Live a Well Life

04/01/2025

I first had therapy as a teen, in recovery from an ED. My memories of that time are hazy. I recall a blonde haired woman with a kind face, a sunlit room with a tall window, being taught the broken record technique to help me ‘become more assertive.’ Other than that, I don’t remember much of that time.

Then, in my late thirties, aware of a restlessness within me, a need to reclaim who I ‘really was’ I returned to therapy. During that time I experienced the deep empathy, compassion and unconditional positive regard that is provided by Person Centred Therapy. For the first time I felt seen and heard. There was something fundamentally healing in having my experiences witnessed and held with love.

Since then, I have benefitted from relationship therapy and now work with an amazing Integrative therapist as part of my own training.

I have been privileged to be able to access therapy. It is a gift I will never take for granted. It brought me home to myself and has taken me on the most incredible journey of self discovery. It’s a gift I have held in my hands, and I hope, I will be able to turn and pass on to others.

I’ll probably disappear for months again now 😅 BUT I just wanted to put this down somewhere.

With love,

Rose x

23/09/2024

03/01/2024

These feels important as we enter January. The month that diet culture holds by the baubles.

19/12/2023

May the blessing of joy abide within you;
May the blessing of peace rest upon you;
May the blessing of love flow out through you.

Today is my last day of work for 2023. This year has been my quietest year in these squares (I know I’ve been rubbish at sharing), and the busiest year in my practice. It’s been a privilege to support my clients who continue to inspire and humble me every single day. So proud of each and everyone of you.

Hope I can organise myself enough to share in these squares a little more next year. I miss you guys! Maybe I’ll also buy a phone stand so you don’t keep getting selfies up my nose. 😅

Wishing you all a wonderful and peaceful Christmas. With pudding.

Rose x

12/11/2023

Do you know why I hate changing rooms?

It used to be the mirrors, the lighting, the feeling of being hot and bothered pulling clothes on and off and trying to retrieve the freaking hangers off the floor without inadvertently opening the curtain with my bum and flashing those waiting my unmatched un**es.

Now, now, it’s what I hear when I’m in them.

I was trying on dresses for my sister’s birthday party. I could hear two young girls next door. No more than 16/17 years old when they had entered the rooms behind me. Their college ID lanyards around their necks.
I quote…

“I like it but my b***s are too small. Gah I need a b**b job.”

“I hate my thighs.”

“Look at my stretch marks.”

Oh my heart. The woman in me. The mother in me. The broken girl I once was…they all wanted to shout “No! Stop! Don’t give them your power.” I wanted to turn them away from the starting line….they left before I had wrangled myself out of the itchy sequinned skirt I didn’t buy.

A piece of my heart went with them along with a regret…I wish I had shouted. 💔

02/11/2023

Can you help?

Lizzie is a trainee clinical psychologist completing her doctorate in clinical psychology at Canterbury Christ Church university. She is currently completing a research project involving parents/carers of young people with an eating disorder/eating difficulties. The project is looking at parent/carer responses to emotions, and involves completing an online questionnaire.

If you would be interested in contributing to this project you can contact lizzie at l.neely235@canterbury.co.uk