Joyful with Chloe Markham

I burnt out last month. Proper dramatic burn-out. And it taught me a brilliant lesson in self-trust. For years I’ve handed the decisions over to someone else first. Whether it’s about my business, my body, my rest… I used to run it all through a partner, then a coach, then whoever’s shouting loudest on Instagram. Never my own instincts. Because that’s what some of us have been taught: don’t get it...

The pressure to optimise everything is everywhere. But not everything needs to be useful and productive to be worthwhile. In fact, we need more useless and unproductive time in our days, not less. In this ep, I talk about why I’m failing to take a day off, how I’m trying to be better at that, and why I’ve decided to learn how to make pasta from scratch for absolutely no productive reason whatsoeve...

This is a really simple guided reset for when everything feels a bit… much. Most of your nervous system runs like windscreen wipers — automated and brilliant. But we can also press that little button to take control. And this is what I guide in this session:a really simple breath technique your nervous system does automatically, that we can do manually to bring in more calm. It’s not magic, but it...

You don’t need better goals. You probably just need a more regulated nervous system. In this live, I talked about uncertainty, and why so many of us use goal-setting as a way to make it feel safer. Goals promise clarity, direction, a sprinkling of control over an uncertain future. But I see this so often: they also create more pressure, self-surveillance, and more stress than they solve. Here’s an...

This was my first official Substack Live — a proper hello, a simple practice, and a reminder that joy doesn’t require moving to Bali. I talk about: * Why joy isn’t about constant happiness, peak experiences, or walking around like you’re in a yoghurt advert * How nervous system regulation quietly changes everything * Why “just calm down” doesn’t work when you’re already burnt out * And how small,...

This session is free for everyone. Eight minutes is enough to change your state. And the state you’re in — not your to-do list, not your intentions, not the busy-ness of the season — decides the quality of your day. And this session will improve the quality of your day. It’s a state-changing reset you can use anywhere, calming the body first, then allowing everything else to follow. You don’t need...

What a conversation! Big love to the wonderful Anna Rose for chatting with me live on her Toolkit Series earlier this week. We talked about burnout, nervous system weirdness, finding joy (like, actually feeling it), and remembering how to feel anything at all in this chaotic world. A few things we touched on: * How joy isn’t fluffy — it’s radical, grounding, and necessary. * Nervous system stuff (...

TL;DR – What we talked about: * Why burnout isn’t just about “doing too much” * The moment I knew something had to change * How I rebuilt my life after rock bottom * Why nervous system care is deeper than bubble baths and long weekends * The joy practices that still carry me now Welcome to the Healing is Living series “This isn’t just about healing. It’s about living it. Together.” That’s how Jank...

Is work-life balance is the key to happiness? No, with bells on. In this episode, I break down why trying to achieve perfect balance actually leads to more stress and burnout, and what you should be doing instead. I’ll share: Why work-life balance doesn’t work (and never has) How to find a sustainable rhythm that actually fits your life Simple, practical shifts to protect your energy and avoid bur...

Let's talk about REAL-LIFE morning routines. Here's the foundation you can make into a 10-minute routine, a 90-minute routine, or something in-between, that will give you all the magic you need for a great day. I mention music being a big part of my routine, and that Spotify playlist I mention lives here . Leave a comment and let me know if you try this and how you get on. For more of my things: W...

December hustle (or pre-holiday hustle) is real. Here's why you're feeling the pressure, and what to do about it to feel SO much better. For more of my things: Website | Joy Unplugged | Substack This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chloemarkham.substack.com/subscribe

Find deep rest in just 11 minutes with this soothing NSDR (non-sleep deep rest) or yoga nidra practice. Featuring a gentle body scan, this episode is perfect for calming your mind, easing tension, and recharging your energy any time you need it. For more of my things: Website | Joy Unplugged | Substack This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to...

