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Monday 9am - 5pm Tuesday 9am - 5pm Wednesday 9am - 5pm Thursday 9am - 5pm Friday 9am - 5pm

COLE Counselling

"You don't have to see the whole staircase, just to take the first step" - Martin Luther King

Bury St Edmunds based Psychotherapist and Counsellor

27/12/2025

A pause from social media until the New Year
As this year gently draws to a close, I’m choosing to step back from social media for a while.

Not because anything is wrong.
Not because I’m overwhelmed.
But because rest, reflection, and presence matter.

Social media can be a place of connection, learning, and shared experience — and I’m grateful for that. But it can also keep us constantly switched on. Always observing, responding, absorbing. Sometimes, without realising it, we forget to pause and check in with ourselves.

This time of year invites something different.

A slower pace.
Quieter moments.
Time away from comparison, noise, and expectation.

Stepping back is an act of care.
It’s about choosing space — to be with family, to rest, to reflect on the year that’s been, and to gently prepare for the one ahead.

If you’re also feeling the pull to disconnect, even briefly, I want to reassure you:
You don’t need permission to rest.
You don’t need a reason to pause.
You don’t need to explain choosing yourself.

So for the remainder of this year, I’ll be taking time offline.
I’ll be back in the New Year — refreshed, grounded, and ready to continue showing up with intention.

Until then, may you find moments of stillness, warmth, and connection in whatever ways feel right for you.

See you next year 🤍

25/12/2025

Merry Christmas 🤍

However today looks for you — loud or quiet, full or gentle —
I hope there are moments of warmth, connection, and ease.

If today feels joyful, hold it close.
If it feels heavy, you’re not alone.
There is no right way to do Christmas.

May you be kind to yourself,
soft with your expectations,
and reminded that you are enough — just as you are.

Sending love and light today 🤍✨

24/12/2025

Christmas Eve 🤍
For some, tonight feels magical.
For others, it feels heavy, quiet, or full of memories.
However this evening lands for you — it’s okay.
You don’t need to perform joy.
You don’t need to feel grateful on cue.

Pause. Breathe.
Notice what you need, not what’s expected.

May tonight bring you moments of softness,
rest where possible,
and the reminder that you’re allowed to feel exactly as you do 🤍

22/12/2025

Sometimes we don’t feel sad.
We don’t feel happy.
We just feel… distant.

Numb. Frozen. Shut down.

And that can be confusing —
especially when everyone else seems full of emotion.

But emotional coldness is often the nervous system protecting us.
It’s not failure.
It’s not avoidance.
It’s survival.

Warmth returns slowly.
Through safety. Through patience. Through being met with care.

You don’t have to force yourself to feel.
Just noticing where you are is enough for today 🤍

20/12/2025

The beauty of a Christmas tree 🎄

It stands quietly, holding light in the darkest season.
Not perfect. Not rushed. Just enough.

Some branches feel full, others a little bare —
and yet it’s still worthy of being seen.

If this season feels heavy, please remember:
you don’t have to sparkle everywhere.
A soft glow is more than enough.

Be gentle with yourself this Christmas 🤍

18/12/2025

Sometimes it all feels too much.
The to-do lists.
The expectations.
The noise.
The pressure to keep it all together.

If you’re overwhelmed today…
take one small breath.
One tiny pause.
One moment that belongs only to you.

You don’t have to be strong every second.
You don’t have to carry everything at once.
You are allowed to slow down.
You are allowed to rest.
You are allowed to ask for help. 💛

Overwhelmed doesn’t mean you’re failing.
It means you’re human.

16/12/2025

✨ You always have a choice ✨

To rest instead of rush.
To say “no” instead of forcing a “yes.”
To protect your peace instead of pleasing others.
To choose what you need, not what others expect.

Your mental health matters —
and your choices are allowed to reflect that. 💛

14/12/2025

Some days feel like standing on a stage
you never auditioned for.

Spotlight on.
Eyes watching.
Judgement waiting.

But you don’t have to perform to be worthy.
You don’t have to smile to be accepted.
You don’t have to be perfect to belong.

Step back.
Breathe.
Your value isn’t measured by applause. 💛

12/12/2025

Recipe for Making People Feel Loved

Serves: As many hearts as you can hold

Ingredients:
• 1 generous cup of listening
• 2 heaped tablespoons of time
• A sprinkle of kindness, daily
• 3 hugs (minimum)
• Honest words, spoken gently
• Warm eye contact to taste
• Optional: laughter, shared silence, comfort snacks

Method:

Start by showing up — consistently.

Fold in patience, especially on the tough days.

Stir in encouragement whenever doubt rises.

Let them know their feelings are welcome at your table.

Serve with softness, again and again.

Chef’s Note:
The secret ingredient is always love without conditions. 💛✨

10/12/2025

🚦 Red Light, Green Light 🚦
Everyone sees when we hit a “green light” moment — achieving, smiling, smashing goals.
But the red lights?
Those nights we shut the world out… the times we freeze… the moments we’re overwhelmed.

Both lights are part of the same game.
If you’re on red right now — you’re still in the game.
Your green light is coming. 💚

08/12/2025

🎯 Aiming doesn’t always mean hitting the target.

We talk so much about goals, success and results… that we forget the courage it takes just to aim in the first place.

Some days you’ll land exactly where you hoped.
Other days the arrow falls short… or flies in the complete wrong direction.
But both are part of moving forward.

✨ Progress is choosing a direction
✨ Progress is trying again when yesterday didn’t go to plan
✨ Progress is allowing yourself to dream, even when doubt gets loud

You don’t need to hit the bullseye to be proud of yourself.
Every attempt is growth.
Every effort says “I still believe in me.”

So keep aiming — even if the target feels far away right now.
Showing up for your life is already a win. 🤍

06/12/2025

🎄 Remembering Christmas is different for everyone…

For some, this season is full of excitement — lights, laughter, family and tradition.
For others, it brings pressure, loneliness, grief or memories that feel heavy to carry.

There’s no “right” way to feel at Christmas.

✨ Some people are counting down the days with joy
✨ Some are just trying to make it through
✨ Some are missing someone who should still be here
✨ Some are overwhelmed by expectations
✨ Some are creating new traditions to feel safe again

So this year, let’s hold space for all experiences.
Let’s show kindness without assumptions.
Let’s check in with those who fall quiet.
Let’s remember that behind every Christmas jumper or smile… is a human doing their best.

If this season feels difficult — you’re not failing.
You’re not alone.
And you deserve care, in whatever way feels right for you. 🤍

Address

The Vision Centre, 5 Eastern Way
Bury St. Edmunds
IP327AB

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Website

https://www.colecounselling.co.uk/

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