Earlier this month, I had the pleasure of being invited to The Granary Spa, near Ashford, to deliver a workshop as part of their Wellness Experience event.
My workshop, Finding Your Calm, felt particularly relevant as we move into the autumn and winter months, a time of year that can bring its own challenges for many of us.
As the days become shorter and life starts to feel a little busier in the lead-up to Christmas, it’s not unusual to notice changes in our mood, energy levels or general sense of wellbeing.
For some, this time of year feels comforting and cosy. For others, it can bring feelings of loneliness, anxiety, sadness or overwhelm. And sometimes, it can be a mixture of all of those things.
I wanted my workshop to offer a space to reflect on how we’re feeling and perhaps think about what we might need as we head into the coming months.
Finding Calm Doesn’t Mean Having Everything Figured Out
One of the things I regularly notice in my work is just how much pressure we can place on ourselves.
We’re often juggling work, family, relationships and responsibilities, while trying to find time for ourselves somewhere in between.
Sometimes, without really noticing, we become so used to being busy that slowing down can feel quite uncomfortable.
During the workshop, we explored what finding calm and rest might actually look like in everyday life.
We talked about recognising when we’re feeling overwhelmed, understanding how stress affects us and the importance of boundaries.
We also explored our window of tolerance, which helps us understand why certain situations can sometimes feel more difficult to manage, particularly when we’re already feeling stressed or emotionally stretched.
Something I really wanted to emphasise was that looking after ourselves doesn’t have to mean making huge changes. Sometimes it’s the smaller things that make a difference.
Recognising when we’re tired, giving ourselves permission to say no, taking a little time away from the constant demands of everyday life or simply acknowledging that we’re finding things difficult.
Recognising that we don’t always have to push through.
A Chance to Connect
I genuinely enjoyed being part of the event.
As my counselling practice has grown, much of my time has naturally been spent working with clients and continuing my professional development.
So having the opportunity to step outside my therapy room and share some of the things I’m passionate about in a different setting was really lovely.
I particularly enjoyed meeting people and having conversations about emotional wellbeing in such a beautiful and relaxed environment.
We don’t need to be experiencing a crisis to begin thinking and about our emotional wellbeing.
Sometimes it’s simply about becoming a little more curious about ourselves, recognising patterns or noticing when something doesn’t feel quite right.
Events like this are a lovely reminder of how important those conversations can be.
Looking After Yourself Through the Winter Months
As we move towards winter, I think it’s worth acknowledging that this isn’t necessarily an easy time of year for everyone.
There’s often an expectation that we should be looking forward to Christmas, spending time with loved ones and enjoying the festivities.
But the reality is quite often very different.
For some people, winter can bring a sense of isolation or loneliness. For others, Christmas can highlight difficult family relationships, grief, loss or the absence of someone important.
There can also be financial pressures, changes in routine and the feeling that we’re somehow expected to keep everything going.
And even when there isn’t one particular thing that’s troubling us, we can simply find ourselves feeling a little flat, anxious or overwhelmed.
One of the things I value most about my work is being able to offer people a space where they don’t have to pretend everything is ok.
A space where they can talk openly, explore what’s going on for them and begin to make sense of how they’re feeling, without judgement or pressure to have all the answers.
Whether you’re experiencing anxiety, struggling with your mood, navigating relationship difficulties or simply feeling that life has become a little too much, counselling can offer an opportunity to slow things down and focus on you.
I work in a person-centred way, which means our sessions are guided by you, your experiences and what feels important for you to explore.
There’s no expectation to arrive knowing exactly what you want to talk about, and no pressure to have everything figured out.
A Little Thank You
I’d like to say a genuine thank you to everyone at The Granary Spa for inviting me to be part of their Wellness Experience.
It was such a lovely evening, and I really appreciated the opportunity to share my workshop and connect with people outside my usual counselling setting.
As I continue to grow my practice, I’m looking forward to more opportunities to be involved in local events that encourage conversations around mental health and emotional wellbeing.
If there is one thing I’d love people to take away it’s that looking after yourself doesn’t need to be another thing on your never-ending to-do list.
Looking for Counselling Support?
If you’re finding the winter months particularly difficult, experiencing anxiety, feeling overwhelmed or simply needing some space to talk, counselling may be a helpful place to start.
I’m Michelle, a BACP registered counsellor offering individual and couples counselling in Hamstreet, near Ashford, Kent, and online throughout the UK.
If you’d like to find out more about how I work or explore whether counselling might be right for you, you’re very welcome to get in touch.
Michelle Jean Counselling
BACP Registered Counsellor
Hamstreet | Ashford | Kent | Online Counselling
Email: contact@michellejeancounselling.com
Website: www.michellejeancounselling.com