Tuesday 29 September 2009

Being Erica - Would you want to revisit past regrets?

Since hearing about E4's new Canadian drama, Being Erica, I wanted to see it. As a coach and psychotherapy student, I think the idea of listing regrets and being transported back in time so you can have a second chance is a great premise for a TV show.

But as a human, the idea terrifies me. I barely got through my regretful situations the first time. What if things were even worse when reliving them?

Erica's regrets aren't traumas but they're entertainingly cringeworthy to watch from behind a cushion. And so far, although she's spent years haunted by the wish she'd done certain things differently, she seems to be learning that the choices she made were actually right for her.

But it's the "therapist" (magician?) who seems to have the most fun.

He demands complete committment to change, has the ability to move his office around like one of the lands at the top of The Magic Faraway Tree (it pops up all over the place) and doesn't seem to need to earn a living.

Thinking about your own life, are you hung up on certain regrets?

Imagine you could go back and relive certain episodes from your own life? What would you want to do differently?

With that knowledge, how can you approach your life today differently without having to revisit the actual scene?

Friday 25 September 2009

Shedding leaves, letting go and moving on

When you're feeling impatient and stuck, one of the quickest ways to get yourself out of it is to let go of everything that's holding you back.

Have you got clothes that no longer fit well or suit you? Donate them and enjoy having extra space in your closet (it'll make it much easier to get dressed each morning).

Apparently, in Japan, people leave spaces everywhere - on bookshelves, in closets... after all, if there's no space, things can't flow well and we can get stagnant.

Personally, I'd love to fast forward through the shedding off old skin / leaves phase and be in the sparkly new one.

But I know that, uncomfortable as it may feel at the time, having a good clear out (not just of clothes but habits and patterns of behaviour that no longer work) is a great way to celebrate the end of summer and make room for a great Autumn.

What are you ready to release?

How can you be gentle with yourself as you let go of things that you've perhaps been holding onto for too long?

What will you do to treat yourself when you've made some space in your life?

Thursday 10 September 2009

5 years! Celebrating all mile stones

It was my fifth Business Birthday yesterday but because I've been on Jury Service this week, I started celebrating last week (I make my actual birthday celebrations last at least two weeks).

My business has changed a lot in the past five years but I've learned from every step (and each mistake).

Too often, we hurtle through life without stopping to take stock.

Whether you have a personal mile stone coming up or just a few moments to think about your achievements, take some time to give yourself a pat on the back.

By taking an overview, you'll notice patterns which can help you make better decisions as you move into the future. These are often harder to spot when we're in the thick of things.

Whatever you've accomplished, take some time to celebrate and think Yay You!!!

Wednesday 2 September 2009

Cheating hearts - humiliate or simply pack up and leave

One of the things we talked about on Saturday's show (www.bbc.co.uk/radio/aod/mainframe.shtml?http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/aod/essex.shtml - choose Sadie's show, noon to 2pm) was a man who begged for forgiveness after his infedility was discovered.

His partner agreed to forgive him only if he... well - www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1209451/Cheating-husband-wear-I-cheated-sign-wife.html

I'm all for honesty (and don't understand why so many men and women find it easier to lie than simply tell their partners whatever the truth may be) but not for humiliation.

I find it hard to believe that this man, shamed and humiliated, will be thinking loving thoughts towards his wife.

Why not just leave? Don't they need to address the issues that led to the affair in the first place?

What do you think?