Borders & Northumberland Counselling Support

06/06/2025

30/04/2025

Hope you like these lovely springtime pictures - doesn’t the natural world look glorious right now, and isn’t spring a time of hope and joy?

And then we have social media. It’s not my strong point and I have very mixed feelings about it, for many reasons. And to be honest, having to post regularly feels like a huge pressure and I’m not at all sure it’s in any way essential to my work, as people still find me and reach out when they’re looking for counselling support.

Which is why I haven’t posted anything for 32 days… and no, I haven’t been counting, but apparently Meta has 🙄

Anyhoo, these last few weeks I’ve been doing a lot of reflection about myself and, where I can, I’m trying to do less, to not feel guilt for being “unproductive” and to be really present in each moment, rather than being caught up in my (very busy) mind, which in turn drives me to do, and do, and do some more. And it is HARD, because I’m working to change long-standing habits and patterns of behaviour.

I’m possibly not going to post on here for another 30 days or more - or maybe I will. Who knows. What I’m not going to do is allow Meta (or any other corporate body) to make me feel like I’m failing because I’m not dancing to their tune.

Instead I’m continuing to practice being present and giving myself permission to do less - sometimes with success and sometimes not so much, but that’s ok, it’s all part of the process!

17/03/2025

I'm proud to be supporting Neurodiversity Celebration Week 2025! 🌟
This week is all about challenging misconceptions, breaking down barriers, and celebrating the incredible strengths and talents of neurodivergent individuals.
Whether you have friends or family who are neurodivergent, or you have a diagnosis, or you identify as neurodiverse, let's work together to create a more inclusive world that understands and champions neurodiversity in all its forms.

08/03/2025

Sharing these words from donnaashworthwords this
I wish all women, across the world, freedom to live their lives in peace, without fear or oppression. Sadly this is not yet the case, and in some ways we appear to be taking giant steps backwards. Let’s keep working together towards a better world for us all.

05/03/2025

Saw this little beautiful primrose when out walking this morning. Just sitting there in the middle of fallen leaves, the early spring grass beginning to grow around it. It looks so gentle and unassuming, yet determined and strong. I feel like the world needs more of those traits right now.

22/02/2025

SPACE. We all need space, don't we? Thinking space, headspace, personal space - whatever you like to call it, it's important to have a balance of time with others and space for ourselves.

I count myself very lucky to have access to lots of open space, be it countryside or coast, where I can de-stress and unwind (even when getting sandblasted, as was the case on the beach yesterday!)

Yet wherever we are, even in a busy place, it's possible to create some space, even for a moment or two, simply by quietly retreating into ourselves, stepping back from whatever is happening around us, breathing deeply and just being. And by doing so it's amazing how we can come back into the noise and chaos with a different perspective, feeling a little calmer and more able to cope with whatever is going on.

Give it a try this weekend and see how it feels. Make space for you - you deserve it.

03/02/2025

From today until next Sunday it's Children's Mental Health week, an awareness week launched by back in 2015. This year the theme is "know yourself, grow yourself" and encourages children, young people and adults to embrace self-awareness and explore what it means to them. By becoming more self-aware we are able to understand ourselves better, which in turn supports personal growth and strengthens our resilience.

With the challenges that exist in the world, it seems more important than ever for children and young people to develop the tools to cope with whatever life throws at them. It's essential that children know it is okay to feel what they feel, that emotions move and change, and that all emotions are valid. As adults we can help our children to understand this by encouraging them to talk with us about how they feel, and by understanding and expressing our own emotions in healthy ways.

01/02/2025

Today is Imbolc (also known as St Brigid's Day) which marks the midpoint - more or less! - between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. It's an ancient Celtic festival celebrating the first stirrings of spring. As the days grow longer and we can see the Earth awakening, Imbolc is about welcoming the return of life, light and warmth. It's a good time for clearing away the old, making space for new beginnings, and holding hope for brighter days. And it looks like the hellebore in my garden, in full bloom, symbolises all of these things.

Happy Imbolc!

28/01/2025

A little bit of brightness on a damp, dismal day

20/01/2025

You’ve probably heard that today is “Blue Monday”, which I feel is an altogether depressing idea – and which was apparently introduced as a marketing tool to enable companies to sell more holidays! In any case, if you’re experiencing low mood or depression this is not generally linked to just one day in mid-January.
Luckily for all of us, though, The Samaritans have flipped this concept on its head by naming 20th January “Brew Monday” and ask us to reach out for a cuppa and a catch up with people we care about. It’s a lovely way to check in with others and a reminder that, whatever day of the week it is, stopping for a cuppa, a biscuit or two and a good old chat is always a good thing, for your own mental wellbeing and that of those around you.

17/01/2025

11/01/2025

Eleven days into 2025 already… having an extended break was just what I needed but getting back into a normal routine at the beginning of the week has been hard, I have to admit! Who knew mornings are still so dark?!

The concept of a new year feels strange when we’re still in the depths of winter, and yet there’s an expectation that once we hit January we’ll spring into action, making promises to live better, work harder, do more… such a ridiculous pressure!

I’m more inclined to align with nature and so this month, although back to ‘normal’ day to day life, I will continue to hunker down when I can, slowly unfurling as we move towards lighter, warmer days.

How are you going to look after your mental and physical health during this second stage of winter?