In 2019, London-based photographer Suzie Howell embarked on a project that explores mindfulness and presence through the lives of five nuns living at Tymawr convent in south Wales. Over the course of four visits spanning two years, Howell, who identifies as an atheist, documented the quiet rhythms and contemplative existence of the sisters, producing a collection of images that accompany her debut book, *A bowl of tears to drink*.
Howell’s initial motivation stemmed from her own struggles with being present, often finding herself caught between dwelling on the past or anticipating the future. Seeking to understand a way of life seemingly rooted in the present moment, she approached the nuns with a spirit of curiosity and openness. Through her lens, she captured moments that convey a serene attentiveness to everyday details—shadows cast in sunlight, plants growing through the cracks of a bench, the simple act of laughter—elements that reflect the nuns’ engagement with the natural world and their surroundings.
Reflecting on the experience, Howell notes a shift in her perspective regarding the search for clarity in life. She said that her “desire to find clear and definite answers to big questions, or to find someone who leads a clear and definite life, has softened.” She further observed that “the beauty of everyday life is mixed up in all its messiness and uncertainties,” suggesting a nuanced understanding of mindfulness beyond neat certainties.
The photographs and conversations gathered during her time with the Tymawr sisters illuminate a way of being that values connection—to people, to place, and to the simple moments that imbue life with meaning. Howell described how her interactions with the nuns helped her realize that finding happiness often comes from these forms of engagement, which ground one in the present.
* A bowl of tears to drink* was published by Oval Press and is currently available for purchase. The work offers a contemplative glimpse into a spiritual community while inviting broader reflections on presence, mindfulness, and meaning in daily life.