Why can't I just get myself going?' Have you ever had one of those periods when even the simplest things feel like an effort? Getting out of bed. Answering a message. Doing the housework. Going for a walk. Starting something you've been meaning to do. You might find yourself thinking, 'Why can't I just get myself going?' Perhaps you remember a time when you had more energy and enthusiasm. You may even know what you should be doing, but somehow you just can't seem to find the

“Feeling Stuck?” Have you ever found yourself thinking, “I know I need to change something, but I just don’t know how to begin”? Perhaps you know that something isn't working for you anymore. Maybe you're feeling overwhelmed, unhappy, anxious or simply not quite yourself. You may even know what you would like to be different, yet somehow find yourself returning to the same thoughts, habits or patterns. If this sounds familiar, you're not alone. Feeling stuck is something many

With Halloween approaching, fear is everywhere. We see it in spooky films, haunted houses, scary stories and the things designed to make us jump. But for many of us, fear isn't something that only appears at Halloween. Fear can show up in everyday life — as a racing heart before an important conversation, a knot in your stomach when facing something unfamiliar, worries about your health or relationships, or a strong urge to avoid something that feels uncomfortable. So, what e

Being in the present There are times when the world can feel like an unsettling place. We may hear about conflict, political uncertainty, economic pressures, environmental concerns, or difficult events happening around the world. With news available to us almost constantly, it can sometimes feel as though we are never very far away from the next worrying story. Even when these events are happening far away from us, they can still affect how we feel. You may notice yourself wo

There are times in life when it can feel as though everything is simply too much. It may not be one particular thing that has caused it. Instead, it can be a combination of work, relationships, family responsibilities, health concerns, financial worries, changes in life, or simply the everyday demands that seem to keep piling up. You might find yourself thinking, ‘I can't keep up with everything,’ or ‘I just need everyone to leave me alone for a while.’ Feeling overwhelmed do

Autumn leaves Walking through my local park recently, I was struck by the beautiful changes autumn brings. Fallen leaves covered the woodland floor, while new colours appeared amongst the trees. Nature reminds us that change is a natural part of life — even when change isn't always comfortable. As the days become shorter and the temperatures begin to drop, many people living with persistent pain notice that their symptoms can feel more difficult to manage. You may find that y

Have you ever noticed that when life becomes stressful, your body seems to notice it too? Perhaps your shoulders become tense, your stomach feels unsettled, your sleep becomes disrupted or you find yourself feeling exhausted even when you haven't done anything particularly strenuous. You may even notice that an old ache seems more noticeable when you're under pressure. These experiences can be confusing, particularly when we don't understand the connection between what is hap

Calm way forward Understanding Low Self-Esteem How we feel about ourselves can profoundly affect our life experiences. When self-esteem is low, we may become overly critical of ourselves. We might doubt our abilities and compare ourselves to others. Often, we feel that we are simply not 'good enough'. These feelings can develop gradually or arise after difficult experiences, relationships, loss, criticism, or significant changes. The good news is that self-esteem is not fixed

Modern life can feel incredibly demanding. Work pressures, family responsibilities, financial worries, health concerns, and the constant pace of everyday life can all contribute to feelings of stress. While a certain amount of stress is a normal part of life, ongoing or overwhelming stress can begin to affect both our emotional and physical wellbeing. Recognising the signs of stress is an important first step towards making positive changes. What Does Stress Feel Like? Stress

Perhaps you lie awake at night thinking about something that happened during the day, or find yourself constantly worrying about what might happen tomorrow. You may even tell yourself, 'I need to stop thinking about this,' only to find that your mind seems to become even busier. If this sounds familiar, you are certainly not alone. Overthinking is something many of us experience, particularly during times of stress, uncertainty or anxiety. Understanding why it happens can be

Almost everyone experiences anxiety from time to time. Before an interview, an exam, a presentation, or an important life event, anxiety is a natural response that helps us prepare and stay alert. In many situations, it can even be helpful. However, when anxiety becomes persistent, overwhelming, or begins to affect everyday life, it can feel exhausting. You may find yourself constantly worrying, overthinking conversations, struggling to relax, or feeling on edge without knowi

If you've been living with chronic pain for months or even years, you may have heard phrases like, 'Your scans look fine,' or 'There's nothing more we can find.' For many people, these words can leave them feeling confused, frustrated, and even questioning whether their pain is somehow 'all in their head.' I want to reassure you that your pain is real. As both a counsellor and Solution Focused Hypnotherapist, I meet people who are not only living with persistent pain but are

Welcome to my blog page by Luan Thomas