<![CDATA[CONNECTING DOTS COUNSELLING - Blog]]>Sat, 07 Sep 2024 18:37:44 +0800Weebly<![CDATA[Removing the Rose Coloured Glasses]]>Sat, 07 Sep 2024 05:45:19 GMThttp://connectingdotscounselling.au/blog/removing-the-rose-coloured-glasses
Ooh, what does that mean?
Ever found yourself in a situation where things are happening in your relationship and your friends, family or colleagues relay their surprise, concern, shock or even judgement to you and you just do not understand what they are talking about? Infact, you defend your relationship.

BUT, somewhere in your gut, your being, your very essence, you know, you too, have doubt about what is taking place in your relationship to some degree or another. You are choosing at that point in your life, not to remove the rose coloured glasses as you are used to them and you quite like the fit, despite the fact they are rather heavy to wear. You may even be worried that you may not find another pair, so for now, you persist.

Sometimes it can feel like you are going against your value of seeking out happiness, of being positive, of finding the good in people and so you try to see it again and again. But there also comes a time when that feeling in your gut, you have had for so long, starts to strengthen, to become more pronounced.
  • What if you could slowly, carefully and with support, remove your rose coloured glasses in such a way that bit by bit, a new picture emerges?
  • What if for a while you placed the glasses aside and viewed things without any 'tinting'. Instead viewing the crystal-clear vision that is in front of you? Noticing the bits that tug at that feeling in your gut and focusing on the parts that pull you away from the happiness and joy you know you deserve and want.

Even though you choose to remove the glasses and focus on the 'negatives' of the relationship for now, does not make you a bad person. By doing this, you are exercising your right to question the impact of this relationship has on your values, on what is important and meaningful to you.

​You are allowing yourself to get a taste of what you might want instead. You give yourself the opportunity to choose what is right for you, what boundaries to put in place, whether to have difficult conversations or whether to implement the change that brings you one step closer to your preferred outcome.


#1800respect #patriciagilescentrefornonviolence
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<![CDATA[Feeling Unsettled]]>Sat, 27 Jul 2024 07:20:46 GMThttp://connectingdotscounselling.au/blog/feeling-unsettled

Have you ever been in a ‘phase’ where for some ‘unknown’ reason, you just feel different, unsettled, restless, disconnected of sorts, even a feeling of emptiness?
 
Well, it is fair to say that I have felt it.  In fact, as recently as these past couple of months, but I just can’t put my finger on it. 

I decided to take a bit of quiet time (5 minutes here and there), to reflect on what it was that was making me feel this way.  A few topics came to mind in the process, like menopause, children all grown up and not needing me as much anymore, winter blues etc..

I finally figured out that I was needing to put real action toward something meaningful and which makes me smile. 

The way I figured this out was to take time to think about, the last time I was joyful.  When this came to mind, I was being a lot more creative.  I had nothing to lose, so, I decided to go out and buy some arts and crafts and just play around with it all and see what happened.  Well, actually something did happen, I made a lovely gift for someone which was a nice byproduct of me trying to be creative.

What also took place was that creativity leading onto a few things in the house that needed fixing/changing which I have been putting off.
The key ingredient here for me was putting my music on and just enjoying being in the moment of what I was focusing on.

Through this process, I realised that I had not written a blog in a while and so because my creative ‘juices’ had been flowing, it seemed only natural that I should create some literature.

I think my point to this blog, is that when you feel something and you are not quite sure what it is or what to do with it, take time to do something different, but also to think of a time when you felt at peace, content and full of joy (all the things opposite to your initial feelings).  Then think about what you were doing at that joyful time and try to recreate part of it again this time around.

All I know is that something needed to change, as I was not enjoying feeling the way I was feeling.  And so, in order for things to change, you need to be doing something different.  Put yourself in a place that gives you a different viewpoint or consider things you may not have considered before by thinking completely ‘out of the box’.  You could even set out to discover your purpose for the next week, month, year ahead, by reflecting on some of your values at this stage of your life.  What makes you happy, excites you, is important to you or challenges you.

What is it that you could do that is just a little different from the norm, to get you out of a rut or get you moving in another direction?

All this being said, another reason one might feel disconnected specifically is due to a lack of touch.  This is called touch starvation.   Yes, it is a very real thing and can have a huge effect on someone's wellbeing.  We are wired to receive touch as it can have huge benefits on our emotional wellbeing as well as our physical health. 

If this resonates with you, then I encourage you to think about ways you can increase touch in your life.  That might be stroking a pet, having a massage, getting your hair washed, having a conversation with your partner about the lack of touch in your relationship or getting the extra hugs from family as a few examples. 
 
Just know, that everything you are feeling and experiencing, is changeable when you are purposeful with your 'thinking time' and your actions.

 
 

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<![CDATA[Emotions]]>Thu, 13 Jun 2024 07:47:05 GMThttp://connectingdotscounselling.au/blog/emotions

What is their purpose and what are they trying to tell us.

It is the body’s way of letting us know, that we need to take action in some way.  The only way I can really explain this for the purpose of this blog, is to give some examples you may relate to.

Imagine you are struck with fear, now imagine you take time to question that feeling and ask yourself, if you are in actual danger that you need to flee from or is it danger that your thoughts have amplified?  Depending on which one, you can take action and start to calm yourself or of course you can get yourself to safety.

Another example could be when you feel disappointment.  In asking yourself why, you may find that your initial quick response is not actually the real reason for your disappointment. 

You may think, ‘Oh I am disappointed because I failed the test.’  After being curious about that feeling of disappointment, you may discover that you are actually disappointed with yourself because you thought you put in so much effort only to fail. 
Explore even further and you may discover that you did put in effort however, it was effort that was too focused on one particular area and it would have served you better to balance your efforts evenly. 

Emotions of course are all part of being human and a way we communicate with others.  What happens if you feel a whole lot of something and don’t know what to do with what you are feeling?

Ever heard of the saying ‘name it to tame it?’
We literally would do well to put a name to our feelings.  There are emotion wheels you can use to help you with the many different emotion words you could use.
Naming your emotions helps you to grasp what you are actually feeling.  Saying that name can lower the impact of the emotion.  You have brought a certain sense of understanding which in turn brings a little bit of self compassion to the situation.   Writing words or thoughts on a page just to get them out of your head or writing a few sentences about what you are experiencing in your body can be incredibly helpful to understanding what you are feeling and why.
For example, ‘Oh so I feel annoyed, yes I feel really annoyed, because that was unfair.  Oh, wait a minute, I really don’t like unfairness, that is why I am annoyed as fairness if something I value. 

Emotions tie in nicely with our values as per the example above.  Sometimes we may feel we do not like confrontation and fear or panic may creep in.  In this instance, maybe you really value peace, calm, seeking to understand or acceptance.  The same with feeling disrespected.  Perhaps you value respect and more so, boundaries.  Do you need to put in a boundary in this instance?

Emotions are one of those things that comes and goes like a tide of the ocean.  Don’t try to force them to stop coming or try to push them back.  Don’t hold onto them or feed them over and over as this can be both exhausting and pointless.
Instead, question them without judgement, be open to them, and seek to understand them, but remember to let them go once they have served their purpose. 

Emotions can help us to change, become motivated, strive to improve ourselves, protect ourselves, connect with others, help us to learn from our mistakes, help us communicate to others that we are feeling a certain way, encourages us to explore, reminds us we may need time to rest or calm down.

When we open the door to discovering and learning more about how we react and interact, we grow.  Just because we have always reacted a certain way, does not mean we have to continue to do so. 


‘I gave myself permission to feel and experience all of my emotions. In order to do that, I had to stop being afraid to feel. In order to do that, I taught myself to believe that no matter what I felt or what happened when I felt it, I would be okay.’
Iyanla Vanzant
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<![CDATA[Get Comfortable Feeling Uncomfortable]]>Wed, 29 May 2024 05:40:34 GMThttp://connectingdotscounselling.au/blog/get-comfortable-feeling-uncomfortable
Peter McWilliams Quote
'Be willing to be uncomfortable. Be comfortable being uncomfortable. It may get tough, but it's a small price to pay for living a dream.'

So here is a thought…
What if, we could view our uncomfortable feelings differently?
What if, when we feel the many uncomfortable feelings, we try to view it as an opportunity to wonder?
What if that wonder created a space for us to learn something about ourselves and an opportunity to do something different next time?

Why would we purposefully put ourselves in uncomfortable situations, some of you may be asking? (or fear might be trying to find a voice)

Well, it helps to empower you. Each time you acknowledge and push through the uncomfortable feelings, you build resilience and gain confidence to do it again and again. You create opportunity for real personal growth and understanding of yourself. When you embrace your discomfort, even if only a little, you actually train your brain to respond differently.

