Aligned Choices Mental Health and Well-being

14/08/2025

I’ve heard the phrase “You’re the only person who stays with you throughout your whole life” more times than I can count. But for a long while, it didn’t inspire me — it just made me anxious and sad. Because I didn’t like myself.

I was so low that the only thing I wanted to do after work was go straight home and lie in bed. I had no motivation to take care of myself. Spending an hour and a half in the kitchen just to eat a meal alone felt pointless. I didn’t want to go to the beach, wander in the forest, or book a holiday by myself — because what was the point if there was no one to share it with?

Even when I found a film I really wanted to watch, I’d save it for “one day” — for when I had someone special to watch it with. And while I waited for the perfect moment and the perfect company, years slipped by, and I’d done nothing.

Then that old sentence came back to me. And it clicked. I could spend the rest of my life waiting for others to give me what I needed. Or I could start giving it to myself.

For me, self-love is a strange mix of tenderness and self-discipline. Do I still want to flop into bed the moment I get home? Most of the time, yes. But I’ve also learned that “laziness” isn’t always a moral failing — sometimes it’s just biology doing its job, conserving energy.

That’s when I stopped chasing motivation and started working with my resistance.

Am I Wonder Woman? No. Have I run a marathon? Also no. But I’ve earned my master’s in psychology. I’ve travelled solo. I’ve gone self-employed and started doing what I love, and I get paid for it. I practice Yoga. I'm eating better. I’ve swapped chasing approval for finding peace. I’ve found joy in looking after myself. And now, even when I make my own lunches, I always slip in a little note — from me, to me.

Enjoy your lunch guys 🩷

14/05/2025

where's Wally? 😄

I’ve recently had the privilege of taking part in some brilliant trauma-informed approach training with the team at BeeKind. It’s been a powerful and eye-opening experience, helping me better understand how trauma shows up in people’s lives — and how compassion, awareness and connection can make all the difference.

I’m now really looking forward to the next step: joining the ✨Parent Train-the-Trainer✨ course. This will give me more in depth tools to deliver trauma-informed awareness sessions to parents and anyone interested in bringing this approach into their own lives and communities.

Trauma touches more people than we often realise — but with the right approach, healing and change are possible. I’m proud to be part of this journey.

15/04/2025

Had a great time delivering a wellbeing workshop for the fantastic team at Smart Choice Financial Services.

They explored a self-hypnosis technique that’s not only deeply relaxing but also a powerful tool for personal growth—grounded in neuroscience and backed by research.

Self-hypnosis works by reinforcing positive neurological pathways and can support:

✨️ Reducing stress and anxiety
✨️Improving focus and clarity
✨️Enhancing sleep quality
✨️Boosting confidence and motivation

Such a curious and engaged group—it was a pleasure to work with them!
If you're looking to support your team’s wellbeing in a meaningful and science-backed way, feel free to reach out.

18/03/2025

Looking after yourself isn’t selfish—it’s essential. Here’s why prioritising YOU is so important:

⭐️ You can’t pour from an empty cup – Taking care of your own needs means you’ll have more energy and love to give to others.

⭐️ Setting boundaries is self-respect – Saying no to things that drain you allows you to say yes to what truly matters.

⭐️ Your happiness matters – Doing things that bring you joy isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity for a balanced life.

⭐️ Rest is productive – Slowing down, recharging, and giving yourself time to breathe makes you stronger in the long run.

⭐️ Prioritising yourself isn’t selfish—it’s self-care. And you deserve it.

05/03/2025

POV:
You’ve spent so much time absorbing other people’s pain, but now you’re learning that feeling it doesn’t mean you have to fix it. You can care deeply without carrying the weight of the world. ✨

08/02/2025

What an absolute pleasure it is to deliver Self-Love workshops for Carrbridge Centre! 💗
I couldn’t have hoped for a more engaged and wonderful group of people.

✨Are you feeling stuck in patterns you don’t want but keep choosing?

✨Does a lack of self-confidence stop you from fully enjoying the adventure we call life?

✨Do you long for emotional balance and peaceful nights of sleep?

Then these workshops are for you! Join us—completely free—and let’s explore together how we can reshape our inner beliefs to serve us rather than work against us.

13/11/2024

24/08/2024

It all starts with mindset and inner beliefs. If you struggle to shift the narrative, ask yourself: which part of me is hesitant to explore this? Try to uncover the reasons why. It’s possible that this part of you struggled to trust and relax in the past due to various circumstances. But now is the time to heal, and healing begins by doing things differently.

15/08/2024

I think the most difficult part of the healing process was understanding that, despite not causing the damage, the victim has to clean up the mess. It feels incredibly unfair to be responsible for picking up the pieces and trying to glue them back together while the abuser lives their life “happily” * in the meantime.

However, the sooner we realise that no one else can heal us but ourselves, the better. That’s when we can truly start the journey to a different, more carefree life—one that doesn’t feel like a heavy weight.

Only you can heal those wounds. By all means, seek professional support and guidance, but remember that, in the end, it’s your journey, and you’re responsible for the path you choose.

* If someone is abusive, it’s never a sign of being happy with their life. Despite abusers' tremendous attempts to look tough and confident, they often feel small and miserable inside, and they compensate for these feelings through their abusive behaviour.