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Sally Golightly

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Musings

What happens at a Creating Circles Drop In Session

December 3, 2024 Sally

I thought I’d give you a walk through of a Creating Circles Drop In Session – although they are all…

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Drawing a mandala

Exploring boundaries

November 27, 2024 Sally

A few weekends ago I was invited to co-facilitate a workshop for female leaders in tech. We used creativity and…

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Art journaling

Getting started with art journaling

October 4, 2024 Sally

New to Journaling? Here is a step-by-step guide to get you started… Art journaling is an incredibly personal and creative…

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Sally setting up for an art journaling circle

What is a circle and why should I sit in one?

August 29, 2024 Sally

“By gathering in circle, we honour the ancient tradition of coming together to share knowledge, solve problems, and celebrate life.”…

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There’s a little house on the moors

April 12, 2024 Sally

There’s a little house on the moors and I wonder what it would be like to live there. Most days…

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Feeling the pull to create, but not sure where to begin?

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sallygolightlycircles

Creating Circles™
Creative Arts Facilitator
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FREE Journal Guide 👇
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Some say it’s the anchor to their year, some say i Some say it’s the anchor to their year, some say it takes a year to recover. Either way, there’s nowhere else I’d rather be in the second weekend in May.

✨Rathmell 2027✨

The early bird ticket price is £195 for places booked before the end of September (a deposit of £95 confirms your place ❤️) with the balance due by 31 December. From 1 October the ticket price will be £225.

If you feel a pull to join us, please DM me to reserve your spot✨

Sally x

What’s included:

❤️ Two nights camping (tent/van) and evening meals at Peggy Bottom Farm, Rathmell nr Settle

❤️ A weekend of creative, thought provoking self compassion workshops held by myself and Dr Rachel Dobbing 

❤️ Free time to journal, walk, explore, dip or lay on your back and watch the stars

*This weekend is for women, trans women and non binary folk

#rathmell 
#rathmell2027
#womensretreat
#yorkshiredalesnationalpark
My week in pictures: Some weeks are so hard but so My week in pictures: Some weeks are so hard but so good! 

Topped it off by taking the child to watch Terminator 2 - 35years since it was first screened - it was ace!

This week is set to be a little less wild but we still have 3 journaling sessions… which makes me VERY happy (I remember a time when I wanted the opportunity to do what I do now, and won’t ever take that for granted).

Are you joining…?

⭐️ Tuesday 8-9am - The Wild Creative Breakfast on Zoom 

⭐️ Tuesday 7.30-9.30pm - Journal Circle online

⭐️ Friday 10-11am@Moon Room

What a week - what a life!

Ps: because I know you are all invested in this - I finished the essay 🙌 I submitted the essay 🙌 I passed the essay 🙌
#thejournalcircle
#thewildcreative
#creatingcircles
The Creative Art Journal - Craven Arts House Some The Creative Art Journal - Craven Arts House

Sometimes I think it’s hard to know *exactly* what happens in my sessions, so I thought I’d do a little post, so you know what to expect.

This creative art journaling workshop offers a gentle, playful space to explore creativity as a tool for wellbeing, reflection, and self-expression. Rooted in a person-centred and trauma-informed approach, the sessions invite participants to reconnect with their inner world through image, colour, texture, and words. 

Each session will be guided by a theme, with optional prompts and suggested techniques such as collage, mark-making, layering, intuitive drawing, and written reflection. There is no “right way” to journal here - everything is offered as an invitation, and participants are encouraged to follow their own instincts and curiosity.  Alongside in-session exploration, there will be optional prompts which can be used during the sessions or after, supporting an ongoing creative practice between sessions. 

The emphasis throughout is on process over outcome, creating space for play, curiosity and connection. 

There is an opportunity to share pages or reflections on the process at the end of the session, although this is never an expectation. 

You just need to bring an Art Journal - I’ll bring the rest!

Book via @_cravenarts 🖌️
Women Who Run With the Wolves 🐺 Time for another Women Who Run With the Wolves 🐺 

Time for another story… this time we are staying with the lighthearted theme of our Summer story.

The doors are open if you’d like to join.

Live session: Tuesday 1 September 7.30-9.30pm

✨

This Wild Creative is an online community on Discord. A space where you can lean into creativity when you want in a way that nurtures play, magick and curiosity. 