Would you like to be a more confident or adventurous version of yourself? Or perhaps a more relaxed or assertive version of yourself?

Whichever you choose, here are some questions you can ask yourself to help you ride that wave of discomfort:
  • What can I do to help my body relax in this situation?
  • What is around me that I can focus on instead? (things I can see, touch, taste, smell, hear)
  • What can I learn from my own discomfort?
  • What would my confident or relaxed self look like in this situation?
  • What would others notice about me, when I am my relaxed, confident self?
  • How would this version of myself celebrate what I have just accomplished?

Of course, if you find yourself in a situation where you feel uncomfortable, take a moment to just pause and acknowledge that feeling. If that feeling is intense and you think you might be in a potentially dangerous situation, listen to your gut and remove yourself from the situation or seek support.

#empowered #resilience #selfcare
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<![CDATA[Self Compassion]]>Sat, 27 Apr 2024 08:30:59 GMThttp://connectingdotscounselling.au/blog/self-compassion
 
“An empty lantern provides no light.  Self-care is the fuel that allows your light to shine brightly.” - Unknown
 
If someone said to you, there is a practice, that you can do right now, that could improve your mental health, your attitude, your relationships, your outlook on life, your perspective, your behaviours, your understanding of yourself, your emotional responses, your approach to situations and your suffering, would you be even just a little curious as to what that was?
 
Right now, in this moment, allow yourself to at least explore the possibility that this statement may be true.
 
“Remember you have been criticizing yourself for years and it hasn’t worked. Try approving of yourself and see what happens.” – Louise L Hay
 
I love the above quote - let’s do more of what is working, let’s do something different!
 
 So what is self compassion?
What it isn’t, is just some popular word bouncing around, it is a real and really beneficial skill.  Maybe you can relate to this, but for me it is about the following:
  • First and foremost, it is something that takes practice and repeating.
  • It is the ability to show myself self-care and therefore showing myself the respect and love I need, to be able to navigate through all that life has in store for me.
  • It is understanding that I am someone who makes mistakes and I try to look at this with curiosity rather than any guilt or harsh criticism.  Granting myself that same forgiveness I might give someone else, instead this time I forgive myself for the error and I do it differently next time.  “One of the basic rules of the universe is that nothing is perfect. Perfection simply doesn't exist.....Without imperfection, neither you nor I would exist” Stephen Hawking  
  • It is the ability that I have, in understanding myself a little more and then acting on things in a way that shows inward kindness and care.  Going forward in a way that connects me to the version of myself I value most.
  • It is celebrating my achievements.  Knowing what an achievement looks like to me. It can be the smallest of successes and not necessarily the huge gains or accomplishments.  Taking these and acknowledging them in a way that shows that I am proud of the way I handled that, or worked hard on that, or changed that or even thought about that.
  • It is acknowledging that encouraging words and ways are the things that energise and comfort me.
  • It is the ability to be flexible just enough, so that I open my mind to learn something new about myself and respond to that knowledge without judgement or criticism.
  • It is asking for help when I need it, because in that moment, I have acknowledged, that what is best for me in this situation, is support.
  • It is accepting that in this moment, I am okay.  In this moment, I am doing the best I can.  In this moment right now, I am human and worthy of forgiveness and capable of change.
  • It is seeking out moments, people, situations and opportunities to be grateful for, recognising them in my life and reminding myself of these when my negative and unrealistic thoughts are taking me captive.
  • It is using language that builds up, nurtures, encourages, and inspires me to continue, to grow or to heal.
 
All in all, showing and practicing self compassion regularly, shifts our focus and before long, we start to look out for things we are grateful for, willing to learn, ways to enhance our self care. 
It creates a space for us to always come back to, a space that is free from judgement, instead it’s a space of calm, safety and autonomy.  A space we get to feel empowered every day, a space we get to take the lead and enhance little by little and step by step.

“Plant seeds of happiness, hope, success, and love; it will come back to you in abundance.  This is the law of nature” – Steve Maraboli
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<![CDATA[Boundaries]]>Sat, 09 Mar 2024 07:12:59 GMThttp://connectingdotscounselling.au/blog/boundaries
Picture
“Your personal boundaries protect the inner core of your identity and your right to choices.”— Gerard Manley Hopkins
 
Thanks to the Cambridge Dictionary a boundary can be described as the following:
 The limit of what someone considers to be acceptable behaviour:
Try to show love while respecting each other's boundaries.
Set a boundary 
We set firm boundaries, and if the children cross them there are consequences.

 
Imagine for a moment...
You are in a queue.  You can literally feel the person behind you, breathing in your neck because they are that close to you. 

In that moment, what do you need?  Well if it were me, I would NEED them to back off, take a step back, give me breathing space, stop invading my personal space. 

So, what is this boundary?
A personal boundary that I did not communicate to this person in the queue but one that I needed.  I value having a physical distance between myself and other people.  So in a way I felt this person had crossed my boundary and that annoyed me and made me feel uncomfortable.

A boundary is a limit of sorts, an expectation.  But, it can also be something flexible, a part of self care, a part of communication, a skill, and even a sensation you might feel physically.  As well as things that you may be willing to accept or at least compromise on. 

How to put in a boundary or what they are is not necessarily something we learn as a child.  Preferably yes, but not always so. 

A boundary is a life skill.  Yip, something essential for our wellbeing that we can learn, just like the skill of communicating.

In fact, setting boundaries, is a form of communicating to others effectively, what is important to you, what your values are, what you ultimately need and what you expect for yourself and expect from them as a result of knowing your boundary.

That being said, they are not always easy to put into place.  Have you ever tried to stop flicking through social media?  And before you know it you have taken up the flicking again.  

Okay, so in this instance, the ‘why’ you tried to put that boundary in is important because you clearly value your time spent elsewhere.  You made a conscious decision to stop, draw the line.  That is a good effort of you trying to draw closer to what is important to you.
Another example might be putting a boundary in at work.  Perhaps you decide that you don’t want to socialise with those you work with due to cultural reasons.  It is of importance to you, to align with your cultural values and therefore you put that boundary in for yourself.

As you can see, you can assign boundaries to different areas/categories of your life and you may discover that some boundaries are non-negotiable ones and others are a bit more flexible in nature, adjusting as the situation changes or as communication evolves.

Boundaries and balance go hand in hand.  If the scales are tipping too far in the direction that is away from what is meaningful and important for you, then perhaps there needs to be a boundary or two put in place.

Wow, what a great way of showing yourself and others, how much you respect yourself and that you are willing to consider your own self care.

There is a very helpful way in which you can set a boundary.  It is no secret that ‘I’ statements work best.  This is because you show others you are being reflective and stating how you feel and what you want. You are not blaming, calling out or insulting and so there is little room for others to get defensive.

Here are just a few examples of some 'I' statements you could use.

‘I get scared when… and I feel nervous when you…’
‘I need to just pause right now as I need time to think.’
‘I feel unappreciated when you…..’
‘Ideally, that would be something I would love to do, but right now, I just don’t have it in me.’
‘I can sense you may not be comfortable with this, are you okay for me to continue or do you need me to stop?’
‘I respect myself too much to let this continue and so I have decided to end this relationship.’
 
Think of a time when you put in a boundary. 
Could you have done it in a different way? 
Do you need to revisit it and change it?
Is that boundary still aligned with what you value, what is important to you?
Are you taking advantage of boundaries that others have put in place?

Being more aware of what you are feeling about certain situations, conversations and people, can really help you to understand what buffer you may need to put in place to help protect yourself from potential harm, be that physical, emotional, financial, spiritual, sexual or cultural harm to name a few.

The clearer the boundary, the more you communicate with others exactly what the expectation is.  When you are able to put in a boundary, it empowers you, decreases fear and can increase your confidence as you continue to align with what feels respectful to your values, your needs, your life.

“Daring to set boundaries is about having the courage to love ourselves, even when we risk disappointing others.”
— Brené Brown
 

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<![CDATA[Action for Change]]>Fri, 02 Feb 2024 05:39:04 GMThttp://connectingdotscounselling.au/blog/action-for-change
What does ‘taking action’ look like to you?
 
Here is a different kind of blog for you.  And perhaps one that requires a bit of imagination. 
Let’s take a look at an example. (feel free to insert your very own ‘want’)

Are you ready for it?

You want a loaf of bread but do not have it in your house. Now what?

Step one
You acknowledge you want it.

Step two
You acknowledge you have not got it.

Step three
You start to problem solve and try to work out how you can get it or if you really need it.

Step four
You conclude, you will have to physically do something to get it.  This might look like, texting someone or ordering online or walking or driving to the shops etc.

Step five
You decide which option to choose.

Step six
You start moving towards the option you chose in step five.

