Peace In Peak District
The images in this story were photographed on three different film stocks, experimenting with expired film almost 20 years old.
Peace In Peak District follows a PhD student's journey from burnout to bliss in 21 days.
Peak District, located in the heart of England covers 5 counties. Leah stayed in a charming Airbnb cottage in Derbyshire. This was her first writing retreat since starting her PhD in 2021. It was also her first time in the English countryside.
While Leah is privileged to study a research topic she cares deeply about, her study has been fraught with challenges. She felt like she barely had a moment to breathe and stand still when her retreat began.
She started with a digital detox. She set up her office and limited her screen time. Braving the elements - rain or shine, she walked the winding country lanes weekly. She laughed when chickens crossed their field and greeted her. Watching sheep hydrate in the noonday brought her joy.
She observed nature in all her glory, pausing along the way to smell the flowers. Hiking along the trails, she released stress with every step and renewed her vigour for life. When she returned to the cottage, she felt grounded again. As each day passed, her peace increased.
Baking bread in the morning, and doing yoga in the afternoon the days no longer dragged on. Finally, after 7 days she entered her temporary office. As she sat down to write, her thoughts flowed like the rain on the windowpane. Her PhD research voice returned full force.
To any students in my shoes feeling stagnant, Leah says, maybe you also need a small slice of peace.












