Wishing You Well

16/12/2025

Self-sabotage isn’t a flaw - it’s often a misunderstood attempt at protection. When we fear failure, rejection, or even success, we can find ourselves caught in a cycle:
- The spark of intention: we set a goal.
- The whisper of doubt: “What if I’m not enough?”
- The protective detour: procrastination, avoidance, or over-control.
- The sting of consequence: missed opportunities, guilt, or shame.
- The loop begins again…

But cycles can be broken. With gentle awareness, we can pause at the whisper of doubt and choose a kinder response. Self-sabotage is not the enemy - it’s a signal that part of us longs for safety. When we listen with compassion, we can rewrite the story.

If you notice this cycle in your own life, know you’re not alone. Counselling offers a safe space to explore these patterns and discover new ways forward.

See www.wishing-you-well.co.uk or https://www.bacp.co.uk/therapists/406729/sabrina-evans/ for more information.

13/12/2025

What do you stand for when no one’s watching? Values are the quiet truths we carry - the inner compass that guides how we show up in the world, how we relate to others, and how we care for ourselves.

One such value is Vulnerability - not as weakness, but as courageous truthfulness. It’s the choice to be open, authentic, and emotionally honest - even when there are no guarantees of safety or outcome.
- To say “I don’t know” without shame.
- To admit mistakes and soften the space between us.
- To express feelings without armour, and let yourself be seen.

Counselling offers a space where these values can be explored, reclaimed, and embodied. Not the ones imposed by others, but the ones that feel like home in your body. The ones that whisper: this is who I am, even when it’s hard. It offers a space where strength and softness can coexist, where you can begin to live in alignment with self-trust, self-worth, and emotional safety.

Whether you’re navigating anxiety, life transitions, or simply longing to feel more like yourself again - your values can be a lantern in the dark. And vulnerability? It’s often the first brave step toward healing.

See www.wishing-you-well.co.uk or https://www.bacp.co.uk/therapists/406729/sabrina-evans/ for more information.

09/12/2025

Imagine perfectionism as a mirror polished to gleaming clarity. It reflects back every detail - the lines, the flaws, the places where we feel we fall short. At first, the mirror seems helpful, urging us to refine, to improve, to strive for the best. But over time, the mirror can become demanding. Instead of showing possibility, it magnifies imperfection. We find ourselves chasing flawless reflections, forgetting that the beauty of a mirror lies not in its perfection, but in the way it catches light.

This metaphor reminds us that perfectionism is not the truth of who we are. We are not the polished surface, but the light that shines through.

Counselling offers a softening space - a place to step back from the mirror, to notice how much of what you see is shaped by old expectations or inner critics, and to begin gazing with kindness instead of judgement. It invites us to soften our gaze, to recognise that cracks and smudges do not erase worth, but reveal humanity. It provides a safe, non‑judgemental space where you can gently enquire: “How can I soften my gaze to see the light, not just the flaw?

See www.wishing-you-well.co.uk or https://www.bacp.co.uk/therapists/406729/sabrina-evans/ for more information.

06/12/2025

Fear doesn’t always shout. Sometimes it whispers through the armour we’ve learned to wear - quiet messages like “stay small,” “don’t trust,” “you’re too much,” or “not enough.”

This armour may have once protected you. It helped you survive, stay safe, feel in control. But over time, it can become heavy and restrictive. It can keep you from reaching, connecting, growing.

Counselling offers a space to notice the weight and gently loosen its straps. To ask: What am I protecting myself from? What might happen if I lay this down? What does safety look like now?

You don’t have to wait for a crisis to seek support. You’re allowed to want more ease, more clarity, more connection. You’re allowed to grow beyond the armour. Whether you’re navigating change, healing old wounds, or simply longing to feel more like yourself - counselling can be a companion on that journey.

See www.wishing-you-well.co.uk or https://www.bacp.co.uk/therapists/406729/sabrina-evans/ for more information.

03/12/2025

Reframing sensitivity as a strength: This thoughtful piece explores how being highly sensitive can be a powerful asset in both life and work — fostering empathy, creativity, and deeper connections.

Here are eight overlooked benefits to being a highly sensitive person.

02/12/2025

When The Season Isn't So Bright: Not everyone feels merry in December. For some, this season brings grief, overwhelm, or the quiet ache of loneliness. Even joyful moments can carry a bittersweet edge.

If this is you, you’re not alone - and you’re not doing it wrong:
- It’s okay to feel out of step with the season.
- It’s okay to set boundaries.
- It’s okay to rest instead of revel.
- It’s okay to honour what’s true for you.

You don’t need to be festive to be worthy of care. This month, I’ve written about the quieter side of Christmas - the tender, tangled emotions that often go unspoken. If you’re navigating a difficult December, I hope these words offer a little light.

