Colleen Johnston Counseling

02/11/2026

We traveled to Buffalo this evening to attend a stunning presentation called "Chasing Monarchs" by National Geographic photographer and explorer Jaime Rojo. Despite climate change and environmental factors, he expressed HOPE for monarchs. And the hope is dependent on each of us planting native flowers and allowing milkweed to grow. There are initiatives in different parts of the country where towns are planting wildflowers as opposed to mowing roadsides!! And it's making a huge difference!
He also highlighted the opportunity Canada, United States and Mexico have to create a continental success story, as the migration of the monarch involves all 3 countries. Scientists and citizens continue to work collaboratively in saving this magnificent butterfly.
It choked me up at times...the beauty, the hope, and Jaime's framing problems as opportunities!! 🦋 (I got lots of compliments on my shirt, too! 😄)

02/09/2026

For my Penn Yan followers! Please keep an eye out for Jemma! 🤍

As many of you may have heard, there was a serious house fire in the Garfield Ave. neighborhood of Penn Yan. The family’s dog was rescued from the home and is now under treatment at Cornell Companion Animal Hospital. Jemma, the family cat, has not been seen since the fire and is thought to have run away and might be hiding. If you see a cat who looks like Jemma (pictured below) in the area or even blocks away, please contact Sam at (315) 412-4241. Thank you for sharing this post and we hope Jemma and her family are reunited soon.

02/07/2026

Tending to the plants, with a little help from my colorful friend. 🌿🌺😽

02/05/2026

When I had skating at Rockefeller Center as a bucket list item, I didn't realize the magic that would occur. Who knew the afternoon sun would make the iconic statue of Prometheus just glow? Or that the rink guard would skate dance with me and say he could feel my energy and it was "magnetic"!! 🧲🤩 What fun! We never know what gifts are to be found each moment.

02/01/2026

There are many forms of "masking." In general, it's a protective strategy where we pretend that we're ok, often covering up our emotions in an effort to fit in. In IFS (internal family systems therapy) we refer to those parts of us who are vulnerable and carrying the negative emotions as "exiles." In the work that I do, we gently identify those parts, and encourage them to release their burdens. It can be a complex process, yet very worthwhile. You're not alone and you matter! 💛
My daughter in law, painted this profound and interactive depiction of how masking can feel.

01/01/2026

The frigid temps kept people home and hunkered down. I'm so happy we chose to brave the weather anyway! The trail is protected from the wind, so the 10° temp didn't feel like it. Winter has it's own unparalleled beauty. ❄️
My hubby hiked and he commented how much better he feels afterwards. He's recovering from surgery on his arm and the fresh air and endorphins gave him a boost. And how wonderful to meet Oscar Yuan in person! Thanks for showing up to the 2026 New Year's Day hike. Trail conversations are the best.

12/31/2025

Hahaha, nice cover photo! 😁 Just a quick message to encourage everyone. Happy New Year and hope to see you on the trail tomorrow. For those of you from far away, thank you for following and hope you get outside for a walk to kick off the New Year tomorrow. 🎉

As we close 2025 down, I wanted to express my gratitude to everyone and give encouragement! Thanks for watching my channel and for sharing my content. Wishin...

12/30/2025

I'd love to have you join me for my 2nd annual New Year's Day hike at Ontario Pathways, parking at Ontario County Fairgrounds. 10am, regardless of weather! Definitely wear suitable winter gear and maybe even bring walking sticks!
Benefits include breathing fresh air, getting some joyful movement (trudging through snow counts! 🤣), connection to nature, fellow hikers, and a reminder that you count! Hiking is known to elevate mood and is a wonderful way to start 2026 on a positive adventure.
If you are so inclined, we could all join up at Wegmans afterwards for a hot beverage and snack. You can let me know in the comments if you plan on joining, or just show up! I'll be there. ❄️🌲