✨ gentle creative prompts to weave creativity into the everyday 

✨ The Wild Creative blends The Artist’s Way and Wolves 🐺 (which make the most amazing companions IMO)

✨ storytelling on the first Tuesday of every month *don’t worry, these are recorded so you can listen in your own time*

✨ the Wild Creative Breakfast is on the second Tuesday of the month 8.00am-9.30am

⭕️ As part of the membership The Journal Circle (online - Tueasdays) and Moon Room (in person, Sutton in Craven - Fridays) are FREE to attend.

❤️ Your host is me, Sally, an experienced circle facilitator, lover of the wild places and APCCA Creative Arts Practitioner.

🙏 Please share/tag anyone who may be interested.

#thewildcreative
#thecreativecircle
#thejournalcircle
Has anyone ever never left the service station in Has anyone ever never left the service station in mainland Europe because of this ticket loop?

These were the countries we visited:
Netherlands 🇳🇱 
Belgium 
Luxumburg
France
Germany 🇩🇪 
Switzerland 🇨🇭 
Italy 🇮🇹 
Austria 🇦🇹 

The ones with the flags on are definitely where we visited services with this system. Some only took cash, which created a whole different problem as the only people in our family who carry cash these days are my kids. So I was reliant on begging them for euros whilst desperately trying not to wet myself. Also my children are now adult sized so no sneaking under barriers for them 🥴

📸 @louisismynaanbread because as well as playing the loop game and consuming all the goods, we also had a photo shoot with my new Italian trousers 😍
If anyone has ever been on a Zoom call with me whe If anyone has ever been on a Zoom call with me where I’ve had to say “who I am and where I live” you should know by now I live in THE happiest town in the UK and I’m now please to say I work there as well 😊

Every Thursday afternoon from 17th September I’ll be facilitating The Creative Art Journal at Craven Arts ❤️

Have you signed up yet?

Have you relocated yet…?
#skipton 
#skiptonlife 
#skiptonwoods
I always feel like September is SUCH a good month I always feel like September is SUCH a good month for beginnings, and next month I am thrilled to be facilitating The Creative Art Journal at @_cravenarts. This is a space to explore creativity for wellbeing.

It would be lovely to see you there.

Sally❤️

Here’s some more words about the workshop…

The creative art journaling workshop offers a gentle, playful space to explore creativity as a tool for wellbeing, reflection, and self-expression. Rooted in a person-centred and trauma-informed approach, the sessions invite participants to reconnect with their inner world through image, colour, texture, and words.  Each session will be guided by a theme, with optional prompts and suggested techniques such as collage, mark-making, layering, intuitive drawing, and written reflection. There is no “right way” to journal here - everything is offered as an invitation, and participants are encouraged to follow their own instincts and curiosity.

Please share with anyone who may be interested.

#cravenartsskipton 
#creativejournaling
Procrastinating 1 Essay writing 0 Anyone else fi Procrastinating 1
Essay writing 0 

Anyone else find it REALLY hard to just do that one thing that really needs doing? 

… clean drawers though! 😍🤤
This evening we will be meeting the story again an This evening we will be meeting the story again and having further reflections on Baubo, link in bio if you would like to join The Wild Creative and learn more.

I have made the decision that this story provides such an antidote to the heavy themes of some of the other stories that there will always be an opportunity to lean into her softness, silliness and humour. I feel like this story is such a powerful antidote ✨

*Our next Story from Women Who Run With the Wolves begins in the first week of September… more and that soon 🌱

#thewildcreative
#thejournalcircle
Here’s to the next chapter @louisismynaanbread: A’ Here’s to the next chapter @louisismynaanbread: A’Levels - Maths, Further Maths, Chemistry and Physics 🙌

*I feel like you also need to know, that Louis has achieved these results IN SPITE of me and not BECAUSE of me. I try my absolute hardest but I definitely introduce the chaos to his calm and it has taken ALOT of effort on my part to leave him alone (and throw the occasional study snacks at him 😬). He has been very lucky in having teachers who’ve supported and believed in him (right from his first teacher in primary school) and an amazing group of friends. (I love you all!)

