In the latest in our WISE WORDS interview series - where stars from a whole range of fields share the important life lessons they’ve learned along the way - we’re posing some of the big questions to JULIAN OVENDEN.
Best known for his role as Lady Mary's suitor Charles Blake in 'Downton Abbey', Julian has also starred on Broadway and in the West End, as well as having an international career as a concert and recording artist.
Warner
To mark the release of his album 'Be My Love', Julian talks to HuffPost UK about the wonder of the breakfast table, and the hardest lesson he's had to learn along the way...
What do you do to switch off from the world?
I try and do as much yoga as possible. Being naturally unbendy, it takes all my mental strength, and I stop thinking about everything else.
How do you deal with negativity?
Try and not let it takeover. It's hard to be positive all the time. I like the Chinese proverb, 'You can't stop the birds of sorry flying over your head, but don't let them build a nest in your hair.'
When and where are you happiest?
With my children. At the breakfast table.
What's the best piece of advice you've been given?
Don't bother to imitate others. The answer is within yourself.
What has been the hardest lesson you've learned?
Trusting that I’m enough. And that nobody will do the work for you.
What would you tell your 13-year-old self?
Breathe. Enjoy every day. Concentrate on happiness rather than success.
What 3 things are at the top of your to-do list?
Go to India. Write a film. Teach my son to ski.
What do you think happens when we die?
Something of your spirit lives on. That what you strived for, achieved, stood for, has some resonance beyond your life.
When do you feel a sense that we live in the presence of something bigger than ourselves?
In the mountains. Or on stage.
What do you try to bring your relationships?
Honesty. Patience. Humour.
What keeps you grounded?
My family. Walking the dog every day.
What was the last good deed or act of kindness you received?
My daughter shared her Easter egg. Very unusual.
Julian’s new album 'Be My Love' is released on 22 April on Warner Music, available for pre-order at Amazon.co.uk.
BAFTA Celebrates 'Downton Abbey'
BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey(01 of55)
Michelle Dockery arrives for the BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey event in London, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015. (Photo by Jonathan Short/Invision/AP) (credit:Jonathan Short/Invision/AP)
APTOPIX Britain BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey(02 of55)
Lily James arrives for the BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey event in London, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015. (Photo by Jonathan Short/Invision/AP) (credit:Jonathan Short/Invision/AP)
APTOPIX Britain BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey(03 of55)
Elizabeth McGovern arrives for the BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey event in London, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015. (Photo by Jonathan Short/Invision/AP) (credit:Jonathan Short/Invision/AP)
APTOPIX Britain BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey(04 of55)
Phyllis Logan arrives for the BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey event in London, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015. (Photo by Jonathan Short/Invision/AP) (credit:Jonathan Short/Invision/AP)
APTOPIX Britain BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey(05 of55)
Joanne Froggatt arrives for the BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey event in London, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015. (Photo by Jonathan Short/Invision/AP) (credit:Jonathan Short/Invision/AP)
Britain BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey(06 of55)
Laura Carmichael arrives for the BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey event in London, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015. (Photo by Jonathan Short/Invision/AP) (credit:Jonathan Short/Invision/AP)
Britain BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey(07 of55)
Daisy Lewis arrives for the BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey event in London, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015. (Photo by Jonathan Short/Invision/AP) (credit:Jonathan Short/Invision/AP)
Britain BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey(08 of55)
Zoe Boyle arrives for the BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey event in London, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015. (Photo by Jonathan Short/Invision/AP) (credit:Jonathan Short/Invision/AP)
Britain BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey(09 of55)
Lily James arrives for the BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey event in London, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015. (Photo by Jonathan Short/Invision/AP) (credit:Jonathan Short/Invision/AP)
