When life is lifing and world events are world-eventing, it’s easy to push our own needs to the bottom of the list. Yet as Joanna, cognitive behavioural psychotherapist and founder of The Goodness Collective, reminds us, “true self-care is creating a life that you have no desire to escape from.”
We asked Joanna to explore what taking care of yourself really means and how community, creativity, and connection can help us all thrive.
For Joanna, it begins with self-knowledge. “We re/connect with our bodies, our minds, and our emotions. We gather information about what’s missing, about what we need to let go of, and about what we want to call into our lives.”
She explains that if we don’t know ourselves, we can’t truly know what care looks like. “If you were asked to look after and cherish a complete stranger for the day, how would you do that without knowing how they were feeling, what they like and don’t like, what’s important to them?”
Acts of care, she says, might be simple: an early night, cooking a nourishing meal, saying no to extra work, or dancing in the kitchen. But because we’re always growing and learning, the way we take care of ourselves will shift too. “Flexibility is key whenever we’re thinking about what taking good care of oneself looks like.”
“Therapy sessions with Jo are fantastic. I can’t recommend her highly enough. She makes the sessions a calming, enjoyable experience.” – Client
Taking care of yourself isn’t only an individual practice, it’s something that can flourish in community.
“The better care we take of ourselves, the better we can care for, and receive care from, others,” Joanna explains. “Being part of a community can remind us to believe in ourselves, to back ourselves, and to cheer ourselves on.”
In her groups, she’s seen how collective reflection creates powerful change: “You hear different perspectives, you discover that you’re not alone, and you get to give and receive the sort of kindness that helps people to truly flourish. I often think of The Goodness Collective as being like me-time, in great company.”
This belief inspired Joanna to launch The Growth Zone inside The Portal. “I really value spaces that allow me time to reflect and to check in, to acknowledge my progress and where I’m struggling, and to think about ‘where next?’”
She wanted to create a space where self-knowledge and taking care of yourself come together with therapy tools and ideas from behavioural science. Themes like procrastination, perfectionism, and imposter syndrome are explored in good company, with kindness and curiosity.“
There is something so beautiful about seeing a person put their ideas (and themselves) out there, saying ‘I’ve made this, I’m proud of this, I want to share it with you.’ I realised I might not be alone in wanting that.”
Joanna’s ethos is simple: “If knowledge is power, then self-knowledge is our super-power.”
By checking in regularly and asking “How am I right now? What do I need?” we can begin to adjust our days, listen to our bodies, and work with our emotions as allies. She encourages people to use their values as a compass: “Clarifying what’s most important helps us find our way, it’s part of how we take good care of ourselves.”
For Joanna, human connection is a vital part of taking care of yourself. “Connection helps combat loneliness and loads of research shows how important human relationships are for our well-being. A problem shared is a problem halved.”
She’s also noticed how people increasingly seek in-person connection through practices like ParkRun, yoga, retreats, and, of course, her own Goodness Collective. “We are often kinder to others than to ourselves, so connecting with others opens the door for self-compassion and kindness too.”
Since 2021, Joanna has hosted The Goodness Collective in Hastings, a fortnightly space for reflection, discovery, and creativity. Sessions have included mood boards, mantra bracelets, manifestos, and even nature tables.
“I really believe that this creative element helps us to step out of our thinking minds and into our hearts and bodies,” she says.
Now, through The Portal, the Goodness Collective is expanding online with monthly themes, guided booklets, audio exercises, and online sessions. The aim is to spread the same magic of connection and care to a wider community.
“I have been attending Jo’s Goodness Collective for a year now and found it to be the most valuable addition to my life. A safe, welcoming space full of strong, likeminded, independent women, it’s like walking into a big cuddle every other Monday.” – Goodness Collective member
For Joanna, The Portal feels like home: “The Portal is generous, inclusive, thoughtful, wholehearted. It’s about growing together, nourishing and supporting each other as we build our own things. Being part of an eclectic group of people who are working hard to bring their ideas to life provides a wonderful opportunity for learning and togetherness.”
Taking care of yourself is not indulgent. It’s the foundation for growth, connection, and creativity. Joanna’s work reminds us that with self-knowledge, community, and compassion, we can build lives we don’t need to escape from.
Find out more about Joanna here
We’re growing a different kind of learning space - one where wisdom flows freely, creators support each other’s growth, and everyone’s voice can be heard. The Portal Collective brings sophisticated tools and genuine connection together in a natural ecosystem, far from the noise and pressure of traditional platforms.
Join us in building something different - a space where learning happens through real engagement, community grows organically, and success isn’t measured in follower counts.
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