Like many of us, I’ve always wanted to make a difference to people’s lives. Much as I love my boys deeply, motherhood at times was bewildering and overwhelming.
⭕️ Certified circle holder
💚Mental health first aider
🌳 Forest bathing guide+
❤️ Mother
✨Helping women in midlife to slow down, find freedom and reconnect through circle work & nature immersion ✨ I used to be a Social Worker, which was often hugely rewarding, but I became disillusioned by spending more time in front of a computer screen than with my clients. I dropped to part-time hours and studied Holistic Massage so I could help people directly. After having children I took time away from paid work to focus on them – and this is where I truly discovered the power of massage. A monthly massage treatment became the cornerstone of my self-care, once I’d convinced myself I wasn’t being selfish or overly indulgent in taking this small slice of time for myself. I have experienced first-hand the power of massage and reflexology in restoring calm and balance when life is full-on. And I believed in it so much I went back to college to learn more and train as a complementary therapist. Now I wish everyone could experience the deep care a massage or reflexology treatment offers. I think the world would be a kinder, more peaceful place if we all took this time for ourselves. I love helping other women create that small space in their lives, let themselves be cared for, for once, and leave feeling lighter, freer and more relaxed. To discuss how you can introduce more self-care and relaxation into your busy life, just contact me. All questions welcome!
04/04/2026
A day out to look at art and trees and old buildings. But mainly art. Because art is a tonic to difficult times. It can inspire us to see more in life. It reminds us we can be creative and it is a powerful tool to connect us.
Trying to hold on to the strands of my own purpose (outside of caring / parenting) has been challenging in recent months but days like today remind me the strands will be waiting for me, because they are part of me.
02/04/2026
An almost full moon from earlier in the week.
The older I get the more important the moon feels to me. Maybe since losing my regular menstrual cycle it has become more of a guide…
It has anchored me these last few years when things have felt turbulent in my inner and outer worlds. I especially remember watching out for the moon phases during the pandemic when time seemed strange. It felt so comforting to tune into this reliable rhythm.
There is always something special about catching a glimpse in the night sky or seeing a faint outline early in the morning and I hope I never lose that awe.
It certainly felt energetic on Tuesday night as the clouds cleared and the moonlight intensified.
This is the pink moon, the first moon of spring. You might want to use this moon phase as a time to let go of what you don’t want to take further into spring with you. Or you may just want to enjoy a spot of moon gazing.
It was too cloudy to see the moon tonight so I hope this ten second clip provides you with a little moon magic 🌕
30/03/2026
Remember spring doesn’t happen overnight.
If you’re not feeling full of spring energy there is plenty of time. Unfold at your own pace and go gently with yourself.
20/03/2026
The wheel of the year turns once more as we enter into the lighter half of the year. The spring equinox has arrived.
Spring is a gentle reminder that we live in a continuous cycle of death and rebirth. There are both fallow and abundant times, there is darkness and light. We need these differing elements to survive and that’s the ebb and flow of life.
A time to celebrate then the longer days and brighter light. To feel the shift of earth energy and perhaps shake ourselves out a little.
I’ve taken great comfort from watching the blossom appear, the leaves start to unfurl and the bulbs push through. It is a particular tonic when things feel difficult and knowing that the days will now get longer has boosted my spirits that’s for sure.
So, may stepping into this new season allow you to feel a sense of hope and potential even if only in a small way.
And I very much hope you can get out and enjoy the spring flowers, the increasing birdsong and the longer hours of daylight.
Happy spring equinox!
For more info about the circles I run please see my pinned posts. I will be back holding space after Easter.
19/03/2026
Evening birdsong. Spring is certainly in the air for the robins and blackbirds. 💚🎶🍃
15/03/2026
Yesterday at the supermarket I watched as Dad’s with their children looked at the rows of flowers and tried to decide which ones to choose for mothers day.
I felt like going up to them and telling them not to bother. To instead spend time thinking about what mothers actually want.
Because all the mothers I know want a safer, fairer and habitable world for theirchildren to grow up in.
So how about instead of the plastic wrapped flowers air freighted across the globe we focused on making real change to slow down the climate crisis.
How about instead of the chocolates we worked towards affordable childcare, flexible working and decent paternity leave.
How about instead of the bath bombs and hand cream we created maternity services that are for fit purpose.
How about instead of an overpriced lunch we all stood up against mothers being killed and injured in conflicts around the globe.
I’m all for celebrating mothers I just wish we did it in more meaningful ways.
Standing in solidarity with all the mothers out there today ❤️
13/03/2026
Today at nature writing I spent time looking down, straight ahead and up. It was a forest bathing guide’s dream exercise.
There was much to notice, Including all the tiny things that we miss when we are rushing along.
We talked about these fleeting moments of beauty that often go unnoticed and yet when we slow down they can become much needed gifts.
