ESJ counselling

30/04/2026

28/04/2026

Have you ever stopped and asked yourself…

“Why am I trying so hard to control this?”

✨ The weather.
✨ Other people’s reactions.
✨ What might happen in the future.
✨ Things that are already outside of your control.

It’s not because you’re controlling by nature.

More often, it’s because your mind is trying to create safety for you.

When things feel uncertain or overwhelming, the brain often responds by trying to grip tighter, as if control will bring relief.

But here’s the hard part…

The more we try to control what we can’t,
the more exhausted and anxious we tend to feel. This is a protective response.

A gentle question to sit with today might be:

✨ “What is actually in my control right now?”
✨ “What am I carrying that I don’t need to carry?”

Sometimes, relief doesn’t come from controlling more, but from loosening your hold, just a little.

26/04/2026

Do you believe these statements about yourself?

You should, because they are all true.

24/04/2026

Have you ever noticed things feel harder to manage when you are tired?

When you’re low on energy, your brain has less capacity to manage emotions.

That means:
• You might feel more sensitive
• Small things feel bigger than usual
• It’s harder to regulate your reactions

Your mind and body are closely connected, so when your body is exhausted, your emotional resilience drops too.

This isn’t a weakness… it’s your system asking for care

Sometimes the most supportive thing you can do isn’t to “push through”… it’s to rest.

Be gentle with yourself this weekend

22/04/2026

Children don’t always have the words for how they feel… Sometimes their behaviour is their way of communicating

This behaviour might look like:
• Increased meltdowns or tantrums
• Becoming very quiet or withdrawn
• Clinginess or separation anxiety
• Changes in sleep (night waking, nightmares)
• Difficulty concentrating
• Anger or frustration over small things
• Avoiding school or activities

Behind the behaviour is often a feeling that needs understanding, not punishment

21/04/2026

Just a gentle reminder…

17/04/2026

✨ Just a gentle reminder that saying no is ok ✨

15/04/2026

Midweek check-in ✨

How are you feeling today?

Sometimes we move through the week on autopilot and forget to pause and notice what’s going on inside.

Take a moment to check in with yourself:
✨ What emotion is most present right now?
✨ Where can you feel it in your body?
✨ What might you need today?

Whether you’re feeling calm, overwhelmed, tired, hopeful, or somewhere in between — every feeling is valid.

If you’d like to share, drop an emoji in the comments that matches how today feels for you

13/04/2026

Our attachment style can shape how we connect with others…

The ways we learned to feel safe, loved, and responded to in early relationships can sometimes show up in our adult relationships too.

You might notice patterns such as:

• secure attachment – feeling able to trust, communicate, and be close with others

• anxious attachment – worrying about rejection, needing reassurance, or fearing abandonment

• avoidant attachment – finding closeness difficult, pulling away, or valuing independence strongly

• disorganised attachment – wanting closeness but also feeling afraid of it

These patterns are not labels or something “wrong” with you, they are often protective ways of relating that developed over time.

The hopeful part is that attachment patterns can be understood, explored, and gently reshaped through safe relationships and self-awareness

Do you recognise any of these patterns in yourself or your relationships?

10/04/2026

Sometimes behaviour is really communication

Children don’t always have the words to say, “I need to feel safe with you.”

Instead, attachment needs can show up as:
• clinginess
• difficulty separating
• big emotions at home after school
• needing constant reassurance
• pushing boundaries
• withdrawing or seeming distant

Often, these behaviours are not about being “naughty” instead they may be a child’s way of asking, “Am I safe? Are you still there for me?”

When children feel securely connected, they are better able to regulate emotions, build confidence, and cope with life’s challenges.

Have you noticed this after school or at bedtime?

08/04/2026

Is your child seeming more anxious lately?

Sometimes anxiety in children and young people doesn’t always look like “worry”.

It can show up as:
• tummy aches or headaches
• trouble sleeping
• avoiding school or certain situations
• clinginess or not wanting to be away from you
• irritability, anger, or meltdowns
• needing lots of reassurance
• racing thoughts or intrusive worries

Often, these behaviours are a sign that something feels overwhelming inside.

Therapy can offer a safe space for children and young people to explore their feelings, build coping tools, and feel understood.

I work with children, young people, and adults and have some availability.

If you’re wondering whether counselling might help, please feel free to get in touch for a friendly chat 💙

💬 WhatsApp: 07552356745
📧 letstalk@esjcounselling.co.uk
🌐 www.esjcounselling.co.uk

Professional counselling in Bridgwater for adults, children, and young people. Supporting anxiety, low mood, and other emotional challenges.

07/04/2026

A calm nervous system helps us feel safe enough to think clearly.

When anxiety rises, the thinking part of the brain can go offline.

This is why in moments of overwhelm, children and adults may struggle to:
• explain what they feel
• make decisions
• listen
• remember coping strategies

Sometimes the first step is not talking.
Sometimes it’s breathing, slowing down, and helping the body feel safe.

Try:
• slow breaths
• feet on the floor
• a warm drink
• a soft blanket
• naming 5 things you can see

Safety in the body can help calm the mind.