Step seven

Along the way you might realise that you might need to change something in order for you to get what you want, be that exactly the same or close to what you were after in the beginning.

Step eight
You get your loaf of bread.

Did you get it to do nothing with? Or do you have to take further steps for it to satisfy why you wanted it in the first place?

This reminds me of that wonderful phrase we may have heard from our mothers or we use ourselves – Actions Speak Louder Than Words!
It is all very well to have words floating in your head, but they will remain just that if we do not put these thoughts and words into action.
Some may find this easy and others it could feel like the hardest thing they have ever done.

So now that we have some idea of what we want, what’s next?

Well, we really should just start where we are at.  That means, starting with all the feelings and thoughts that are coming up for us, good and not so good.
Why?  Because this brings more awareness to our state of mind.    Being mindful and purposeful in the process.

Just like a house being built, you would need the things under the ground organised and secured first and then the foundation laid firmly on top, before any real creation can be built.

So, I would like to encourage you to start where you are at, change one small thing, see how that one change starts to impact your life.  When you are ready you might like to change something else that has been on your mind. 


“If you talk about it, it’s a dream, if you envision it, it’s possible, but if you schedule it, it’s real.” — Anthony Robbins
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<![CDATA[Hope]]>Fri, 19 Jan 2024 04:10:35 GMThttp://connectingdotscounselling.au/blog/hope
Hope, a small but incredibly powerful word.
A word associated with desire, expectation, anticipation, want, looking for, trust, faith.
 
In my experience, having hope means I have something to hold on to.  It means that even when I feel I do not have hope, I know that I can find it and often it is in the smallest of things.
It means that when things are not as expected, I have hope that I will adjust or improve the outcome.  I just know that things will and always do change and that I have my eyes on the HOPE ahead because it shows up each and every time.   I know this, because I have seen it before, I have wanted it before and I have actioned it before.

Hope is a noun which indicates it to be a thing.  A thing of meaning, fulfillment, expectation, success, desire, obtainment, anticipation.  If you look at these words, you will soon realise that Hope is also a verb, a word of action.  Hope is waiting for you just round the corner. 

Hope is what you desire – a part of change.  You hope for something to be different or you hope something will be different for someone else.   You hope this because you will it for yourself or others.  Willing it into being.  Sometimes we have to action it into being

We expect, hold onto an outcome because we truly refuse to believe that this particular moment of hopelessness is permanent. 
Why, because we know things change.  You know this, you have experienced this AND you have used your amazing abilities, skills, strengths to bounce back from these events, phases, moments.  How did you do that? 
Even if the situation now is different, you can still use some of the things you did before.  Perhaps the previous time you did not need to ask someone for help, but you realise this time you may need to.  Why, because you want things to change. 

All well and good, but what if you have experienced hopelessness? 
The feelings that come with that like despair, feeling unseen, sadness, anger, frustration, undervalued, unworthy, rejected, invisible, and the dread of having nothing in your life to look forward to.  Then on top of that, you cannot think of a means to get out of it, so you feel trapped.  You find it more difficult to connect and being sociable becomes exhausting.

What if you have tried everything you can think of to help yourself and you still feel like things of hopeless.   What happens when you give up and therefore have no motivation left to find hope and, in some ways, finding it easier just to slip deeper into despair. 

Well, here is the challenge to shift your mindset.  Doing something different to help you see something with a different perspective.  Have you actually tried everything?  It may seem like you have because you have tried so much.  Perhaps there are things that you would not normally try and so they have not come onto the ‘tried everything list’ yet.   Have you actually spoken to others, shared your feelings.   It may take some creative thinking or seeking support and talking through all the things you have tried and through that collaborative process, discovering one new thing for the list. 
Perhaps some research is needed first, of what is actually available in your area or perhaps it entails you walking in a different area and seeing a resource you have not noticed before. 

We can get so stuck in our ‘tried everything’ mentality that we don’t even allow ourselves to entertain the idea that there may just be something else we are yet to discover.

It may sound counterintuitive but helping others can actually shine a light on your own values and qualities, and therefore can be a reminder for you that you are worthy, have something to give and that others are appreciative of your support.  

What is the key to all of this, well, it is the fact that you give yourself permission, allow yourself to think about, in detail, what you ultimately want.  Allowing yourself to dream the biggest dream, because somewhere in there will be your starting point to your personal and realistic outcome.
Others may put their limitations on you because their thinking is not like yours, but you know exactly what your desire is and along the way will discover just how resourceful and adaptable to change you can be. 

It is your desired outcome, not someone else’s.  Own it, protect it, grow it and nourish it.  Just like when you first get a seedling and you are encouraging it to grow.  You are patient because you know it takes time, feeding it because you know it will not grow otherwise and nurturing it because you really want to see it in it’s full glory and maturity. 

Is this not what you would want for yourself?  How can you put in actionable steps to nurture you, nurture your desire, your hoped for future.

Past experiences and skills
Think back to a time when you were exactly where you wanted to be.  Think of how that felt, what you were doing, who was around you, what it looked like, what it smelt like and sounded like?
  • What did you notice about yourself or others during this season, event, time? 
  • What would others have said about you during this time?
  • What ray of light did you see in the distance? 
  • What did you need to clear away for it to shine brighter and how did you do that?
  • Now find in that, what you would like to hold onto for now, your current circumstances and just like an anchor steadies a boat in the sea, use it for stability and for supporting you in grabbing a hold of your next desired outcome.

Your celebration, Your Joy
Last but not least, celebrate each and every step, achievement, contact, resource and even set backs that come your way.  This celebration is what is going to continue to equip you, motivate you, change you and inspire you to keep looking, searching, evolving and smiling!
Just writing this, makes me excited and emotional all at the same time, because I have been a witness to the change and renewal of people's lives in a way that brings them enthusiasm, joy and peace.  I can only hope that by reading this, you find YOUR glimmer of hope to hang onto. 


  • “The very least you can do in your life is figure out what you hope for. And the most you can do is live inside that hope. Not admire it from a distance but live right in it, under its roof.” — Barbara Kingsolver
 
  • “Hope can be a powerful force. Maybe there’s no actual magic in it, but when you know what you hope for most and hold it like a light within you, you can make things happen, almost like magic.” — Laini Taylor
 
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<![CDATA[Stepping out of your comfort zone.]]>Thu, 23 Nov 2023 04:16:25 GMThttp://connectingdotscounselling.au/blog/stepping-out-of-your-comfort-zone

 
Who would have thought making a Christmas Wreath could be so enjoyable?
 
Step 1.  Saying yes to something I have not tried before
 
Step 2.  Being curious about the day.  Welcoming opportunities to connect. 
 
Step 3.  Being in the moment with others also enjoying themselves.  Being totally present on the task at hand ie. Wreath making… okay maybe some signing and laughing was involved.  Allowing creativity to flow.  Not analysing or being hard on myself but instead feeling proud of what I have accomplished.
 
Step 4.  Mood elevated, sense of satisfaction and accomplishment and a beautiful wreath to show for it.
 
Moral of this story is: 
 
Sometimes, stepping out of our comfort zone (even when we are fearful of making a mistake or getting hurt) can be really hard.   But did you know that not expanding your comfort zone can have longer term consequences, particularly when you are faced with situations you simply cannot avoid.
 
Okay so what does ‘expanding your comfort zone’ look like?
 
Sometimes when we are curious enough, we end up opening a door that does not necessarily lead us to the set destination but provides a space for us to be more curious and explore our options, which then can lead into an area we truly had not planned or did not expect. 

Some of us may not like that feeling of not being able to control a situation and so won’t be so willing to try something we have not tried before.  That being said, the growth and possibility that comes from expanding our area of comfort, can be so rewarding and in some cases, life changing.  


Some of us might need a little bit more information to take that step into the curiosity zone. This is normal for a lot of us and so researching the area you want to explore might be just what you need for this particular task.  And some of us may need to adjust our mindset.    

Start where you are at, what you think you can manage.  Perhaps it is saying yes to something you that only frightens you a little.  The truth is, we do not know how we will respond to a new experience or if we will like it or not. (we will certainly come up with all the reasons not to try it or how we might feel about it).   

Giving yourself every opportunity to at least explore things with curiosity in a way that you still feel safe and in a way that feels manageable to you, might be just what you need.  

Maybe you are trying something new, with a bunch of friends.  (oh did I mention I was going on a cruise with my friends – oh and I am not a fan of cruising, boats in general really), but I said yes and honestly, I am now excited.   
Opportunities give you the platform to learn new things about yourself, a skill or about the experience itself, increase your confidence just enough to try it again, or try something new.  
 
It has the potential to open the door to a new way of thinking and maybe, just maybe, you will say yes to the next thing. 
 
