I attended my mandatory Mental Health Awareness Training yesterday, it’s part of my counselling role at Mind in Mid Herts. The course needs to be completed every two years and, If I’m honest, as I turned up with my coffee and notepad, in hand I wasn’t brimming with enthusiasm. As a fully qualified counsellor, I … Read more
Have you ever let yourself down so badly that you don’t just feel disappointed, but betrayed by yourself? And even years later when you think about the memory, it makes you feel a bit hot and very nauseous. If so, it sounds like you may already know a bit about self-betrayal and how it impacts … Read more
Do you ever feel as though your walking through treacle? That life has suddenly slowed to a lethargic pace? No one’s getting back to your calls, or emails, and it feels like there’s no progress in life. In fact, even those things that once brought you pleasure no longer do. I think of this as … Read more
Summer time is here! The out of offices are on, children count down the days until school ends and holidays begin. There’s a general vibe that it’s time to relax and normal service will resume in September. And this is all well, if you’re one of the many yearning for a break. But it’s not … Read more
We’ve all been there, and experienced the dark and dirty thrill of the hate follow. Finding your frenemy’s account on Facebook or Insta, feeling a surge of adrenaline as you furtively settle down to see what’s new. A-ha, she’s sipping coffee in the sunshine! But is that Spain, or Scotland? How’s she looking? Are her … Read more
Do you ever get that feeling that your life is on hold? As if you’ve been standing in the same place for years? And how do you manage your self-esteem when you feel stuck? When all around you, is constant forward motion – friends switching up their careers, moving houses, having babies, starting business. But … Read more
Orthorexia, the interest in healthful eating that ironically diverts into an unhealthy obsession, has gained greater attention in recent years. Possibly, in part, due to the Instagram influencers. All those ‘wellbeing experts’ who advise on optimum nutrition, while having little in the way of official qualifications. And, also sadly, due to some tragic cases where … Read more
I’m giving my site a refresh soon, so I’ve begun the process of reading over old blogs and deciding what stays and what goes. And I was struck by how I’ve, mistakenly, given the impression that I’m excellent at managing my own emotions. Which is just not true. A lot of these blogs centre on … Read more
World Mental Health Awareness Week is coming (12th-18th May 2025). And we’ll all be wearing blue, and looking for Insta opportunities to show our support. Because mental health is undoubtedly, and undeniably very important. But World Mental Health Awareness Week leaves me luke warm, at best. And I make no secret of this. While I’m … Read more
Self care is lauded as the panacea to all ills. Set your boundaries, take a rest and do what brings you joy. It all sounds so sensible and easy. So what are the challenges to good self-care? why do so many of us feel self-care is self-indulgent, self-regarding and all a bit unnecessary? if not, … Read more
We all know the colder months can be physically hard. Long nights, dark days, permanently hunched shoulders and a house that won’t stay warm. But managing your mental health in the winter months can be challenging too. And not just for those who suffer Seasonal Affective Disorder. Three months of grey skies and hard ground, … Read more
Ever experienced life going along normally, nicely even, and then the next day, you’re spiraling into depression and low self-esteem? How did you get here, and is it possible to claw your way back before you reach rock bottom? The answer is yes. You might be plummeting now, but there’s still time to turn things … Read more