Britain BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey(10 of55)
Samantha Bond arrives for the BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey event in London, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015. (Photo by Jonathan Short/Invision/AP) (credit:Jonathan Short/Invision/AP)
Britain BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey(11 of55)
Joanne Froggatt arrives for the BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey event in London, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015. (Photo by Jonathan Short/Invision/AP) (credit:Jonathan Short/Invision/AP)
Britain BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey(12 of55)
Penelope Wilton arrives for the BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey event in London, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015. (Photo by Jonathan Short/Invision/AP) (credit:Jonathan Short/Invision/AP)
Britain BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey(13 of55)
Dan Stevens arrives for the BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey event in London, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015. (Photo by Jonathan Short/Invision/AP) (credit:Jonathan Short/Invision/AP)
Britain BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey(14 of55)
From left, British actresses Laura Carmichael and Michelle Dockery arrive for the BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey event at a central venue, London, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015. (Photo by Jonathan Short/Invision/AP) (credit:Jonathan Short/Invision/AP)
Britain BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey(15 of55)
British actor Hugh Bonneville and Lulu Williams arrive for the BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey event at a central venue, London, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015. (Photo by Jonathan Short/Invision/AP) (credit:Jonathan Short/Invision/AP)
Britain BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey(16 of55)
Joanne Froggatt arrives for the BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey event at a central venue, London, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015. (Photo by Jonathan Short/Invision/AP) (credit:Jonathan Short/Invision/AP)
Britain BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey(17 of55)
Julie Walters arrives for the BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey event at a central venue, London, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015. (Photo by Jonathan Short/Invision/AP) (credit:Jonathan Short/Invision/AP)
Britain BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey(18 of55)
Sophie McShera arrives for the BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey event at a central venue, London, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015. (Photo by Jonathan Short/Invision/AP) (credit:Jonathan Short/Invision/AP)
Britain BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey(19 of55)
Sophie McShera arrives for the BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey event at a central venue, London, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015. (Photo by Jonathan Short/Invision/AP) (credit:Jonathan Short/Invision/AP)
Britain BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey(20 of55)
Julie Walters arrives for the BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey event at a central venue, London, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015. (Photo by Jonathan Short/Invision/AP) (credit:Jonathan Short/Invision/AP)
Britain BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey(21 of55)
Phyllis Logan arrives for the BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey event at a central venue, London, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015. (Photo by Jonathan Short/Invision/AP) (credit:Jonathan Short/Invision/AP)
Britain BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey(22 of55)
Raquel Cassidy arrives for the BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey event at a central venue, London, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015. (Photo by Jonathan Short/Invision/AP) (credit:Jonathan Short/Invision/AP)
Britain BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey(23 of55)
Jonathan Ross arrives for the BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey event at a central venue, London, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015. (Photo by Jonathan Short/Invision/AP) (credit:Jonathan Short/Invision/AP)
Britain BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey(24 of55)
Zoe Boyle arrives for the BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey event at a central venue, London, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015. (Photo by Jonathan Short/Invision/AP) (credit:Jonathan Short/Invision/AP)
Britain BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey(25 of55)
Lily James arrives for the BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey event at a central venue, London, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015. (Photo by Jonathan Short/Invision/AP) (credit:Jonathan Short/Invision/AP)
Britain BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey(26 of55)
Lily James arrives for the BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey event at a central venue, London, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015. (Photo by Jonathan Short/Invision/AP) (credit:Jonathan Short/Invision/AP)
Britain BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey(27 of55)
Daisy Lewis arrives for the BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey event at a central venue, London, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015. (Photo by Jonathan Short/Invision/AP) (credit:Jonathan Short/Invision/AP)
Britain BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey(28 of55)
Hugh Bonneville and Lulu Williams arrive for the BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey event at a central venue, London, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015. (Photo by Jonathan Short/Invision/AP) (credit:Jonathan Short/Invision/AP)
BAFTA Celebrates "Downton Abbey" - Red Carpet Arrivals(29 of55)
RICHMOND, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: Sophie McShera attends as BAFTA celebrate 'Downton Abbey' at Richmond Theatre on August 11, 2015 in Richmond, England. (Photo by Danny Martindale/WireImage) (credit:Danny Martindale via Getty Images)
Britain BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey(30 of55)
Hugh Bonneville and Lulu Williams arrive for the BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey event at a central venue, London, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015. (Photo by Jonathan Short/Invision/AP) (credit:Jonathan Short/Invision/AP)
BAFTA Celebrates "Downton Abbey" - Red Carpet Arrivals(31 of55)
RICHMOND, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: James Faulkner and wife attends as BAFTA celebrate 'Downton Abbey' at Richmond Theatre on August 11, 2015 in Richmond, England. (Photo by Danny Martindale/WireImage) (credit:Danny Martindale via Getty Images)
BAFTA Celebrates "Downton Abbey" - Red Carpet Arrivals(32 of55)
RICHMOND, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: Phyllis Logan attends as BAFTA celebrate 'Downton Abbey' at Richmond Theatre on August 11, 2015 in Richmond, England. (Photo by Danny Martindale/WireImage) (credit:Danny Martindale via Getty Images)
BAFTA Celebrates "Downton Abbey" - Red Carpet Arrivals(33 of55)
RICHMOND, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: (L-R) Laura Carmichael and Michelle Dockery attends as BAFTA celebrate 'Downton Abbey' at Richmond Theatre on August 11, 2015 in Richmond, England. (Photo by Danny Martindale/WireImage) (credit:Danny Martindale via Getty Images)
BAFTA Celebrates "Downton Abbey" - Red Carpet Arrivals(34 of55)
RICHMOND, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: Myanna Buring attends as BAFTA celebrate 'Downton Abbey' at Richmond Theatre on August 11, 2015 in Richmond, England. (Photo by Danny Martindale/WireImage) (credit:Danny Martindale via Getty Images)
BAFTA Celebrates "Downton Abbey" - Red Carpet Arrivals(35 of55)
RICHMOND, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: (L-R) Fifi Ward and Allen Leech attends as BAFTA celebrate 'Downton Abbey' at Richmond Theatre on August 11, 2015 in Richmond, England. (Photo by Danny Martindale/WireImage) (credit:Danny Martindale via Getty Images)
BAFTA Celebrates "Downton Abbey" - Red Carpet Arrivals(36 of55)
RICHMOND, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: Rebecca Night and Harry Hadden-Paton attends as BAFTA celebrate 'Downton Abbey' at Richmond Theatre on August 11, 2015 in Richmond, England. (Photo by Danny Martindale/WireImage) (credit:Danny Martindale via Getty Images)
BAFTA Celebrates "Downton Abbey" - Red Carpet Arrivals(37 of55)
RICHMOND, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: Laura Carmichael attends as BAFTA celebrate 'Downton Abbey' at Richmond Theatre on August 11, 2015 in Richmond, England. (Photo by Danny Martindale/WireImage) (credit:Danny Martindale via Getty Images)
BAFTA Celebrates "Downton Abbey" - Red Carpet Arrivals(38 of55)
RICHMOND, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: David Robb attends as BAFTA celebrate 'Downton Abbey' at Richmond Theatre on August 11, 2015 in Richmond, England. (Photo by Danny Martindale/WireImage) (credit:Danny Martindale via Getty Images)
BAFTA Celebrates "Downton Abbey" - Red Carpet Arrivals(39 of55)
