Listening effectively is a skill. It sounds so easy. We do it every day – or so we think. As it happens, really listening is more challenging than it appears. Most times, we’re otherwise engaged, holding onto our phones for dear life while simultaneously scrolling through Instagram. We seem to think that being in the same room or on the other end of the line is enough. At other times, we’re too busy thinking about how to turn the conversation…
Living in alignment with our values helps us make decisions based on what’s important to us. Along with mindfulness and wellness, the phrases ‘be authentic’ and ‘living in alignment’ have become buzzwords over the last few years. We frequently see phrases on social media, often on a brightly coloured Instagram feed promoting positivity about ‘being your best self’ or simply, ‘live in alignment!’. What they fail to tell us is that to live in alignment, we first need to understand…
It’s official, we’re hurtling towards the end of spring. I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m only just waking up after winter. I feel like life is moving at lightning speed, and my word for the year is now just a blur. Each year my seasonal affective disorder (SAD) gets worse and last winter, I really struggled. All I wanted to do was hunker down, snuggle under a blanket, and crank the heating up. But the rise in energy…
What are boundaries? If you look up boundary in the dictionary, you will find several definitions. Boundary: A real or imagined line that marks the edge or limit of something. The limit of a subject or principle. The limit of what someone considers to be acceptable behaviour. Until I started training to become a counsellor, I hadn’t given much thought to boundaries. But I soon learnt they are an important part of the counselling process. Within a therapeutic relationship, boundaries are…
Remember to celebrate the small wins. I’d been so caught up in the bigger picture of building my photography business, I’d forgotten about the smaller goals – also known as micro-goals. I sat there in silence, replaying the words over and over in my head. Why did I need somebody to tell me this? I spent seven years running my own photography/videography business and invested in many courses to help me learn the skills I needed to make it a…
The positive health benefits of getting outside are huge. Our daily walks during the pandemic proved that! Since Covid-19 the world has embraced a new normal, but one thing that should remain a priority is our mental and physical health. Many self-care practices were developed during lockdown and hopefully they have continued. The last few years have been difficult for everyone, and if I had to describe them in 3-words, I’d choose, challenging, overwhelming, and emotional. Not only have we…
Understanding Wellness and Restoring Balance “Just living isn’t enough, one must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower.” -Hans Christian Anderson” The Cambridge Dictionary defines wellness as: The state of being healthy, especially when it is something that you are actively trying to achieve The state of being healthy isn’t just about eating well and exercising; wellness includes physical, mental, and emotional health. Lifestyle habits, spirituality, relationships, your career, and life purpose all have an impact on your wellness and…
Simple Tips and Advice for Joining in with Veganuary was originally published in January 2019 and updated in January 2022. Veganuary Whether it’s for health reasons or ethical reasons, Veganuary is getting more and more attention each year. In 2021 580,000+ people signed up for Veganuary, which is double the number of people who signed up in 2019. Veganuary is a fantastic way to learn more about the positive impact and benefits a vegan lifestyle can have. In 2020 the…
What to do when life throws you a curveball. Ducking, and diving, riding the wave, roll with the punches, taking it one day at a time. Whatever you like to call life’s curveballs, sometimes an almighty tidal wave swallows you whole, and you just have to deal with it the best way you can. The last year has been hard. Pandemic anyone? But then on top of that, we’ve all had our own personal stories to deal with. As the…
