Inner Smile Therapies

19/01/2025

3 Steps To Discovering The Purpose of Your Life

Its not an easy question to answer, is it?. But this article will take you through a step by step process, and by the end, you will have more clarity of how you can immediately begin to make changes in your life to help give it a more meaningful direction!

We need to first focus on these three steps in the process of discovering your purpose in life:

1. Understanding the principle of choice
2. Creating your “underlying principle”
3. Aligning your life with this underlying principle

1. Understanding The Principle of Choice

Norman Vincent Peale has this to say about the power of choice. “The greatest power we have is the power of choice. It is an actual fact, that if you have been groping under unhappiness, you can choose to be joyous, instead. And, by effort, lift yourself into joy. If you tend to be fearful, you can overcome that misery by choosing to have courage. The whole trend and the quality of anyone’s life is determined by the choices that are made”.

“Choosing” is the most important activity of your mind, because by making a choice, you are proclaiming your desires to your subconscious mind. Once the subconscious mind gets to know your desires, it is going to do anything to manifest them in your life. The choices you make in your life become your goal. And, if you are sincere in pursuing them, there is no reason why you should not accomplish them. If you tell yourself that you always fail, or can't do something, or never have any money, then that's what you will find.

Indecision, on the other hand, not only creates frustration and anxiety, but can also confuse the subconscious mind about what you want. But it is important that the choices you make are made by you, in accordance with your true desires, purposes and aptitude. A lot of us let others make choices for us, or make our choices according to what we think is ‘correct’, even if that means that we go against our wishes. What is right for someone else may not be right for you, and the way to know this is listening to what your heart says.

So, to begin with, make a list of things which interest you; things which you have always enjoyed. Do you like doing something creative, or something artistic? Do you enjoy nature? Do you like the sea? Do you enjoy helping others? Do you get pleasure out of making a difference in other people’s life?

Whatever it is that interests you, write it down and answer these questions:

● What thing do you love to do?

● What is it that you love in this thing and why?

● How could you do this for money, and make a living out of it?

Creating Your Underlying Principle

The next step is to examine the list you just made and find out if there is any recurring theme. Identify the central theme of the things you love to do, and put it in a short and precise statement. This will be your ‘Mission Statement’. It may even be a quote by a famous person, or a philosopher that has influenced you. Now, write down your Mission Statement.

Aligning Your LIFE With Your Underlying Principle

The final step in this journey is to map your path to your ultimate purpose and to begin implementing changes that help to align your daily life with your underlying purpose. By making these little changes in your lifestyle, you will start to be able to begin living this principle out each and every day.
It might take a few days, but by becoming aware of this underlying principle of your life, you will certainly start to feel the difference in your enthusiasm for life as a whole.
If you realize that you love being amidst nature, plan out your holiday. Maybe an outing with your children could be enough to recharge your energy.
If you discover that you enjoy helping those in need, start to look for opportunities to volunteer in your community. On the other hand, you might even want to change your job, or start a new business that is more in line with your mission.

By following along with the steps outlined above, you will be on your way to finding and living out your purpose. And, as you go through this process, just remember, “You were put on this earth to achieve your greatest self, to live out your purpose, and to do it courageously.” - Steve Maraboli

"I help women over 50 find their purpose and embrace their next chapter with confidence and clarity".

Sarah Lewin - Inner Smile Therapies offers Counselling, Psychotherapy in Nottingham, Mansfield, online. Anxiety Counsellor, Psychotherapist , Life Coaching and Hypnotherapy to help you feel calmer, more confident and in control.

17/01/2025

I still woke up every day with that same crushing fatigue, that same foggy feeling in my head, and that same sense of being trapped in a body that wouldn’t cooperate.

01/01/2025

Today, 1st January, is National Self Care Day.
At that time of year when we feel we can reset and focus on goals. I wonder what your self care intent may be?
Christmas is over for another year. We have probably eaten, drank and spent too much.
We may be thinking about our new years resolutions, for those that like to start the year with a positive goal.
So what's the plan?
Have you factored in some self care and self compassion into your day for this year.
Maybe....
Starting the day with a healthy breakfast
Meditating for 5 mins
Starting a skin care routine.
Self massage is great self care.
Challenging negative thoughts
Making new friends
Having a Spa day/massage
Starting a new fitness class
Making time for family
Learning a new hobby

The list goes on. What's at the top of yours for New Year?