This episode is about how letting go of rigid routines can actually bring you more joy. Listen to learn how that guilt you feel when you let a habit slip is more damaging than you know, and four ways to get some flexibility in your routines when life happens. For more of my things: Website | Joy Unplugged | Substack This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or...

In this episode, we explore the magic of everyday signs—like the simple joy of spotting two magpies. Are they universal messages, or just coincidences? Tune in as we dive into the fine line between superstition and reality, and how finding meaning in the small things can bring joy to our lives. If you've ever wondered whether the universe is sending you signs—or if we create our own—this episode w...

In this episode, we’re diving into the real truth about self-care. Forget the luxury spa days and elaborate routines—we’re busting three of the biggest self-care myths that might be holding you back from truly looking after yourself. This chat will help you reframe self-care in a way that feels accessible, nurturing, and doable. For more of my things: Website | Joy Unplugged | Substack This is a p...

Join me for a stroll in an English woodland while I talk aliveness, living with joy, what the 'yoga lifestyle' really should look like, as well as my brand new life-bettering program, Joy Unplugged. Learn more about Joy Unplugged here For more of my things: Website | Joy Unplugged | Substack This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episo...

Welcome to the first yoga nidra, or NSDR, of Joyful, one designed to give you a restful, rejuvenating night of great sleep. This session provides a total nervous-system reset, which will guide you through gentle breath practices, a body scan, and visualisations to help you completely unwind. For more of my things: Website | Joy Unplugged | Substack This is a public episode. If you'd like to discus...

Ever feel guilty for taking time off? Same. Listen to know you're not alone, get perspective, and learn 3 easy ways to embrace the slowing down and unproductive time you and your body really need. I go on (another) mini-rant about social media, talk about a daft video game that soothes me, and how we should be complimenting each other's outfits way more. For more of my things: Website | Joy Unplug...

This is the episode for you if you've ever dropped a habit and felt bad about it, taken way longer than 30 days to do a 30-day challenge, or want an amazing nugget of a mindfulness hack for right here, right now. I speak about Married At First Sight again (sorry), taking yoga off the mat, and being kind to ourselves no matter what. For more of my things: Website | Joy Unplugged | Substack This is...

This is a crucial listen if you're interested in living a more joyful life. Learn what it is—what it really is—and how to find joy way more every single day. You'll come away with a habit focus and inspiration to live a more connected, freeing life. I also talk about Married At First Sight breakdowns, emotional house parties, and my recent love of too-much kimchi. For more of my things: Website |...

Let's talk about self-care in springtime. This episode is about renewal, mindfulness, being kinder to ourselves, and the four focus areas you need to dive into to make your life feel a little more alive. I talk about how much I hate social media, why you should rest more, and a wonderful paper jellyfish. For more of my things: Website | Joy Unplugged | Substack This is a public episode. If you'd l...

This episode will introduce you to the wonderful Harriet Frank and her story of resilience through challenge. Harriet Frank is a business owner, yoga teacher, and has been given some seriously hard knocks in her business since the pandemic. You'll learn Harriet's tried-and-tested coping mechanisms, get inspiration to keep going, and know that you're not alone with your own challenges. Listen to di...

Introducing the brand new podcast name, with the same exact podcast goodness. Learn why it's now called Joyful, and how we're going to make your world a brighter place. For more of my things: Website | Joy Unplugged | Substack This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chloemarkham.substack.com/subscribe

I overshare in this one, mainly because I think we should all talk about our menstrual cycles more. This is the episode to remind you this stuff is a big deal, and to give you the permission you're probably really in need of. Check out the wonderful book I speak about in this episode here. For more of my things: Website | Joy Unplugged | Substack This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss...

Learn about that time I made a crappy decision and why I made it, so you can learn to make brilliant decisions all the time (or thereabouts). You'll learn (probably unexpected) actionable tips to make your life less anxiety-inducing, less stressful, and way calmer. For more of my things: Website | Joy Unplugged | Substack This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribe...