Choosing a gentler way
"Gentle" seems to be my chosen word just now, a little mantra to anchor me back to what's true. Maybe it's the mellowness of Autumn; maybe it's because I feel a little fragile as I transition to my 50's and adjust to my eldest leaving home. Perhaps it's because my...
Woken by the Wave
I was awoken by the wave, which dredged me up from the depths of my dreams and cast me gasping and thrashing on the shore of consciousness. Like a fever, the heat pulsed through my body as I threw off the covers, pleading with the remnants of sleep. Despite the...
People behave the way they do for a reason
She was furious. He'd let her down again and made her look a fool. He'd not even had the decency to drop her a text or email to let her know. So she dashed off an email, telling him in no uncertain terms what she thought of him. That'll show him. He felt overwhelmed -...
Whatever the Weather
Ahh, there was a change in the weather today, both outside and inside. I'm sensing the season shift to Autumn, which I warmly welcome. I relish the cosiness of the darkening evenings, the comforting colours and earthy scents. Autumn is a wonderful time to gently let...
What I Really Really Want
Like a good entrepreneur, I've been spending time working 'on' my business, not just 'in' my business over the last few weeks, watching webinars, reading books, mindmapping different business models, attending business retreats...and generally overwhelming my brain...
Freedom from The Tyranny of Duty
As a recovering pleaser, I've spent much of my life trying to be a 'good girl'. Conscientious, hardworking, respectful, putting the needs of others before myself. I've tried to do the right thing, step up and take responsibility, be dependent and reliable. And I like...
A Blast from the Past to Help Me Face Fear
Funny what we forget. I’ve been trawling through my old blog posts and articles recently as I’m in the process of rebranding and refocussing the work I do in Tea & Empathy. The blog’s been going nearly 3 years now, and with only a handful of exceptions (most due...
Letting Go of The Fantasy
Do you get frustrated that you haven't achieved what you wanted to achieve, that your fitness isn't what it should be, that your boss or partner doesn't treat you right, that you've made some bad choices in the past - in short, that you, other people and circumstances...
Self Respect – a Different Way to Overcome Procrastination?
I'm a talented and practised procrastinator. Through the years I've been through a whole spectrum of emotions and attitudes towards the fact I'm a procrastinator; self loathing, bemusement, resignation, curiosity, disappointment, anger, cheerful acceptance - generally...
Stand Sure, Grow Strong – How to Ease Yourself in to the New Year
There's so much hype and pressure surrounding the start of a New Year. These last few days I've been bombarded with messages about what I should be doing to make 2017 my 'best ever year in business', or to 'finally achieve my ideal body'. The implication implies a...
It’s The Simple Things…
My daughter’s laugh A crisp, clear morning The bright eyed robin who follows me round the garden The crown of an oak silhouetted against the sky Waves lapping on a shore My morning cup of tea Fresh linen and my own bed Curling up with a book by an open fire My...
Gentle Endings And A Sense Of Renewal
I’m lucky to only have happy associations with Christmas and love this time of family and togetherness. I’m not religious, but I am spiritual. Beyond the hubbub and hype of Christmas day, this time of year always feels very significant to me - especially this week...