And the bonus is, with each yes, the potential to build your confidence for the next small action or next big adventure is a given.
 
So, my encouragement today is for you is to think of a time when you stepped out your comfort zone.  Now think about all the skills you used to be able to do that. (at least 5).  Now remind yourself that you can use those skills again.  Maybe even adding some new ones you gained along the way.
 
 
“One can choose to go back toward safety or forward toward growth. Growth must be chosen again and again; fear must be overcome again and again.” —Abraham Maslow

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<![CDATA[Setting Your Intention]]>Thu, 19 Oct 2023 04:43:13 GMThttp://connectingdotscounselling.au/blog/setting-your-intention
A friend of mine happened to mention that she had purposefully started ‘setting the intention’ for the week ahead. 

I know all about goals but this is different and so I thought I would share with you what setting an intention may look like.

Okay so let us start with what setting your intention means and why it can be helpful.

Just as the word implies, you are purposefully, consciously setting your intention towards a particular area of focus of your choosing.  But this has a little twist…

The intention centres around your values in a way that is important to you.  You identify your intention for the hour, day, week, month etc. because you feel something needs a shift, a refocus, an energy infused moment and because you want to be living in a way that honours your own values and honours you. 

So often we can ‘lose’ ourselves in the chaos and overwhelm.  This action of setting your intention, can ground you and is a reminder of what we want for ourselves in our lives.

It can be a wonderful tool for shining a light on what is really important to you and to how you want to be in your world for the next hour, day, week, month, year.   

Perhaps some of you would like to know more about boundary setting or you already have some knowledge on the subject and just want to set those boundaries because they are important to you and the way you like to live your life. 

Maybe you have been affected by something that occurred this week or someone’s actions have affected you, made you feel unsettled/triggered. 
Be intentional on finding out for yourself why you feel the way you do about what occurred. 

Now set your intention going forward – Really thinking about where it is you are able to put your focus to help a situation or asking yourself if what you are currently doing is helping or could you try something different.

 
Setting an intention and using it in your life, can create a momentum towards your preferred future and your best self.  Once you have an awareness of what you want to be intentional about and for the length of time you want the intention to go on for, it is then time to put it into action.

One thing, One step!  Weave it into your life, become comfortable with it and enjoy it. 

For me, it looks like this: 
I start my day with reading something inspirational – why, because it is important to me and inspires me for the rest of the day. 
My set intention is to put on the radio every day.  Why because I know that music lifts my spirit and makes me dance and smile and those things help me to feel joyful and I value feeling joyful. 

My intention for the week is normally to connect with friends and family in some way.   Why?  Because it is meaningful to me to nurture the relationships in my life.

Keeping it simple but meaningful to you is what will keep you motivated and inspire you to continue.

And guess what? 
You can change it and replace it whenever you want to.


“There’s no way to become great overnight, but in the marathon of success, it takes a lot of intention to see you through each day of the journey.” – Lewis Howes
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<![CDATA[​Routines]]>Fri, 22 Sep 2023 23:08:13 GMThttp://connectingdotscounselling.au/blog/routines
We all have them but may not realise the importance of them in our lives. 

Perhaps you are a parent, guardian, grandparent.  Routines not only benefit you keep a sense of stability and control over what sometimes can be a chaotic and unpredictable experience when raising or looking after family members, but they also benefit the children in your lives.  

Taking your time and effort in establishing routines with careful consideration for all involved, helps create an environment that becomes predictable and that brings with it, a sense of security/safety experience.

In one of my previous blogs https://connectingdotscounselling.au/blog/understanding-depression
I explain how keeping a routine, like making your bed each morning for instance.  This kind of thing can often be enough to keep you stable/grounded when you feel overwhelmed, and you feel like things are out of your control.  Making your bed, you can control and there can be satisfaction in knowing that there is a part of your life you have set up meaningfully, to keep things ‘in order’. 

What else can routine do for us adults and our children or family?
  • As I have mentioned, it can help give us or your children a sense of purpose, stability, predictability and security and trust.  This can lead to a happier and less anxious version of yourself or of your child.   Helping children to learn that there are things they can predict will happen during the day, after school, after dinner, before bed and therefore potentially reducing the ‘pushing the boundaries’ scenario to some degree.
  • Having routines interwoven into family life, sets a good basis for possible family traditions which can create great family values and build relationships.  For those of you who would like to know more about the benefits of family traditions, well you may just have to wait for another one of my blogs.
  • What about children and routine?  Being an education assistant for many years in primary school and being involved in everyday routines of the school environment, I absolutely can testify to the benefits of routine.  Not only does it teach children what it feels like to have consistency in their life, but also an important life skills of time management, growing in independence and in confidence.   They learn to expect what comes next and this can help immensely with any kind of change or transition in their life.  
  • Being exposed to routine and taking part in what actions the routine requires, sets us up to practice responsibility and of course with that, accountability.
  • Oh, and let us not forget, routine of course helps us stay organised and on track in our often busy schedules.

So let us look at how you can be successful in the implantation of your routines.

Collaborative discussions wherever possible in the setting up of a routine.  When you are involved in the decision-making process, you feel more valued, appreciated, respected and included.  We want to empower our children in everyday tasks and having discussions with them and including them in the decision-making process, can be a great place to start.   Being realistic about each person’s capabilities and setting them up for success.  Practice makes progress!

Also, when something is not working, making space to have those discussions and work toward a solution that works for all of you.
A word on your wellbeing though as far as sticking to routine.  Sure, put the routines in place, but also allow yourself to occasionally, to be flexible with the routines you have in place.  Being too rigid in your implementation of routine can also lead to overwhelm and frustration if there is no flexibility in your thinking in this regard.  Letting go of routine occasionally shows your ability to be flexible in your thinking and may just shine a light on how or if you need to adjust something.  This way you also model to your family that you can deal with change.

So, what routines have you implemented in your life for yourself or your family?
What routines would you like to implement?
What do you want your legacy to be going forward? 
Are you creating lifelong benefits by establishing routines that allow for connection in your family on a regular basis?

It is never too late!  
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<![CDATA[The Balance Of Your Life]]>Fri, 08 Sep 2023 07:09:56 GMThttp://connectingdotscounselling.au/blog/the-balance-of-your-life
I am sure you know or can feel when you are out of balance, when things seem to overwhelm you, or you are more anxious or more irritable than usual or perhaps you notice you are more emotional than usual, or you are feeling more tired.   

This might be one of those times when you could be slightly off balance in one or more areas of your life. 
In other words, you may be spending too much time designated to one area or one thing or one person.  Or perhaps you are placing too much emphasis in an area of your life or focusing heavily on a particular person or project.  The result being that you start to neglect any form of self-care as well as what might be important to you.

One way or the other you just know you are not as balanced as you used to be and so you feel a lack of control and often panic.
Well for the purpose of this blog, I am curious to know, what balance looks like in your life. 

What does it feel like to you, when you are satisfied with the different domains in your life and the amount of time and energy being spent there? 

What are you doing that keeps you in this wonderful state of balance?
  • Some of you might go as far as to say that you have clear boundaries in place or have let go of things that no longer serve you or drain your energy to help you achieve this balance. 
  • Some of you might say that by sharing responsibilities with other supports or family members, contributes to a good dose of balance.
  • Some of you might say that to prioritise tasks or meetings, socialising with friends or even family events and traditions, is important to a balanced lifestyle.
  • Some of you might consistently participate in an exercise routine.
  • Some of you might recognise the need to change certain things in your life like, sleep patterns, diet or habits.
 
Getting a feel for what happens to you both physically and emotionally when you more balanced, can help you to identify times when you are lacking energy, when you may need to pull back, reset, connect with others, change something (after all, change is as good as a holiday right?)

Whatever it looks like to you, having things in place that contribute to you feeling more ‘balanced’ in your life, will support you in times of stress or demand or emotional turmoil.  And it is through this effort and creation of yours, that you will always have something as your 'go to' remedy to get you through the day, week, month, year.

Just like a seesaw in motion in a playground, sometimes you will be focused on one end then the other or sometimes in between.  Spending more time with regards to work related responsibilities or task and other times you may find that more time is needed with family. 

It all comes down to being able to recognise within yourself, when you are starting to lean too far for your comfort, in a particular direction.
Once you notice the signs, remind yourself what you are grateful for and know that you can do something about it each and every time, to achieve or maintain your life’s balance.
 
“Balance is not something you find, it's something you create”
Jana Kingsford
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<![CDATA[Understanding Depression]]>Fri, 18 Aug 2023 07:55:35 GMThttp://connectingdotscounselling.au/blog/understanding-depression
Talk with someone, reach out and find the support that works for you. 
Do more of what is working and build on that.

