Blue Skye Counselling

25/07/2023

Mindfulness walking:

Mindfulness can be one of those concepts that seems elusive... am I doing it right? What even is it? Thoughts I am sure a lot of us have had, and they instantly interrupt any mindfulness moments we may be experiencing.

Put really simply, mindfulness is being present in your body, in your surroundings and in the moment; not walking along thinking about all things and everything, or that stubborn problem you can't put down, or with an aim to get home at a certain time..

This walk started with the latter point in my mind. A deadline dictating the route we were on, all geared towards timing. With an unexpected phone call the obligation was lifted - just as a dog whine indicated his preferred route (not home). With the switch in direction my focus almost instantly switched to being present on the walk, not 15 minutes into the future where the deadline had sat.

Mindfulness. Seeing the dog as he walks on, the blue of the sky, the orange of chanterelles, the white of quartz in rock, the path ahead. Hearing the crush of the larch needles with each step, the rub of the lead against trees, the cry of the buzzard, the snap of a branch. Feeling the branch snap beneath my foot, the warmth as the sun loses the cloud, the wind touching my arm. All is being mindful.

What lies ahead on the path is waiting, and will be there when I reach it. I stay in each step for the moment, and accept each thing as it happens. If the thoughts pop in, I say hello, leave them standing in that moment, and move away from them as I go. I don't need to feel bad that they popped up, they can do that without interrupting, it's carrying them with you that interrupts.

Go gently on your walks, practice a touch of mindfulness and see if your happy level rises. Nature is healing, and works best when we see it with eyes that aren't focused elsewhere 💚

07/07/2023

Self-care can look like this...

The sounds of nature create a calming effect; cumulatively becoming "green noise".

Traffic noise on the other hand has a negative effect on our body - even if it is subtle and we tune it out subconsciously.

Creating or accessing outdoor spaces where traffic noise isn't audible allows for the benefits of green noise to be felt within our bodies (it's all the do with the frequencies associated with sound, some of which are beneficial).

Being amongst, observing and connecting with wildlife and nature brings more calming benefits - plus a reminder that we are connected within and still part of our bigger ecosystem. That connection has benefits, just ask the trees 🌳 😁

If you can, take some time out to linger somewhere peaceful this weekend. And if it looks like the storms might keep you inside, open a window and feel the negative ions soaking in 😊⛈️

Nature is literally healing 💚

04/07/2023

One of the things I love about being in nature daily (dogs are awesome for getting you into it) is the constantly changing light...

Views can change minute by minute, with exceptional details being highlighted in certain lights, depending on your position. Something hidden can stand out in glorious technicolor if we are in a certain place at the right time, and it can be transformational.

It so closely mimics our emotional landscape. We can be blinded to the most significant details for so long, then wonder the next moment how we could have missed them. With a different perspective, with a light shone in a way that lets us see, with looking a certain way - so much can be revealed.

Time spent reflecting on, wandering around and most importantly, consciously looking at our internal and external landscapes is rarely wasted. Take that time for you 💚 be conscious as to where, and who you are 😊 enjoy discovering.

24/06/2023

This is something I wish more people knew... I am constantly reassuring others who are apologising for their eyes leaking that is is nature's cleansing process taking care of their over stimulated system.

Crying is natural, and if you are brave enough to be vulnerable with someone when doing so it can increase connection ❤️

23/05/2023

This ❤️

Taking the first step closer towards who you truly are, before life happened, can be daunting. Especially if you feel that everything is all a little too much.

Asking for help is one of the bravest things (I think) that we can do. Getting curious about our demons and triggers is a difficult choice to make, but one that starts one of the most worthwhile journeys we can make.

Counselling is hard work, but it's empowering, and the rewards can be life changing. There is no magic cure - life keeps lifing at you - but you learn your power, you learn who you are, and you keep learning.

OWN YOUR S**T

You guys, for serious, it's very important that you learn how to own your s**t. At some point in your life, you really have to get honest about the weirdest and most damaged and most broken parts of your existence, and take responsibility for it all...lovingly, but unblinkingly.

You gotta know your own crazy. Can't own your s**t without knowing your crazy.

For many years, I didn't own my s**t because I didn't KNOW my s**t. If you don't know your s**t, people, then that s**t will control you and make your life into Crazy Town. Until you own your s**t, all you do is make excuses for the madness that is always surrounding you, while throwing blame around like confetti.

By this point in my life, though, I know the worst of me. I know the triggers that make me into a temporarily insane person. I know my vulnerabilities and my pride. I know the stuff that makes me want to deceive, and the stuff that makes me vindictive, and the stuff that makes me insecure, and the stuff that makes me just flat-out mean and ugly. And I definitely know all my demons by their first names.

