The Ecotherapist

14/01/2025

A beautiful sky this morning after my morning swim. I love the reflections in the water 💚💚

13/01/2025

I am enjoying my new Monday routine. I make a conscious effort to not use my phone, listen to a book, etc. However, this morning as I reached a beautiful spot to watch the sunrise and soak up the suns energy ready for the day ahead. The red was too beautiful not to share with you all.

07/01/2025

2024 was an interesting year for so many reasons and towards the end I shifted my energy and focus as I learnt about the full effects of a burn out. In November, I reduced my working days to 2 (Wednesday and Thursday)and this is where it will be for the foreseeable future. I have allocated time in Monday's for admin 🫣. Bearing this in mind I have increased my rates to reflect the work of my practice.

I will be continuing to implement my new way of life which includes solitary walks. How many of us do things for ourselves but can be constantly surrounded by other people or listen to music etc? Do you just spend time on your own with no interruption or focus on natures sound?
I had realised that in this busy world I lost the art of silence. I wonder how many of us can relate to this - filling the space with sound, phone scrolling etc.

What are you taking from 2024 and leaving there and what are bringing with you for 2025?

21/12/2024

Over the past 3 years working in nature, I have become attune to natures cycles. I have found my energy reflects this and understands when I need inner peace and when I need to slow. As a nation, we ignore these natural cycles and push through as there is a general consensus that we have to keep going and ignore boundaries for our own energy and well-being.

I have been reflecting over the past few months and have found I have shifted in my practice and creating more time for myself and my energy. It may be seen as a selfish act, but if we all run on empty, we are not providing our loved ones (family and friends) or ourselves with the care we deserve. What will you take forward from this year as we begin to emerge into the lighter days?

I finished my work for Christmas and New Year during the week and will be returning back to my clients on January 8th (the longest time I have taken off in a while).

I wish you all a very restful Christmas and New Year, and I hope you get to spend some time in nature (I know I will be). Thank you all for your continued support.

Lots of love and compassion 💚💚💚

21/11/2024

First day of wearing the hat.. it will now be permanently glued on my head until March at least 🤣🤣🤣.

This is a gentle reminder that there is brightness in the darkness. It is a reminder to slow down and listen to all the fibres in your body!

I slow down and hibernate at this time of the year and have noticed the shift of the seasons. This is my 3rd autumn/winter working outdoors full time, and my body is aligning with the seasons.

Do you find you slow down and this time of the year? Do you find it easy to listen to your body when it would like to slow?

10/10/2024

I couldn't put this any better myself 💚💚💚

On World Mental Health day I choose to celebrate stepping away from a mental health diagnosis 🥳

In a time of world crisis it can feel like we’re more familiar with our ‘mental health’ than in times gone by.

Due to the stresses and trauma we experience on a day to day basis it can feel like that’s all you are.

Well you’re not.

With an epic rise in mental health labelling and self diagnosis it would seem everyone loves to use their mental health as a way to define their identity.

As someone who has had labels I understand why so many people seek out a diagnosis in order to feel ‘better’ but I also know it’s not the answer.

Mental health issues are the result of unresolved trauma, unprocessed emotion, and chronic stress - all possible to heal.

In my opinion labelling yourself keeps you stuck in limitation it’s not who you truly are, rather a sum of your experiences.

I know the relief a label can bring when you’re so desperate to understand why you feel the way you do and behave the way you have, but…

You get bound by that label.

To doctors, family, and friends, that label becomes who you are.

The label becomes a co-dependant relationship.

Before long, you don’t know who you are beyond the illness or label.

HOWEVER,

It’s possible to use this knowledge as a way to help yourself.

And ask yourself WHY.

Why did these things happen to me?

What’s the reason for this label?

When you begin to question beyond the “it’s a chemical imbalance” you start to discover who you really are.

So for me, mental ill health, trauma, and stress is a gift to discover who you really are, beyond the label. The suffering. The trauma. The desperation. The separation.

This is where life gets real.

So I’m hoping that today can mark something else for those who find themselves struggling with mental health problems…

Let it be an invitation to start a self discovery journey that enables you to become your truest self, the being you are beyond any label, diagnosis, trauma, mental health problem, or pill.

This is not the easier path but it’s by far the most rewarding.

Enjoy today, whatever it means for you.

22/08/2024

22/08/2024

Very true 💚

We put ourselves into fight or flight when we believe everything requires an immediate response or reaction. Disconnect. Spend time doing nothing but BEING— we are human beings, let’s not forget. Our health is deeply impacted by urgency culture. Boundaries take our health back

20/08/2024

If you can spare a few moments to complete our survey, it will help us adapt our lottery proposal to align even more closely with our community members' wishes.

Thank you to everyone who has expressed support so far. It's heartwarming to know that what we are proposing has the backing of so many people.

Here is the link to our online survey: https://forms.office.com/e/HaVKmw6GYX

26/06/2024

I spent my lunchtime in the woods today, taking in the sound of the birds and reconnecting with earth! Forest bathing is certainly something I do not do enough! I spent the time listening, feeling, breathing, and slowing down. This time of the year is incredibly busy, and we all need to take that moment to appreciate our surroundings and our ourselves 💚💚

23/05/2024

I have had the pleasure of spending my day on the Ley with Singing Paddles and Forest and Beach with the year 6 children for their residential. Such a beautiful day!

21/05/2024

This week, I have the pleasure of working a full residential. It is great to alternate my time between ecotherapy sessions and encouraging children to be amazing in the woods and consistently learning new life skills. Here's to a week of exploring in multiple locations 💚💚

12/05/2024

This weekend was about slowing down and being away from the daily routine. We spent the weekend cooking on fire and using a kelly kettle to boil the water for our hot drinks. In daily life we expect instantaneous results and even with cooking, we use appliances that speed up the process. Taking a step back using fire meant it naturally slows everything down and brings appreciation to be able to do this. Nature constantly shows us what we need and how to be mindful of the habitats that are created. It was an added bonus to witness the Aurora Borealis. Nature and our atmosphere is spectacular 💚

#

21/04/2024

I am currently reading Katherine May's book Enchantment and found this resonated with me. Humility has been a focus recently and is constantly showing that it's a part of who we are. It plays a role in every aspect of our lives. Being open to an experience every single day is possible.... and yes, it is easier said than done...💚💚

17/04/2024

Bluebells dancing in the sunshine 🌞 💚

19/03/2024

For a long time I wore the patch of people pleaser. I told the story that I “hated letting people down” and “wanted to make people happy” but the reality is it was about me.

I wanted to make people happy SO I DIDN’T FEEL GUILTY.

I don’t want to say no SO I DON’T FEEL AWFUL AFTERWARDS.

I want to be there because if I’m not I’LL HAVE PEOPLE TALKING NEGATIVELY ABOUT ME.

At the end of the day people pleasing is about ourselves.

And not wanting to feel uncomfortable emotions.

In working with people there’s always a “ah ha” moment when someone understands that they’re not really pleasing— they’re controlling. They’re trying to control how someone perceives them. And how they feel.

Once you understand this, you can start breaking the pattern.

The truth is: adults are capable of being disappointed. And you aren’t here to please everyone around you. You’re here to be authentically yourself. That’s how you have resentment- free relationships

06/03/2024

When a rare opportunity allows you to have lunch at home between clients, it's time for self care and vitamin D 💚