I talked to Ruby Wax ahead of her one-woman show SANE NEW WORLD – THE TOUR about how she stays sane in the 21st Century, for Resident Magazine.
You can read the piece below.

Ruby Wax is in South Africa at the time of our interview. It’s fine though, because the communication options are endless, why there’s Skype, Twitter, email, mobile, landline…..

It’s exactly this frenetic, nonstop modern world, and how it can turn even the sanest of us crazy, that spurred Wax to enrol on a Masters at Oxford University in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. ‘We are not equipped for this century; it’s too hard, too fast. We just don’t have the bandwidth’ Ruby explains.

Wax reworked findings from her Oxford thesis into a book, Sane New World: Taming the Mind. Released in 2013 to worldwide success, she now brings it to the stage as a one-woman show: SANE NEW WORLD – THE TOUR. An acerbic blend of science and comedy, ‘I’m telling the audience about stuff that I think is intriguing and that’s kind of thrilling. Not only will they laugh, but they’re say, wow, I didn’t know that’.

A campaigner for mental health issues, Wax has been open about her battle with depression. But it was studying at Oxford that enabled her to understand how the mind works, and learn mindfulness techniques to support her well-being. ‘It’s like having a Ferrari on top of your head but no one gave you the keys. If your car breaks down on the motorway and you can understand the machinery, it’s not so scary.’

Ruby’s career has been a rung of successes. An award-winning comedian and writer, she began as an actor, working with the Sheffield Crucible Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company and later as script editor for Absolutely Fabulous. Though professionally,’ Wax says, ‘this is the most interesting point yet. I mean nothing’s more interesting than how this thing at the top of our head works.’

Our interview takes place by phone while Ruby rests in bed. She has kicked off her tour in South Africa and performing is tiring. The psychological tool of mindfulness that she practices daily, helps her switch off. ‘I know what happens in your brain when you pay attention to the physical, it takes the chattering mind down’ Wax explains.

Digital interaction is now essential for anyone in the public eye, yet she is careful to limit exposure. ‘It’s addictive,’ she says, ‘suddenly you’re emailing for no reason and then you’re tweeting ridiculous, moronic things; it’s a cry for help.’ We all face the same challenge in today’s digital world. So join Ruby Wax at Blackheath Halls this month and it’s likely you’ll find common ground.