If you or a loved one need further professional counselling support, please contact me on theresa@connectingdotscounselling.au
​You are never alone!
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<![CDATA[Seasons of Life]]>Thu, 10 Aug 2023 05:04:59 GMThttp://connectingdotscounselling.au/blog/seasons-of-life
CHANGE OF SEASON

I am writing this blog as I sit on a wet and windy afternoon in Perth, Australia.
Thinking about how the weather changes so often but also thinking about looking forward to the change that I know will be coming as Spring approaches.
This got me thinking about you and the different seasons in your life.

Imagine with me for a moment, that you have found yourself not quite where you would like to be in your life.  That you feel stuck or perhaps restless or maybe you feel like you want a change but are unmotivated.  This may be due to circumstances contributing to your decline in wellbeing or what life has thrown at you at this particular time.
Whatever the ‘place’ you are in, let's call this, your SEASON NOW.

Season NOW
As the name suggests, this is where you are at currently.  Your concerns, your confusion, your frustration, your grief, wanting meaning or whatever it may be for you at this time in your life.

​Season WHAT
Well, what is it that you have identified as needing to change?  Or what is it that you just know you want to change?   What do you need to be different? What would you like instead?  Where would you like to be instead?  What would you like to be doing instead?  What would you need to focus on to get what you want instead?

Season WHO 
Sometimes we need support with one thing or another and so this might be a time where you are reaching out for that support from others.  This may be your social group, your family, your work colleagues, strangers in an area of interest.  Or you know exactly how to support yourself as you have identified your strengths or skills in this particular area that you can use, because you have used them before. 

Season HOW
Now that you have who is going to support you, think about how you are going to change things.  What will you start with.  What tiny step are you going to take in the direction you want to go?  What looks and feels different when you do this? What skills are you going to draw upon that you can use here in this season?  What skill worked before, or which new skill can you use or develop?  What is important to you, that you value that will help you draw closer to what you want?

Season CHANGE
This is where you get to look at all the things you have put in place to help make the change you desire.  Using all your strengths, skills, your values, boundaries and your supports to live in this season.

Evaluate your efforts so far.
  • Did the change work?
  • What do you need to tweak?
  • Nothing is set in stone.
  • You can always change your mind.
  • You can start again and try something else.
  • You can continue to do what is working and build on that.
 
Remember, just like seasons of this earth, you may be in one season for longer than the others. 

Moving through different stages and different areas.  Connecting to people and activities. Try not to fight the change, but rather hold it loosely until such time you are ready to let go of it and move into the next season.  Change can take time, so be aware of this and allow yourself the space and ‘season’ to adjust to the change.  You already know that this season is not going to last forever and that alone is a hope to hold onto.

If time is not on your side and change has happened suddenly without warning, then this too is an ‘event within the season’ you are about to be in.  What you do with that change is what is important.  So, using all the things we have spoken about here already, will empower you and inspire you to grab on with both hands to get through it or to even embrace it.

Change is inevitable, so when you feel that change starting to happen, ask yourself if this is an inconvenience or an opportunity for healing, growth and discovery? 

Are you empowering yourself with knowledge, understanding and flexibility in order to embrace the change so that you give yourself the very best opportunity to not only survive but thrive in the process.
 
 “We cannot become what we need by remaining what we are.”
― John C. Maxwell


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<![CDATA[Seniors]]>Fri, 14 Jul 2023 09:43:27 GMThttp://connectingdotscounselling.au/blog/seniors

Seniors

What age are you if you are classed as a senior?
Well, that depends on a few factors like, retirement age and pension eligibility for example.

The ‘norm’ is defining seniors as those who are aged 65 and over.
Since working as a Griefline Helpline Volunteer, the thing that has struck me most, is just how vulnerable people are when their supports are not around or they have not engaged in gaining new supports.  

This can happen at any age, however as we age, things tend to shift (both physically and mentally) and move in directions we are unfamiliar with or in a way that may scare us.  Which in turn, may place limitations on us due to the very nature of that shift. And so this has prompted me to write this blog.

The average age of retirement in Australia, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, is 55 years (in the year 2018/19).
Retirement can be a very exciting chapter in one’s life but can also be a time of dread and uncertainty.

One area which I would like to explore with you, is loneliness.  This can come about when those social interactions you once were taking part in, decrease in frequency or stop altogether and can cause further withdrawal the longer you stay away from them.    This can happen when for example, someone’s ability to take part in the things they used to, due to physical or mental capacity diminishing and therefore the motivation to do those things also diminishes.

But wait!  There is HOPE.

Being aware of what can happen and preparing for your future as a Senior, will go a long way to keeping your wellbeing intact.

There are a few things that can help to keep you on track.  Remembering that any little bit you can manage, is fantastic.  Your challenge may look very different to someone else’s, so it is important to do what is right for you.

Some questions to ask yourself, which may be helpful are:
What do you enjoy doing?
What are you enthusiastic about?
When last did you listen to your favourite music? (did you know that research shows that music and familiar smells can be an incredible memory booster).
What would you like to try?
Would you consider doing a part of what you want to do, just to get involved?
Would you consider going along to something just to watch?
Is there someone who you identify that might like to tag along with you?
Who are your supports? Identify them and keep in contact with them. Are you having conversations with others?  The more you share what you are experiencing or would like to, the more your chances increase to actually engage with someone who may be wanting to experience the very same thing.
It is about making those small connections in the everyday things we do.

What can you do for yourself?
Knowing what your daily and weekly routine looks like. Have things in place that you can rely on. For example, that walk that you do every morning or perhaps it is having lunch with a family member or friend.

Activities that keep you active, happy, social and mentally challenged all lead to better wellbeing and have a knock on effect in keeping you motivated to do things both new and old.

Every now and then set yourself a challenge – maybe that is reading a book from start to finish or maybe for you it looks like joining a new club (craft, exercise or social).  

Arrange new activities like a gathering of people, perhaps this is a picnic in the park or a simple little dinner.  Whatever it may be, embrace it at least once and give yourself the goal of attending it twice at the very least. 

Make sure you are have a balanced diet.  I know this can be challenging for some no matter what the age.  But knowing that, having a balanced diet, increases energy levels, helps our bodies to mend and heal, so you can do those things that you really want to do or continue doing for as long as possible.

Actually as we get older, we need to be doing more things not less to help keep us motivated, inspired and connected to others.  When we connect with others and share our thoughts or concerns or achievements, we give ourselves the very best chance of increasing our happiness.

And of course making sure you get enough sleep.  EAST is a wonderful acronym for Eat, Activities, Sleeping, Time (scheduling regular time with family, friends, people). Just remembering this alone, will go a long way in creating a good foundation for your wellbeing.

Get comfortable talking to strangers, that might include someone in your church group or your local shop or even a neighbour you have not spoken to before. You may start with just a ‘hello’ for a while.

Talk about how you are feeling.  If that does not work the first time, try someone else. 

Nothing is set in stone and some of these things you may need to try a few times. 

​Be kind to yourself and do a little bit at a time to build up to where you would like to be.   

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<![CDATA[Having Difficult Conversations]]>Sat, 17 Jun 2023 04:28:27 GMThttp://connectingdotscounselling.au/blog/having-difficult-conversations
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Let’s be honest, some of us would like to avoid having a difficult conversation at all costs, right?

Great, we get to avoid the uncomfortable feeling, the intense emotions, or the raised voices.  Does this action take us a step closer to getting the outcome we want? Hmmm I wonder.

However, what if, these types of conversations are not all bad?  Sure, there may still be parts we are uncomfortable with but difficult conversations can actually be a great path to growth and understanding. 

So how do we have these conversations in a way that serves us well as well as the person we are having them with?
  • Check yourself to make sure that you need to be having this particular difficult conversation.  Have you considered the possibility that maybe, you can work the concern out without involving anyone else?   
  • Acknowledge first if you have had a part to play in the concern and let the others know what you are willing to take responsibility for.
  • Make sure to be flexible in your thinking and be open to the possibility of a different perspective.  At the very least try to be curious about what another’s perspective is or what solution they may have in mind. 
  • Remember you can always ask others to explain more about a statement or idea, which indicates your interest and willingness to listen.
  • Prepare for your conversation, a bit like you would do if you were playing a chess game, where you think about your game and plan your next move. 
  • Keep the outcome of the conversation, in mind.  What is the purpose of this conversation?  What are you hoping to achieve or learn from this conversation?  What important details do I need to address?  Come back to these points when you feel stuck or overwhelmed by emotion. 
  • Hit the pause button!  Take a breath when you need to and remind yourself of that end goal you would like. 
  • Have you considered, that maybe, there is a better outcome than the one you went in with?  Being curious about all possibilities and being open to hearing these, goes a long way to finding the very best outcome.
  • Using I-statements where possible relays to another person how you are feeling and helps you to express your feelings without asserting blame.  It also shows that you may be taking responsibility for how you feel.
  • This next one may seem obvious, but here it is anyway.  Listen to the way the other person wants or needs to tell their story, rather than listening the way you want to hear it. 

