The guardian

2024 - 4 - 14

How Music, Cooking, and Grief Formed Unlikely Connections

Guardian climate action - cooking - cultural heritage - education - euphoria - grief - identity - music - OCD - societal norms - Guardian

Discover the powerful stories of coping with grief, finding euphoria in music, and questioning mental health norms.

Mary-Anne O'Connor never expected to find solace after her brother's passing, but fate had a different plan. At a 21st birthday party, Anthony's presence brought a glimmer of joy back into her life, carrying the weight of her grief with gentle understanding. In another world, rapper Big Zuu shares how music and cooking intertwine to create euphoria. Amidst a bustling family and a disdain for dating apps like Tinder, his Bafta triumph evoked tears of joy.

In a twist of fate, the story of a former OCD poster girl unveils a deeper journey. Questioning the conventional narrative of mental health, she challenges the notion of disorders solely rooted in the brain. The prevailing medical language often overlooks the complexities of such conditions, sparking a reevaluation of mental health practices.

Mary-Anne's encounter with Anthony and Big Zuu's music and cooking synergy shed light on unconventional paths to healing. Their narratives inspire reflection on how diverse experiences shape our emotional landscapes and challenge societal norms. These tales remind us that resilience and creativity can emerge from unexpected sources, fostering growth and understanding in the face of adversity.

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The moment I knew: my brother's voice was so clear in my head ... (The Guardian)

After her brother's death, Mary-Anne O'Connor never thought she'd meet someone who could carry her grief. Then, at a 21st birthday party, Anthony walked ...

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Big Zuu: 'Music and cooking make me feel euphoric' (The Guardian)

The rapper and presenter, 28, on coming from a massive family, avoiding Tinder and why winning a Bafta made him want to cry.

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I was the poster girl for OCD. Then I began to question everything I'd ... (The Guardian)

This was due to the received wisdom that mental disorders are diseases of the brain with organic, biological root causes; and to the medical language that ...

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Notes on chocolate: a kind thought and an old-time favourite (The Guardian)

That morning I had the foresight to prebook a (very good) cheese and chutney sandwich from the Hamblin kiosk in the market and two types of bun – cinnamon and ...

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New York v Norwich: what my move across the Atlantic taught me (The Guardian)

A guttural scream exploded from somewhere deep inside me as I stepped out of the car in New York City on my first visit back there since moving to the UK a ...

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'Grownup' leaders are pushing us towards catastrophe, says former ... (The Guardian)

Paris agreement negotiator Todd Stern attacks premiers who say that decarbonisation programmes are unrealistic and should be slowed down.

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Letters: Eleanor Stanier obituary (The Guardian)

With her blond hair and bright red mini dress she naturally stood out in a traditional girls' grammar school. She was the most inspirational teacher, imparting ...

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Celia Mason obituary (The Guardian)

While working as a probation officer in Birmingham in the 1980s, Celia spent a year producing an illustrated manual designed to help prison inmates whose heavy ...

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I value Brummie art, but who else does? (The Guardian)

Only in Birmingham could a statue of King Kong be lost twice. The city's relationship with its cultural history is complicated.

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My ID card makes life so much easier (The Guardian)

Living in Belgium, identity cards are part of everyday living. What's the problem, Britain?

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Akon's honest playlist: 'The best song to have sex to? Smack That by ... (The Guardian)

The rapper would sing Bob Marley going to school and gets the party started with Black Eyed Peas, but which pop classic is he ashamed to admit liking?

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