The Ripples of Reflection

Light reflecting on water creating patterns

As I settle into my second week back at work after my holiday, one quiet moment keeps coming back to me. I remember sitting in a walk-in pool, half-submerged, simply watching. The water moved gently, creating ripples that shimmered and shifted in the light. Shadows played across the surface, the sunlight dancing and refracting in ways that felt both calming and hypnotic.

It struck me how mesmerising something so ordinary could be - the stillness and movement coexisting at once. And as I watched, I found myself thinking about counselling.

In counselling, there is often a similar quality of noticing. We begin to observe our own ripples: the patterns that repeat beneath the surface, the feelings that rise and fall, the ways we respond to others and to ourselves. Sometimes, these patterns are familiar and comforting; other times, they leave us feeling unsettled or unsure.

Through the process of reflection, we start to see what shapes these ripples - past experiences, learned responses, long-held beliefs. Counselling gives us space to slow down, to notice with curiosity rather than judgement. It allows us to explore what feels right to hold on to and what might be ready to shift.

Like watching light play on water, it’s about seeing movement where we once saw stillness, about recognising that change often happens quietly. Sometimes, it begins simply with noticing.

If this resonates with you, you might like to take a moment to pause this week - to notice your own ripples, your own reflections - and see what they might be telling you.

About the author

Samantha Cooke is an integrative counsellor based in Ascot, Berkshire. She offers a calm and reflective space for adults (18+) to explore their emotions and experiences. Alongside her therapeutic work, Samantha shares her musings and reflections on the quieter moments that shape how we understand ourselves and the world around us.

Contact Samantha here: CONTACT | Samantha Cooke