**You should also know, that whilst Louis can persuade me to do most things, he did not manage to have “pre drinks” on results day 🤦‍♀️
There so many exciting things happening in the Aut There so many exciting things happening in the Autumn 🍂 and I would LOVE you to join me…

The Creative Art Journal on Thursdays 1-3pm at Craven Arts House. Book direct through @_cravenarts 

The Wild Creative - a wonderful exploration of stories and creativity, in September we meet our next story from The Women Who Run With the Wolves 🐺 alongside a gentle daily practice and creative prompts £25/month

The Moon Room* - Fridays 10-12 at my home in Sutton in Craven £22pp

The Journal Circle* - Tuesdays 7.30-9.30pm Online £12pp

*these are FREE for members of The Wild Creative

✨ As a Creative Arts Facilitator (APCCA Advanced Certificate) I also work 1-1 with people online and in person. Sessions are £65 for 60mins. 

#creativeartjournal
#thewildcreative
This year, I win @john.parkin3 HAPPY ANNIVERSARY This year, I win @john.parkin3 

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!

I don’t know how long John and I have been married, I’m not sure anyone does, but it’s a long time. We don’t do presents but we do have a game every year where the winner is the first person to wish the other Happy Anniversary. I have only once won this game - the year he was poorly. 

I’m unbelievably proud of my win this year 🏆
At least one person wanted to know what our van wa At least one person wanted to know what our van was like inside, so now you all know.
 
This is how we travelled around Europe (countries visited: Netherlands 🇳🇱 , Belgium 🇧🇪 , Luxemburg , France 🇫🇷 , Switzerland 🇨🇭, Italy 🇮🇹, Austria 🇦🇹, Germany 🇩🇪). 

Hired our van from a local van rental company @adventurevanrental  who were amazing. You don’t just get a van you get the little things you haven’t thought of. Little Mick hired a van from them a few years ago, and if it’s good enough for little Mick, it’s good enough for us.

Here’s a wee nosey around for those interested…

#vanadventures
#europeanroadtrip
#trecimedilavaredo❤️ 
#motorhometrip
Postcards from The Dolomites. We made the decisio Postcards from The Dolomites.

We made the decision to stay an extra night primarily because it was a lot cooler up there (and 60euros seemed reasonable for a good nights sleep). It also coincided with the planned meteor shower between 2-4am.

Best things about the Dolomites:

🏔️ Being up so high - between 7000-8000 ft, which meant we spent 80% of the time saying to each other “this is over twice the night of the Ben…”

🏔️Being relatively close to food/drink at all times - those who know me will appreciate how much this meant to me (although refuge hut 3 only took cash, I feel like I should have been pre warned about this).

🏔️Choose your own adventure - lots of maps and paths to choose our route, we looked at zero Instagram reels about “the best photo spots in the Dolomites!” so avoided the busy places, went at our own pace and were able to have a reccy before heading out at night.

🏔️Hot Chocolate and Tiramisu - Louis and I had the best evening meal 😋 

🏔️Bread and meats at the last refuge - having a rudimentary understanding of Italian means that I’m never sure what I am ordering but Italian Cuisine never disappoints.

🏔️ John’s foresight to book the parking ticket, which meant we avoided the queues for the coaches at the bottom and accidentally coincided with the solar eclipse and meteor shower.

🏔️The night’s sky and Louis’ photos.

🏔️Not having any glasses, cheese graters or colanders to view the eclipse with, but that not mattering at all. It felt otherworldly to be up there at night.

🏔️ The temperature - I needed zero gelatos.

📸 @louisismynaanbread  with the phone he asked me to buy, and I’m so glad I did now.

@john.parkin3 thanks for the snaps you took which I project managed. Much appreciated x
Italy you were fucking hot - you were also fucking Italy you were fucking hot - you were also fucking amazing.

Here are some of my highlights, but not of the Dolomites because they deserve their own place on my grid.

Has anyone else been to Arco and Lake Garda? Absolute stunners 🤩

I had to find new ways to keep cool this holiday, as I’m a strictly “not above 20degrees” type of person, this meant spending 95% of the time in water, in churches or consuming gelato. The first night we arrived in Arco, we got out of bed and sat in the river at midnight to cool down. This then formed part of our routine - book ending our days in water, even though river swims after 11pm were strictly forbidden.

