To help ensure that our meetings run smoothly and in line with the values of Frazzled Cafe, we ask that all participants agree to follow these guidelines: Ruby Wax began writing it in 2018 before the outbreak of Covid-19, but ends the book with some ‘Post Covid-19 Good News.’ Whilst researching for her book she found what she calls ‘green shoots of hope peeping through the soil of civilisation’ that ‘may just bloom into a brighter future.’ It’s easy reading, written clearly in a breezy conversational style, covering a large amount of information. She emphasises the importance of compassion and kindness, of community and on working for the good of all. Maybe, above all she focuses on the benefits of mindfulness and on positive experiences. To be present. To benefit fully from the session and stay present in the room, please try to avoid distractions from phones or other devices. You are welcome to book one Host or Facilitator meeting per day this excludes meetings with Ruby Wax, Mindfulness or Cafe Conversations. Please do not book into more than one meeting a day (aside from the Ruby meeting, Mindfulness or Cafe Conversations), both to make sure that as many people as possible can access our meetings as and when they need them, and so that you have time to properly decompress after each meeting.

The inspiration for Frazzled Cafe came from our founder and patron Ruby Wax’s experiences during her best-selling book and theatre tours. Ruby met thousands of people looking to connect and share their stories. Whenever she asked her audience members if they wanted a chance to talk about what was going on for them, they always did.My six-week course focuses on mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT). I know it works and so do the scientists. I studied this at Oxford University to try to lasso my wild mind. I also wanted to take some action after a bout of depression.With depression alone, for those who've had three or more episodes, MBCT yields a 60% chance of preventing relapse. I adored interviewing Ruby: she has such a fizzing, uniquely vibrant and clever way of thinking about things. And I've wanted her on the podcast for ages because she does such important work' - Elizabeth Day A large Frazzled Cafe meeting with Ruby Wax, held twice a week for around 100 people, and which lasts for an hour. Let's be honest, very few good things have happened in 2020. This is my first book from Ruby Wax as I try my hand at more non-fiction titles. This book appealed to me because world events have been so depressing lately, and I’m constantly searching the web for some small positives among all the negatives.

To act with integrity. Please respect one another’s confidentiality and anonymity. Please do not name anyone or discuss anything you may hear in a meeting with others who have not attended. To act with integrity. Please respect one another’s confidentiality and anonymity. Please do not name anyone or discuss anything you may hear in a meeting with othersWell, as sceptical as I am (and, believe me, I am)from reading this book it seems to me that 'mindfulness' is just another way of saying 'be present in the moment, actually experience your life rather than sleepwalking through it on autopilot'. I can't actually see a downside to that. My ‘aha’ moment came when I realised I had used my success as armour to cover the chaos inside me… I was just a front; and, behind the front, no one was at home… I’ve come to the conclusion that we’re all in this together: many reside in the Land of Frazzledom, and we’re all trying to find some kind of exit route. I learned some amazing facts and found out about some amazing groups who I didn’t even know existed covering a wide range of concerns from building inclusive and caring communities, using mindfulness to build compassion, manage anger and improve communication, regenerative agriculture and gardening, through to how do we stop climate change and extinction.

Please note that this is not a space for those under 18 years old, although please do let your Facilitator or Host know if you are struggling with alternative childcare. We are very excited to confirm our partnership with Harpenden Trust to provide face-to-face Frazzled Cafe sessions for residents of Harpenden / AL5 postcode only commencing from January 31st, 2022. After a few people have shared, we then breakout into smaller groups, still in Zoom. Here you’ll have the opportunity to talk in a smaller group with up to 8 people. This book shines a light on the hope we all need right now. There are people and communities and business’s working to make sure the future isn’t all doom and gloom. I’m very glad Wax took the time to write this for us all.

Frazzled shouldn’t be confused with stress. We need stress – otherwise no oomph, and no oomph means no civilisation. We never would have stood up on two legs without it –still an impossible feat in six-inch heels. Frazzled is a whole new thing: being stressed about being stressed, usually for something we’ve manufactured in our heads. Unanswerable concepts, like: “Why am I a failure?” Not even Einstein had an answer to that one.