have come together but have children from different partners. A PPT can help each person in a relationship ensure that their children inherit their share of the property, while giving their surviving partner the ability to live in the property for the rest of their life. If the surviving partner wants to move to another property they can still sell the property and the proceeds be used to purchase a new property; the terms of the trust remain over the new property.
Westminster Law will assess your current circumstances and arrange the trust that will provide the best protection for you, your family and your assets.
THE UK HOUSING MARKET IN SEPTEMBER 2025: A LANDSCAPE OF HESITATION AND ADJUSTMENT
Neil Maxwell
As autumn approaches, the housing market is in a state of cautious recalibration. Following a turbulent spring marked by stamp duty reforms and political uncertainty, the market is navigating a complex mix of ample housing options, subdued demand, and upcoming budget changes.
This slowdown can primarily be attributed to the government’s rumoured modifications to stamp duty in the forthcoming budget, alongside a wave of second-home owners forced to sell due to a 100% increase in council tax for second homes. While mortgage rates remain relatively stable –hovering below 4% for many products – the imbalance between supply and demand has kept price growth in check.
The upcoming Autumn Budget, scheduled for 26 November, casts a long shadow over the market. Speculation surrounding new property taxes, such as a proposed annual land tax on homes valued over £500,000 and a potential capital gains tax on main residences worth over £1.5 million, has created a climate of hesitation. Both buyers and sellers are holding back, uncertain about how these changes might affect their financial situations.
Affordability has improved thanks to recent Bank of England rate cuts, with the base rate now at 4% – the lowest since March 2023. Consequently, mortgage rates have followed suit, with the average five-year fixed rate dipping below 5% for the first time in over a year. On paper, this presents a great opportunity to make a purchase; however, sales are not occurring in large numbers.
Many clients have asked whether they should take their properties off the market until after the budget. While this may seem like a sensible move, there is a risk of missing out on active buyers who are eager to take advantage of the attractive
mortgage deals currently available. Although the fundamentals of the market remain stable, the future trajectory will heavily depend on the clarity and impact of upcoming government policies, which have contributed to this pause in activity. In a marketplace where there are constant claims of insufficient housing being built to meet current population levels, the lack of supply is arguably a key factor that makes property a solid investment for the future.
Having navigated several of these pauses in my career, I have learned that each hiatus eventually leads to a surge of pent-up demand, resulting in a frenzied market. The frustration is that this situation has been exacerbated by political speculation.
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BABIES LOVE SOUTHSEA LIBRARY
Shelagh Moore
I’ve just started volunteering at Southsea Library in Southsea Precinct. Working behind the scenes is very rewarding because you gain insight into how the library supports its community. Southsea Library isn’t just about books; it’s about people, especially the little ones.
There is an area designated for adults to sit with their babies and toddlers. Having had sons and grandchildren, I wish there had been something similar where I could have taken my children. The carpeted area is provided for them to play on; they can explore the toys and begin to stagger (in some cases) around the chairs in a calm and friendly environment, which is a great benefit for our visitors.
The picture book box is much explored, as parents and carers can get a book, sit with the child, and turn the pages together. Introducing babies to picture books early helps them start learning about sounds and images that aid their understanding of the world. Books with pictures of animals are especially wonderful. I recall fondly an old Ladybird book called ‘The Farm’. We read it to our first son from when he was a baby. You know the sort of thing – showing the picture and naming the animal, then doing your best meow, woof, baa, or moo! Simple picture books, but they offer so much for a little one to focus on –listening to sounds and recognising their associated images.
We were walking along a country lane with our young toddler riding on his daddy’s shoulders when he started going ‘Baa, Baa’. When we looked over the hedge, we saw some sheep. It made us realise that reading and talking about the pictures we were showing him was helping
him make sense of his world. It’s never too early to show a baby a book.
At home, they can start with cloth ones –washable, thankfully, and the hard back smaller wipeable books with pages that little hands can begin to manage to turn over. Sometimes, they seem more interesting upside down. Pointing to the words as you read helps them learn which way the words or symbols go in a book. A warning, though: once you get to a loved storybook, you’ll be told if you skip a bit; it’s easier to read the whole story.