Happy 2025

21/12/2024

The Health Benefits of Tuning Forks
You may already be aware of sound therapy and may have attended a sound bath as these grow in popularity. But sound therapy can also be experienced as an individual therapy using tuning forks and/or singing bowls. Tuning forks were invented in the 1700’s to help musicians to tune and calibrate musical instruments. They have now also found a significant role in alternative medicine and wellness. Tuning forks and singing bowls emit pure tones that resonate with specific frequencies, offering a range of health benefits for the mind and body. As interest in sound therapy grows, tuning forks are becoming increasingly popular. They are now recognised for their ability to promote relaxation, balance, and healing.
Sound Therapy and Vibrational Healing
Tuning fork therapy is the principle of vibrational healing. The human body vibrates at specific frequencies, while stress and emotional disturbances can disrupt this natural harmony and create dis-ease. When struck, tuning forks produce vibrations that can help restore these frequencies, promoting balance and well-being.
This process is based on the concept of entrainment, where the vibrations of the tuning fork encourage the body to synchronize with its healthy, natural frequencies. This can enhance physical and emotional health, offering a holistic approach to wellness.
Physical Health Benefits
In the medical field, weighted tuning forks have been used for testing hearing and assessing for b***d fractures for centuries.
• Tuning fork therapy, through directing sound waves at specific areas of the body can;
• Relieve Pain
• Reduce Inflammation
• Increase blood flow and lymphatic circulation
• Improve joint mobility
• Supports the body's natural healing process
The vibrations pe*****te deep into the tissues, helping to release tension and stiffness. They are particularly useful for individuals with arthritis or muscle tightness, offering a non-invasive and drug-free method for easing discomfort.
Mental and Emotional Wellness
Tuning forks have a positive effect on the body and mind. The benefits include;
Reducing stress and anxiety
Induce a meditative state,
Promoting a sense of peace.
Enhance sleep quality, making it an excellent tool for those struggling with insomnia or restless nights.
The therapy can also aid emotional healing. Specific frequencies are thought to correspond to different emotional states, helping to release suppressed emotions.
For example, some tuning forks are tuned to the Solfeggio frequencies, which are believed to facilitate spiritual growth and emotional balance.
Chakra Balancing and Energy Healing
Each chakra, or energy center in the body, is associated with a specific frequency. By using tuning forks tuned to these frequencies, practitioners aim to clear blockages and restore energy flow and so improving overall well-being, including enhanced focus, vitality, and spiritual awareness.
Conclusion
Tuning forks offer a unique and effective approach to health and wellness. They harmonize the body’s natural frequencies to provide profound benefits from pain relief and improved mobility to stress reduction and emotional healing.
As more people are seeking natural and holistic, non-invasive therapies, tuning fork therapy stands out as an accessible tool for promoting health and well-being by creating equilibrium within the body and mind. Tuning forks and singing bowls have the potential to transform health through the power of sound.
Throughout January I will be offering 20% on Tuning Fork Treatments from The Magnolia Therapy Centre, Mapperley Park, Nottingham NG5 2EF.
Contact – Sarah@innersmiletherapies.co.uk to book.
It you would like to see sound and resonance in action, I attach a link to a video that shows how sound creates balance out of imbalance.
(1629) Amazing Resonance Experiment! - YouTube
Happy New Year!

14/12/2024

Emotional attacks can be just as damaging as violence.

14/12/2024

25 ideas to prioritise self-care at Christmas time.

Christmas is a busy and stressful time of year for some. It has its fun moments for sure, but there is a lot to do and plan for. As we continue through December it’s a good idea to step up our self-care routine to give us the rest, relaxation, and resilience we need to get through the festive season and beyond.
Taking time for ourselves is probably the last thing we are thinking of through December. However, focusing on our well-being allows us to fill our cup and avoid burnout.
Try including as many of these ideas as possible over the Christmas period and throughout the New Year to relieve stress and prioritise wellness. Enjoy!

