Chapman Counselling

20/02/2026

Anyone else been getting into the Winter Olympics?
I never have before, but this year I’ve somehow become completely invested in the curling! 🥌 Never have I ever been interested in curling… until now!

Bruce and the boys are onto the gold medal match on Saturday, so that’s my weekend excitement sorted 🤣
And what about local lass Kirsty Muir? She was amazing 🤩

Anyway, I was thinking about the skills these athletes have. What really sat with me is how calm and regulated they look in those high-pressure moments.

Everyone watching.
Split-second decisions.
One tiny move making all the difference when the stakes are high.
And it made me think about how we have our own versions of that.

Most of us aren’t sliding stones across Olympic ice with Great Britain’s national curling team… but we do face high-pressure moments:

Difficult conversations
Job interviews
Family conflict
Presentations
Waiting for important news
Parenting in the middle of a meltdown
Setting a boundary for the first time

Our nervous systems don’t always know the difference between a gold medal match and a hard conversation. The pressure feels real either way.

Staying regulated isn’t about being super chilled or never feeling anxious. It’s about being able to notice what’s happening inside and still choose how we respond.

That’s not something we’re just born knowing how to do.
It’s something we learn. (Slowly and often imperfectly, in my experience! 😂)

Anyway, I’ll be cheering on the curling this weekend 🥌
And quietly admiring the emotional strength as much as the physical.
Photo: Team GB via British Curling
(C’mon the boys!)

09/02/2026

I’ve had a lovely weekend in Ireland celebrating a wedding with great friends and came home with my heart full. It was such a reminder of how important connection is.❤️

That said… we did have a bit of a calamity and managed to get locked out of our apartment at 3am 🤣 Freezing, sore feet and desperately needing sleep, my resilience was definitely running low in that moment! 😬 It took a lot of effort on my part not to just stand and greet on the street 🤣

It all turned out grand in the end, as these things often do, but it was definitely testing at the time! 😬

It wasn’t even our fault. The door had an electronic keypad system that just decided it was no longer going to work. I remember thinking, “this could only happen to us!”

I’ve been reflecting on it since. Maybe life just doesn’t always cooperate, no matter how organised or capable we are.

These are often the kinds of moments people bring to counselling, when life throws things our way and coping feels harder than usual. There doesn’t need to be a huge crisis in order to have space for yourself.

Anyway- I’m home to the constant rain! I didn’t have a suitable pic from the weekend for facey but I did take a snap of the rare sight of blue sky yesterday! Brighter days are ahead.

Be kind to yourself this week.

05/02/2026

Well done team! Great commitment!

U12 girls were back in action tonight with a friendly against Insch ahead of the season starting next weekend ⚽️

The weather tried its best to stop us, but there’s no such thing as bad weather when you want to play football ❄️❄️❄️ Our waterproof jackets came in very handy tonight, thank you to our sponsor Chapman Counselling

Brilliant to see the girls back out enjoying their football. Best of luck to Insch for the season — see you again in the league!

Big shout out to all the players and the parents who stayed to watch!! 🥶

02/02/2026

I didn’t have any New Year’s resolutions, but here we are in February! I’d say “already”… but it’s also felt like the longest month ever 🤣

Saying that, as my birthday’s in January, I tend to keep the festive feeling going all the way through to February (more like a birthday month festival. I recommend it! Especially for the Jan birthdayers!)

Anyway, I got a Kindle recently and I’ve been enjoying reconnecting with reading again. I’m noticing how much it helps me slow down and relax. I’ve just finished book 6 of 2026… let’s see how long this reading phase lasts!

All of this has had me reflecting on how we won’t always be the hero in someone else’s story. Sometimes, despite our best intentions and genuine effort, we’re cast as the villain!

That can stir up self-doubt, insecurity, and a lot of inner criticism. We were never meant to be perfect versions of ourselves, and we don’t have to be.

Sometimes growth looks like accepting that we won’t be understood by everyone, and choosing to live honestly anyway!

And sometimes, having a space to explore that safely and without judgement really matters.
Drop me a message if you want a bit of space for yourself.