The skill of listening is to fully understand what you are hearing and checking in with others that you in fact have understood what you have just heard.  This may even require you to ask questions before blurting out a panicked response. 

Seek to understand.  Be curious about the potential answers you might hear.  Be curious about the experience. 

Remember, unless there is an end date to adhere to, hit the pause button.  Sleep on it if you must and take time to process it in your time.  This is self-care. 

And lastly, once the conversation is over, congratulate yourself for taking that step to assert yourself, for being present, for taking a risk, voicing your concerns or any other of your amazing skills you may have used.  Then take from the experience, any points you feel provide a learning opportunity and let go of the things that you have no control over and no longer relevant.  


#conversations #listeningskills #conflict
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<![CDATA[How do you solve a problem?]]>Sat, 03 Jun 2023 08:57:08 GMThttp://connectingdotscounselling.au/blog/how-do-you-solve-a-problem
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How To Solve a Problem?
 
Do you relish solving a problem or does it frighten you?
 
Some of us may find this quite challenging.  
 
When we are faced with a problem, our minds can sometimes go into panic, depending on the size of the problem.

In this initial stage of being presented with a problem, one would really benefit from acknowledging how you feel about the problem and accepting that there is a choice you may have to make. 

You can CHOOSE to do nothing, work out ways to resolve the problem, or you can take action and put things in place to understand the problem and ultimately create change if this is what you want.

Some of you may have heard of Pros and Cons method or the SWOT method (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats). 

Whichever you choose, it comes down to seeking out a solution that works for you and helps you to either change your situation or make a current situation better.

Okay so, you think you have a problem – Have you identified the actual problem?
  • What do you want instead of this problem?
  • What is the best thing that could happen once you have identified your best outcome?
  • Brainstorm, think out of the box on how you could get to the best outcome. (this may be just for you or it may involve others).
  • Check for evidence that may already exist that gets you closer to the best outcome.  You may be using some skills or solutions already, so identify these and use them.
  • What small step can you take that will get you closer to that best outcome? Then once you have that step, break it down to half a step if you need.
  • Breaking down the problem into tiny little bits that you can manage.  If you are not quite there yet, then check in with yourself that you are calm enough, ‘open’ enough to creatively begin to solve the problem.
  • Is this a new problem or one you have experienced before?
  • What are your options in reaching your best outcome?
  • You now get to choose the solution – make a decision. Perhaps you have created a list of things you can tick off.  Trust in yourself to make a decision and put it into action.
  • Test it, afterall, you have put in effort to get your best outcome, so test if it is working.
  • Maybe it is just a case of tweaking a thing or two or maybe you need to reassess if the problem is still a problem (this may involve going back to the first steps and brainstorming for some new ideas). 
 
So, the next time you are faced with a problem, remember to calm yourself after any initial panic, acknowledge what is going on, note who is involved, what you are able to do initially that may help and then start with the steps you can manage.
 
And ask yourself if you have had to deal with a similar problem before.  If so, how did you come to a solution that worked for you and what strengths did you use to solve it?


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<![CDATA[Let's talk strengths]]>Sat, 20 May 2023 02:56:57 GMThttp://connectingdotscounselling.au/blog/lets-talk-strengths
Let's Talk Strengths
​Have you ever taken time to acknowledge just how well you may have handled a situation or perhaps commended yourself on your efforts?

It is not only healthy, but incredibly empowering to explore, acknowledge and appreciate your own strengths.

Remembering that what may be easy for some, can be really difficult for others.
My encouragement for you today, is to take a moment to remind yourself of all those times, where you doubted you would ever get through the situation, but 'somehow' you did.

And then ask yourself how you did that!

#strengths #capabilities #empower
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<![CDATA[Feeling Lost]]>Fri, 28 Apr 2023 05:25:29 GMThttp://connectingdotscounselling.au/blog/feeling-lost
Feeling Lost
Life can be full of surprises as I am sure you know.  Sometimes, events take place, and we are left with regret of how we have handled ourselves during that time or we have experienced an outcome that was unexpected. 

Perhaps there have been a lot of changes that have taken place and you are left feeling insecure, fearful, or anxious. 

By nature, we are creatures of habit and therefore, having constants in our lives, helps us to feel a sense of security, safe, grounded.  When those constants change, we may have a sense of urgency to sort things out or find purpose or meaning.

Now what?  Where do you go from here?  So much may have taken place and you may not know where or how to start making change?

The good news is, there is always something we can do and somewhere we can go.
Let’s look at what you can do to help yourself.

  • Finding out what is important to you.  What do you value? (Perhaps it is a good partner, a different job, your current home)
 
  • Asking yourself, where it is you want to be instead?  The stronger your description of the direction you want to go in, the more likely you are to start moving in that direction and this increases your motivation to do so. 
 
  • Be consistent in taking steps towards your desired direction.
 
  • Try a different approach – Albert Einstein once said, ‘Insanity is, doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.’
 
Sometimes we need to take the time to broaden our view on what our preferred future looks like.  (Talk to friends, helplines, family, do research).

During this time, we can choose to focus on all the strengths and abilities and traits we have, that will enable us to get there.

If you struggle with this, ask your close friends and family to remind you of these amazing traits and abilities.  And YES, we all have them, even if we do not feel we are amazing or strong at this time!

Remember we can look at what we once valued and challenge ourselves by asking if that is still of value to us and maybe we need to do a bit of an adjustment.  
Re-evaluating what is important to us can be necessary in making decisions or steering us in the direction we want to go.

There is no doubt, that when you are in a place of overwhelm, it can be very scary.  When things have been a certain way for a long period of time and change in a way you are not used to or do not recognise can be difficult and you may not know where to start.

I would like to encourage you to start with one thing that is working for you and try to build on that.  You may experience a ‘relapse’ of sorts, but that is when you can hold onto your description of your preferred future as your ‘North Star’ or your ‘Guiding Light’.   
​You are the owner of your life story and get to write the next chapter the way you want to. 

You may be required to be a little braver, a little more adventurous or a little more observant, but whatever it is that you need to build on, be kind to yourself, it can take time to process, to heal.

Don’t forget to look around you, for people and resources, that may be available to help you.  If you cannot think of anyone that may be able to help you, then ask yourself this question, how would you help a friend or family member if they were in your situation?  What would you encourage them to have a go at or who to connect with. 
There will always be a direction that you would prefer to move towards.

Quote by T.Harv Eker ‘One step in the right direction is better than a hundred years of thinking about it.’

#direction #anxious #purpose #uncertainty
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<![CDATA[Life Skills]]>Fri, 14 Apr 2023 06:41:23 GMThttp://connectingdotscounselling.au/blog/life-skills
Life Skills
​About 10 years ago, whilst working in the education setting, I decided to investigate the topic of ‘life skills’.  It was a subject which intrigued me and so I did a lot of research on it.  I discovered just how incredibly important, necessary and life changing it is, when these skills are taught from a young age as a collaborative approach, in education settings, in families and in communities.
 
What are Life Skills?
In a nutshell, they are various skills that you acquire and learn through your everyday life experiences that enable you to effectively work through the challenges of your life. 
Having life skills helps children and adolescents become responsible, resilient, and healthy.  This then, is part of the grounding for healthy adults.
 
Why do we need these skills?
Would you want skills, that empower you to be the best version of yourself?   Would you want skills that help you to deal with what life hands you in a productive, competent, and resourceful way, all whilst maintaining a level of wellbeing?

How else do we manage our work, our relationships, and our needs?  And not just on a practical level, but also on an emotional level, being able to respond to situations with control and ability.
We can put these skills into various sections of our lives: (picture a gallery of paintings if you like, with each category being the painting of your life skills).
​ 
What do you know about yourself?
Self-Awareness – looking at your behaviour, actions, emotions and taking time to reflect on these, Self Esteem, Assertiveness, Ability to Manage your Feelings, Coping with Stress.

What do you know about how you relate to others?
Relating to others, Empathy – the ability to understand others’ needs, Managing Peer Relationships, Effective Communication, Negotiating, Conflict Resolution.

What do you know about how you use Life Skills in your business world?
Identifying ways to be successful in business, identifying ways to be financially stable.

What do you know about how effectively you can make decisions?
Creative thinking, Critical Thinking – organising, analysing, and evaluating facts, Decision Making – goals, values, beliefs, Problem Solving.

Take one example of this list - Being able to communicate effectively - in doing so it helps us to enhance our relationships.  Helping us to minimise potential misinterpretation of the communication.

