Introversion (A Poem by Rachel Anderson)
I don't really know the first thing about poetry, but sometimes prose feels too many words to convey what I feel. I've been reading some really beautiful articles about being introverted, however, when I came to try write my own today, I found I couldn't articulate my...
Take a Walk On The Quiet Side
At a recent business event I found myself sat next to a cheerful, friendly young woman - we were asked by the speaker at the event to share why we do what we do with the person next to us, so we had few minutes to chat. I won’t share her story, as it's not mine to...
Are There Always Reasons To Be Cheerful?
When things happen that are beyond our control, it’s easy to feel like a victim; angry, hurt, resentful. As I’ve often written in this blog, we can’t always control what happens to us, or other people. We do have the choice how to respond - but it’s not always easy....
Not Enough Hours In The Day?
If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you’ll know that I love Leo Babauta’s thinking and writing over at zenhabits.net; simplicity, mindfulness, self compassion, letting go and being more productive and creative are always core themes he writes eloquently about...
Less is More: Why You Need to Set a Limit on Yourself to Achieve Your Goals
It’s always interesting to me how I’ll hit ‘pockets’ of coach calls where very different clients are either bringing the same issue, or have made a similar breakthrough. And of course I’ll particularly notice it because the theme will be relevant to me as well! This...
Stop Trying So Hard
After a couple of physically and emotionally stressful weeks, following the death of my father-in-law, it was not a surprise that virtually the whole family, including me, has been ill during half term. Nothing serious, just heavy colds, coughs and running a...
When Failure Is a Success!
The first thing I ever remember failing at was my driving test. I’d always had academic success (although I did have to work for it) - I was one of those people who was above averagely good at everything, but exceptional at nothing. My parents were very supportive and...
Be Careful What You Wish For…
My last blog post was entitled ‘Stop the World!’ as I was feeling some overwhelm with all the things I was busy trying to do. I got my wish, but not in a good way; only 3 days after publishing that post my Father-in-Law died following some unexpected post-operative...
Stop the world! A rough guide to dealing with overwhelm
Ever get that feeling? Where you wish everything and everybody would just go away and leave you alone for a while? Or maybe that’s just me and how I’m feeling at the moment! I’ve got lots of really interesting, exciting, stimulating projects I want to get on with -...
The Price of Being a People Pleaser
When I was a little girl, my parents called me their 'sunshine girl' and told me how happy I made them. It made me happy to make them happy too. I worked hard to be a good girl and basked in their approval of my good behaviour. It made me sad if I inadvertently did...
Why Change Is Hard: Dealing with Discomfort Of The New You
I'm generally a very optimistic person, and quite adept at positively 'reframing' challenging situations in order to see what may be good, or hopeful in them. But I'd also like to think that I'm practical, pragmatic and realistic too – for all my positive spin,...
Endings and New Beginnings
I hope Christmas was all you hoped for, and that you've had some time for yourself amidst all the activities, preparations, excitement (and clearing up)? As we anticipate the New Year, it's often with a renewed sense of determination and resolve – "Right, this year I...