Pic: here’s what I have read so far. Please feel welcome to give me any recommendations too! (I really enjoyed ‘The Names’ - also enjoying the Tim Sullivan ones and away to start the next one)

27/01/2026

Look at our bonny new sign at Number 15! Do check out my lovely neighbours! Chez's nailz Re:treat Aberdeenshire Laura Leslie Natural Health Getting the Balance Right Reiki & Crystal Therapy with Fiona Bonner Lasered by Leanne Natal Balance

23/01/2026

It’s dark when we’re getting up, it’s the 89th of January, it’s constant rain and blowing a hooley…
Anyone else a bit done with January?
Not that I’m wishing time away, of course, but a lot of people are saying they feel pretty scunnered just now.
I’ve heard many people talking about feeling flat, unmotivated, and emotionally tired.
If that resonates, you’re not alone and there’s nothing wrong with you.
Sometimes it’s just been a lot, for a long time!
Pic: Today I’m at Aberdeen uni, It’s bonny but very dreich!

08/01/2026

Just checking in! How are things going for you?
Like many of us here in Aberdeenshire, we’ve been snowed in, and it’s been a challenging start to the year.
I managed to leave the house today for the first time since New Year (other than shovelling snow on the street!), and it felt so good to be outdoors. I’m often surprised by how much fresh air and open space help me feel calmer and more grounded. The blue skies also brought a sense of hope that brighter days are ahead!
I’m really looking forward to seeing clients face to face again soon. In the meantime, having the option to connect online has been invaluable, and it’s been lovely to see you all in that way.
I hope things are beginning to turn around weather-wise, and that everyone is staying safe and well. 🤍

06/01/2026

How’s everyone doing in this wild weather? ❄️
I really hope you’re all OK and managing to keep safe.
Weather like this can be incredibly disruptive and stressful, especially for those who still need to get out on the roads for work, medical appointments, or caring responsibilities. I hope you’re managing as well as possible.

It can be tricky for our youngsters too. A snow day might be fun for a day or two, but when it goes on longer it can bring its own worries. Prelims on the horizon, missing routines, and not seeing friends can all mount up and make things feel quite intense. (Certainly in my house anyway! And apparently keeping enough supplies in - and rationing toilet roll 😆 – is also a big concern!)

I haven’t yet been back to the office (the joys of living in the sticks!) but it’s been really good connecting online with clients this week. If you’re booked in, please don’t worry if you need to reschedule or switch to an online session. This is an out-of-the-ordinary situation, and everyone’s safety comes first.

Take care of yourselves just now.

(Pics: me next to the snow after the street snow shovelling fun, Ru running round the poodle path I had to make in the garden and big Doug after he shook most of the snow out all over the kitchen.)

31/12/2025

A wee end-of-year ramble…
Are you a bide up for the bells person, or a go to your bed and forget about it kind of person?

I hope you’re doing OK just now, and if you’re not having to work, that your Hogmanay is what you want it to be. I’ll be biding up, mostly because I suspect I’ll be on teenager taxi duty tonight 🚕😆

This time of year can stir up all sorts of things. Folk start talking about fresh starts, big plans, getting “back” to routines, and eating “normal” meals again (as opposed to chocolate and cheese… drastic, I know!)

I often get quite reflective at Hogmanay. It can bring a feeling of leaving people I’ve lost behind in another year. Like the calendar turning somehow creates more distance between us. I know that’s not logical, but feelings rarely are. For many people, feelings of loss can feel especially close to the surface just now.

At the same time, my mind starts drifting ahead. Changes in routines, things I should plan for, things I’d rather not think about yet (tax returns 😩🤦‍♀️😆).

For some, worries come bubbling up at this time of year too. Health, work, family, friendships. Often about things we don’t have much control over.

So this is really just a wee end-of-year check-in. Maybe some of this ramble resonates! 😆

If your inner world feels busy, heavy, conflicted, or emotional right now, you’re not doing this time of year wrong.

It’s OK if you don’t want to see the bells in.
It’s OK if you don’t have big plans.
There’s no need to feel grateful, positive, or “ready” for a new year.
Sometimes noticing, and getting through, is more than enough.