Another example from the list is decision making.  I am sure you would agree that we are forever making decisions in our lives.  Some more serious than others.   Never underestimate the decision-making process that goes on in the school yard not just in the business arena.  To be able to do this, we need the skills to know how so we can make well-informed decisions based on the facts and working out the pros and cons of the decisions we make.  And then making sure we have the skills that help us deal with this process from a logical perspective without letting our emotions take over.

Where and how can we teach or learn these skills?
Well, firstly at home is the best place to create the foundation of these skills and the continuation of these skills.  Secondly, in the education setting, as children spend a lot of hours in the school setting for example.  Thirdly in the community.

Why?  Because it improves mental wellbeing and helps children and young people understand what they value in life, want from their life, and helps them to understand themselves and other relationships and interactions in their lives. 

Young people are constantly trying to find their place in their world and who they are and who they want to be.  The social pressures and effect this has on their self-esteem all eventually can lead to a decline in their mental health.  We want the youth of today to be able to thrive in their family, their world, their communities, don’t we?

It is for this reason, the more we can equip the youth of today with skills they need, the more they will understand who they are, what their strengths and weaknesses are so they can increase their ability to know themselves and how they deal with life situations.
 
So how do we improve our life skills?
  • Continue to try to do something despite obstacles or difficulties.
  • Work together with others to complete a task.
  • Show interest in a cause.  Be curious about the world around you.
  • Put real effort into doing something.
  • Think about the concerns others may have and try to see things from a different perspective.
  • Find an answer or solution to a problem you or someone else is experiencing.
  • Keep your house, room, email, diary and office organised and things accessible.
  • Be honest with yourself and with those in your life.
  • Be accountable for your actions and your attitude.
  • Create a plan and try to carry it out completely.
  • Show interest in a topic or task.
  • Be self-aware and accept mistakes as part of your growth.
  • Be satisfied if you have given it your best effort.
  • Try to laugh every now and then and be kind to yourself.
  • Be patient and practice being in tune with what your body is telling you.
  • Know what you value and act accordingly.
  • Try to be flexible by practicing the ability to change plans when needed.
  • Think things through first.
  • Practice courage – you can do more than you give yourself credit for.
  • Keep your friendships strong by showing care and demonstrating trust.
  • Truly listen to others to understand them and try to view things from different viewpoints.
 
Perhaps this blog has helped you to identify a skill you would like to work on or learn.  It is never too late to learn or to teach others a new skill.
Did you know that continuing to learn throughout your life can help you to become that best version of yourself with the added benefit of helping you to deal with things differently than you did before, because you have a different mindset or new skill.
Enjoy the journey.

#lifeskills
#selfawareness
#mentalhealth
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<![CDATA[Possibility]]>Fri, 24 Mar 2023 08:34:54 GMThttp://connectingdotscounselling.au/blog/possibility

THINKING WITH POSSIBILITY IN MIND

You might be interested to know, that we all have beliefs that can limit us and perhaps some of you have experienced this.

It could be some persistent thought that prevents us from approaching that person we really want to, or joining a club or trying something new, or changing careers.
These thoughts that can stop us from doing the things we want to do, are called limiting beliefs. 

For some, this can be all consuming and debilitating.  And as the word suggests, they limit us from our true potential and add to our fears.  Thankfully we can do something about it.

How many of us have an awareness of our thoughts and then actually challenge these thoughts? 

Well, in order to do this, we actually have to recognise that we are having these thoughts.  Once you achieve this, try find the evidence to support your thoughts.  ‘I am scared because the bus might break down.’ (has it broken down before and do you know for sure that it will happen again?)

Guess what?  The evidence is almost always not there and this is when you get to challenge that thought.  This works for both adults and children alike.
Try it next time a ‘negative’ thought pops into mind.  CATCH it/stop it in its tracks and CHANGE it to something a little more ‘positive’.  This is known as unrealistic thoughts vs realistic ones. 

Now some of us get ‘stuck’ from time to time, feeling like there is no way out, no hope to reach for.   What if I told you that there are things you can do to help you to become ‘unstuck’ and grab onto that hope.

Start with the fact, that you are absolutely more capable than you give yourself credit for.  Some find it helpful to tell themselves this repeatedly or other similar positive phrases.  

So lets look at some questions to get you started.

1.  WHAT IS YOUR MOTIVATION TO CHANGE?
 
2. WHAT DO YOU ALREADY HAVE RIGHT NOW? 
A quote by Arthur Ashe. ‘Start where you are, use what you have, do what you can.’  Sometimes all we can do right now, is breath.  Then go from there.  

3.  WHAT FUTURE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF HAVING? 
One or two years from now?  (break this down to 6 months or even less if that is helpful to you)
 
4.  WITH ALL OF THE ABOVE IN MIND, WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO GET YOU TO THAT VISION OF YOUR FUTURE?
(be that next week, 6 months from now or a year from now)
 
5.  TAKE ACTION
Just like in step 1, when you took action to reflect on your thinking about the possibility of change, do the same here with each step – grab hold of your vision you just created and start gathering all the resources, connections, information you need to make it become your reality. 

Having a different mindset, one open to possibilities, allows you be creative and to seek out positive things/possibilities. You will more than likely start to see that doors you thought were closed, are slightly open.  Suddenly there is hope and possibility.  We start to see challenges as possibilities and that can be very powerful.

As an experienced Education Assistant, there are two types of questions which we use in school, that relate so well to this topic.  The ‘what if’ question and the ‘I wonder’ question.  What if you tried something different today?  What if, for today, you used a different toy?  I wonder what will happen when you let that balloon go?  And so on.

In a school setting, we would provide the resources to allow for this type of thinking to take place.  As an adult you would need to determine what your resources are and then acquire more if needed, to keep your possibility thinking on track.

Remember, small changes lead to bigger changes.  The reason why this is, is because our focus shifts and we start to see doors ajar that were once closed.  In other words, small solutions appearing, almost as if by chance.  But the truth is, the veil has been lifted, eyes have been opened and we are looking for different things.

To conclude:  A quote by Glennon Doyle – Untamed.  
‘I see your fear, and it’s big.  I also see your courage, and it’s bigger.  We can do hard things.

#change #possibility 


Connecting Dots Counselling | Perth WA | Facebook

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<![CDATA[Acceptance]]>Thu, 09 Mar 2023 06:05:26 GMThttp://connectingdotscounselling.au/blog/acceptance
Acceptance
Can be defined as: 
  • a readiness or willingness to accept or adapt to a given circumstance.
  • recognising a process or, as is often the case, uncomfortable/negative situation, without the temptation to change it.
 
  1. What is it? 
  2. Why do we need it? 
  3. How do we practice it?
 
Learning to accept ‘what is’ and do what is working or has worked for you, can help you to maximise peace of mind to live a meaningful life. 

So what is it exactly?
Does it mean that you totally accept/approve/be passive towards, quit an experience, things, person?
Or perhaps you think it is giving up on your beliefs and just doing what pleases others?
 
Let’s start at the first question.

What is acceptance?
Acceptance is: 
  • The ability to accept things that life throws at you – accepting the reality of a situation.
 
  • Not resisting what you cannot change – accepting that you had no control over a situation and being able to move forward with clear thought process.
 
  • Somehow being at peace about a situation, even when the outcome is not what you wanted.
 
  • Learning how to overcome a situation and accept it for what it is in that moment.
 
  • Knowing when to let go of experiences, situations that are limiting you, causing ill health.
 
  • Knowing when you are wasting too much time and effort on a situation you are struggling to accept.  What is it taking from you?
 
  • By refusing to accept a situation or the like, you essentially are clinging to the idea that you wanted things to go a different way, have a different outcome.
 
Why do we need acceptance?
  • Sometimes you may refuse to accept things, even when they are out of your control.  When you start to move towards accepting these things, you move toward peace and being able to deal with the situation.
 
  • Acceptance is beneficial for your overall wellbeing. In learning to accept that the experiences you have in life, are interpreted, acted upon and thought of by you, you have the ability to view/accept these experiences in a way that you choose.
 
  • By practicing acceptance, you may feel calmer and experience less anxiety, or even feel less overwhelmed.
 
  • Acceptance allows you to move from feeling like you are stuck to feeling like you can move toward where you want to be instead.
 
How do we practice acceptance?

Well for this one, you have to make a conscious choice to do something.
  • By acknowledging that you may have had no control over the situation.
 
  • By shifting your focus to what you can control and accept.
 
  • By allowing your feelings to come and go, accepting them for what they are at that moment.
 
  • By catching yourself - literally becoming aware of what you are ‘aware’ of.
 
  • By accepting that for now perhaps, this is the situation.  It is not accepting it forever necessarily but just for now until you are comfortable to practice accepting more.
 
