Sarah Lane Counselling and Mindfulness

04/03/2026

Many activities can be done in two different ways: either mindfully, or unmindfully.

We could row a boat whilst thinking about something completely different; perhaps what we’ll have for lunch when we reach our destination or what tasks we need to do when we get back to work. We could be talking to whoever we’re with about a whole range of topics including past memories or future plans.

Whilst we may want to allow space at other times for these thoughts and conversations, in the midst of an opportunity for an experience we don’t have very often, we might wish to set these aside and focus on the present moment.

We could really notice nature around us: the variety of greens in the leaves, the reflections of light on the surface of the water, the sounds of birdsong, the sound of the oars moving through the water, the sensations in the arm muscles as you row, the gentle breeze in our hair and the warmth of the sun on our skin.

Where is this? Have a guess in the comments…

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19/01/2026

❄️ January is often a time when mood can be lower than other points of the year. The weather tends to mean we stay indoors more and after the busy festive period we might have a quieter start to the year socially.

Here are a few suggestions for improving mood this month.

What do you find helpful in keeping your spirits up in January?

08/01/2026

New year's resolutions are made with the best intentions of following through on them, although often it proves difficult to do.

There can be a number of reasons for this but often it might be that the goals we are setting ourselves aren't fully in alignment with what's most important to us.

Identifying our core values and basing our intentions for the year around these supports us in moving towards being who we really want to be in a way that feels more sustainable.

If you would like to explore at greater depth how to live more fully in connection with your values this year, please see my website for details of my New Year 2026 Day Retreat or to book an appointment for individual therapy.

08/09/2025

💭 Our thoughts tell us many things, some of these things are true and some of them are not true. Sometimes we fall into the trap of believing whatever our thoughts tell us. And this can lead to us having a negative view of ourselves.

When we start practising mindfulness we begin to be able to step back from our thoughts and realise they are just mental events in the mind, that might be true or might not be true. This gives us the freedom to choose not to give attention to thoughts that might be unhelpful to us.

Dr John Teasdale was one of the original developers of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, an 8-week mindfulness course to prevent depression in those who have experienced it previously, which has since been adapted to help with many other difficulties including anxiety in various forms.

10/06/2025

Research has shown many benefits of mindfulness meditation, for both physical and mental health.

Here is a summary of the main ones.

If you would like to learn more about mindfulness, please see my website for details of various ways to do this.

29/05/2025

🌿 It’s amazing how much the mind can settle spending a week walking in nature.

By the end of the week the frequency of thoughts had lessened significantly, leaving so much more space for being present to sensory experiences in the environment.

Even much shorter amounts of time can still have a very beneficial effect, whatever you can manage will be worth it.

22/05/2025

🧠 Most of us experience the inner critic at times in our lives, but some of us more prominently than others. When the inner critic shouts loudly at us it can have a very detrimental effect on our wellbeing, potentially leading to low self-esteem, depression and anxiety.

In my latest blog post I explore the effect self-criticism has on us, what causes it to develop and how we can reduce it.

Scroll for a summary, or read the full article at the link in my bio.

If you live in the Exeter area, I will also be facilitating a workshop on this topic on Monday 2nd June, 7-9pm. Details on website at link in bio.

22/05/2025

Latest blog post exploring the effect self-criticism has on us, what causes it to develop and how we can reduce it...

A blog post exploring the effect self-criticism has on us, what causes it to develop and how we can reduce it.

17/05/2025

Self-criticism often underlies many mental health difficulties including depression, anxiety and low self-esteem.

We can learn ways to shift self-criticism over time to improve our overall wellbeing. Usually this involves finding ways to become kinder to ourselves and more self-compassionate.

If you live in the Exeter area and would like to explore ways to lessen self-criticism and develop a more supportive way of relating to yourself, I am facilitating a workshop on this subject on Monday 2nd June, 7-9pm at The Practice Rooms. For further details, see the event page for this workshop.

06/05/2025

✨ Most of us know what it's like to have felt a lack of confidence holding us back at some point in our lives, whether that's in relation to applying for a promotion or a different job, starting a course, or entering a new relationship.

Here is a summary of my latest blog post in which I suggest how we can gradually build our confidence so we can pursue our valued goals more fully.

If you live in the Exeter area, I will also be facilitating a 2-part workshop on this topic over the next two Mondays 12th and 19th May, 7-9pm. Details on my event page above and website.

01/05/2025

If you're looking to build your confidence, my latest blog post gives some ideas on how to start...

A blog post exploring what confidence is, how we might sometimes undermine it for ourselves and how to develop it.

01/05/2025

This was the view I saw when I came out of the venue for my Spring Day Retreat on Sunday.

We were so lucky with the weather, which meant we could do some lovely mindful walking outside with this view ahead of us.

I loved the energised and present feeling I had when I left after facilitating mindfulness practices for such a wonderful group of women.