Blog
Breaking Free from External Validation: How to Reclaim Your Power and Self-Worth
Have you ever felt like your happiness depends on what others think of you? Maybe you find yourself constantly seeking approval—whether it’s through social media likes, compliments, or reassurance from friends and family. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Many people, especially those who have faced rejection, trauma, or low self-esteem, rely on external […]
Embracing the Beauty of Ageing: A Pro-Ageing Perspective
Gone are the days of “anti-ageing.” I prefer a different approach—one that celebrates every chapter of life rather than fights against it. As I enjoy my final year of my fifties, I find the idea of pro-ageing not only refreshing but empowering. To me, it means honouring where I am, appreciating the journey, and feeling […]
Laughter in Counselling: Finding Joy Again
You know that feeling when someone makes a remark, and before you even process it, laughter just bursts out of you? That uncontrollable, belly-shaking, eyes-watering kind of laughter? It’s called Duchenne laughter the real deal. It happens when neural pathways deep in your brain fire off before you’ve even had a chance to think. It’s […]
Understanding Parent and Child Egos in Relationships: Recognising Triggers and Breaking Free
Relationships are intricate dances of emotions, thoughts, and behaviours. Our interactions with loved ones often feel automatic, like we’re reciting a memorized script we didn’t even know we had. The concept of Parent and Child egos, rooted in Transactional Analysis can often explain this phenomenon (TA). By understanding these roles, recognising our triggers, and learning […]
How Self-Preservation Turns into Self-Sabotage
Self-preservation is a natural instinct—protecting us from danger, real or perceived. However, when that instinct is driven by early experiences of fear or instability, it can become overactive in adulthood, manifesting as self-sabotage. This can limit us in several ways: - Fear of Failure: If, as children, we were taught—either explicitly or implicitly—that failure was […]
Navigating the Back-to-School Transition: Finding Balance After Summer
As the school year begins, many parents feel a mix of relief and stress. While the return to routine is welcome, the shift from summer’s relaxed pace to the school year's demands can be overwhelming, leaving parents frazzled and relationships under pressure. The Back-to-School Stress The end of summer often brings a hectic rush. Mornings […]