RICHMOND, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: Rebecca Night and Harry Hadden-Paton attends as BAFTA celebrate 'Downton Abbey' at Richmond Theatre on August 11, 2015 in Richmond, England. (Photo by Danny Martindale/WireImage) (credit:Danny Martindale via Getty Images)
BAFTA Celebrates "Downton Abbey" - Red Carpet Arrivals(40 of55)
RICHMOND, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: Zoe Boyle attends as BAFTA celebrate 'Downton Abbey' at Richmond Theatre on August 11, 2015 in Richmond, England. (Photo by Danny Martindale/WireImage) (credit:Danny Martindale via Getty Images)
BAFTA Celebrates "Downton Abbey" - Red Carpet Arrivals(41 of55)
RICHMOND, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: Julian Fellowes attends as BAFTA celebrate 'Downton Abbey' at Richmond Theatre on August 11, 2015 in Richmond, England. (Photo by Danny Martindale/WireImage) (credit:Danny Martindale via Getty Images)
BAFTA Celebrates "Downton Abbey" - Red Carpet Arrivals(42 of55)
RICHMOND, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: Julian Fellowes and Emma Joy Kitchener attends as BAFTA celebrate 'Downton Abbey' at Richmond Theatre on August 11, 2015 in Richmond, England. (Photo by Danny Martindale/WireImage) (credit:Danny Martindale via Getty Images)
BAFTA Celebrates "Downton Abbey" - Red Carpet Arrivals(43 of55)
RICHMOND, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: Dan Stevens attends as BAFTA celebrate 'Downton Abbey' at Richmond Theatre on August 11, 2015 in Richmond, England. (Photo by Danny Martindale/WireImage) (credit:Danny Martindale via Getty Images)
BAFTA Celebrates "Downton Abbey" - Red Carpet Arrivals(44 of55)
RICHMOND, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: Julian Fellowes attends as BAFTA celebrate 'Downton Abbey' at Richmond Theatre on August 11, 2015 in Richmond, England. (Photo by Danny Martindale/WireImage) (credit:Danny Martindale via Getty Images)
BAFTA Celebrates "Downton Abbey" - Red Carpet Arrivals(45 of55)
RICHMOND, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: Jim Carter attends as BAFTA celebrate 'Downton Abbey' at Richmond Theatre on August 11, 2015 in Richmond, England. (Photo by Danny Martindale/WireImage) (credit:Danny Martindale via Getty Images)
BAFTA Celebrates "Downton Abbey" - Red Carpet Arrivals(46 of55)
RICHMOND, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: Lily James attends as BAFTA celebrate 'Downton Abbey' at Richmond Theatre on August 11, 2015 in Richmond, England. (Photo by Danny Martindale/WireImage) (credit:Danny Martindale via Getty Images)
BAFTA Celebrates "Downton Abbey" - Red Carpet Arrivals(47 of55)
RICHMOND, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: Lily James attends as BAFTA celebrate 'Downton Abbey' at Richmond Theatre on August 11, 2015 in Richmond, England. (Photo by Danny Martindale/WireImage) (credit:Danny Martindale via Getty Images)
BAFTA Celebrates "Downton Abbey" - Red Carpet Arrivals(48 of55)
RICHMOND, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: Dan Stevens attends as BAFTA celebrate 'Downton Abbey' at Richmond Theatre on August 11, 2015 in Richmond, England. (Photo by Danny Martindale/WireImage) (credit:Danny Martindale via Getty Images)
BAFTA Celebrates "Downton Abbey" - Red Carpet Arrivals(49 of55)
RICHMOND, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: Lesley Nicol attends as BAFTA celebrate 'Downton Abbey' at Richmond Theatre on August 11, 2015 in Richmond, England. (Photo by Danny Martindale/WireImage) (credit:Danny Martindale via Getty Images)
BAFTA Celebrates "Downton Abbey" - Red Carpet Arrivals(50 of55)
RICHMOND, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: Jim Carter attends as BAFTA celebrate 'Downton Abbey' at Richmond Theatre on August 11, 2015 in Richmond, England. (Photo by Danny Martindale/WireImage) (credit:Danny Martindale via Getty Images)
BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey - London(51 of55)
Laura Carmichael and Michelle Dockery arrive at the BAFTA Downton Abbey Celebration at the Richmond Theatre - London (credit:David Jensen/EMPICS Entertainment)
BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey - London(52 of55)
Brendan Coyle and Joy Harrison arrive at the BAFTA Downton Abbey Celebration at the Richmond Theatre - London (credit:David Jensen/EMPICS Entertainment)
BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey - London(53 of55)
Brendan Coyle and Joy Harrison arrive at the BAFTA Downton Abbey Celebration at the Richmond Theatre - London (credit:David Jensen/EMPICS Entertainment)
BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey - London(54 of55)
Dame Maggie Smith arrives at the BAFTA Downton Abbey Celebration at the Richmond Theatre - London (credit:David Jensen/EMPICS Entertainment)
BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey - London(55 of55)
Raquel Cassidy shields Fifi Hart from the rain whilst arriving at the BAFTA Downton Abbey Celebration at the Richmond Theatre - London (credit:David Jensen/EMPICS Entertainment)