And whatever might be ahead in 2026, you don’t need to walk through it on your own. Maybe this could be the year you allow yourself some support, and don’t carry it all by yourself 💛

(Pic of Ruairidh enjoying his walk in the woodies, I suspect he will be looking forward to more of the same in 2026!)

20/12/2025

Just a wee note before I take a little break to say thank you to the fab folk I work with. I really appreciate the trust, effort and honesty you bring. It means a lot to me, and I’ve genuinely enjoyed getting to know you over this year.
I’ll be off for a short while and back at number 15 from 5th January. I’ll still reply to any enquiries while I’m away, but I might take a minute longer than usual amongst the festive chaos. 🎄
This time of year can be tough for lots of reasons, so I hope you can be kind to yourselves.
It’s OK if things don’t go to plan or if you’re feeling totally unfestive. (I’m out wearing my elf hat while visiting graveyards to put wreaths down, so if that doesn’t bring festive cheer I don’t know what will 🤣🫣)
Take good care 💕💕

09/12/2025

So, somebody recently asked me how I was and I replied that I was “hanging on by a thread.” 🧵 Partly said in jest (oh how we laughed 😬the old dark-humour coping mechanism clearly thought this was its moment to shine! 🤣).

But actually, it made me pause and check in with myself, and it confirmed my decision to take a couple of weeks’ break over the festive period.

I’ve updated my Counselling Directory profile to “waiting list only”, but I’ll still be seeing clients until next Friday, and I’ll be back in the counselling room at Number 15 from the 5th of January.

Over the past few weeks my practice has filled up in that very natural, slightly chaotic end-of-year way. New clients arriving, existing clients juggling Christmas commitments, diary gymnastics and me hoping I can still fit everyone in!

And as much as I want to take everyone on all the time, I’m probably at capacity right now. I say probably because, if I can squeeze someone in, I usually try, and I don’t mind doing a bit of diary juggling! (December has been full of swaps, changes and general festive chaos for many of us, me included!)

But even with those wee gaps in the diary, I know I’m at my limit for now. Emotionally, mentally and physically, I’m holding what I can hold at the moment. I often hope my clients learn to recognise their limits and boundaries with compassion and kindness. So I’m reminding myself to do that too.

So this is me practising that. I need to press pause before I overstretch. Making space to look after myself so I can continue to offer the grounded, present support my wonderful clients deserve!

And probably I need to have a bit of time to run and move as I’ve been a bit sedentary lately! (You know I like to moan about running, well, I also like to moan about not running!)

So a festive break is definitely needed!

If you’d like to go on the waiting list, or book for January, feel free to contact me through my website or ping me a message and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.

And if you’re reading this and noticing something similar in yourself, consider this a gentle nudge: it’s OK to step back before you reach your limits.
You’re doing enough.
And you matter. 💙

Pic of Rhuairidh the Poodle resting! He is very wise!

07/12/2025

Not feeling festive? That’s OK. You don’t need to be. There can be a lot of pressure at this time of year to feel excited and full of cheer.

Sometimes our feelings just don’t line up with all the festive expectations around us. Sometimes those expectations even come from ourselves, wanting the “perfect” Christmas, doing all the fun activities, finding the perfect gifts… or remembering to move the elf yet again.

The elf has outgrown our home now, and I have to say we weren’t too sad to say cheerio to the wee troublemaker. I remember those evenings of suddenly sitting up in bed thinking, oh no… the elf! (That’s actually far more polite than what we often thought, but you get the idea!🤣) It became a nightly scramble we never quite planned for!

The pace of life ramps up for many people in December, and it can feel unsustainable, like you’re constantly trying to meet expectations you never quite reach.

You might be feeling worn out, a bit low, disconnected or simply not in the Christmas mood. You might be carrying the weight of the loss of a loved one, and it is hard to get up and keep going.

Life keeps happening, even in December, and it’s normal if you’re not feeling how you think you “should.” You are allowed to slow the pace and just be where you are.

A few things to keep in mind:
🎄Your feelings are valid.
🎄You don’t need to force anything.
🎄It’s OK to take a step back and pause
🎄You’re not the only one feeling this way.

Take good care of yourself and take it easy where you can if you are feeling that pressure building up.