  • By observing your own thoughts and patterns around things but doing this without judgement.  Just observing situations for what they are – experiences in life.
 
  • By noticing your resistance to experiences.  Just because we have always reacted a certain way, does not mean it was helpful.
 
  • By reflecting on positive experiences.
 
  • By questioning why you may feel the way you do when situations arise and accepting what you may have control over.
 
  • By letting go of judgement and criticism.
 
  • By practicing detaching yourself from being reliant on things/people/places to make you happy.  You are enough and you will be able to carry on even when things do not work out.
 
 My questions to you are:
 
How are you able to move toward a life you desire with the values that are important to you, in spite of any barriers? 
 
Is what you are doing currently, propelling you forward in your life based on your values?
 
And remember:
By being less harsh toward yourself and showing kindness and acceptance of self is key.  Afterall, you are the one who speaks the most to you!  Be specific and thoughtful when you speak kind words to yourself.

If you would like to increase acceptance in your life, feel free to contact me at: theresa@connectingdotscounselling.au and together we can put some of these practices into practice!


The book ACT made Simple second edition by Russ Harris and The book The Mindfulness & Acceptance Workbook for Anxiety second edition by John P. Forsyth, PhD and Georg H. Eifert, PhD, has been the inspiration for this blog.
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<![CDATA[Understanding Grief and Loss]]>Thu, 23 Feb 2023 07:47:21 GMThttp://connectingdotscounselling.au/blog/understanding-grief-and-loss
Grief and Loss Explained​
Loss can be painful, relieving, confusing, exhausting, consuming and many other emotions too. 

Whichever emotions you feel, during your grief, is a normal response to a loss, even when you feel these at the same time!

It is a unique experience to the person who is grieving and is an experience that needs support from others.  In order to do that, there needs to be an understanding of what that looks like. 

Being able to understand what the grieving person may be experiencing goes a long way to actually being able to help them.

We know that grief is a normal response to a loss.  It can also be complicated due to the very nature of being human and the influences in our lives.  The intensity and length of the experience of grief varies and is unique to each of us.

Grief can bring about many challenges.  Affecting relationships, our own beliefs, our world as we know it.

Having support from others can help us to deal with changes brought on by the loss we have experienced.  Support can help us to navigate through the changes and the challenges change can bring. 

Quite often we don’t know what to say to someone who is experiencing a loss.  The person experiencing the loss may want to be in your company so they are not alone, or to be listened to.  Others may need to put their ‘loss into action’, by joining a group or starting a project. 

What can we do to support those who have suffered a loss?
  • We can be of support by helping them to express their feelings, through music or an activity.
  • We can be of support by helping them to honour the loss (person or thing).
  • We can be of support by letting them know, we are there for them, when they need us and by remembering that we are not trying to take away their grief or fix them.
  • We can be of support by doing real, practical things that they might find supportive during their time of grief, to retain some degree of normality in their changing circumstances.
  • We can support them by actually asking them what is going on for them to find out where they are at, in this moment.  With a curious stance, rather than the intent to fix or change. 

Whether it is you who is experiencing the loss or someone you know, the experience can feel there is a lack of control, which can lead to a sense of helplessness.

What can we do for ourselves?
  • We can be compassionate toward ourselves, allowing ourselves to regain a sense of safety, a sense of calm and balance, accepting what we feel and not what others need us to feel.
  • We can reach out to others.
  • We can be try a new activity.
  • We can share our memories, or story with others.
  • We can put our energy into caring for others.
  • We can educate ourselves on Grief and Loss.
  • We can make sure we are getting rest, food and time with supportive others.
  • We can put our thoughts in a journal.
  • We can create a memory box or photo album.
  • We can create a legacy in honour of the person.
  • We can accept that over time grief will become more manageable even when it does not feel that way.
  • We can reach out to the many support groups now available.
#griefandloss #support #perthcounsellor #theresaacuttperth #grieving #suffered #compassionate #understanding
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<![CDATA[Called to Care]]>Fri, 03 Feb 2023 11:11:13 GMThttp://connectingdotscounselling.au/blog/called-to-care
 
Called To Care

Are you caring for someone in need?

Caring for a family member or friend who may be physically ill or have a mental illness, can be a very emotional and difficult time for all involved no matter what the age.

I write this from a place of experience and empathy to all of you, who at some time or another, have been in a situation where you were the carer of someone in need.

Faced with dealing with several concerns, issues and practicalities around caring for the loved one or friend can be overwhelming. All whilst trying to navigate through this ‘new’ world and trying to keep some normality for oneself, partner or other children.

This can be a unique experience for us. The knock-on effect is real. People, friends, family react differently and some of these reactions may impact you further. We do not need judgement from others, and yet, we may get it regardless.

It can feel like a loss, loss of self, loss of the way things used to be, as we try to go through the process in the way we need to, what works for us, what feels right for us, in the way we can manage or not manage. We may feel like we are on autopilot.

For some of you, the reality may be that you are doing this alone. For others, support groups, social workers, and family friends are used as a great source of help.
For me, I found a few things incredibly valuable. One of these was keeping a record of events.

💙️Keeping a record of events/journal
This was my ‘lifesaver’ – my sanity to a point. I wrote everything down. Each conversation, appointments, procedures, dates, times, opinions, names of doctors, visitors, ward numbers, medications etc. Without realising it then, it helped me feel like I had some ‘control’ over a situation that felt beyond my control. It helped me put things into perspective and clarified most of the ‘blur’ of information I accumulated. This ultimately led to highlighting necessary information that was needed in order to move in the right direction.

💙Explaining Illness
Communicating honestly with your someone you are caring for can be so useful in helping them to adjust to a serious medical condition. Meeting them where they are at and validating how they are feeling about the situation they are in. Helping them to feel involved in their care in some way.

💙Family dynamics
There may come a time when members of the family are impacted by the change of routine. It can prove helpful to be a little flexible during these times and create a ‘new normal’ where possible.
Remember, you may need to include others in conversation, like a school teacher or grandparent, or work place where those who are being made aware, can look for signs of stress and step in or pass on information where needed.
In the case of siblings of an ill child, this can present with some challenging moments. It may be helpful for parents to be aware of their other children and how these children are dealing with the illness of their sibling. Although it may prove difficult, spending some time with other siblings can be beneficial to those children that may be feeling ‘left out’.

💙Behaviour and Emotions
Having a sick family member can ‘test’ the family unit. A child and adult may have many feelings about the changes affecting his or her body and so being given opportunities to express fears and feelings is important and helpful. Routines getting disrupted and constant visits to hospitals and the like can really trigger many underlying concerns and can cause upheaval to schedules that once were in place.
Sometimes behaviour of children in the household may be disruptive or unacceptable. Keeping routine as ‘normal’ as possible will go a long way in keeping the household running smoothly and helping with the coping of the situation.

💙Who supports you?
The stress we can experience as carers can vary in its intensity and frequency. It may leave us with little energy to do much else. Wherever possible, try to put supports in place that can enhance your wellbeing. It could be as simple as taking a long shower or having a much-needed cuppa. Whichever you choose, savour every minute so you can feel a little more renewed and ready for the next challenge.

#carer #family #mindarie #australia #support #selfcare

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<![CDATA[Just like that!]]>Fri, 27 Jan 2023 12:29:01 GMThttp://connectingdotscounselling.au/blog/just-like-that
​Just Like That!
Have you ever experienced a time in your life when it feels like the rug you were standing on, is pulled from under you?

Many times, I have felt this, and every time, the shock is very real.
Time seems to stand still and you cannot quite believe what you just heard.

Then with that comes the emotional tailspin, the pain, the shock, the humiliation, the anger, the concern, the panic just to name a few.

What do we do with this? We all react differently.
Some might,

🔵Run and tell everyone they can about the news.

🔵Pretend it didn’t happen. Curl up into a ball and do nothing?

🔵Share it with their closest person (partner, sister, friend, mother, father etc)

For me, I go quiet. I need processing time, so I take it. I keep the information really close so I can process it first without the influence of other opinions.

I listen to the one person I have shared this with and try to see it from a different perspective.
Once I am in a calmer space having ‘come down’ from the initial shock, I then go into action. Gather knowledge, prepare for conversations and keep checking in with myself.

There is no right or wrong way to deal with unexpected news, however it is ‘healthy’ to make sure you are able to regulate your emotions firstly, recognise the support you may need, the break you may need to take, the knowledge you may need to gain in order to work through it. Weighing up the negative and positive outcomes of the bad news so you can get a realistic picture of just how bad it is and what ‘good’ you can focus on.

Eventually I might take it to my 'bookclub' ladies!! By then the emotions are regulated and it is more of just a story to tell of the rollercoaster ride of life.

What do you do when a moment like this comes?
What have your experiences been and how do you handle these?
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