As we are in the year 2020, I am reminded of the concept that 20/20 represents perfect vision. I feel that this is a time to connect to our inner knowing.
A time for appreciating and making use of our insight rather than waiting to have hindsight.
I come across so many women who know that if they continue as they are burnout lies ahead, yet it is difficult to change path.
We are often such good listeners and take everyone’s opinions into account whilst our own voice remains silent.
When it comes to what is best for us our emotions, thoughts and ideas are most important.
Many of us have been raised to value our thinking over any other aspects of ourselves so we tend to underestimate the messages we get from our emotions and physical sensations.
Pause for a moment and consider how well you know the other parts of yourself.
What does tired feel like to you?
Who or what depletes you?
Who or what nourishes you?
Is there a place that feeds your soul?
If you can answer questions like these then I’m guessing that you know yourself well. If you don’t know where to begin with these questions, then today is a good day to start your reflections.
Sometimes we’re scared to look at alternatives to the status quo. Or we feel more comfortable with the challenges we have than the new ones we might encounter if we made changes.
Whatever the case it’s good to recognise what we are choosing and feel empowered in this.
One of the ways we can explore our inner world is through writing; jotting down thoughts, feelings, memories, hopes and fears. This is writing from our conscious and unconscious. It could be shared in a small group with others on the same journey.
I often write like this and find it helps me to figure out my feelings about things, offers me a record of how things change and gives me space to explore possible choices.
Therapeutic writing, as it is known, can be even more expansive and include objects, images, poems, lyrics and other stories. As I continue to learn more and facilitate sessions, I find it a very powerful and fun way to connect to and listen to our internal world.
You can start with journaling and see how that feels to you. I will be running one session per month from April and you can book a session here to try this out for yourself. There’s nothing like experiencing something to know if it might work for you.
Do get in touch if you’d like me to design workshops for a particular group. It can apply to many settings and life challenges.
Here’s hoping your 2020 year is filled with more insight than hindsight.
How do these ideas resonate with you?
Shirley Anstis is a counsellor, author and former magazine editor. She uses counselling, therapeutic writing and mindfulness to support others to work through their past, connect to their present and step into their future. Outside of this her interests include parenting, photography, nature walks, diversity, food and films.
Book for my next session here.
Shirley Anstis,