12/27/2025

Reflect, Restore, Rest. Christmas is behind us. I invite you to be intentional about carving time out to get off the phone (too much AI!) and reflect, restore, and rest. Reflect on the "glimmers" in your life, moments that you noticed beauty, joy, humor, the good stuff. Restore yourself with water to flush away all the salt, sugar and cheese! 😆 And rest. Read a book, take a nap, watch favorite shows, journal encouragement to yourself, snuggle with your pet, or just BE. You are enough to just be. It's really ok.
📝 Note to self: I would love to have you join me on a New Year's Day walk! I did this last year at Ontario Pathways trailhead at Ontario County Fairgrounds. Check back here for specifics in a few days! In the meantime, rest up and take care. ☺️

12/21/2025

Winter is officially upon us. The seasons keep changing, just like the seasons of our lives. Growing older is so often viewed as a negative in our culture. Fear based thoughts of declining health, being out of touch, not attractive, etc. pervade us constantly.
🚨Counter culture message incoming!!🚨
It is a fact that our human bodies are vulnerable to illness and injury at ANY age. It is NOT a fact that with each birthday, we need to dread the inevitable of decline in ourselves. I have an aversion to comments like, "sucks getting old!" This seems so defeatist to me. There are people of ALL ages dealing with chronic pain, injury, illness, etc. My encouragement for today...do NOT subscribe to those ageist beliefs!
Subscribe to actual accounts that inspire and embrace older people being incredible! Growing Bolder, Old Lady Gains, Running Like a Wrinkly are 3 social media accounts that encourage creativity, strength, and self-acceptance. Being engaged in hopeful stories and being curious what lights up in YOU are great ways to combat depression, loneliness, and even anxiety.
Be aware of the ads, reels, and more coming at you that depict people in their 50s and beyond as ancient, not good enough, blah blah blah. Screw that!
I will leave you with the story of 80 year old Natalie Grabow, who made history in October 2025 as the oldest woman to complete the grueling Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii! She said her favorite part of it all was her training. That means the daily grind of getting out there, keeping her goal in mind. What is your dream? What fear is keeping you stuck? What yucky messages are getting in your way? You have been through so much. Your time is NOW! Baby steps, Baby! What's your adventure? 💞
(A month ago I had panic with my face in the water. Not anymore! 💦🩵)

12/19/2025

Yes. 😊

Day 19 of my advent.

Peace, love and goodwill.

That’s it. That’s all. Just whisper peace when you feel the mercury rising and radiate calm into every cell of your being.

It radiates, it ripples, it helps 💛

D x

12/14/2025

As promised, today's post is about body dysmorphia. It is a complex disorder and in my opinion, is on a continuum. It can be relatively mild, but also so extreme that it can be deadly. My purpose here, is to increase your own awareness of the thoughts you say about yourself, and thus the behaviors that may follow.

I grew up in diet culture! Usually said in a jesting tone, adults whom i loved, would cut down their own body parts, and even hit themselves, such as in their abdomen. I still hear this language and see restrictive eating patterns in older people. As long as we're still breathing, there is still time to recognize this negative pattern, interupt it, and make a better choice.

In the IFS approach (Internal Family Systems) we look at different parts of our personalities. Often, there are "manager parts" who are sending these negative, critical messages in an effort to maintain control or to protect the person from getting hurt. They're not "bad", they are literally trying to help. A first step may be to recognize when this part gets in the driver's seat. It is not the true self! It's just a part. Name it even. Like, "Oh, here's Joyce on the scene to scare me into staying small and not taking a risk." (Just an example.)

Another helpful strategy, is to ask yourself if you would ever speak to your best friend the way you're talking to yourself. If not, how would you speak? You might be an "encourager!" If so, practice that on yourself. Example, "I have seen how badly you want to take better care of yourself. All it takes is one baby step and you'll be started. I got you and you deserve to be here!"

If these suggestions feel too overwhelming, I encourage you to talk about it with someone who won't make it all about themselves. A safe person, therapist, coach, health professional, really emotionally safe friend. For now, know that body dysmorphia is so common for many reasons. However, we ALL have imperfect bodies. Yet acknowledging all that imperfect body does for you every moment, is a great place to start. You deserve to show up! 🥰