“Hope can be just as devastating as despair” It’s a line from a book I’m currently reading - Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney, which I’d happily recommend if you’re looking for a gripping read. But this particular sentence stopped me in my tracks. It’s not something we often hear, is it? That hope can hurt. That something usually seen as positive, even necessary, can carry its own kind of pain. But as I sat with those words, I felt a deep sense of knowing in my body, as if they

Introduction: Why Feeling Stuck Might Not Mean What You Think In my last blog, I wrote about how I’d been feeling stuck, navigating my own wintering. I had been hibernating, bear-like, through the winter. It sounds cosy, but the reality was different. Life still carried on. Responsibilities didn’t pause. The world expected me to keep up. But I also wrote about a sense of reawakening as spring approached. That sounds dramatic, doesn’t it? As if one day everything was frozen an

Why Winter Can Leave You Feeling Stuck It’s coming up to 100 days since my last blog was published. That number has been sitting with me, lingering in the back of my mind. I have felt the weight of it, the quiet pressure to write, to create, to produce. But my creative energy has been in hibernation, burrowed deep for the long, cold winter. And if I am being honest, it is not just my creativity that froze. I, too, have been wintering. Moving slowly, feeling the heaviness of t

Introduction We’re told Christmas is the “Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” It’s a season of joy, merriment, and goodwill—filled with loved ones coming together and celebrations under the mistletoe. The world seems to glow beneath the twinkle of festive lights. But is it really all magical and luminous? For some, Christmas is a bleak time of loneliness and sadness, leaving us feeling disconnected. The societal pressure to be happy, content, and together can feel overwhelming

Introduction Navigating life transitions - whether it's the end of a relationship, a career shift, or a journey of childlessness - can be profoundly challenging. These moments bring unique forms of grief that are often overlooked, yet they offer a powerful opportunity for transformation. Self-care, in this context, goes beyond pampering or simple relaxation. It becomes a vital practice to help you reconnect with your values, reimagine your identity, and build resilience. Toda

Introduction Milestone birthdays go beyond marking another year; they invite us to pause, reflect, and recalibrate. Ages like 18, 30, 40, and 50 stand as significant turning points—moments when we ask, “Am I where I thought I’d be?” From the excitement of adulthood at 18 to the deeper contemplations of midlife at 50, these birthdays can stir both anxiety and opportunity. They serve as powerful reminders to reconnect with our values and intentions. This guide explores how mile

Introduction: The Challenge of Putting Yourself First In my last blog, I wrote about the importance of taking breaks as a counsellor, why I do it, and the benefits it has on my work with clients. But it got me thinking about how often I see clients struggle with putting their own needs first - or even putting them in the mix at all. Many people feel like taking time for themselves is a luxury they can’t afford. Have you ever felt guilty for taking a break? Self-care is import

Introduction Before starting my private practice, I worked in schools as a school counsellor. I remember being told I would have a break roughly every 6 weeks, following the school calendar. What?! That sounded crazy to me and like an excessive amount of breaks. But now, I carry that same principle of regular breaks into my private practice. Why? Because I quickly learned the importance of taking time to recharge so I can give my best to each client. It’s that old saying: you

Introduction: Nature as a Mirror for Life’s Journey When I was setting up my private practice, I spent a lot of time crafting the look and feel of my branding. It wasn’t just a creative exercise; I wanted something that carried deeper meaning. Eventually, I settled on the theme of Autumn, a season I’ve always viewed as a powerful metaphor for loss and change. It beautifully resonated not only with what I had witnessed in my clients’ journeys but also with my own life experien

There Once Was a Childless Cat Lady The world may be changing, but for centuries, one question has remained: what are little girls made of? Sugar and spice, and everything nice. That’s what little girls are made of. For generations, these little girls, made of sugar and spice, played with their dolls and dreamed of growing up to meet their Prince Charming, have children, and live happily ever after. But what happens when you don’t arrive at your happily ever after? What happe

Introduction Losing a friend can feel like losing a piece of yourself. The world moves on, but you’re left grappling with the silence and the void where your friendship once lived Whether it’s due to a falling out, growing apart, or unexpected betrayal, the emotional toll of friendship loss can be overwhelming. In this blog, I’ll explore the emotional impact of losing a friend, how to navigate the healing process and provide practical strategies to help you cope with this oft

Introduction I have just finished watching "I Am: Céline Dion" and I am deeply moved by the incredible journey of this legendary singer grappling with a serious and chronic illness. This powerful portrayal highlights not only her struggle with health but the overwhelming nature of unexpected life transitions and the collateral loss that come with such a diagnosis. Céline Dion was diagnosed with Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS), a rare neurological disorder characterised by severe

Introduction Last month, Newsweek published an article titled “Taylor Swift Is Not a Good Role Model.” Her alleged crime? Being unmarried and childless at the age of 34. The opinion piece, written by a man, acknowledges and even admires Swift’s musical talents and business acumen but questions whether her personal life choices are ones “we” want the sisters and daughters of our society to emulate. Despite his assurance that his concerns are rooted in sound reasoning, I believ

This blog expands on an excerpt from my article, ‘Lost in Transition: Coping with Life’s Big Changes,’ originally published by Counselling Directory. You can find the full article here. Introduction In my previous blog, I explained the nature of life transitions and the association of grief, particularly disenfranchised grief – a significant loss that is not openly acknowledged, socially validated, or publicly mourned. In this blog, I explore coping strategies to help you mov

This blog expands on an excerpt from my article, ‘Lost in Transition: Coping with Life’s Big Changes,’ originally published by Counselling Directory. You can find the full article here . Introduction We’re constantly told that life is a rollercoaster full of ups and downs, twists and turns, suggesting a fast-paced and thrilling ride with constant motion. But what happens when the rollercoaster carriage grinds to a halt? When the track ahead diverts towards an unexpected d

Introduction to Loneliness Loneliness. It's a word that carries weight, conjuring images of solitude and isolation. But what exactly is loneliness, and how does it differ from simply being alone? At its core, loneliness is a profound sense of disconnection, a feeling of being emotionally or socially isolated, even when surrounded by others. It's important to distinguish loneliness from solitude; while solitude can be a choice and even a source of rejuvenation, loneliness is