The picture books in the library offer stories for all interests, and the illustrations are meant to be explored and discussed. Little ones enjoy looking at well-illustrated storybooks, as they often feature characters, plants, and animals to point out and think about.
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Everything changed when Jennifer began her Invisalign journey at The Dental Wave. Each week she saw her aligners gently move her teeth straighter and straighter, while no one around her even realised she was wearing
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Herbies can help you fight back this winter
As the darker months draw in, many of us brace ourselves for a runny nose, a rattly cough, and feeling generally run-down. So, what can you do to stave off the seemingly inevitable seasonal viruses? With the right foods, herbs, and supplements, you can strengthen your immune system and face the season with confidence.
A varied diet rich in seasonal vegetables, fruits, pulses, wholegrains, nuts, and seeds is your foundation for good health. These wholefoods provide the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants your immune system needs to stay resilient. Still, there are also several ways you can back your diet up and give yourself and extra layer of protection.
Traditionally used for respiratory health, Mullein offers antiviral properties and can help your body fight infections. Our supplement-grade mullein teas are especially soothing for coughs and irritated lungs.
When the clocks go back, it’s the perfect time to give your immune system a head start. Echinacea helps stimulate your body’s defences, reduce inflammation, and fight off invading pathogens. Whether you prefer tinctures, teas, tablets, or lozenges, it’s a trusted ally for preventing and shortening colds.
Vitamin C protects against common immune challenges and helps keep energy levels steady. A steady supply can mean fewer dips in wellbeing when those pesky bugs are doing the rounds.
With less sunshine in winter, Vitamin D becomes even more critical. It supports immune function and helps prevent that run-down feeling many people experience in the darker months. A daily supplement is advisable, and we stock a wide range of strengths and formats to suit your needs.
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At Herbies, we believe staying well doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive. With the right mix of wholefoods, herbs, and supplements, together we can ward off whatever the winter months decide to throw at us.
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WHAT’S ON
CLASSICAL MUSIC SERIES
Mon 6 October, 7.30pm Portsmouth
Chamber Music: Beethoven & Janacek
Mon 17 November, 7.30pm Portsmouth
Chamber Music: Death & the Maiden
Mon 29 November, 6.30pm Love Actually in Concert: A screening of the film with a live orchestra
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Jane Austen, author of Pride & Prejudice, once described her novel as a “light, bright and sparkling”. And it is these adjectives that best fit This Is My Theatre’s production of the aforementioned story at Portsmouth Cathedral.
This Is My Theatre are a Sussex-based theatrical company which specialises in classical plays and literary adaptations. They choose to stage their shows in spaces that are not traditionally home to theatre. The company have chosen to stage both Pride & Prejudice and Emma in the 250th anniversary of Austen’s birth.
Even before the curtain went up on the beginning of the story, the audience was treated to a selection of beautifully performed folk songs by the fivemember ensemble. This also foreshadowed the actor-muso nature of the show, with the music often signalling transitions between scenes.
Some characters are only alluded to offstage, and in a weaker production, this would work against it. But not in this play, as it often leads to humorous situations, such as Mrs Bennet listening outside her husband’s study with a glass.
Due to the limited number of actors and the runtime, certain scenes from the book are condensed (one can only have so many balls!). However, book purists needn’t worry, as many of the best lines and dialogue get lifted directly from the book. And this allows Austen’s natural wit to shine through.
It is also a testament to the actors that they can so convincingly portray such a diverse group of characters, often using only a slight costume change or prop to denote the shift. You know you are seeing actors of great calibre when they, for example, can capture perfectly the charming Mr Bingley, the odious Mr Collins and the snobby Lady Catherine de Bourgh.
It was also lovely to see the play in the grounds of our local cathedral, as it added a certain poignancy to the story’s themes of love and marriage. Likewise, it removes the pompous atmosphere that can be present in a theatre, and this allows the audience to relax and feel comfortable laughing out loud. It also makes it enjoyable for younger members of the audience who perhaps are discovering the story for the first time.