Also one thing I like about campsites is that it forces you to talk to people, John made an unusual number of friends* this holiday, one of whom gave him a beer within 10mins of us arriving and told us about a lake in the mountains “Lake Garda is great, but you really want to go here…” Lucky for us that there was a thunderstorm and lightening when we visited, and therefore no one else around.

What I haven’t taken a picture of is the clothes in Italy, they are beautiful so I purchased some and a running vest. Because things in Switzerland are so expensive, this makes European countries seem so cheap.

*unfortunately John failed to get anybody’s address so has made zero penpals, which I told him was the usual practice for campsite holidays - or at least it used to be in the 1980s.
When the stars align… (or the 🌒 and the 🌞) I set When the stars align… (or the 🌒 and the 🌞)

I set off on my own into the Dolomites to capture the solar eclipse. 

I really love the Dolomites primarily because it’s a reasonable temperature up there. I packed a mid-layer, my raincoat, some snacks and a head-torch. I also packed my journal because I’m not a complete savage. 

Fun fact: in the Dolomite refuges there are stamps to collect - another reason to pack a journal.

I hope you are not sick of Tre Cime di Laverado photos yet because I’ve got A LOT more to share. 

#trecimedilavaredo #dolomites #dolomitesitaly 

📸 front cover @louisismynaanbread and his amazing phone
I’m not saying my journal goes everywhere with me I’m not saying my journal goes everywhere with me but it is on my kit list for mountain hikes.

These are part of the 1001 things to Art Journal - I’ve lost count how many I’ve done now, but there’s more on my feed. Also check out the FREE journaling prompts in my bio.

#trecimedilavaredo❤️ #trecimedilavaredo #dolomites
*only joking - John booked it. I think we all know *only joking - John booked it. I think we all know that I lack the planning or foresight to book anything 4 weeks in advance. 

I have, however, authorised an extra payment of 60euros to stay here and sleep because I haven’t had a decent nights sleep since arriving in Italy 🥵 and at 7500ft the van isn’t the temperature of the earth’s core.

Today has been intense, I’ve hiked 10miles, haven’t washed, everything smells and I’ve only had hot chocolate and tiramisu for dinner, but honestly, this is the best night and it’s only set to get better… 😴 🙌❤️

📍Dolomites

#trecimedilavaredo #solareclipse2026
#dolomites
This holiday has taken months of planning. It is t This holiday has taken months of planning. It is the van adventure that we wanted to take a few years ago and then had to cancel. 

We decided this year to go to the Alpes, partly because one child expressed an interest and we thought it would be a nice celebration after GCSEs. 

Like many things. the plans changed and grew, before we knew it, we’d created the “trip of a lifetime” using a little inheritance I’d been left (thanks nanna). We felt this was fitting as both my nanna and grandad loved a van adventure.

I feel like they wouldn’t have moaned as much.

It’s a good job I have a very good sense of humour. 

📍Next stop: Dolomites, let’s see what they have to say about that… 🤣
I’m really rather excited about this one. 🥹🌿 This I’m really rather excited about this one. 🥹🌿

This autumn I’ll be joining the beautiful line-up of women facilitating at Sanctuary of She at Broughton Sanctuary.

And honestly, it feels like a very natural place for me to be. So much of what I love lives at the intersection of creativity, movement, nature, story and reflection.

I believe that underneath the busy-ness, the overthinking, the roles we play and all the things we’re told we should be doing, there is often a quieter voice that knows what we need.

A little wild creative part of us that still has something to say - and wants to play.

My Wild Journal Circle is an invitation to listen ✨

On the retreat there will be an invitation to use creativity as a way of exploring. An opportunity to play, mark make, and create as a way of wondering rather than analysing with no experience or artistic ability needed.

And I love that this is just one small part of Sanctuary of She.

🌱Four days of creativity, ceremony, nature, movement, wisdom, connection and plenty of space to simply be.

I can’t wait to be part of it. 🍂✨

Check out @broughtonsanctuary to hear more or DM for more details, I’d love you to be a part of it ❤️

#SanctuaryOfShe #WildJournalCircle #BroughtonSanctuary #CreativeJournaling #WomenGather
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