I haven’t been able to run any of my own circles recently so it was such a tonic to sit within a group and to be outside under the blossom.
Today has reminded me how important it is to be heard, to share and to risk being vulnerable. It all leads to connection which is so necessary in these difficult, challenging and beautiful times.
There is much wisdom from gathering and much wisdom from nature. I can’t wait to be back holding nature circle and midlife circle in the coming months.
Thanks for a wonderfully nourishing session
08/03/2026
I turned 51 a couple of weeks ago and here I am marking yet another international women’s day that feels pretty much like it did when I was 21. Except I probably had more hope and optimism back then.
Women continue to be oppressed by the systems that uphold the current patriarchal, racist and capitalist society we live in:
-women’s reproductive rights are at risk
-women are barred from education in many countries around the world
-decisions made by a handful of men continue to have catastrophic consequences for women and girls around the globe as yet another conflict begins
-women and girls are being trafficked around the world in huge numbers
-we still don’t have equal pay
-men tell us it “isn’t all men” while continuing to stand by and allow women to get attacked and killed in the street and behind closed doors by other men
-even the “good men” continue to quietly benefit from our unpaid domestic and emotional labour
All of this and more.
All of this with a strong undercurrent of advertising that tells us we can’t age, we must look a certain way and we need to buy a zillion products that will “fix us”.
I haven’t even mentioned the poor maternal health services which are particularly stacked against black women or the hate against trans women or the fact that the climate crisis is impacting women in the global south massively already.
So it doesn’t feel like a celebration right now. It feels more like a call to action. A call that is needed more than ever. We need to gather and keep showing up for each other as much we can. It’s the only way.
03/03/2026
Got the most beautiful book for my birthday.
“Loss is the tune of our age, hard to miss and hard to bear. Creatures, places and words disappear, day after day, year on year. But there has always been singing in dark times- and wonder is needed now more than ever.”
I know there is going to be magic and wisdom in this book, just like when we spend time in nature. 💚
[Extract From the lost spells by Robert Macfarlane & Jackie Morris]
01/03/2026
Before attention turns towards Spring I’m taking a moment to say thank you to the snowdrops that bravely reappear in the cold month of January to brighten our spirits and guide us through the start of the year.
They are steadfast despite the snow, frost and rain and remind us that during the darker half of the year there is always unseen growth beneath the earth waiting to push through.
These flowers are delicate yet strong and I highly recommend getting up close to them before they start to fade.
I learnt recently via that snowdrops contain an antifreeze chemistry meaning their tissues absorb heat which then softens the soil beneath.
I’ve also learnt from a friend that there are over 2,500 varieties. How amazing is that.
This year I have purposely stopped to notice the snowdrops and have enjoyed observing their shape, texture and colours.
If you haven’t had chance to go out and notice them yet maybe today is the day. And if not, I hope you can enjoy these images.
25/02/2026
A birthday in the midst of messy and challenging times. As is always the case I‘m here to share the reality of life. (If I don’t how can I expect those who work with me to.)
So here is a little glimpse into my birthday.
It hasn’t been an amazing day. It wasn’t filled to the brim with fun and friends, but it has been a day with my two complex, caring and wonderful boys. And despite it all we make a pretty good team. ❤️
The sun came out, I had lots of lovely birthday messages and nature provided some beautiful gifts too 💚
Much to be grateful for as I celebrate “another twirl around the sun” as my good friend would say.
Images
1. homemade GF birthday cake
2. kitchen chaos in my pj’s
3. first of the daffodils in museum gardens
4.. neighbourhood flowers
5. garden shadows
6. hand drawn card from my eldest
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Contact The Practice
Send a message to Debbie Thurlow-Circle Holder & Nature Bathing Guide:
I’m Debbie and I am a qualified Complementary Therapist. I offer Reflexology, Holistic Massage and Aromatherapy Massage to women. Like many of us, I’ve always wanted to make a difference to people’s lives. I used to be a Social Worker, which was often hugely rewarding, but I became disillusioned by spending more time in front of a computer screen than with my clients. I dropped to part-time hours and studied Holistic Massage, seeing this as a new way to help people.
After having children I took time away from paid work to focus on them- and this is where I truly discovered the power of massage. Much as I love my boys deeply, motherhood at times was bewildering and overwhelming. A monthly massage treatment became the cornerstone of my self-care, once I’d convinced myself I wasn’t being selfish or overly indulgent in taking this small slice of time for myself.
I have experienced first-hand the power of massage and reflexology in restoring calm and balance when life is full-on. And I believed in it so much I went back to college to learn more and train as a complementary therapist.
Now I wish everyone could experience the deep care a massage or reflexology treatment offers. I think the world would be a kinder, more peaceful place if we all took this time for ourselves. I love helping other women create that small space in their lives, let themselves be cared for, for once, and leave feeling lighter, freer and more relaxed.
To discuss how you can introduce more self-care and relaxation into your busy life, just contact me.