1) Enjoy a cosy night in with a Christmas movie. Invite some friends or family if you wish
2) Have a hot bubbly bath
3) Go outdoors for a mindful walk
4) Get yourself a new haircut and maybe a colour
5) Indulge in a pampering massage
6) Make a pan of nice warming winter soup
7) Make yourself a cup of hot chocolate or cocoa
8) Have a Christmas shopping day and treat yourself for your hard work
9) Go to an outdoor skating rink
10) Go to a Carol concert
11) Volunteer for a charity
12) Have a night out with friends and let your hair down
13) Give yourself a new skincare routine and face mask
14) Have a pyjama day
15) Burn some aromatherapy oils in a diffuser
16) Have a day to do nothing
17) Bake a sweet treat such as cookies, gingerbread or mince pies
18) Visit a Christmas Market and soak up the atmosphere
19) Make a Christmas Wreath or tree decoration
20) Light a scented candle
21) Read a book
22) Listen to a guided meditation
23) Put on your favourite Christmas playlist and dance like no-one's watching.
24) Spend time writing Christmas cards to loved ones
25) Have an early night

Happy Christmas.

10/11/2024

This is why I love my work ❤️

20/04/2024

The road to recovering from narcissistic and emotionally immature parents
Emotionally Immature parents come at the relationship from a me-first position. Once you understand this you may find it easier to not take their rejection so personally. Though that is no easy task.
Over the years you may have begun to recognize that the relationship didn’t feel right. That your parent/s didn’t behave like other parents and there is a lot of conflict and conflicting emotions.
You may have noticed;
• Your parent/s have little or no empathy for you or anybody else.
• They are intolerant, judgemental, and opinionated.
• They have a air of superiority
• They play the victim if you stand up to them
• Your feelings weren’t considered and weren’t asked about
• If you expressed any feelings or opinions they were dismissed
• Activities and conversations were focused around your parent/s interests/wishes rather than yours.
• They have no self awareness of how their behaviour affects others.
• They blame others
• They make you feel guilty or bad for not doing what they want you to do.

This is certainly not an exhaustive list of the many traits of emotionally immature parents, but you may be able to tick a few of those.
As a child, you long for a healthy relationship with your parents, and you have probably tried REALLY hard to have this kind of relationship with them, and have been left feeling sad, frustrated and angry that you just seem to get the opposite of that. Growing up you longed for that connection with you parents, with positive communication and affection. That’s only natural. As Lindsay Gibson PsyD states “feeling love from an emotionally immature/narcissistic parent is like trying to experience the mountains by looking at a photo – you can see they are there but you can’t experience the emotional connection to them”. You have been missing that emotional connection your whole life.
Other feelings you may have been missing are;
• Acknowledgment
• Good communication
• Praise and approval
• Affection and encouragement
• Being seen
• Feeling special

The road to recovering from emotionally immature parents requires;
• Nurturing your relationship with yourself
• Learning to trust and experience your feelings, good and bad.
• Understanding that it was never your fault.
• Understanding there was nothing more you could do to change the situation.
• Accepting that you have little control over changing the situation.
• Appreciating what you have achieved despite what was missing.
• Nurture self-compassion and self-care.
• Treat yourself in a way you would have liked your parents to treat you (reparenting yourself)
• Allow yourself to experience joy and love.
• Fantasize about your future and what you would like to achieve.
• Understand what your needs are.

For more information see my website at

Sarah Lewin - Inner Smile Therapies offers Counselling, Psychotherapy in Nottingham, Mansfield, online. Anxiety Counsellor, Psychotherapist , Life Coaching and Hypnotherapy to help you feel calmer, more confident and in control.

20/04/2022

Special offer!!
Swedish massage with hot stones (optional) to soothe away stress and calm and relax body and mind, or Deep Tissue Trigger point massage for pain relief, tension or muscular injury.
£10 discount for new bookings at The Magnolia Therapy Centre in Nottingham.
Non discounted price;
£30 - 40 mins
£45 - 1 hour
£60 - 80 mins

24 years experience