Illuminate: Counselling and Personal Growth

08/03/2023

I wish you the strength and freedom to rise xx

Still I rise by Maya Angelou

You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I’ll rise.

Does my sassiness upset you?
Why are you beset with gloom?
’Cause I walk like I’ve got oil wells
Pumping in my living room.
Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I’ll rise.

Did you want to see me broken?
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops,
Weakened by my soulful cries?

Does my haughtiness offend you?
Don’t you take it awful hard
’Cause I laugh like I’ve got gold mines
Diggin’ in my own backyard.

You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I’ll rise.

Does my sexiness upset you?
Does it come as a surprise
That I dance like I’ve got diamonds
At the meeting of my thighs?

Out of the huts of history’s shame
I rise
Up from a past that’s rooted in pain
I rise
I’m a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.

Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
I rise
Into a daybreak that’s wondrously clear
I rise
Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
I rise
I rise
I rise.

27/12/2022

Feeling the post-Christmas come down?
You're not alone!

Dopamine, excitement and stress might push us through our Christmas day/boxing day, but can often leave us feeling tired, flat and a little sad afterwards.

This is normal! Some of us feel it more strongly than others (as an introvert by nature I'll put my hand up!), and some of us may not feel it at all. Either way, you feelings are valid. Lean into them.

Rest, hydrate, call a friend, move your body and practice small moments of gratitude. If the feeling continues, reach out xx

24/12/2022

The holidays are stressful for our little ones too, remember to be their safe place x

Respectful parenting at Christmas time can be stressful. How can we make is easier on children and parents?

06/12/2022

One of my favourite quotes!!

🙏🏽

27/11/2022

Yes! You have beautiful intentions, but if those intentions are weighing you down, throw them away x

Read it and read it again.

It’s okay to throw it all away! You are not a bad person. You deserve a functional space! You are allowed to prioritize your own well-being.

18/11/2022

Don't let life simply pass you by 💗

I could walk around in a daze for the rest of my life, easily.

I could fall on old patterns, or lose myself to my phone ane Netflix, and make every day’s singular goal to just make it to bedtime.

I could watch life unfold by living vicariously through others on social media or TV. Only believing that passion and purpose exists in Hollywood. Or social media. Or to just the lucky.

But I won’t.

I will look up and realize that each day unlived is a day I die a little.
I will promise myself that things only get better when I work on them.

I will seek out my own passions and purpose, because I am human and born to feel. Born to hope, to strive for better, to demand more.

Why would I let life pass me by, when I actively tell my kids that each day is worth living?

What kind of role model am I when I can’t get excited to go outside, to feel the first snowfall or to stand for even a few seconds to watch the fleeting glow of a full moon over my backyard?

And what kind of life do I live when I simply see others living, when I cant even take the time for my own pleasure but simply take solace in knowing others feel it?

I can’t continue down a road of drudgery without knowing there’s a clearing up ahead. So I don’t.

So I won’t.

Follow all my new posts on recovery here https://open.substack.com/pub/celesteyvonne?r=ts3l&utm_medium=ios

17/11/2022

I hear the conversation often.
"How are you?"
"Oh you know, busy!"
"Yep, me too. So busy at the moment!"

Busy doing...what?
Our society is constantly finding ways to fill our time. We work longer hours, go to the gym, yoga, create the perfect Instagram account, care for our kids, house, relationships, pets...
We love the feeling of saying that we're busy, love listing off all of our activities. Busyness equalling a fulfilled life. But does it really?

Often people who are REALLY BUSY are not using their time effectively. Every minute spent rushing around, trying to complete a to-do list a mile long, exhausted, overwhelmed, leaning into burnout. In this state, we are not in control. Busyness is running our lives. Busyness is the boss.

Show me a person who schedules in time for quiet reflection, meditation or mindfulness. Someone who prioritises rest, nourishment and contemplation and I will show you a person in charge of their time, in the driver's seat of their lives.

Ever heard the adage 'work smarter, not harder'? What would you change today if it was your mantra?
- Strip some tasks that no longer serve you?
- Delegate tasks to others?
- Streamline processes?
- Planning a week or more ahead for quiet time?
- Creating stronger habits?

What would your life look like if you were able to create moments of quiet, whilst still meeting your goals? How would you feel in your body, mind and spirit?

05/11/2022

Raw, true, beautiful.

“I am trying to sell them the world.” Wow. 💕

Via

30/10/2022

What happens when joy is put on hold?

My responses were getting shorter. A hint of irritation creeping through my voice as I answered my eldest daughter's 311 questions while my middle daughter begged me to play and my baby protested her position on the play mat.
It was 8.30am on a Saturday and the morning is often when I'm calmest, and most able to connect. What was up today?
A did a quick check in. Sleep? Check (could do with some more though!). Water? Check. Food? Check. Hmmm

The day moved by and I found myself feeling even more irritable, quick to snap at my family. I went to a quiet place to feed baby in the afternoon and found myself scrolling, scrolling, scrolling through social media. Not really stopping to engage with anything, offering a 'like' here and there without truly liking anything. My brain was buzzing, crackling white noise. There was no signs of the usual calm that takes over when I cuddle up with my babe.

With effort I put down the phone. Closing my eyes, I allowed the static to take over for a moment, and then to fade away.
What had I done recently to feel joy? To mindfully sink into an activity or moment for pleasure? Time where my brain was delightfully engaged in creating, feeling, expressing, indulging, and feeling pleasure without thinking about what I should be doing, what needs doing, and what others need?

Time to take a moment to remember what fills me up with light and love. What ignites my passion. What pleasures this life can offer.

It's not easy. A busy mum of three, a new business, a husband, home and friendships to maintain. Not easy, but so important. When I connect to joy, I bring forth my best self for my relationships and endeavours.

My time here is limited, I will model to my children how to connect with joy x

16/10/2022

My heart goes out to you all. Make time for your grief, nourish yourself, talk to a loved one and reach out for the support of a professional if the grief takes over xx