In our quest to be ‘healthy’, we often compare ourselves to an external ideal, rather than paying close attention to our own experience, and identifying our ‘normal’. If we can approach ourselves the way we wish our doctor would - with patience, curiosity and compassion - we stand a better chance of understanding what ails us and what might help us recover.

When we look for solutions to our emotional difficulties, we are drawn to approaches that reinforce a perception of ourselves as lacking or deficient. This brief article argues that it is more helpful in the long term to think in terms of improving our quality of life, rather than eradicating problems or character flaws.

Giving and receiving gifts can psh our buttons in all sorts of ways, to do with our relational experiences. This short piece explores common difficulties around giving and receiving, and offers some suggestions for ways to hold steady in seasons where expectations are high.

Why is it so hard to do things that should, on the face of it, be easy? Many people I’ve worked with, despite being highly intelligent and intellectually accomplished, find aspects of daily life and office admin insurmountably difficult. This can fuel self-criticism and impostor feelings. This short piece looks at the importance of the context in which we’re trying to do things, and to recognise that few people are evenly skilled, with consistent capacity.