For those sad that they missed this fantastic production needn’t fear, as This Is My Theatre will be returning to Portsmouth Cathedral. They will be staging a festive production of A Christmas Carol, the famous short story by our city’s most famous author, Charles Dickens. And I, for one, can’t wait.
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IT’S OK NOT TO BE OK
The Pompey Paramedic
I’ve heard a few people separately refer to the month of November as a ‘month of change’ – both seasonal and emotional.
It’s usually a time that many people consider the start of winter, with annual celebrations such as Bonfire Night adding glitz and community to what is traditionally a cold (sometimes rainy) month.
In the context of health, November is recognised internationally through programmes such as ‘Stress Awareness Week’, and nationally through ‘National Self-Care Week’.
But why November?
November is a very busy month for call outs to the emergency services in the UK, both for police and ambulance providers, and it is commonly acknowledged amongst us that winter months such as November and December, sadly, see a real spike in the number of patients we interact with suffering a mental health crisis.
From my own personal experience, the change in weather and soon-arriving Christmas were main reasons found to be at play.
Of course, our mental health can be affected at any time of the year for a multitude of reasons, but leading examples over this period that are prevalent include; university students worried about their academic performance whilst being many miles away from their family, pensioners struggling to afford an increase in bills and/or with the death of their partner, to mothers and fathers unable to foresee how they will be able to afford
presents for their children as well as pay their mortgage.
As a professionals sent to help in these moments, it is heartbreaking to witness and we often spend days afterwards wondering how these people are getting on once they leave our care.
Some people answer the door showing no outward signs of their inner turmoil.
Others have been found in tears and, thankfully, helped before things have deteriorated further.
November holds a lot to be excited for, and spending time with family and friends over this month into the next are precious moments in time that a lot of us are able to enjoy.
However, it is also important that we look out for one another, we check in on friends, family and neighbours that maybe we haven’t spoken to in a while, and recognise that what many of us are able to experience over these months, many people do not.
If you are experiencing your own stresses, please do reach out to loved ones, your mate at the pub, a trusted colleague at work so that someone is aware of how you are feeling. There are also professional mental health charities and talking services who can offer the help and advice you may require. If you think it is an emergency, just call 999 – I can assure you there is no judgement from us, just a will to help.
We are extremely lucky to have a strong sense of community in Southsea – and Portsmouth in general – so let’s navigate this change in season with both excitement and compassion.
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Tree
WELCOME HOME – MOVING ON…
Two seafront home owners with their properties up for sale talk about the allure of living on the edge of Southsea. Words by Kate Pearce and Sophie Lederer
Ifirst interviewed Sophie Lederer a while back when she and her family were moving from their beautiful Yarborough Road abode. They planned to move close to the seafront and I’ve watched their progress with interest as their penthouse property has evolved. Living nearby in Burgoyne Road and often passing their property en route to the seafront, I was intrigued to hear her take on seafront living.
Coincidentally, we both have our homes on the market, and I thought it would be interesting to share our thoughts on the joy of living by the sea.
Sophie explained: “We bought and moved into the Penthouse in November 2022, having sold our family home of 20 years in Yarborough Road. The plan had been to move out of
Sophie Lederer’s seafront apartment. Photos on this page by Matthew Stevens
Southsea in search of more outdoor space and a different lifestyle. But, not being able to find anything suitable at the time, we instead went for the Penthouse – an exciting opportunity to ‘live on the edge’ of Southsea and so enjoy some of the attractions of living out of town; and a project with amazing potential.”
When I asked Sophie how her home interacts with the seafront setting, here is what she had to say.
“Of course, to have the beach literally on our doorstep is very special – to be able to just pop across for a swim, to walk the amazing new promenade, or for a drink at The Briny. But to be honest, the real joy is the experience afforded by front-line Penthouse living and the home that we have created. With its frontage of curtainless windows and French doors with balconies (and matching French doors with balconies in each of the bedrooms at the rear), the Penthouse is completely open to and embracing of its prime location and spectacular view.”
