True Growth Counselling

28/04/2026

Not a local service but for anyone based in the UK, I can highly recommend them. They provide such a vital and valauble service to those in need.

28/04/2026

True Growth Counselling and Quinton Mundell Inc. recently had the privilege of hosting an Employee Wellness Program Activation Day. As a former ICU nurse I am passionate about supporting the wellness of staff in helping professions.

27/04/2026

27/04/2026

HOW TO COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY

People-pleasing often comes from a genuine desire to keep the peace and be liked — but it can come at the cost of your own needs, voice, and boundaries.

People often confuse assertiveness with aggression — but they’re fundamentally different.

When many hear the word “assertive,” they imagine someone being harsh, demanding, or self-serving. It’s understandable why that would be off-putting, but that description actually reflects aggressive communication, not assertive communication.

There are three primary communication styles:

🔹 Passive – Often linked to people-pleasing, this style involves holding back, avoiding conflict, and allowing others to take the lead — even when your own needs or ideas are important.

🔹 Aggressive – This style prioritizes one’s own needs at the expense of others. It may come across as forceful, dismissive, or disrespectful, and can include behaviors like interrupting, raising one’s voice, or disregarding personal boundaries.

🔹 Assertive – The balance between the two. Assertive communication is clear, direct, and respectful. It allows you to express your thoughts, feelings, and needs confidently, while still considering and respecting others.

Assertiveness is not about dominance — it’s about clarity, confidence, and mutual respect. It not only improves the likelihood of your needs being met, but also supports healthier, more constructive relationships.

26/04/2026

https://shorturl.at/K5iB2

Covert narcissism is a lesser-known expression of narcissism marked by hidden feelings of self-importance and hypersensitivity to criticism.

26/04/2026

https://www.citizen.co.za/rekord/news-headlines/2026/04/26/pretoria-north-childrens-home-overwhelmed/

A member of the home's staff says they would like to expand but cannot do so due to financial limitations. They are calling on community support to keep the home afloat.

26/04/2026

The pursuit of perfection is one of the most effective ways to sabotage real change.

Research on goal setting and behavior change consistently shows that rigid, all-or-nothing approaches lead to burnout, abandonment, and shame. Flexible, forgiving approaches lead to lasting success.

A 47-year study on physical activity found that consistency mattered more than intensity. A 2025 systematic review on plant-based eating found that the greatest health benefits came from sustained patterns, not perfect adherence.

In my practice, patients often quit when they have one "bad" day. They eat the cookie. They skip the workout. They miss the meditation. And then they think: "Well, I've failed. Might as well give up."

No. One cookie is not failure. One missed workout is not failure. Real failure is when you let one slip become a permanent stop.

Here's the mindset shift: you are not trying to be perfect. You are trying to be mostly good, most of the time, for the rest of your life.

That looks like: eating well most days. Moving most days. Sleeping well most nights. Being kind to yourself most of the time.

The goal isn't 100 percent. The goal is 80 percent, sustained for decades.

In my practice, I tell patients: drop the perfectionism. Pick up the persistence. One is a prison. The other is a superpower.

Progress isn't a straight line. It's a mostly-forward squiggle. And that's enough.

What's one area where you've been too hard on yourself?

25/04/2026

25/04/2026

Fact Friday 🤍

Trisomy 13 and Trisomy 18 are considered rare conditions, but for the families affected, their impact is anything but small.

At SOFT UK, we’re here to ensure no family feels alone, no matter how rare the diagnosis.

22/04/2026

Don’t forget this.

22/04/2026