I hope it's been a meaningful start to the year for you 🤗
I don't know about you but I've noticed less "new year, new me" and more "face the year gently" kind of posts than previous years...
It's essential that at the start of the year, we set the intention to show kindness to ourselves. It's an invaluable first step. Why?- Being kinder to ourselves can help to reduce levels of anxiety and depression. It can also improve our wellbeing and ability to cope with everyday life. I'm seeing a lot of fellow counsellors sharing similar messages on their social media and newsletters... is this the start of a new wave of being kinder and more gentle to ourselves? I hope so - It can be the vital initial step in overcoming so many of our difficulties.
At the start of the year, psychologist Susan David posted a beautiful reminder of what change looks like- it's a process, not an event. That is why it's so important (and can be so difficult!) to show ourselves kindness... it can be so frustrating to "know better" and still feel stuck or like we don't have the capacity for change.
And isn't this what counselling and developing resilience and an adaptable nervous system is all about?
Whatever this year holds, we are capable of getting through it. (Or - if you reallyyy don't think this describes you- you can grow the capacity to deal with it!- Hope 🙌)  And, I say this tentatively with so much understanding if you aren't there yet - take your time and be where you are - we can absolutely come out stronger for it.
If you're a believer in Jesus, a useful way in pursuing this is TPM (contact me here for more info).
If you're interested in finding out more or developing these coping skills, you can reach out to me here.
In kindness and hope for what this year holds,
"And now we welcome the new year. Full of things that have never been." - Rainer Maria Rilke
My holistic wellbeing downloadable resources shop is now open 🤩
Click here to browse the current resources. More to be added soon 🙌