From a personal point of view, my partner Paul and I have thoroughly enjoyed living just a hop, skip and jump from the beach. We’ve been in the crescent of townhouses in Burgoyne Road for a decade or more. We moved in the wake of Paul receiving a cancer diagnosis, and we hoped that having the proximity of the beach would prove to be the perfect tonic.
Walking on the promenade during the lockdown was a positive way to deal with the strangeness of the pandemic – the waves kept rolling in and out even though our worlds were turned upside down.
If I had to sum up what’s best about living by the beach, it’s the early morning walks when you find countless pink-hued scallop shells or the aftermath of a stormy night when you put the starfish back in the water before the gulls strike.
It’s the couple dancing on the outcrop of our fancy new promenade, unaware of the
audience they’ve gathered, and walking back home from town on a warm summer’s night, and finding people still enjoying the beach near midnight.
But Sophie summed it up best when she said: “Our home is literally a front row balcony seat from which we get not just to watch, but to live the Poet Laureate Simon Armitage’s Theatre of the Sea; and in which, as written on the wall, “the performance is never the same one day to the next”. Played out across the sea and horizon by swooping gulls and billowing sails, the huge edifices of cruise liners and building blocks of cargo ships, lit by the sun and moon and the twinkling festoons of multi-coloured lights, and accompanied by the weather – all is pure poetry!”
There is something quietly magnetic when you walk into a coffee shop; the aroma of fresh coffee in the air, the gentle clink of cups, and the soft buzz of conversation wrapping around the room.
Each coffee shop carries its own character, defined by its atmosphere, its aesthetics, substance, and the way it quietly invites you to stay a little longer. Sometimes that space becomes something more, a second home, a personal ritual. For others, the search continues, guided by the hope that something special is still waiting to be found.
Southsea’s coffee culture has grown over the years, providing not only delicious cups of coffee but places of connection, belonging and community. Whether offering comfort in a familiar setting or sparking inspiration in a new one, coffee shops also serve as spaces for those who need quiet reflection, unpressurised productivity, or creative escape. They transform the bustling, everyday moments into something softer, slower, and more grounded, where time is no longer hurried and we feel able to take a step back from our fast-paced lives.
comfort, where ambient light, beautifully crafted food, and carefully placed botanical touches make it easy to lose track of time. With such a diverse range of coffee shops here within Southsea, these spaces truly offer something for everyone.
Coffee and the culture surrounding it have influenced parts of my lifestyle since I was a young teenager. Over more than a decade of sitting at coffee tables, ordering wonderful cups of coffee prepared in any style I prefer, engaging in conversations with strangers who have since become friends, and becoming a barista myself, I have discovered belonging, motivation, and inspiration within the community embedded in this culture. For most, it has become more than just a coffee spot; it is a shared experience that continues to shape how we connect with others.
Each coffee shop has its own character and flair too, whether it’s the skate-shop-meets-tattooparlour aesthetic, which is unapologetically itself and full of energy and edge, or the cosy, design-led spot that blends creativity with
Southsea Coffee Corner will be a regular feature in the Southsea Lifestyle Magazine, where I’ll explore some of the independent coffee spots that give Southsea its distinctive character. If you’re eager to learn more about Southsea’s vibrant coffee scene, keep an eye out for our next issue, where I’ll share the stories behind these places: from passionate owners to creatives, locals, and regulars who contribute to the atmosphere with their presence, and the stories that make each one worth visiting.
Southsea Lifestyle is published and printed in Portsmouth. All of our editorial content is written by members of the community.
We aim to reflect everything that is enjoyable and stimulating about living in Portsmouth and Southsea, giving a platform for the city’s arts, business, sport and culture.
INFORMATION FOR ALL BUSINESS OWNERS:
* Southsea Lifestyle has the largest circulation of all the independent publications in the city
* 74% of our advertisers have been working with us from two to twelve years - because they get continual business from advertising with us
* Southsea Lifestyle is the only independent publication to be delivered to residents’ homes from Eastney, Southsea and Old Portsmouth
* We try to ensure our advertising rates are fair and affordable for all businesses, large and small
* All of our quality magazines are printed on FSC paper (paper from sustainable sources)
Email: info@southsealifestyle.com for a Media Pack today
