COLE Counselling

12/12/2025

Recipe for Making People Feel Loved

Serves: As many hearts as you can hold

Ingredients:
• 1 generous cup of listening
• 2 heaped tablespoons of time
• A sprinkle of kindness, daily
• 3 hugs (minimum)
• Honest words, spoken gently
• Warm eye contact to taste
• Optional: laughter, shared silence, comfort snacks

Method:

Start by showing up — consistently.

Fold in patience, especially on the tough days.

Stir in encouragement whenever doubt rises.

Let them know their feelings are welcome at your table.

Serve with softness, again and again.

Chef’s Note:
The secret ingredient is always love without conditions. 💛✨

10/12/2025

🚦 Red Light, Green Light 🚦
Everyone sees when we hit a “green light” moment — achieving, smiling, smashing goals.
But the red lights?
Those nights we shut the world out… the times we freeze… the moments we’re overwhelmed.

Both lights are part of the same game.
If you’re on red right now — you’re still in the game.
Your green light is coming. 💚

08/12/2025

🎯 Aiming doesn’t always mean hitting the target.

We talk so much about goals, success and results… that we forget the courage it takes just to aim in the first place.

Some days you’ll land exactly where you hoped.
Other days the arrow falls short… or flies in the complete wrong direction.
But both are part of moving forward.

✨ Progress is choosing a direction
✨ Progress is trying again when yesterday didn’t go to plan
✨ Progress is allowing yourself to dream, even when doubt gets loud

You don’t need to hit the bullseye to be proud of yourself.
Every attempt is growth.
Every effort says “I still believe in me.”

So keep aiming — even if the target feels far away right now.
Showing up for your life is already a win. 🤍

06/12/2025

🎄 Remembering Christmas is different for everyone…

For some, this season is full of excitement — lights, laughter, family and tradition.
For others, it brings pressure, loneliness, grief or memories that feel heavy to carry.

There’s no “right” way to feel at Christmas.

✨ Some people are counting down the days with joy
✨ Some are just trying to make it through
✨ Some are missing someone who should still be here
✨ Some are overwhelmed by expectations
✨ Some are creating new traditions to feel safe again

So this year, let’s hold space for all experiences.
Let’s show kindness without assumptions.
Let’s check in with those who fall quiet.
Let’s remember that behind every Christmas jumper or smile… is a human doing their best.

If this season feels difficult — you’re not failing.
You’re not alone.
And you deserve care, in whatever way feels right for you. 🤍

04/12/2025

Ever feel like life is just one big balancing act? 🎭

Trying to keep everything steady — work, family, friendships, self-care — but at times it feels like one wrong move could make it all come crashing down.

The truth is… balance isn’t about perfection.
It’s about adjusting, wobbling, pausing, and sometimes letting something go before you fall.

If today feels unsteady, you’re not failing —
you’re human. 🖤

Take a breath.
Re-centre yourself.
And remember — you don’t have to carry everything at once.

One step. One moment. One small shift at a time.
That’s still progress. ✨

02/12/2025

Loving life doesn’t mean everything is perfect —
it means noticing the moments that make you feel alive.
Fresh air. Open skies. Quiet paths.
The outdoors has a way of reminding us that we can breathe…
and that healing doesn’t always happen inside four walls. 💛

01/12/2025

🎄 The pressure is real… even when it’s festive.

Elf on the Shelf…
Christmas crafts…
Perfect presents…
Matching pyjamas…
Magical memories…
— the list never ends.

Somewhere along the way, the fun traditions we chose turned into expectations we feel pressured to meet.
And suddenly we’re lying in bed at 11pm remembering the elf hasn’t moved… again. 😅

But here’s your reminder:

✨ Your children don’t need a Pinterest-perfect Christmas
✨ They won’t remember the elaborate elf scenes
✨ They’ll remember YOU — being present, laughing, cuddling, enjoying them

Christmas is supposed to be joyful, not a performance.
So if the elf stays in the same place for three days?
If the wrapping isn’t coordinated?
If you choose rest over rushing?

You’re still creating a magical Christmas.
Because love, not perfection, is what makes the memories stick. 🤍

30/11/2025

Mental health reminder:
You don’t have to “earn” rest, comfort or joy.

Just like you don’t need a special occasion to enjoy dessert —
you don’t need one to take care of yourself either.

Sometimes your mind needs sweetness too.
Soft moments. Slow evenings. Little treats.
And that is healing, not indulgence. 💛

28/11/2025

Anxiety isn’t “just worrying.”
It’s your mind going a million miles an hour.
It’s the what-ifs, the overthinking, the tight chest, the feeling that something is wrong… even when nothing is.

If this is you today, please hear this:
💛 You’re not dramatic.
💛 You’re not “too much.”
💛 You’re not alone.

Take a breath.
Slow down your shoulders.
Place your hand on your chest.
You’re safe. You’re here. And this moment will pass — even if it doesn’t feel like it yet.

Healing doesn’t require perfection… just patience with yourself.

26/11/2025

🏁 Mental Health Isn’t a Race 🏁
We all move at different speeds.
Some people sprint.
Some jog.
Some walk.
Some pause to catch their breath… and that’s okay.

The truth is:
There’s no finish line for healing.
No stopwatch.
No leaderboard.
No “first place” for getting your life together the quickest.

What matters is that you stay on your track.
That you notice when you’re overwhelmed, slow your pace, or take a pit stop.
Even F1 drivers need to refuel and reset.

So if today feels slower…
If your mind feels heavy…
If everyone else seems “ahead”…

Remember:
✨ Your mental health journey isn’t about winning — it’s about continuing.
Every small step forward counts. Every pause has a purpose.

You’re not behind.
You’re just running your race. 💛

24/11/2025

22/11/2025

My daughter tried crocheting for the first time and made this little teddy… and honestly, it’s the sweetest reminder that healing doesn’t have to look perfect to be meaningful. 💛🧸

Just like this teddy, our journey is often full of knots, restarts, uneven stitches and moments where we feel like giving up. But with patience, curiosity and gentleness, something beautiful takes shape.

Mental health isn’t about being flawless — it’s about trying, learning, creating, and giving yourself permission to grow at your own pace.

Small steps. Soft beginnings. Imperfect progress.
They all count. 🌿✨