Read the full article: https://wishing-you-well.co.uk/resources/f/when-the-season-isn%E2%80%99t-so-bright-navigating-difficult-feelings

A counsellor’s reflection on grief, expectation, and gentler ways to be

29/11/2025

In the theatre of life, scripts are written and roles are played. The playwright within us shapes the story - weaving themes, setting direction, imagining what could be. The actor within us steps onto the stage - embodying words, improvising in the moment, bringing the script to life. Yet sometimes, the lines we speak were written by others: family expectations, cultural norms or old wounds.

This metaphor reminds us that we are both author and performer of our lives. We can choose to edit the script, change the role, or step into a new act with courage.

Counselling offers a rehearsal space - a place to pause, notice the script, and decide whether to rewrite or improvise anew. It provides a safe, non-judgemental space where you can gently enquire: “Which parts of my story feel truly mine, and which scripts am I ready to rewrite?”

See www.wishing-you-well.co.uk or https://www.bacp.co.uk/therapists/406729/sabrina-evans/ for more information.

25/11/2025

Understanding Your Self-Esteem Landscape: Self-esteem isn’t fixed - it shifts depending on our experiences, relationships, and inner dialogue. Sometimes, self-doubt feels constant and heavy, colouring everything we do. Other times, it only whispers during challenges, and we can meet it with compassion and clarity.

This scale offers a gentle way to reflect:
- Where do you find yourself on this scale today?
- What situations tend to trigger your inner critic?
- What helps you reconnect with a kinder view of yourself?

In counselling, we explore these patterns together. We look at how self-esteem has been shaped, how it shows up in your life, and how to build a more spacious, affirming relationship with yourself - one that allows for imperfection, growth, and quiet confidence.

You don’t have to navigate this alone. Whether you’re feeling stuck in self-criticism or simply curious about your inner landscape, support is here.

See www.wishing-you-well.co.uk or https://www.bacp.co.uk/therapists/406729/sabrina-evans/ for more information.

24/11/2025

Being highly sensitive is a natural trait that shapes how you process emotions, relationships, and the world around you.

This insightful article explores the neuroscience behind sensitivity and why it can be both a challenge and a gift. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by noise, emotions, or stress, you might discover that your sensitivity is a strength, not a flaw.

As a counsellor, I often remind clients that sensitivity is not weakness - it’s awareness.

Nearly 1 in 3 people have a brain primed to make better decisions and discover innovative solutions.

22/11/2025

In the bustling harbour, grand ships towered with pride - sleek, polished, admired for their size. The little tugboat often went unnoticed, its frame small. Yet when storms rolled in or vessels lost their way, it was the tugboat that pulled them safely to shore. Its strength was not in stature, but in its quiet persistence, its ability to guide others through waters they could not navigate alone.

This metaphor reminds us that what seems small or ordinary may carry immense power to guide and protect.

Counselling provides a safe, non-judgemental space where you can gently enquire: “Where have I underestimated my quiet strength, and how has it carried me or others through?”. It can help increase self-awareness and gain strength into internal resources and strengths.

See www.wishing-you-well.co.uk or https://www.bacp.co.uk/therapists/406729/sabrina-evans/ for more information.

18/11/2025

In the In-Between:
Life doesn’t always move in straight lines. Sometimes we find ourselves in the in-between - no longer where we were, not yet where we’re going. These transitional spaces can feel tender, disorienting, even quietly powerful.

Whether you’re starting something new, letting go of something old, or simply sensing a shift within… you’re not alone.

Transitions can stir grief, hope, uncertainty, and growth - all at once.

You don’t need to have it all figured out. The pause is not a failure - it’s a becoming.

I’ve written about navigating life’s transitions with gentleness and curiosity. If you’re in an in-between season, I hope it meets you where you are.

Read the full piece: https://wishing-you-well.co.uk/resources/f/in-between-things-navigating-life%E2%80%99s-transitions

A counsellor’s reflection on change, uncertainty, and growth

16/11/2025

When life feels heavy, you don’t have to carry it alone: Grief that lingers in quiet moments... an unease that follows you through the day...a knot that tightens when the world feels too much...or the ache of feeling stuck or unseen.

You might be moving through change, navigating a life transition, healing old wounds, or simply feeling overwhelmed by the pace of it all. Counselling offers a space to breathe, feel, and reconnect - with yourself, your needs, and what matters most.

I offer grounded, professional support in Exeter and online. Together, we’ll explore what clarity, connection, and emotional steadiness might look like for you.

In our sessions, you’ll find space to:
• Speak freely, without judgment
• Understand patterns and reconnect with your inner strength
• Feel truly heard, valued, and supported

You are not too much. You are not too little. You are worthy of care.

See: www.wishing-you-well.co.uk or https://www.bacp.co.uk/therapists/406729/sabrina-evans/ for more information

Sabrina Evans is a MBACP Counsellor offering counselling therapy, hypnotherapy, reiki & support for Highly Sensitive Persons (HSP) in Exeter or online.