How well do you know your own needs? And how easy do you find it to communicate them with your Nearest-and-Dearest? More on that here. What is yours to do and what is for the other person? This is about being able to say, calmly, clearly and kindly: This is who I am, this is…
Lessons from transitions
Having kids leave home is simply one of any number of major life transitions we go through. What are some of the lessons from transitions that are applicable from our experience of being Empty Nesters? One fun fact about the age we are when our nest empties in this modern era is that is may…
How to cope with an empty nest
Are you an Empty Nester or a Bird Launcher? How do we cope with an Empty Nest, this huge life change that no-one really warns us about? I came across this beautiful idea of being a Bird Launcher on Instagram recently, on @raisingteenstoday. The idea of being a Bird Launcher makes me smile and it…
Reflections from an Empty Nest
It is that time of year again. Households up and down the country are experiencing change. Not just with the weather, although I am noticing leaves on trees around us already starting to turn yellow. But change in status within the family: very Teeny Ones starting nursery, and Little Ones starting Primary school. Big Ones feeling very…
I wish I had taken more chances.
I wish I had taken more chances. Do you every feel like that? How does it feel to imagine getting to the end of your life and looking back at lost opportunities – the ‘what if’s, the fizzled out dreams? Not a very cheery place to start this week, I know. Sorry. But this stuff…
The regret of losing touch with good friends
Are there people in your life, precious friends once upon a time, that you have lost touch with? Losing touch with good friends is on the list of death bed regrets, up there with living true to ourselves and not spending too much time at work. Think about someone who you might have fallen out…
What is the true cost of holding a grudge?
Your stomach is all chewed up. Tension across your shoulders. Headaches. Disturbed sleep, disjointed and disturbed dreams. Chronic irritability and an inability to concentrate. Not a pretty list is it? For me, these are just some of the physical symptoms that come with holding a grudge. Someone wounds you, there is an injustice. It hurts. You…
Advent waiting and spiritual rest
We have entered the season of Advent, as we anticipate and count down towards Christmas. I generally love pretty much everything to do with Christmas, but I love it in December. Not before. As we finish our musings on the Seven different types of rest that we need, the last one fits well with Advent:…
What are your emotional, social and sensory rest needs?
Do you find yourself trying to please all the people round you all the time? What is the cost of this? This links to understanding our emotional rest needs. People pleasing is a common experience for many. It might be that saying no to requests for help is really hard, or that you are the…
“We are suppressed emotions”
Emotions. There are a lot of them around at the moment, be they suppressed emotions or very out in the open. Last week, in Scotland, the school exam results came out. Emotions ranging from joy and excitement through relief and ambivalence to disappointment and anxiety are swirling around the country. This week sees the return…