New direction for Good magazine under editor-at-large

Issue 95 of Good magazine hits the shelves today, with food writer Nici Wickes on the cover and Justine Jamieson as the editor-at-large. Jamieson sat down with StopPress ahead of publication to talk about what readers can expect and her own journey towards the “Good” life.

The new gig isn’t Jamieson’s first stint at the magazine, and in her editorial she talks about how it’s “Good to be back”.  She been looking forward to it.

“When I was at Good the first time, I just absolutely loved it,” she tells StopPress.

After various other projects, including a stint in Australia, Jamieson is now living in a tiny home in a community north of Auckland, and working towards an off-grid lifestyle. Good’s strong focus on sustainability and living lightly on the Earth means she’s walking the talk.

“At the moment, I am in a transition spot, hooked up to power and gas as I finish the last of my build. Then I will be transitioning to my site in spring, which will be entirely off-grid. So it’ll be composting toilets, solar/wind power, and the water will be rainwater collected in a tank.

“I’ll be living off-grid, which is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. I’ve been living my life very mindfully.”

It hasn’t always been this way for Jamieson.

“I used to be a fashion editor, and I was buying clothes like crazy. When I was a retail manager in my 20s, I was consuming a lot. I made a conscious effort to stop that and live a very minimal lifestyle. I chose to live off the land for a couple of years, not buying anything, and then gave away my possessions down to a suitcase.

“Now, anything I do buy, I tend to go for secondhand or support designers with the same ethos. I made the lifestyle change for my health – my champagne lifestyle no longer gave me a buzz once I started meditating. I found that just being closer to nature reminded me that I am a part of it and therefore any decision I make has a ripple effect.”

Focus on community

Jamieson is looking to shift Good magazine’s focus towards building a community-centred brand, fostering collaboration with experts across various fields.

“My aim is to open conversations, broaden perspectives, and encourage self-reflection to inspire positive changes in people’s lives. I also want to integrate more technology, embracing youthful innovation while still gathering wisdom from those who have been around the block a few times,” she says.

“I’m extremely excited about curating content with the amazing Good team, who are taking a very grounded approach.

“Having experts in their fields create content is where I want the title to go. I want the magazine to be more community focused, so we have a team of experts and people who are out there doing it – living it and breathing it, so they embody what they speak.”

Sounds like a very practical approach.

“I like topics that get you thinking. Also people sharing the depth of their experience. That might be a change.”

One things for sure, Jamieson says, with a laugh: “I won’t accept any fluff in the magazine.”

Take your shoes off

We can’t all live off grid, but does Jamieson have any advice for everyday people to live life a little better?

“Hydrate more with quality water.

“Go for a walk in nature, without your devices. Take your shoes off to feel the dirt beneath you. I’m serious about taking your shoes off because studies show it’s much better for you to be connected to the Earth – it helps with inflammation, increases energy, and there are all sorts of health benefits from just that. 

“So if you take your shoes off and just stop for a moment to open your chest, feel, and take a more conscious breath all the way to your belly. Being closer to the natural world will make you make very different choices in life.

“Also, notice your energy levels. When you’re about to make decisions, notice how much energy you have in your body. If you’re in a flat mood or suffering, it’s pause time, not decision-making time. And then, when you have lots of energy in your body from a centred place, it’s decision-making time.

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