This week I reopened my counselling practice! I am so delighted to be back at work. It almost feels normal but not the same as before if you catch my drift. I had to do a lot of preparation before I opened: creating a COVID-19 policy, rewriting my counselling contract, ensuring signs, sanitizer etc are on the premises. Basically doing what I can to ensure that myself and my clients are safe. BUT the biggest preparation I had to do was within myself. What I'm talking about is getting emotionally ready. I could have opened weeks ago but I just didn't feel ready and what I really mean is I didn't feel safe. Safety is a big thing for us humans, when we don't feel safe we feel under threat. This can activate our fight, flight or freeze responses. So, for me, it was important that I waited until I [...]

'Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness' Desmond Tutu I really love this quote. In the last few months having hope may have been very challenging for us. It's hard to stay hopeful with all the sickness and bad news we are hearing about. But, here in Ireland, the light is starting to shine through. On Monday, the restrictions we have been living with began to lift. Just some small changes but changes none the less. I love gardening and as the garden centres are open now I headed off to my local one to have a look. It was really quiet there which kinda surprised me but I guess there is still fear out there. But I'm not writing to tell you about my trip to the garden centre but more about how I was affected by it. Basically, I walked [...]

Surviving the Pandemic. Life with Restrictions in 2020   Its strange times, this era of covid 19. The world is scared. I’m scared and feeling uncertain of how this will pan out. Everyday people are getting sick with covid 19, people are dying. It’s a time of reflection for me, what was, what is and what will be. Every household is adjusting to massive change and mine is no different. I have to admit that I don’t like being restricted. I like my freedom, to be able to come and go as I please so I can sometimes feel claustrophobic. When this happens I know I need some time to myself. Whether it’s a quick walk, a cuppa in the garden or calling a friend it’s something I need to do to take care of myself.  I am definitely appreciating the simple things in life.   The Weekly Shop I [...]