Slowing down to notice the finer details of tree roots spiral patterns , buds shooting, fallen branches, and different shades of leaves.
Pausing to listen to the birds chatter, running water, and squelching footsteps in the puddles.
Capturing the fallen apples in the orchard, tall bare trees, geese flying and the beaituful flowers starting to open.
I have to admit I am ready for the first sightings of Spring 🌳💚🌳
Next time you are outside, slow down your pace, pause to notice the finer details on the joys of nature and breathe a little deeper
Its a beautiful gift to self your body and mind will appreciate 🌻
16/02/2026
Thank you for allowing me to share your photos of the beautiful experience of togetherness felt through reflections and art work in your Creative Responses to Menopause with the theme of Shelter
It was a wonderful way to spend a Saturday morning offering myself some self love and collective nurture
This stage of life brings me a deeper sense of awareness needed to navigate through significate changes. Having the space to reflect with other women so sensitivly, respectfully and couragously was a heart warming experience. Thank you Charlotte and all those lovely women who came along too!
14/02/2026
Thank you and the creative responses group participates for the enjoyable morning getting creative together
With the theme of 'Shelter' and how we can explore this through art. Self reflections were shared through our menopause journey's with feelings of complexity of grief, pain, discomfort, and self compassion
What holds us, nurtures us, and offers us safety through this stage of life. Charlotte held the group beautifully as we engaged in curiosity
The art work began and my joy of using colours freely on the paper was delightful. However as soon as the clay came out I was in the zone of smoothing the clay with my fingers which feels incredibly soothing on my nervous system
I made a quirky heart shape with little arms saying 'with love' and then wrote a 'shelter' letter to self. What a fun morning and connective experience on valentines day. The made 'with love' heart clay work was taken home for a gift to my husband which made him smile
Thank you chartlotte 💕💕💕 happy galentines day too!
11/02/2026
A little gratitude for the beautiful rainbow colours in a grey and dull sky
08/02/2026
I have been so excited to receive my copy of book From Self-neglect to Self-compassion
I have spend time this weekend having fun, being playful and resting to read the content of Hayley's insightful and engaging book
When I realised there were QR Scodes which take you to recordings on Hayley's website it was even more of a joy. 8 different practices to make the experience of breath work, and imagery meditations more connective
I've had the pleasure over the past 5 years participating in Hayley's Welcome to self groups and Time to Thrive Coaching sessions to continue building my personal and professional development of Compassion, and business skills
Hayley asked me if she could interview me for a case study to add in her book. It has always been a great experience to be guided by her wisdom, strength and encouragement with a strong CFT focus
My committment to recognise my own burnout and make heathier choices is explained in my case study along with three other women who share their stories
Thank you Hayley, for sharing so much knowledge through your own learning of CFT, and the experiences you have shared along the way to guide us through your book
08/02/2026
What a wonderful weekend I've had being playful and restful since receiving my copy of Hayley's From Self- Neglect to Self-Compassion book arriving Friday evening.
06/02/2026
I am so excited to be receiving my copy today of Dr Hayley D Quinn book From Self- Neglect to Self-Compassion that has been published.
I am delighted to share I am featured in Hayleys book as one of her clients from her coaching group Welcome to Self, Time to Thrive
Hayley's has been a huge part of my Compassion Focused journey as I have been an active member in her groups since 2020
I have learnt so much from Hayley's encouragement to focus in on and celebrate what was working well for me in my business and what was really hindering me.
I gained wisdom to make healthier choices to offer myself more compassion to support my own health and well being after burning myself out which many of us do from time to time.
I chose to recognise my patterns that caused me to burn out and then find ways to flourish in my business so I no longer suffered in giving more than I could give at the cost of my wellbeing.
You can read more in Hayley's fabulous book, it will be a great gift to self to purchase this year.
Here is some feedback so far on her book
21/01/2026
Today's weather is the hardest type of day for me to leave the house in Winter. Wet, grey and cold days were unbareable.
However, developing wisdom from mindfulness practices, gaining courage with compassionate responses inwards and looking at widening my perspective on our environment I can remind myself of the importance of rain and how it supports the beautiful nature I see around me.
This is something I can now celebrate that now offers me the confidence and motivation to leave the house on such a difficult day.
Affirmations can be so helpful to set the intention to be grateful for all weathers, seasons and experiences that can feel tough in the moment.
19/01/2026
I hadn't heard about the monks walking across the USA for peace, until a friend brought it up in a community group I attended at Saturday.
Then Joanna from kindly shared the link for us all to follow. I am absolutely loving watching the daily videos of the connections they are making with so many human beings along their way.
Exchanges of giving and receiving of hope, compassion, loving kindness, harmony and love.
We can all choose to be inspired by the courage to show up with such unconditional love they are offering in their connections, spreading the vibes of lets live in peace not live in hate.
I am showing up in solidarity for the walk for peace journey
07/01/2026
Learning about how my body responds and my mind automatically feels resistance to the seasonal change of Winter has been a focus of mine for many years now. So when the oppotunity to join Joanna and the community I felt much gratitude for another reflective space to gain more widom and insight. Thank you Joanna 🌳💚🌳
My body isn't fond of the cold weather as I get more joint pains and feel a sense of fatigue which brings a greater effort to enjoy going outside on cold wintery days.
So how I function in the Winter season can take a more intentional approach of noticing and reflecting on asking myself what is my body telling me I need right now.
Knowing I am not alone in facing the challenges of Winter and being with like minded people to connect with who also find Winter a struggle can help me to feel comfort. Together we are finding ways to soothe our nervous system, co-regulating, sharing ideas, empathy and wisdom.
It was enjoyable to catch up on week 1 of the Wintering Wellness course. Monday brought us snow so I choose to stay safe and not drive to the event in the evening. It can be really hard for me to want to go out on dark nights. I much prefer to stay home and get cosy hygge style. Much appreciation to Joanna for recorsing week 1 for those of us staying home on Monday evening.
Spending this afternoon choosing to focus on learning about wellness in Winter was very much welcomed from the reflective questions and journally, meditiation practices and learning about the nervous system.
Its brough much appreciation of calmness, clarity and compassion and even Peppa my elderly cat enjoyed her rest with me.
05/01/2026
Happy Wintering my lovely followers
A new year brings a short reflection on how wintering can be challenging and I do feel it too.
Connections are so important, along with awareness of our internal and external resources.
Noticing our shifts of moods, thoughts and reactions can be challenging, yet so helpful when you take the time to notice.
Developing wisdom with compassion to slow things down are kinder choices for a calmer and more content way of living.
I hope you find this short video offers you some self reflections.
Happy reflective wintering and discovering to you all 💚🌳💚
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‘The heart is like a garden. It can grow compassion or fear, resentment or love. What seeds will you plant there?’ - Jack Kornfield, Buddha’s Little Instruction book (1996)
During the months of experiencing the restrictions of lockdown I have returned to developing new knowledge, theory and skills through my continued professional development training in Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT).
The intention of developing these skills further is to expand my own curiosity and creativity to establish and maintain a more compassionate way of being with the confidence to share my learning with others.
Paul Gilbert who is the founder of CFT describes compassion as;
“ a sensitivity to suffering in self and others with a commitment to alleviate and prevent it.”
Compassion can be misunderstand for being soft and to show it, is a form of weakness. Paul and his colleagues at the Compassionate Mind Foundation have extensive research and scientific studies to promote an evolution and neuroscience informed approach to compassion.
In developing my knowledge, skills and experiences in compassion mind training my intention is to support my clients in alleviating mental health difficulties and promote wellbeing for all.
Please read more about my services on my website which will be going live later today.