This is what therapy does — helps you to learn your s**t, inside and out. This is what meditation is for. This is what recovery is for. This is what reconciling the contradictions of your life is for. This is what radical honesty is for. This is what the courage of truthful introspection is for.

Owning your s**t begins to happen the moment you finally recognize that the common denominator in all your biggest problems is YOU.

Not them: YOU.

It's a beautiful, humbling, necessary realization. It's an education. It's painful. It's the beginning of adulthood. It's pretty much the definition of maturity.

And then you take a deep breath and say, "OK, I admit it. It's me. That's my crazy s**t. I own it. Now what?"

Then, the work begins.

You might or might not be able to change it,
but at least you gotta own it.

Own your s**t with love and perspective and self-compassion...but definitely own it.

Don't worry if other people are owning their s**t or not. That isn't your problem. Just own yours. Keep your side of the street clean and honest, and rest of it is none of your business.

Just be honest and real.

ONWARD!



🎨 : Aniko

30/03/2023

Nature is healing... the benefits of being in it have long been recognised in science, therapy and the wider understanding. Yet as a society we seem to have forgotten that we are part of nature - physical separation is the daily norm for great swathes of our population.

This not only impacts our physical being, but our emotional health.

When we are depressed, upset, threatened or disregulated - we retreat into ourselves. We make our world smaller, so as to encounter less potential risk. We don't have the capacity to cope with anything extra - it is self protection.

If we are lucky enough to have access, we can take ourselves into nature and immerse ourselves in it... with abundant benefits for our emotional and physical health. We experience connection to our natural environment, filled with negative ions and green noise, stimulating sensory input and clean air.

Here making our world small leads to tiny delights. Flowers or dew droplets lining up perfectly. Little creatures focusing on eating, warming, busying. The way the sunlight catches the autumn leaves, or the ice falling from tree branches, or the petals of a flower. The detail in a slime mould, an insect wing, a grass flower.

Looking further afield can instead of terrifying us, fill us with a serenity or sense of stillness and peace. Just that subtle shift of perspective that comes when it feels safe to be.

Nature allows us to connect safely, even when we have retreated into disconnection for preservation. Even if we can't get further than our back garden or park.

I've shared just a sample of the small things I have connected to in those tiny moments. I hope they give peace and serenity to a moment of your day.

💚

16/03/2023

Healing, in whatever form it is taking, can be messy. It can get us all tangled up and slow us down, cover us in bits and pieces that aren't ours - turn us from something put together into a wild, crazy semblance of ourselves.

It's important to remember that healing doesn't take a linear path. Neither do we have to be derailed by a huge crisis... sometimes a seemingly insignificant trigger will come from left field and send us into a bout of emotional disregulation that can last hours, days or weeks. Make us feel that all the progress we have enjoyed has just gone, we are back where we started.

If this is happening to you... Take some time. Sit with those tangled bits that are slowing you down and robbing you of your equilibrium. Look at them and understand where they came from. Feel the feelings, allow them be felt and freed as you recognise and detangle them from you.

Be kind to yourself and allow yourself to rest. You aren't broken, all progress hasn't been lost. You have uncovered something else that has been given to you that wasn't yours, and that's a good thing - it is an opportunity to put it down. Be gentle and loving to yourself as you get to know yourself a little better. This is normal, and you are enough.

15/03/2023

Rarely are our paths through life straightforward. Occasionally we get glimpses ahead, but more often we are following our feet, hoping not to stumble over or into obstacles...

My journey has brought me here, to a place in life where I can offer others a safe space to learn and grow within. Somewhere to discover and move closer to your authentic self, who you were always meant to be before life left bruises.

My therapy service provides a confidential, non-judgemental, respectful space to focus on whatever is affecting your mental wellbeing. I walk with you on your journey with curiosity, kindness, an open mind and caring heart. I hold any pain gently, so it can be better looked at and understood, known and released.

It can be the difference of being seen, of someone looking with different eyes at the same view - that can reveal a path where one was hidden. Of being heard, truly listened to and understood - that can uncover a song where once was silence. Of being seen, heard and accepted, as more than enough - that can give peace where pain once lived.

Whatever your views, beliefs or understanding - I have created this page to share inspiration, curiosity and understanding. Everyday is a school day - whatever your subject, never stop learning. And if that subject is yourself, then I hope some of the thoughts, images, information and ideas shared here add value to your day 😊

Take care,

Pip 💚